5 THINGS THAT MAKE A GREAT FATHER

I. Protector
1. A father devotes his manly powers to protect his wife for anyone who would
threaten her.
 A man will permit no one to disrespect his wife, including and even
especially at home.
2. A father defends his family through what he earns in his work.
 That is, he does not just provide for his family; he protects them from
poverty. He shelters them, take care of their needs for a roof, food
and clothing.
3. A father protects his children by strengthening their judgement and will so
they can later protect themselves.
 In the lives of his children, he asserts loving leadership toward
responsible competent adulthood.
4. A father builds healthy self confidence in children
 His presence around the home as a physically strong man leads his
children daughters specially to feel safe, securely protected and
therefore self-confident. “A good man is recognizing for the fullness
of his worth upon his departure.”

II. Provider
“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
Proverb 10:4 NIV
It is being sure that each member of your family knows that you are
with them and for them… always. Your emotional support will help your
family members develop a deep-seated sense of quiet self-confidence,
which is so vital to us as human beings.
A father is a giver/ contributor/ being sensitive to your need. Its more
than money; wisdom; perspective and insight.
Illustration: Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)
III. Promoter
“The father of a righteous child has great joy; he who has a wise son
delights in him.”
Proverbs 23:24

1. Help instill responsibility in his children.

 This can be achieved by assigning chores, providing examples of
cause and effect and establish routines. They need to see that
young people do not grow up when they can take care of
themselves, rather, they really grow up when they can take care
of others and want to.
2. Provide boundaries for your child’s behavior.
 Set consistent limits and follow through with reasonable
consequences.
3. Listen to his children
 Create a safe environment within your family where your child can
express thoughts and feelings. It means putting other matters aside
and making an intellectual effort to listen fully and intently to what
a family member is saying to you.
4. Foster independence in his children
 Praise your child’s efforts and encourage positive risk taking
decision making.
5. He teaches respect for rightful authority
 He knows that when children fail to respect their parents, they can
later clash with all other forms of rightful authority, teachers,
employers, the law, God’s law and their own conscience.

IV. Priest
“Father, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 ESV
 A father is a man who reflects the image of his father in heaven and
who make it easier for his children to know their father’s heavenly Father.
You are the spiritual leader of your home, when our sons and
daughters are fully grown, they must decide for themselves the right path
to take spiritually, morally and ethically. But as a father, we have the God
giver responsibility to teach them when they are young what is good and
right and true and just, to the very best of our ability.
“Impress them on your children, talk about them when you sit at
home and when you walk along the roads, when you lie down and
when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV
A great father is man who knows how to pray; man who cast his
burden to God.

V. Prophet
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will
not depart from it.”
Proverb 22:6 ESV
As a father, he corrects and encourage, and helps his children
to learn from their mistakes. In this way, he leads his children to form a
realistic sense of their strengths and limitations.
A father leads his children to adult-level sound judgement and
shrewdness. He helps them to use their brains like responsible adult. To
frame questions and answers logically, to think ahead and foresee
consequences, to assess people character and values, and to know
malarkey (insincere or foolish talk) when they see it.

1. Illustration to correct or rebuke (Nathan rebukes David, 2 Sam 12:1-15)

v.5 “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!”
v.6 “He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such
a thing and had no pity.”
2. Illustration: Amnon and Zamar, 2 Samuel 13
CONCLUSION
None of us will get all this right all the time, so when you blow it, own it.
Apologize and move forward with grace and confidence. On those days when
you feel like you’re not getting through, remember that the process is slow, but
the impact you’re having will endure for generation to come, keep creating new
memories, praying, striving, encouraging, disciplining, enjoying and loving those
kids and remember that each moment with them is a gift!