Involvement is the topic for this third week of the DadsHeroChallenge. Being there, being present and accounted for, is the key for this dimension of the fathering role. Being present physically is at an all-time high for many as travel schedules have been scaled back and employers encourage working from home. But what is there to be involved with when the kids’ activities have been cancelled as well?
The challenge is to move from ‘doing’ dad – coaching the team or taking kids to various activities, to ‘being’ dad – taking a step forward as the spiritual leader, the Father’s representative in the home. A Barna study years ago documented that less than one in ten Christian families read the Bible or pray together (other than at mealtime) during a typical week. Involvement as the spiritual leader across the week allows church on Sunday to complement spiritual growth as a family.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22: 6. To train is often thought of as teaching a child a particular skill or type of behavior. But know that even a dedicated time of teaching pales in comparison the example you set as a father 24/7. As the axiom goes, “Kids catch what you have got more than they do what you say.” When Solomon says, “Train a child in the way he should go,” he is saying to lead by example all the time because someone is always watching you. The second half of the verse is tied to the example set between Sundays.
Tips for spiritual leadership:
Accept the DadsHeroChallenge - Click HERE to download the study booklet and gain access to the video teaching;
Initiate family discussions that bring biblical views into real life situations;
Initiate faith activities – Bible study, worship, devotion time & prayer in the home to integrate faith into the lives of the children;
If there are teenagers in the home, work through the ‘Truth Project’ and discuss the piercing question – “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?”
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and Your example of involvement in Your Son’s life. John’s gospel is a testimony of how Jesus trained His disciples. His teaching was grounded in “just what the Father has taught Me.” (John 8:28). Help me be the teacher You call me to be, to train the next generation in Your way through my day-to-day walk with you and intentionality in applying biblical truth to real life. It is with this hope that I accept the DadsHeroChallenge to become a hero in my children’s eyes. That is the dad You call me to be, and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father is involved as the spiritual leader in his children’s lives.
