Week 25 Devotional | Fathers

When you hear many of the best professional athletes speak about their role models and how they became great athletes, many of them talk about their fathers' role in their lives.

Michael Jordan said that his father was his best friend. Steph and Seth Curry talk about how their father used to bring them to the stadium before his NBA games and helped them fall in the love with the game of basketball. Kyrie Irving's dad raised him as a single father after his mother passed away when he was just 4. Before he was drafted, Irving said, "I can't even explain in words how much he means to me."

Shaquille O'Neal grew up with his mother and step-father, and he even wrote songs about the relationship that he had with his step-father and his impact on his life.

Lebron James talks about how not having his father in his life made him want to be an even better father for his three kids.

The role of the father is important in all families. Unfortunately, that role is not fulfilled in all, but its impact is always felt. 

The evidence about the influence of fathers on their children is overwhelming. Surveys and research show that when fathers are involved in their children's lives, they are more likely to get A's, enjoy school, and participate in extracurricular activities. Even one-year-olds with fathers who were involved were less likely to cry, worry, or disrupt play than other one-year-olds whose fathers were less involved (Inspiration).

Fathers must understand the impact they can have on the lives of their children. Paul wrote in Colossians, "Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged." Paul wrote in Ephesians, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

In Proverbs, it is written, "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). Later in Proverbs, it is written, "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old (Proverbs 23:22)." It is also written, "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him (Proverbs 23:24)."

We all have a role to play. The role of our parents to provide guidance, instruction, and discipline. The role of the child is to listen and obey their parents.

On this Father's Day, remember to obey your fathers. Fathers, remember to not aggravate your children, or they might become discouraged, but continue to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

THIS WEEK:

1 - Find ways to show how much you love and appreciate your parents.

2 - Make an effort to listen and learn from the instruction, guidance, and advice your parents give you.

References:

1 - Fathers. "Inspiration Ministries," https://inspiration.org/daily-devotional/fathers/. 

For a Google Doc version of this devotional, click here: Week 25 Devotional | Fathers