A father is the male parent. He is the Head of the family and carries the responsibility fatherhood brings. A father is important as God is our Father and always available to us. The importance and position of a father can be seen from creation. God first created Adam who is regarded as the father of all nations and gave him a wife called Eve as a companion and for reproduction. Gen. 2:7, 21-22. A genuine father can be discussed through several characters
A father must be a husband. Eph 5:25 “Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life forever.”
A father must be emotionally, biologically and physically attached to the well-being of the child and his family in general. You cannot abandon your child for years without care or communication then suddenly turn up to claim that you are the child’s father. Sorry, the child does not know you. The person who is the father is the one that nurtured him/her from birth.
A genuine father must be a provider, this can be seen in the bible, how David went all the way to provide for his family. It is a pity that in some homes, the wife is the bread-winner. However, whichever way God provides for the family is okay but a man should be careful not to abdicate the role of providing for his family to his wife. A father is supposed to live up to his responsibility towards his family. Failure to do so attracts God’s anger.
Paul said “But if anyone goes not provide for his own and specially for those of his household, he has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever (Tim. 5:8) It is painful to see some fathers who prefer to spend their money in restaurants, beer parlours, gambling and on whores instead of giving a penny for the upkeep of the home to provide for the children’s education is a tug-of- war. They abandon their responsibilities to their wives. The wives instead of playing a supportive role now become the breadwinner. The resultant effect is that trouble sets in and things fall apart. 1 Tim 5:24
A genuine father protects his family. I Sam. 30:17-21. He is the head of the family and commander-in-chief and as such should make sure even at the face of danger that they are safe. He guides and directs affairs of the family; he gives instructions both to the wife and children. He is not a dictator but a leader. He is firm and a disciplinarian. He protects his wife from third party devourers in order to retain the confidence the wife has in him.
By so doing, the family is closely knitted. When this is lacking, the wife or children will seek protection outside the marital home. As a result, the unity, peace, love and sanctity of the family is threatened. The family is thrown open hence the children seek love elsewhere.
The spiritual role of a genuine father cannot be over- emphasized. When a family is weak in faith, the man who is the head is to be blamed. This is because it is required of every man to lay a solid foundation for his family on Christ Jesus, He should study the bible and read it together with members of his family. A family that prays together, stays together. it is important that the family altar erected for prayers and assembling of brethren. Gen. 8:17-22. Job. 1:5
The father’s role as a companion is very important. Prov. 17:17. A true companion is loving all the time, and a brother that is born when there is distress. You must show concern to your wife or children’s predicament Each member of the family needs support and love. Kind words and deeds make everyone feel wanted especially re-assurance when drastic changes occur e g. Death or divorce.
Family relationship is symbiotic You cannot expect members of your family to be caring for you while you do not care in return. Anytime you come in, your wife and children are on edge because of your insensitivity. This is wrong!
Time is one of the most precious things a father can give to his child People give excuse that they do not have time. This is a blatant lie because when you are faced with a serious problem, you make out time to solve it Make out time to discuss, chat and exchange jokes with members of your family. Listen to them and find out what they have to say to you. If there is any problem, rob-minds together and solve it.
Finally, a genuine father must be Godly a model. (John 21:2-17) As he has committed his life to God, to checkmate the devil and its agents is made easier. Since he leads the family with the word of God as the family priest and General-overseer, definitely, the Holy spirit is upon them and they will forever dwell under the shadow of the Almighty.
