Be the Teacher
Calling all dads, and dads of dads with kids under ten years old. Be the teacher. The first ten years of a child’s life is a unique window of time. Dad and mom, as the primary influence when young minds receive everything as absolute, can instill family values and faith and prepare them for outside influences that are around the corner.
Most dads are relatively young in marriage when the first child is born and they are still trying to be the husband their wives need. They are also are typically early in their career trying to establish themselves. And then reality as a new dad hits and it is easy to get overwhelmed. With everything being so mom-focused early-on, many turn to work where they know what to do. When they look up, the kids are going to school! Three hundred marbles are gone, half of the Teacher season! The charge is to be the teacher.
And king Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served Solomon his father while he was still alive, saying, How do you counsel me to answer this people?” – 1Kings 12: 6. Early in his reign, Rehoboam had the right idea. He was a young king trying to fill his dad’s shoes. The old men gave him good advice but he rebuked them and went with advice from his friends. It did not go well for him or his kingdom. Good advice leads to good outcomes. Bad advice does not serve anyone well. One young dad knew what a blessing it was to be a father, but he had been advised that providing well financially for his family was his main job. One friend had even referenced 1Timothy 5:8 as saying if you fail to provide, you are worse than an unbeliever. But Paul’s instructions to Timothy were not strictly financial. The charge was to be provisionary in multiple dimensions. Dads are to: be managers of the home with mom to establish a healthy routine as a family; be physically present as much as practical to interact with children and play with them; be involved in helping the kids learn how to pray and to read; and provide opportunities for a child understand and accept responsibility for a toy, a play area and eventually for some chores. The word for the Teacher season is intentionality. Dad and mom must be intentional in the early years to instill family values and faith in their children. As dads of dads with young kids, offering faith-filled encouragement will keep the door open for dialogue around right priorities
Tips for Be the Teacher:
- Schedule regular time as dad and mom to discuss family routine and commitments;
- Find a dad that has been through this season and meet regularly;
- Introduce Scriptural and spiritual perspectives in the home;
- Pray for and with each child. Read to and with them;
- Play with the kids. Teach them a sport;
- Watch the Marbles video and read Seasons of Fathering.
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and the opportunity to be a dad. I confess I was overwhelmed early in the fathering journey and focused on work. Forgive me. I want to be intentional during the early years with my children to instill our values and faith. Help me connect with my dad or a father-figure that will provide good advice grounded in Your word. I commit to be physically present, engaged emotionally and lead spiritually. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need. Amen.
A faithful father is intentional through the Teacher season of fathering.
