The Father You Are Becoming

Read Mark 10:13-16

You may not understand the game or know why that drawing took so long. Ask your child to show you. They're inviting you into something they care about.

In Mark 10, Jesus welcomes children when the disciples try to turn them away. He gives them His attention and blessing.

Find a time your child can count on. Breakfast, a walk, a call if you live apart. Keep the arrangements you've agreed on. It doesn't need to be a big outing for your attention to matter.

Let's pray.

Jesus, help me pay attention to my child. Help me keep my promises and make time for them. Teach me to listen to what's important to them. Amen.

Something to think about: When can my child count on time with me?

Something to try: Choose a time you can keep, and follow through.

Read Colossians 3:12-21

Your child may need to hear no. They don't need to be embarrassed or frightened to understand it.

Paul calls believers to patience and love. He also tells fathers not to provoke their children and leave them discouraged.

Think about how you sound when you're frustrated. Can you explain the boundary in fewer, calmer words? If your anger is frightening people at home, please get qualified help and take steps to keep them safe. That's something to take seriously.

Let's pray.

Lord, help me be patient when I'm frustrated. Help me guide my child without hurting them with my words or anger. Give me the courage to get help where I need it. Amen.

Something to think about: What does my child hear in my voice?

Something to try: Practice saying a necessary no calmly, without an insult or threat.

Read John 13:1-17

If you don't know how a routine works, you can learn. Ask about bedtime. Find out what needs packing. Learn the details of the job you're taking on.

In John 13, Jesus washes His disciples' feet and tells them to serve one another. Love includes work that someone needs to do.

Agree on a task, learn it, and take responsibility for remembering it. You don't have to be perfect at it the first time. Being willing to learn makes a difference.

Let's pray.

Jesus, help me notice what needs doing. Teach me to serve my family willingly and follow through. Help me learn the things I haven't taken time to learn. Amen.

Something to think about: What job could I take responsibility for?

Something to try: Agree on one task, including getting ready and cleaning up afterward.

Read Matthew 7:1-5

You can correct your child and still need to apologize for how you did it. Both can be true.

Jesus tells us to deal with the plank in our own eye before the speck in someone else's. That's a good place to start after an argument.

Try, 'I interrupted you. I should have listened. I'm sorry.' Give your child time to answer. Then let the next conversation show that you meant it. If you keep causing the same hurt, ask for help changing it.

Let's pray.

God, show me where I've been wrong. Help me say sorry without making excuses and change what needs to change. Thank You for Your mercy. Amen.

Something to think about: What is mine to apologize for?

Something to try: Say it clearly. Follow your apology with a change.

Read James 1:19-25

Your child might love what you love. They might be interested in something you wouldn't choose at all. Either way, you can get curious.

James tells us to be quick to listen and to put God's word into practice. Listening at home is one place to begin.

Let your child explain their favorite thing. Try it with them if they want you to. Leave comparisons with their siblings out of it. You don't have to share every interest to enjoy getting to know them.

Let's pray.

Lord, help me see my child clearly. Make me willing to listen and learn about what they love. Help me enjoy who they are. Amen.

Something to think about: What does my child love that I know little about?

Something to try: Ask them to show you. Let them be the one who explains.

Read Ephesians 4:22-32

You may hear something you grew up hearing come out of your own mouth. Sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes it's something you wish you hadn't said.

Paul tells believers to leave old ways behind and speak with kindness and truth. Following Jesus changes how we treat the people at home.

Think of something good you want to pass on, and something you want help changing. Talk to someone trustworthy. You don't have to pretend your childhood was different to choose differently now.

Let's pray.

God, thank You for the good I've been given. Help me change the things that hurt. Give me people who will help me be honest and keep growing. Amen.

Something to think about: What do I want my child to remember?

Something to try: Talk with a trusted pastor, mentor, or counselor about a habit you want to change.

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

If your child asks a question about God and you don't know the answer, you can say so. Then look for the answer together.

Moses tells Israel to talk about God's words in everyday life. Christian dads can make time for Scripture and prayer at home, too.

Read a passage. Ask what your child noticed. Pray about something real. Let them see you ask for forgiveness and help someone else. I hope our kids see that following Jesus is something we're learning and living, too.

Let's pray.

Jesus, help me follow You at home. Teach me to speak truthfully about You and take my child's questions seriously. Help us learn together. Amen.

Something to think about: What question could we look into together?

Something to try: Read a short passage together and let your child ask questions.

I'll come back and listen. If you need a minute, say when. Then come back.

I'll learn how to do that. Get to know the routines and do your share.

I'm sorry. I was wrong. Let your actions show that you mean it.

You can ask me. Take the question seriously, even when it's hard.

I'm still learning, too. Be willing to accept help and correction.