A Christian dad impacts his family and the world. Dad, you are vitally important. Some “Fresh Ideas” for dads:
DavisPray for your child
? Kneel by your sleeping child’s bed and pray for him. Pray for him daily as you drive to work.
? Pray aloud with your child. Pray together at bedtime. Voice a prayer as you drive her to school. Praise God as a family when He blesses, and take needs and crises to Him.
“Pray constantly” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 HCSB)
Invest time in your child’s life
? Create father/child traditions: birthday breakfast with dad, father/daughter date, father/son adventure, read Sunday funnies together, share a hobby.
? Even on busy days, spend at least a few focused minutes with your child. Take a walk, shoot baskets, go for a soda, play a board game. Listen. Comfort. Make eye contact. Speak wisdom.
? Make lifetime memories with family vacations. Yes, a backyard campout counts.
? Idea: Offer to substitute in your child’s Sunday school class.
“Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6)
Be your home’s spiritual leader
? Enthusiastically initiate family commitment to God, His Word and His church. Read your Bible. Truly love His church. Help your child know Jesus as personal Savior.
? Verbalize your “God story.” Tell your child about how God saved you. Talk about answered prayer. Conversationally acknowledge God’s importance in your life.
? Teach God’s ways to your child constantly – when you sit, walk, lay or stand (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).
? Idea: Text or write a Scripture on a note card for your child.
“Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation” (Amos 1:3)
Love your wife
? Let your child see you show genuine affection to mom with compliments, hugs, laughs, prayers.
? You’re teaching them how to treat their future spouse.
? Idea: Tell your child the story of how you fell in love with Mom.
“Each one of you is to love his wife as himself -” (Ephesians 5:33)
Encourage your child
? Show family affection. Laugh together. Delight in your child. Say, “I love you” often. Compliment sincerely. Speak positively about him to others.
? Be the parent. Your child needs a father, not just another buddy. Your loving discipline and wise boundaries demonstrate your love.
?Idea: Hug your child for at least 10 seconds today.
“Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)
Serve God together
? Help your child discover her spiritual gifts and use them.
? Set an example of joyful service to God. Find ways to include your child, such as homebound visit, church workday, mission trip, church project.
“Serve the Lord with gladness -” (Psalm 95:1-2)
Be a man of integrity. Your child is watching your life to emulate it.
? Idea: Tape this on your dressing mirror. “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home” (Psalm 101:2)
Enjoy your quiver. Psalm 127:4-5 NLT says that “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children-are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” On average, child-rearing days encompass less than one-third of your adult years. Treasure them.
Happy Father’s Day.
– Need a small gift for dads on Father’s Day at your church? Create a bookmark from this article. Download it at keeponshining.com, add your church name and logo, and laminate. Davis is a columnist, speaker, and author of “Deacon Wives” and “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” (B&H Publishing).