Father’s Equipping Children
As a home school father, I have the essential job of being the school’s principal, as my wife teaches our children daily. As the principal, I often check in with my children to see what they have learned in their curriculum and ensure they show their mother (teacher) respect by being the primary disciplinarian. I also make it a point to keep things fun with the kids by having a good share of daily playtime. In addition to these actions, the principal needs to ensure that our school’s primary objective is being met, which is to train our children in the ways of the Lord to know Him and serve Him.
Christian fathers cannot be ignorant of the devil’s wiles, the flesh’s lusts, and the draw of the world that our children will encounter. If we are to take our task seriously in equipping our children, we must first equip ourselves for battle. Please make no mistake, gentlemen, we are, in fact, in a battle. To disciple our children so they can stand against these adversaries, we must first be a disciple of Christ.
We must be in our Bible daily, feeding off the word of God. If you are not already doing so, make it a point to meet with the Lord daily to read your Bible. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 Be faithful in this and see how the Lord will bless you and renew your mind. Second, be in prayer for your wife and your children. A healthy prayer life between you and the Lord will provide direction, focus, and you will experience the presence of the Lord. Prayer shows us our dependence on God and allows us to build trust in the Lord. Third, be accountable by attending church weekly, getting involved in serving in your church, and plugging into small groups. A men’s bible study is an excellent place to start. Lastly, I strongly recommend praying with your wife and reading the Bible together. God created us to be the leader of our homes, and we need His strength to fulfill this role His way. The more we try our strength, the more we fail and mess things up. Instead, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
As you begin to fill up with God’s word, the following results will be knowledge of the scriptures and godly wisdom. Focus on equipping your wife with biblical counsel and insight from what you learn each day from reading scripture. By equipping your wife, you will help her to raise the children with proper instruction. Second, teach your children God’s word. I recommend going through the Bible with your children once a year. When their father teaches their children the Bible, God’s word becomes more real and tangible. If your children are younger like mine (4 & 6), utilize visual aids to demonstrate the Bible subject you are discussing. I like to illustrate our Bible study time using a dry-erase board. Do what works best for you and your kids, but the key is to be a doer in teaching your children.
Written By: Ken Durant