Top Ten Verses About Fatherhood

From the home office in Oakman, Alabama we have a top ten list of Bible verses concerning fathers, and a comment or two as to how we can learn from them . . .

10. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. (Pro 17:6) I know grown children whose fathers were not the best of men, but still love their "Daddy." There may be something to that old cliche'; "Blood is thicker than water."

9. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. (Pro 23:24) As the father of a young man who currently seems to have his head on straight, I will amen this. When we raise young men and women who are responsible adults how can our hearts not swell at their successes.

8. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. (Heb 12:9a). The wise man wrote in Proverbs that sparing discipline (the rod) spoils the child. As fathers we must discipline our children so that they will learn to be righteous, responsible adults.

7. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Eph 6:4) When we discipline, remember that there is a fine line between correction and abuse. Make certain your children understand the purpose of each punishment. One friend calls his discipline plan, "MLE" - Meaningful Learning Experiences.

6. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mk 9:24) To be a good father, we must be faithful to our heavenly Father. Take time to reflect on and maybe even pray the plea of the father in Mark 9.

5. For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' (Mat 15:4). This one is to remind not only children to honor their parents but to remind those of us who are fathers to live in a way to make honoring you easy for your children. Do not teach one thing and live the opposite. Also remember that you are a son of your parents, model the honor you want from your children.

4. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? (Mat 19:5) There comes a time to leave home. Raise your children to leave, and if you are an adult still living at home, or married and still trying to "cling" to your parents. Let go. You have a family of your own to care for. Do not neglect your parents, but do not neglect your wife and children either.

3. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Mat 10:37) Now I really start sounding like a preacher. Love your parents, but love God more.

2. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mat 6:8) You and I as fathers are imperfect. Sometimes there are things that my son wants or needs that I am unaware of. Not God! He knows our needs and longs to bless us in fulfilling them.

1. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Lk 6:36) This is my goal. Make it yours as well. Be the kind of father to your children that God is to you.

Successfully Raising Children

"Behold children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV)

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior." What a great statement! A well-skilled archer has effective aim. We have a few avid bow hunters in our Church family, I try, but others put me to shame. They practice, study methods, upgrade equipment, and are able to be on target. Me not so much. I will get out one day before the season starts, dust off my bow, find all my arrows and take a few shots. No wonder my freezer stays empty. I neglect four basic rules of archery:
1) The Direction I point the arrow is important,
2) The Strength of the pull has effect,
3) Properly Timing the Release is valuable, and
4) Accuracy in Aiming is vital.

Apply these to raising children and you understand more about what the Psalmist has in mind.
1) What Direction am I pointing my children in?
2) What Influence (Pull) am I giving them with my lifestyle?
3) Do I let go (Release) them into situations (or expose them to certain things of the world) before they are ready? Or am I hanging on too long?
4) What are my goals (where am I Aiming) for me and my children?

Paul tells fathers (and mothers by default), " . . . do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4)

Here are a list of Parental Rules to Model and to Teach so we can be skilled archers.
1) Put purity above pleasure.
2) Place others before yourself.
3) Be more industrious and less lazy.
4) As an adult be more mature and less childish.
5) Demonstrate service over power.
6) Be Christ-like.

** in the photo Scott McCown with younger brother Charles in front, older brother: Doug McCown holding cousin Michelle, cousin Michael McCown. Taken in Chesapeake, Ohio circa 1976 -77.