A Fathers Influence

I.

TIME & TRAINING

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Love is spelled T-I-M-E. (Paul Chappell)
Quote from Pastor Gabriel Ruhl:
A troop of Boy Scouts was being used as "guinea pigs" in a test of emergency
systems. A mock earthquake was staged, and the Scouts impersonated wounded
persons who were to be picked up and cared for by the emergency units. One Scout
was supposed to lie on the ground and await his rescuers, but the first-aid people
got behind schedule, and the Scout lay "wounded" for several hours. When the firstaid squad arrived where the casualty was supposed to be, they found nothing but a
brief note: "Have bled to death and gone home."
While you may not be dealing with an emergency in your family, it is still imperative
that we establish a consistent schedule to prevent casualties in your home. What
is it that sets a successful family apart? One of the key ingredients to a successful
home is a Christ-honoring schedule. Lets examine a dozen essentials that
successful families include in their daily routines
1. Play pleasant Christian music in the morning.
Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the Lord.
2. Make sure they make their bed and clean their room.
2 Thessalonians 3:10, For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,
that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
3. Have a devotional time before school.
Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
4. Talk in the car about the importance of pleasing God today.
Psalm 118:24, This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be
glad in it.
5. Pray for your children throughout the day.
James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

6. Leave notes of encouragement for them.

Proverbs 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
7. Have dinner together as a family at the table.
Psalm 107:2, Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from
the hand of the enemy;
8. Greatly limit TV time.
Psalm 101:3, I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them
that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
9. Structure family time with everyone together.
Proverbs 29:15, The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to
himselfbringeth his mother to shame.
10. Determine to connect with your children individually on an intimate
level daily.
Proverbs 23:26, My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Ask questions patiently wait for genuine responses.
11. Have fun with them.
Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit
drieth the bones.
12. Pray with them before bed.
Deuteronomy 6:7, And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt
talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Training can be illustrated with a bow and arrow. The purpose of the bow is to
direct an arrow to an intended target. (Troy Dorrell)

II.

TESTIMONY & TRUST

Ephesians 6:2-3
D.L. Moody said, A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian
and most of all, his family ought to know.
Joshua 24:25
A godly testimony should be consistent and spiritual. Our children do not expect us
to be perfect, but they do expect us to be consistent. (Paul Chappell)
The coach of a Buffalo Little League team called one of his players over to him and
said he would like to explain some of the principles of sportsmanship. We dont
believe in temper tantrums, screaming at the umpires, using bad language, or
sulking when we lose. Do you understand what I am saying? The boy nodded.
Alright, then, said the coach, do you think you can explain it to your father
jumping around over there in the stands? (Story from Paul Chappell)
Spurgeon said, Train up a child in the way he should gobut be sure you go that
way yourself.

Reference:
Chappell, Paul. Biblical Parenting. Ministry 127.com, Dec. 19, 2009.
http://ministry127.com/family/biblical-parenting. Ret. June 20, 2010.
Dorrell, Troy. Child Training. Ministry 127.com, June 3, 2010.
http://ministry127.com/family-helps/child-training. Ret. June 20, 2010.
Ruhl, Gabriel. The Schedule of a Successful Family. Ministry 127.com, Nov. 25,
2009. http://ministry127.com/family/the-schedule-of-a-successful-family. Ret.
June 20, 2010.