An exhortation to Christian dads

The Bible is crystal clear about our roles within the family. The husband is the head of the wife (Eph. 5:23), and he is commanded to love her as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25). The wife is to be subject to her husband in all things (Eph. 5:24), and she is to respect him (Eph. 5:33). Children are to obey their parents in the Lord (Eph. 6:1).

In homes where these roles are understood and where each person functions within their correct role demonstrating a Godly attitude, the blessing of the Lord is very real and tangible.

In homes where these roles are not understood and/or not accepted and/or not practiced, disorder and/or dysfunction will be evident to a greater or lesser degree.

The key role is that of the spiritual head and leader of the family, the father. And it is this role that has been fiercely attacked and marginalised in the western world over the last 30 or so years. This attack upon the gatekeeper, the leader of the family, follows the principle seen in Zechariah 13:7: "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered..."

As a result of this attack, many people live in families today that are disorderly and/or dysfunctional.

In homes where the father is no longer present (for whatever reason), or in homes where the father is not a believer , different strategies may have to be followed to enable the children to develop a regular Quiet Time and Sharing routine.

However, in homes where dad IS present, and where dad IS a believer, a successful Quiet Time and Sharing depends upon one person - you, the Christian dad.

You are the leader and spiritual head of your home. You are the gatekeeper who permits and forbids. This is the role assigned to each of us dads by God, the Supreme Dad, and the role for which we will be required to give an account as entrusted stewards.

If you, the spiritual head and leader of the home, esteem and value the place of Quiet Times and family sharing times, your family can learn to esteem and value them too. On the other hand, if you "drag your feet" spiritually, then expect your own children to show the same disdain for things of the Lord, and for your wife to be left in a crushed state as she is forced to walk the highly complex and grievous road of honouring both her God and her God-dishonouring husband.

Christian dad - you are the key to establishing not just Quiet Times in your home, but also a prevailing atmosphere of devotion to things of the Lord.

- by Todd Roughton