8 Ways To Be A Better Dad | Father's Day 2024

In his Father's Day sermon at White Flag Church, Pastor Paul Wingfield provides eight gifts that every father should give to their children, to help them navigate the challenges of the current society that is living under the judgment of God. These gifts come right out of God's word and are ways you can be a better dad and produce children who love and serve the Lord.

Here's a description of each gift:

1. Set the Direction for Your Home (17:09) Paul emphasized the need for fathers to be leaders, standing firm in their decision to serve the Lord, and setting the direction for their households, just as Joshua declared, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
2. Model How to Live (19:56) Fathers should not only teach with words but model the way to live through their actions. Like Paul urged the Corinthians to imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:16), fathers should live in a way that their children can emulate, consistently reflecting Christ's teachings.
3. Love the Mother of Your Children (22:30) As instructed in Ephesians 5:25, fathers should love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the Church. This not only blesses the wife but also provides a model for sons on how to treat women and for daughters on the kind of man they should seek.
4. Provide for Your Family (27:16) Providing for one's family is not optional; it's a command (1 Timothy 5:8). By working diligently, fathers instill a strong work ethic in their children, a gift that will serve them well throughout their lives.
5. Discipline (30:26) Contrary to popular beliefs, disciplining children according to biblical principles (Proverbs 13:24) is a gift, as it teaches them respect for authority, personal accountability, and the consequences of their actions.
6. Train, Don't Exasperate (38:54) Fathers should train and coach their children, not exasperate them (Ephesians 6:4). This nurturing approach helps children become problem-solvers and encourages them to seek their father's advice throughout their lives.
7. Encourage and Comfort (41:23) Like Paul encouraged and comforted the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12), fathers should provide emotional support, comfort, and affirmation to their children, fostering a well-rounded relationship.
8. Forgiveness (45:15) Drawing from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20), Paul emphasized the importance of extending forgiveness to children, just as the Heavenly Father forgives, creating a safe environment for them to return and seek reconciliation.

By investing in these eight gifts, fathers can have a lasting impact on their children's lives, influencing generations to come and potentially redirecting society back to God, one family at a time.