“What Does the Bible Say About Fatherhood?”
With wisdom he made the sky. God’s love never fails.
This month we’re focusing on fathers — we’d like to honor our own fathers and all fathers!
We also want to acknowledge that the topic of “fathers” or “fatherhood” is hard for a lot of people … and that’s understandable. A lot of us missed out on a lot from our fathers.
We invite you to spend a few moments reflecting about your father or a father figure in your life. And we invite you to share your thoughts below.
- What does the Bible say about fatherhood?
- What verse reminds you of your father?
- How, if at all, did your father influence you spiritually?
- What is a memory of your father that you can’t ever forget?
- If you’re a father, what has the Bible taught you about being a father?
To answer any of these questions or to make a comment, use the comment box below. To read what others have written, scroll down to the comments below.
Finally, to encourage and inspire you, we put together a few videos of Christian music artists sharing about fatherhood, their fathers and the Bible. Enjoy!
Blessings to you (if you’re a dad, we wish you extra blessings!),
The ShareYourStoryNow Team
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 3rd, 2008 and filed under Bible, Your Stories, Verses.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 am
When I think about my dad, I think about faithfulness.
Psalm 91:4: “… his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
I deeply appreciate my dad’s faithfulness. He was faithful to my mom and to my sister and I in little ways and big ways.
He worked hard to provide for me (for us); he almost always attended my sporting events; he attended other important happenings in my life; he sacrificed a lot to make sure I had things I needed and/or wanted.
A lot of my positive memories of my dad have to do with sports. I’ll never forget all the times we threw the baseball back and forth, or passed the hockey puck back and forth or played catch with the football. I felt loved by that. My dad and I connected most easily through sports … and I’m grateful for that connection. I wish we connected more easily in other ways, in deeper ways, but we didn’t (and don’t, at least not yet).
My dad will be 65 this year, and I wish him love and peace and life as he journeys into retirement.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
My dad was and continues to be the kind of dad that on a Saturday and Sunday morning he would wake up by quoting scripture all throughout the house in Spanish at 7 in the morning! All you would hear for a good solid 30 minutes to an hour was the Psalms and Romans and Acts resounding through every seam of our home.
Once we got up and got ready for the day he would gather the family up for a moment of prayer. My father instilled these principles in me that I hope to pass down to my son or daughter some day.
I cant think of a better example as the one I was able to find in him.
Love you dad!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Dear The ShareYourStoryNow Team
1. “Honor your father….” (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Matthew 15:4; 19:19; Mark 7:10; Luke 18:20, etc.), as the Lord our God has commanded us throughout the Testaments.
2. My father was a devout Buddhist and an I-Ching (Chinese Book of Wisdom) scholar.
I had to learn to recite some basic prayers and the tenets of Buddhism.
Basically, Buddhism to me is a philosophy of life, which takes a passive attitude living here on earth toward the Nirvana.
Hence, spiritually, I have learned to be a kind person, and avoid any strife with anybody in this world.
In other words, I do what my father taught me: “If you have nothing good to say, keep your mouth shut, for misfortune comes from the mouth.”
3. My father was a wonderful provider materially. My five brothers and sisters and I each had our own Amah (maid), our own room in a beautiful house.
In my era when girls hardly had any education beyond primary home schooling or school, my father, being a renowned scholar, emphasized on “knowledge is power.”
He made sure that I was put through high school in best known institutions. At that time in Hong Kong, they were the missionary schools named St. Stephen’s Girls’ School, Maryknoll School.
In this sense, he was broad-minded, as there was no Buddhist school of this calibre.
With his pacifist attitude of life, my father was more a listener and observer. He believed that I was different with sort of charisma, not characteristic of girls of my era.
Consequently, totally uncharacteristic of Chinese tradition, my father permitted me proudly, though very sadly, to go overseas solo to Post-war Japan (enemy of war of Hong Kong), and then even farther away to America to pursue my own idealistic dreams of “peace on earth.”
4. I had also to assume the role of being a ‘father’ due to the untimely passing of my Better Half in our ten children’s tender years.
However impossible, with the Love and Grace of God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I strive to
“be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48) in my own mundane and humble way.
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless each and all of you superior Team, and
All Fathers, Grandfathers and Father Figures infinitely and inestimably,
always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Dear Team,
This subject is very difficult for me. I’m one of the unfortunate ones who had a very bad father. It saddens me to say, but when I think of my father, evil is the first thing comes to mind.
He professed to be a christian and was a preacher yet he seemed to me as a monster with an evil heart. He would physically abuse my mother and beat her black and blue. Blacken her eyes and arms and other parts of her body.
I was just a child and I would stand trembling peeking around the corner and watch him beat her and just kept hoping he would stop. He instilled a hatred in my heart and as I grew up my hatred toward him would only get stronger and he knew it and began to beat me.
My mother a good christian woman and mother did not do anything to deserve such abuse. The scripture that desrcibes him best is “O Ye Hypocrite”. I don’t even want to think about my father, he’s dead and he steal haunts me and I still havn’t come to terms to forgive him. I suffer from anxiety and on medication and receiving counseling all because of such a horrible childhood of fear.
I’m still here though and I now have the greatest father on earth. He’s loving, caring, kind, and gentle. I’m a child of a King and I stand to inherit his eternal kingdom and to be with him forever.
The alpha and omega, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, the first and the last, which was, which is, and is to come the Almighty.
God Bless! Michael
June 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Michael, I just want to say “thank you” for sharing so honestly and vulnerably. And I’m sorry your dad didn’t have the capacity to love you, and I’m sorry for the ways he abused you (and your mom). I can’t imagine the fear you must have felt in your house while growing up and the trauma you must have endured. That must have been incredibly hard (and that’s an understatement).
Michael, I, too, grew up in fear and now experience a lot of anxiety and am working through it (slowly!). So on some level I can relate to what you went through and are going through. I send my love.
Thanks again for sharing so bravely and honestly - you blessed me with your sharing.
Blessings to you as you continue to walk your healing journey.
With love,
Andy
June 12th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Dear Andy and Team,
Thank You Andy, for those kind and up lifting words. Abby, thank you for your email and yes I do need for all of you to remember me in your prayers, I’m going through some very difficult times.
I just came home from the doctors and I’ve been told I have a frozen shoulder and carpal tunnel in my right wrist and I also am having severe pain from arthuritis in my hands and fingers. I have start wearing a splint and go to physical therapy. So now it’s gonna be difficult to type, my hand hurts now as Im typing this, so It saddens me.
Remember my mother “Mary” also, she’s 78 and she has Alzheimers. It’s so heart breaking for me to watch my precious loving mother suffer as such….
With all that said I would like to share my feelings and thoughts about father hood.
My favorite verse about father hood is Isaiah 9:6
The reason being, when I was a teenager and a new convert in the lord I was eager to spread the gospel, so I invited my young neighbor over and I was going to introduce him to the lord and discuss the bible. So that evening I began to search throuh my bible to explain to him what god was to me. I seached and searched and I didn’t know much and I went to bed worrying about the next day and what to say to my freind.
I woke up the following morning and I was repeating over and over, Isaiah 9 and 6, Isaiah 9 and 6, Isaiah 9 and 6. So I imediately got my bible and turned to Isaiah 9 and verse 6. And I think it’s one single scripture that describes god my “Father” the best.
IS. 9:6 For unto us a “Child” is born, unto us a son is given: and the world shall be upon his shoulders: and his “Name” shall be called “Wonderful”, “counsellor”, “The Mighty God”, The everlasting “Father”, The Prince of peace.
So we have a wonderful all mighty god who is our “everlasting father” that leads us into his paths of righteousness that we may obtain his eternal peace and love and kingdom forever to be with him, “Jesus” Amen.
May God Bless You All!!!
Michael Baker
June 12th, 2008 at 10:49 am
My dearly beloved Brother Michael Baker in Christ:
I know and trust that your amazing spirit will sustain you and lead you and your greatest Mother on the road to recovery in sickness (Proverbs 18:14).
And believe wholeheartedly that “By faith in the name of Jesus… It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:16).
I admire your profound testimonies, and thus wonder if you would give me the privilege of sending you a digital tape recorder, so you can tape record your thoughts instead of writing them?
I should be most happy to transcribe your recordings for you, so your readers will not miss you and your masterpieces as much.
Please be of good cheer. Jesus said, “…In this world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Meanwhile, my humble prayers are with you for your and your Mother’s speedy recovery.
Thank you for sharing your story.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you and your most loving Mother abundantly;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Micheal and Mary … my awesome volunteers and online family in Christ! Know that we are here to help and aid in any way we can. It’s God timing that Michael should write something like this as we will be introducing a new facet on the site where you will not have to write your story, but rather call a number and have your story posted audibly. We will be able to hear each other’s stories as well! I will keep you all posted on how soon we can have this up! Be of good cheer Michael and know we are all here for you in prayer.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Thank You Mary and all others,
It really makes me feel good to know I have such friends that will reach out. It’s very heart warming and gives me joy to have you all in my life.
Many blessings to you all!!!
June 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I have 2 brothers and two sisters, my father left us alone with my mother about the time the eldest was nine years, i was five. He hardly tried to keep contact. I was completely lost growing up, anxiety, depression, but I still found the stength to keep moving foward from my mother. I now have a five year old daughter who is truely a blessing to me. Her mother wants to move her away from me. Why does the lord want take everyone who means something away, whats the lesson?
June 21st, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Dear Hugh,
When reading your comment I know how you feel, just read my comment. All I can think of to say is, that’s god want’s to be first in your life.
I believe that all of us should love god the most and the only way I can think of is to seek and do his will and not our own.
Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, ask and ye shall receive.
The lord said I have set before thee an open door that you may go in and out to the green pasture.
I feel in my heart, The green pasture is the word of god, Jesus is the opened door, so therefore we are supplied “Green Pasture” to help us through life.
Bro. Hugh God’s word is life and I will pray for you, that god’s spirit and word will give you the peace and joy during your troubles. Ask in the name of Jesus and I will agree with you and it shall be done. God Bless You Brother!!!
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Dear Mr. Hugh:
It is good that you ask the question: “whats the lesson?”
For, “Ask and it will be given to you…For everyone who asks receives….” (Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10).
Throughout the Testaments, from Genesis 25:22, e.g., “Why is this happening to me?” to repeatedly through the Psalms and the Prophets: “I say to God my Rock, ‘Why have you forgotten me?’” (Psalms 10:1; 22:1; 42:9. Job 24:1. Jeremiah 14:9; 15:18, etc.)
Even Jesus, Whose “Soul was extremely sorrowful” at Gethsamane and prayed, using the Syriac word of filial tenderness and affection, “Abba”.
“Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36).
I feel your agony for your most precious and lovely Princess.
And I rejoice with you that you are blessed with your devoted Mother, whose strength keeps you “moving forward.”
Most importantly, however, is not to blame yourself. It is an established fact that subconsciously or unconsciously, you having been deprived of a father figure to grow up with, are at a disadvantage and may have more difficulties to become a fulfilled father.
Our All Compassionate Heavenly Father understands and reaches out to you.
Following are some of His Word, which may enlighten you, and lead you to the green pasture of fatherhood and a happy home sweet home.
“Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mark 10:9)
You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant” (Malachi 2:14).
Perhaps the reason he (or she your Princess) was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him (her) back for good (Philemon 1:15).
“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18).
“Why are you asking Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One Who is good, but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17; Luke 11:9-10).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
Please take good care.
May the LORD Bless you and keep you and your; His Face shine upon you all, and give you all peace.
Mary Sun..
June 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I am just so thankful to God for speaking to me through Michael and Mary Sun. I was raised Catholic but all the while my i followed my understanding which lead me down a path of torment and sin. I wasnt able to enjoy what God created for us. I explored every outlet in my search for happiness. Myself, money, pleasures, family, exercise, work, music, my child, eveything was put before God’s love. Its like he knew that allowing me to take that path would lead me back to him and that was the only way. I do trust The Lord, my body is his temple in which his spirit resides, the comments above that followed my original comment is God’s voice. God Bless!
Hugh