Wisdom of Christian Fathers

The Wisdom of Christian Fathers

What does it mean to be a “godly” father? What are the challenges facing fathers in today’s world? What does God expect of me as a father?

These are tough questions, especially considering that we live in a time when some are trying to redefine the traditional family structure. These questions could become frustrations in light of such “worldly wisdom” (or confusion).

Thankfully, God has not left us without answers or direction. In His revealed Word, He has shown us the precious gift He gave us in Jesus Christ, our salvation from sin, death, and the devil. He has declared us to be a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), the old having passed away, and all things have now become new. He has counted us as heirs with Jesus of eternal life (Romans 8:17) and has called us to walk in the newness of life He has purchased for us (Romans 6:4).

With this in mind, how are fathers to approach the responsibilities of fatherhood and the preserving and supporting of life?

In past Bible studies, authors have appealed to the book of Genesis to show that life is special and sacred. This is because that’s how our God, the Father/Creator, views life. Lutherans have seen the creation of life and its preservation to be succinctly defined in the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed which reads:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

This confession was expounded by Martin Luther, and we find an interesting application to today’s fathers as we read:

I believe that God has made me and all creatures;
that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears,
and all my senses and still preserves them;
also clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and home,
wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods;
that He defends me from all danger,
and guards and protects me against evil;
and all this purely out of fatherly divine goodness and mercy,
without any merit or worthiness in me;
for which it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.

Dr. Luther never considered God to be a creator in absentia, absent from His creation. He considered Him as a Creator who continues to guide and nourish His creatures. This is the ultimate picture of fatherhood. We as Christians should strive to show the same love and concern for life, both mortal and eternal, toward those who depend upon us.

How, then, is this accomplished?

The Book of Proverbs is most instructive. Begin by reading Proverbs 3:19-20.
With what characteristics did God create life? What do we as Christians seek, second only to faith, in order to know how to please God (James 1:5-6)? Is the outcome of such a search profitable (Proverbs 3:13-14)?

Now, read carefully the following passages and meditate on what it is that we as fathers are to share with our children (Proverbs 2:1-2; 3:1-2; 4:1-2; 5:1-2; 7:1-2). If we take these verses seriously, we must ask ourselves, “Am I imparting God’s wisdom when dealing with my children?” (Read Proverbs 4:5-9).

How, then, does one obtain such wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:5-8; 9:10; 15:33)?

In all that we do, some form of wisdom is utilized, whether we apply it in the workplace or at play or in dealing with family members at home. Again, we must ask a question: “Which of the two types of wisdom are we using?” How is this explained in James 3:13-18?

Neither people nor sin have changed since the Fall. Our generation is also absorbed in evil desires and foolish greed. There is continual evidence that many are walking the road to destruction because they have never encountered—or have rejected—the wisdom of God concerning the things of this life and the life to come.

Christian fathers have a hard “row to hoe” with all the worldly influences that pull and tug at us and our children. Because it is too much to tackle on our own, Jesus promised to be with us—not merely in Spirit but in the flesh—as we receive Him through Word and Sacrament (Read John 15:1-11).

With His help, we can accomplish those tasks He planned for us (Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 2:10).

We Are Children Of God

Isaiah 9:6

Ephesians 2:18-22

2 Corinthians 6:18

Fathers To Avoid False Wisdom

Matthew 18:6,7

Mark 7:9-13

Ephesians 6:4

God Exemplifies Fatherly Love

Matthew 7:7-11

Hebrews 12:5-11

We Can’t Succeed On Our Own

John 15:1-11

Philippians 4:13

Walking In Newness Of Life

Matthew 5:48

Romans 6:1-11

We Must Pray For Our Children

2 Samuel 12:16

1 Chronicles 29:19

Job 1:5

The Lord Gives Wisdom

Proverbs 2

We Are To Correct Children

Proverbs 19:18

Colossians 3:21

2 Timothy 3:16,17

Children Desire Instruction

Isaiah 54:13

Matthew 19:14,15

Luke 18:15-17

Within The Body Of Believers

Joshua 8:35

2 Chronicles 20:13

Matthew 21:15,16

What Would God Have Us Teach?

Exodus 13:8-10, 14-16

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

John 21:15

The Blessings Are Rich

Colossians 3:20

Proverbs 10:1; 23:24,25; 39:17

1 John 2:1-17

This Bible study is available in book form as part of Life Studies – Volume One. Click here to go to the on-line Life Resource Catalog. © Non-commercial use permitted without prior permission, provided that proper credit is attributed.