LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
What should a Christian father be like according to the Bible?
Submitted to Dr. James Sulfridge
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
By
Anthony Bean
What should a Christian father be like according to the Bible?
The Bible speaks frequently and clearly regarding many of the responsibilities and
privileges of Christian fathers. One of the important aspects of Adam's life was his role as
father. Genesis specifically mentions three of his sons—Cain, Abel, and Seth. Later, Noah's
three sons find both partnership and protection as they join in the ark and survive the Flood
with Noah, their mother, and their spouses. Abraham would later become a father in a
remarkable way and would further serve as a "father" to Israel through whom all people would
be blessed (Hebrews 6:13-15; Genesis 22:15-18).
The Law of Moses gives instruction to fathers. Of primary importance are the words
of Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Several
observations can be made based on these words. Fathers are to know God's Word, study it,
teach it to their children, and be involved on a daily basis with their kids.
In Proverbs, additional wisdom is given regarding the responsibilities of a godly father. For
example, Proverbs 22:6 teaches, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old
he will not depart from it." A father likewise provides discipline to children (Proverbs 3:12). In
the New Testament, specific instructions are given to fathers in Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not
provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Negatively, fathers are not to "provoke" or frustrate their children through parenting that hurts
their kids. Positively, fathers are to instead teach their children God's Word to provide wisdom
for living well and to help children come to salvation.
Jesus also highlighted the importance of a father to provide for his children when He
taught, "Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks
for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask
him!" (Matthew 7:9-11). Though speaking of God's role as Father, the principle includes a
father's desire to care for his children and to show them love as a godly thing.
Children, however, are not only a father's responsibility; they are also a father's
privilege. Psalm 127:3-5 declares, "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!" Children are a gift from God to be cherished
and nurtured by fathers. Christian fathers can help encourage a legacy of godliness as Joshua
declared years ago, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Leads as the Family’s Spiritual Head
1. He is a Good Husband to His Wife.
You cannot be a good father to your kids without being a good husband to their mother
first. That is why you must also strive to be a loving, considerate, and respectful husband to
your wife. If you have a harmonious relationship with her, your home will be peaceful and full
of love, which will secure your children. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live
with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the
gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)
2. He Protects His Marriage.
A lot of marriages fail today, leaving numerous kids broken and hurting. For this reason,
you should guard your marriage against unfaithfulness, pride, violence, and anything that can
cause separation or divorce. “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has
joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:6)
3. He Promotes God’s Word at Home.
If you want your kids to grow up loving God and living according to His will, you should
introduce them to the Bible. Aside from going to church as a family and letting them attend
Sunday school, make sure you have your own Bible sharing at home. “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the
doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
4. He Leads the Family to Serve the Lord.
Make it a goal to serve God as a family. Being active in the ministry and participating in
church fellowships altogether will help instill Christlike values in them. These will also help them
discover the purpose of their existence, which is living for God. “But as for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
5. He Fears the Lord.
A good father is God-fearing. Since he has reverence for the Lord, He will be careful to obey
His commands in everything. This godly wisdom will help him come up with the right decisions
for his family. Moreover, this attitude will lead to blessings from God, with his children
benefiting the most from them. “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their
children it will be a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)
6. He Encourages His Children to Live for God
A Christlike dad will not just encourage his kids to go to church and be part of a ministry.
His main goal is to instill in their hearts that their purpose in life is to glorify God. “For you know
that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting
and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1
Thessalonians 2: 11-12)
7. He is Prayerful.
Every parent who has faith in God will entrust their family to Him through prayers.
Therefore, you should regularly pray for your kids and the entire family. Instead of letting
problems cloud your judgments in decision-making, you get peace through Christ Jesus in your
heart. “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6)
8. He is Compassionate to His Children and Treats Them with Grace.
A good father is like God—he is merciful to his children. Even if they commit mistakes, he
treats them with grace, forgiving them for what they have done, and still loving them
unconditionally. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
Guides His Children
9. He is a Role Model to Them.
As a father, it is your greatest job to teach your children to be righteous individuals. The
best way to do this is by being a role model to them in integrity, faith, love, and Christlikeness.
Be a good example to them by living these godly principles. “In everything set them an example
by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” (Titus 2:7)
10. He Disciplines Them.
Do not be afraid to discipline your children when they do something wrong. To become
good citizens in the future, you have to train them while they are young. Rebuke and correct
them when they commit mistakes. Punish them if necessary so they will understand the weight
of their wrongdoings. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his
rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
(Proverbs 3:11-12)
Desires Good Things for the Family
11. He Gives His Kids What is Good for Them.
Any parent would want to provide the best for their kids, so it is natural that you will give
them what they need—not the wants that will lead them to destruction. Of course, it will be a
delight to give them what can make them happy or benefit them the most. How you provide for
your children reflects the desire of the Father in heaven to give good gifts to His children.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for
an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
12. He Works with Excellence.
A good father works diligently to be able to provide for his family’s needs. Moreover, he
treats his job as a blessing from God, thus giving his best to honor Him. Anyone who works with
dedication and excellence will surely reap what they sow—which is abundance for the family.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human
masters,” (Colossians 3:23)
13. He Trains Them in a Righteous Way.
Overall, you are a good father if you are able to train your kids in a godly way. To do this,
make sure to teach them what is right and wrong according to God’s standards. Also, introduce
them to the Bible as a source of wisdom and principles. When they grow up, they will always go
back to this foundation. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
14. He Secures Them with Love.
If you want your children to feel secure, you have to instill love in their hearts. Assure them
that they are loved—by God, their parents, friends, and others close to their hearts. Then,
teach them to love others as well. With this, they will grow up with more courage and positivity
to face life’s challenges.
