A Father’s Day Exhortation (re-post)

My dear brother and wonderful friend, Dr. Jeff Young, reminded me recently of this post I blogged about Father’s day in 2008. Out of great love, respect, and admiration for this dear man who is one of the most wonderful examples of a Christ-like FATHER that I know, I am re-posting it now for you all. Thank you, Jeff, for being a godly example not only to your own family but to those at Briarwood Church and Christian School for almost 4 decades now!!!!!!!!! Amazing grace, amazing man, Jeff Young!

Re-post:

“I teach men to model Christ by being the ‘prophet, priest, and king (servant leader)’ of their homes.  By ‘prophet,’ I simply mean that men are to speak the Word of God to their wives and children.  By ‘priest,’ I simply mean that men are to pray to God on behalf of wives and children.  In these two roles, men are in a role of a ‘two-way’ communicator.  In the role of prophet, they direct their families to God’s Word by reading it and studying it as a family.  As a priest, they talk to God about their family’s direction and ask Him to guide them.  Men are to be the ‘two-way’ communicators—from God and to God for their families in the roles of prophet and priest.  As the king (or servant leader) of the home, men are to serve and shepherd their families.  Jesus came to serve us as King and He did a wonderful job of service to all of us.  This role as a provider, protector, and servant is vital as the man is a spiritual representative of the family.  He is to lead his family to Christ.

“I urge you men to have daily family devotionals and/or family worship times where you sing, praise, pray, and read God’s Word aloud as a family!  Please take this responsibility seriously and begin today!

“Ephesians 6:4 says: ‘Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.’”

“One final word of warning: Fathers who fail to ‘bring up’ their children ‘in the discipline and instruction of the Lord’ are neglecting their children and will most likely reap the result of angry children.”[1]