DUTY OF FATHERS

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4 NKJV).

The apostle Paul addressed fathers because they are God’s ordained heads of the family on whom the primary responsibility for child training rests. The apostle Paul’s mission here is, to show fathers that their commands should be such that they can be easily obeyed, or such as are entirely reasonable and proper. If children are required to obey, it is only reasonable that the commands of fathers should be such that they can be obeyed, or such that the child shall not be discouraged in his attempt to obey.

“And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath” - Essentially this command forbids fathers from making unreasonable demands on children in the everyday course of family life. Neither by words: unjust and unreasonable commands, critical or disparaging language, frequent and public rebukes. Nor by deeds: showing favoritism, denying them the necessaries of life, not allowing them proper education, and by severe and inhumane treatment. Instead, fathers ought to properly correct and rebuke their children, lest they become discouraged or feel alienated. Kind and fair treatment will result in reverence for fathers, and increase the cheerfulness and activity of their obedience. Harsh and unkind treatment results in stubbornness and destroys natural affections.

“But bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” – “Training” refers to directing and correcting the child. “Admonition” denotes correction by word of mouth, including advice and encouragement. Children are a sacred trust and a solemn responsibility; they are not to be weakly fondled or foolishly spoiled, but to be wisely, kindly, and strictly disciplined into obedience and duty. Fathers are to instruct them in the things of God, setting them good examples, taking care to prevent their falling into bad company, praying with them, and for them, and bringing them to the church. Fathers are to do all this with the Lord at the center of the relationship and training.

(Adapted from John Gill’s Exposition)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Being a godly father requires much perseverance and prayer as we seek God’s guidance in being the types of fathers He wants us to be!”

Jonathan Pate Falwell (1966 -)

American Baptist Pastor

Word Study

Perfect / equip

In 1 Peter 5:10 we read, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you!” (NKJV).

Perfect / equip is the Greek word katartízō (καταρτίζω = kat-ar-tid'-zo). It is made up of two words: “katá” which means with, and “artízō” which means to adjust, fit, finish. Thus, the word means to means to fit or join together and so to mend or repair. Katartízō conveys the idea of putting something into its appropriate condition so it will function well. When applied to that which is weak and defective, it denotes setting right what has gone wrong, to restore to a former condition, whether mending broken nets or setting broken bones.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11 KJV).

Did You Know…

Jephthah was the father who made a vow to God, that if he was victorious over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house upon his return home. When Jephthah arrived at home, his daughter, an only child, was the first to come out of his house (Judges 11:30–34).

Bible Quiz

Which father came to the Lord Jesus to seek help for his little daughter who lay at the point of death?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: To what question did Jesus respond by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan? “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“ETERNAL LIFE”

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life!” (1 John 5:20 NKJV).

1. Meaning – ETERNAL LIFE means that salvation is all about being in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Insights – The coming of the Son of God speaks of the incarnation when the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth as a man to be the sacrifice for our sins. The Son not only became man, He revealed truth. He gave us “understanding” which is the capacity to receive spiritual truth. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, is truly divine, and is eternal life. Only through His death and resurrection was eternal life made available to humanity.

Did You Know – Christian History

Mary Mason Lyon was born February 28, 1797, in Buckland, Massachusetts. She was an American pioneer in women’s education.

Lyon was blessed with an inquisitive mind and a sturdy Christian upbringing. She attended Buckland School from the age of four until she was thirteen, often boarding with local families since it was too far to travel home each day. When Lyon was seventeen, she was invited to teach summer school in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. For twenty years Lyon continued her teaching career at several schools, including Ipswich Female Seminary. While teaching, Lyon used her income and a small inheritance to further her education by traveling and studying educational reform.

Lyon’s vision was to provide affordable schooling for common people. One way to cut costs would be to have the students themselves do as much of the domestic work as possible. The underlying purpose, however, was Christian. She wanted to infuse her pupils with a missionary spirit and a sense that they ought to live their lives for God wherever his providence might send them.

With contributions from Christian backers, Lyon opened Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley, Massachusetts on November 8, 1836. It is the nation’s oldest college for women. Lyon insisted the school not be named after her, so it was named for a nearby mountain peak. Its motto was Psalm 144:12, “That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style.”

Mount Holyoke’s curriculum was rigorous, including science, mathematics, history, and theology. Lyon served as principal for the first twelve years, establishing a model of excellence and Christian living for the students. Her chapel lectures from Proverbs as well as her other addresses to the young women were full of timeless spiritual advice and practical applications. She also worked tirelessly to improve the students’ religious lives, holding year-long revivals intended to culminate in each student’s personal confession of faith.

Lyon pursued her mission to educate women until her death on April 5, 1849. Educators later viewed Mount Holyoke as a model for women’s education. In 1893, the seminary became Mount Holyoke College. Lyon’s gravesite is on the College grounds. Mary Lyon’s legacy is celebrated at her graveside during the annual Mount Holyoke College commencement ceremony and every year on her birthday.

A Little Humor

Father to teenage son: “No, you can’t use the car - but please feel free to use the lawnmower.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“It’s the sins we cover up that eventually bring us down!”