Exodus 34.6-7 describes the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished..

The current culture rejects the importance of fathering but the Bible describes God as a Father, in fact that is the Name by which He prefers we call upon Him. The fact that some have experienced the tragedy of poor fathering doesn’t diminish the goodness of fathering.

What we need to do is focus on the goal of fathering so all of us can strive toward it and encourage one another in it.

In this description of God, One He Himself used for making Himself known, we can find our structure for determining a father’s role.

First, a father should be compassionate and gracious. Most children when they are hurt run to their mother for compassion who embraces them and coddles them. My usual response is to say, ‘toughen up butter cup.’  Most likely there is a healthy balance in there somewhere but certainly my children need to know that I feel their pain. In feeling their pain I should be gracious, giving as much as I can to alleviate it. This may mean giving money or going out of my way to help them but in any case, a father should be known for his compassion and grace with generosity.

Second, a father should be slow to anger. We get angry because things don’t go our way. The whole world responds to God in such a manner yet He remains patient with our rebellion and disobedience. We too must work on being patient with children who are also selfish and rebellious by encouraging and training them to do what is right.

Third, a father should abound in love and faithfulness. Love involves sacrifice and service to the benefit of the beloved. This is how God demonstrated His love for us in Jesus our Lord. Both passivity and physical abandonment are the opposite of faithfulness and love. When we fail to engage our children intentionally and stay connected to them and their mother for life, we are unloving and unfaithful.

Fourth, a father forgives. We cannot take personal our children’s disobedience. While our disobedience is a personal affront to God’s holiness He forgives generously. Forgiveness holds no grudges against the bad choices our children make.

Finally, a father disciplines his children. This role in fathering has taken an especially bad rap since the 1970’s but God’s Word is clear that discipline is a necessary function for properly raising children. God is committed to our discipline for our good and so too father’s must do the same in the same manner God disciplines those He loves.

If we would be the best fathers possible we must commit ourselves to becoming more like the best Father of all.

Mike would enjoy sharing more with your men’s group on this subject. Contact him for possible dates.