Forty tents and over 100 dads with kids gathered for an ‘Overnight at the Cross’. Hotdogs were grilled, games were played, a devotion time was shared, bottle-rockets built by father-child pairs were launched, s’mores were roasted and good fun was had by all. What was initiated a number of years ago by the Dads of Sagemont has become a semi-annual occurrence that gives dads a fun, easy-to-plug-in-to activity to do with their kids.
To PASS the BATON well to the next generation, dads need to be encouraged on the journey and reminded how important they are in the lives of their kids. Core groups of dads in a number of churches have done just that through similar overnights, fun days on site, fishing outings, trips to the zoo, nights at the ballpark to see the Astros and even an annual canoe trip. The common elements with these events is that they are fun, easy-to-engage-in and there is devotion time that stimulates discussion around scripture between the dads and kids.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12b. It is very easy for a man to get caught up in the darkness of BUSYness – putting in long hours at the expense of time with his family. It can become a provide & survive life – provide for today and survive for another day. It is one of the devil’s best schemes to use man’s initiative for work and heart for his family to keep him in the dark focused on financial provision. This is Being Under Satan’s Yoke. The opportunity to engage in fun activities with your kids is the Light of our Lord illuminating the right priorities for life – raising Godly offspring. When God speaks of provision, He points to investing well physically, emotionally and spiritually in order to PASS the BATON well to the next generation.
PASS the BATON is Faithful Fathering’s strategy for the local church. PASS is an acronym with the ‘P’ being for Purpose-filled fathering; ‘A’ is Activities for dads & kids; ‘S’ is Studies for dads; and the second ‘S’ is Staying connected as kids mature. Activities for dads and kids that are easy-to-plug-in-to help keep dads focused in on right priorities in this BUSY world. The 936 weeks we have from birth to age 18 goes by quickly. Step into the responsibility that goes with the title of ‘father’. Run the second leg of the race well as a father by routinely engaging in Activities with your kids and keep a firm grip on the baton. The subsequent legs of the race and last two letters of the PASS acronym will be topics for the weeks ahead.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the blessing of You in my life and the family You have blessed me with. Thank You for the jar of 936 marbles that reminds me of the window of time I have to run the Father’s relay race. Forgive me for drifting from the lane of right priorities in this life. Keep my eyes focused on You and provide the clarity needed for me and Faithful Fathering to run the race You have marked out for us, to PASS the BATON well to the next generation. Amen.
A faithful father routinely engages in fun Activities with his kids.
