Becoming an Intentional FatherSample

Roadblock #3: DelegationFor many dads, they believe it’s someone else’s job to raise their kids. They might think this is mom’s job, which may explain the soaring single-mom statistics we see in our culture. They metaphorically toss the baby into mom’s arms and move on.

You may not have given yourself completely over to this way of thinking. However, there are more subtle varieties of this problem that we as fathers can suffer from. Even within the church.

We’re tempted to believe that some other “Professional Christian” is supposed to raise our kids. And even if we don’t think their job is to raise them, we do at least believe it’s their job to give them gospel training.

Have you ever caught yourself thinking any of these thoughts?

• “I know my daughter needs to learn the Bible. That’s why we send her to the Christian school! It’s her teacher’s job.”
• “I want my son to learn to serve people, so I’ll send him on a mission trip with the church. The youth leader will show him the way.”
• “My boy needs to grasp the value of discipline and hard work. I expect the coach to pound that into him.”

These other individuals can be a great support mechanism for godly parenting. But they’re a lousy replacement.

Fathers – helping our kids love the Lord Jesus, learn Scripture, grasp discipline, and be servants – this is our job. We must teach them.

Think of it like this. For about eighteen years, our kids go to Life School. Their dorm is under your roof. The cafeteria is your kitchen. The library is your bookshelf. Their campus is right outside the door.

Guess what? You’re the President of their Life School. There are others in their lives who might have more Bible training, mission experience, or better discipline. But no one else has the same job you do. You cannot give up this role to anyone.