by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is….) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.patlambchristianauthor.com
Train up a child…
A Good Dad Teaches His Children
The father is supposed to be the head of his household and able to control his children. To father a child brings a large amount of responsibility, but that responsibility can be very pleasant if it becomes a way of life. A dad who really cares for his children will try to teach them what they need to know to live a productive life. What should a father teach? When should a father teach? How should a father teach?
Dads need to teach children right from wrong. They need to teach their children the fundamentals necessary to get along in life. They need to teach the dangers and pitfalls. They need to teach their children how to do basic things such as making repairs around the home, knowing how to care for a car, knowing how to take care of a yard. There are basic things like reading, writing, and math that are not totally the responsibility of the school to teach. Dad needs to make sure their children are able to cope with those things that will inevitably come their way. They need to teach children how to have compassion and do things to help others. He needs to teach them to respect the parents, others, and self.
One might say, “I’m too busy putting food on the table to take the time to teach my children.” We usually find the time to do what we want to do. If dads really want to teach their children, they will find a way. When children are with their dads, dads need to be aware of opportunities to teach their children. Love finds a way. I can remember fondly when my dad would take me on his lap before I was old enough to start to school, take his railroad watch out of his bib overalls, and teach me to tell time. This was after he had worked in the field all day when he would sit down for a few minutes before he would go milk our 20-25 cows. He wanted his children to sit on his lap and “hug his neck”. He would talk to us about any number of things at that time. As we tagged along after him, helping with whatever we were able to do, he would explain what he was doing and why he was doing it. He would pick a blade of grass and show it to us as he studied all the little lines and “hairs” on it, and then he would say, “Look at that! That’s better artwork than any painting. Only God can do that!” Dads are constant teachers whether they are aware of it or not. They are teachers all the time as long as they are in contact with their children.
How do dads teach? They mostly teach by example. They also talk to their children about important things. They demonstrate how things are to be done. It is important that dads have a family time once each week to use Scripture and explain it to the children. Dads teach thankfulness when they pray before eating at each meal. Dads teach in every word they say, whether they are good words or bad. When dads disrespect their wives, they are teaching their children not to respect their mother. When dads are patient and loving, they are teaching their children to be the same way. When dads put up with things that they really don’t like, they are teaching their children to be longsuffering and kind to others. When dads criticize other people, they are teaching their children to condemn others.
Studies show that in spite of any training we may receive, we tend to raise our children as we were raised. We need to do all we can to set a good example for our children so they will know how to raise their children. Our country needs strong dads. Our children need strong dads who will teach them truth. God has commanded dads to be the spiritual leaders of their homes. If the will is there, dads will teach their children what they need to know in ways they can understand all the time.