Families Need Godly Fathers

Families Need Godly Fathers                                               June 15, 2025

Statistics Canada reports that 12.8 percent of Canadian children live in fatherless households. In the United States it is reported that 18.4 million children, or 1 in 4 children, live without a father at home.  Children raised in fatherless homes are at enormous risk throughout their lifetime.  The impact of a fatherless home has far reaching effects on these children being that 1 in 4 children will experience 4 times greater risk of poverty, and be more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems.  The Communio Nationwide Study on Faith and Relationships reveals that the collapse in marriage and the resulting decline in resident fatherhood may offer the best explanation for the decline of Christianity in the United States. 

God designed the family to have fathers present, and not just simply present but fully engaged in their families.  I have to admit that I find the statistics above discouraging and there were probably times in my children’s lives where I was not as engaged as I should have been.  Fully engaged Christian fathers have a key impact on the development, well-being and outcome of their children.  I want to encourage you today by highlighting some of the key truths about the responsibilities of fathers found in scripture:

Fathers are to be a model or example of God’s character.  The fathers role reflects the nature of God the Father, i.e. fathers are to be loving, just, patient, merciful etc.  In the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32 the father is seen as patient, forgiving and merciful.  Psalm 103:13 states “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”

Fathers must be the spiritual leader of the home.  Fathers must lead their families spiritually by setting a godly example, helping his family understand God’s truth and providing discipline when necessary.  In Ephesians 6:4 Paul provides this instruction to fathers “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  God instructs Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Fathers must be a disciplinarian and teacher of their children.  Teaching and discipline go hand in hand and fathers must learn to lovingly teach and discipline.  Proverbs 19:18 teaches us “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”  Proverbs 22:6 states “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  The Hebrew writer in Hebrews 12:7-11 illustrates the value of loving discipline and how this helps lead to righteousness.

Fathers must be providers and protectors.  The Bible teaches us that being a provider and protector are essential characteristics for the Godly man.  1 Timothy 5:8 states “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  Proverbs 14:26 teaches us that our fear of the Lord not only blesses us but blesses our family as well by providing them a spiritual refuge, “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”

This may seem overwhelming, however fathers can do this by leading prayerful Godly lives and showing by example how God expects his children to live.  Fathers can regularly teach God’s word by incorporating it into the daily lives of their families.  Fathers need to be engaged in their children’s lives by being present and giving quality time and attention to their children.  Fathers must provide a stable home that protects their children from the evil influences of this world and instead provides them with the necessities of life and allows them to have hearts focused on God.  A fathers heart must reflect the heart of God. My grandchildren have helped me to learn this.  They have taught me that I need to have a heart that is quick to forgive, is patient when angry, is generous with affection, disciplines with love and is faithful with promises made.

Kevin Pickles