Are you a Christian dad? Learn what our children need from you
In a world where heroes wear capes, wield powers, and save cities from certain doom, there is a quieter kind of hero whose strength is measured not by might but by faith. He doesn’t soar through the skies but kneels in prayer. He doesn’t carry a shield but bears the weight of his family with unwavering love. He is a Christian dad.
As a Christian dad myself, more than just a provider or protector, I preach that a Christian father is a reflection of God’s heart in the home. His everyday actions—whether reading Scripture at the breakfast table, staying up late to help with homework, or whispering a blessing over his sleeping child—speak volumes of grace, courage, and self-sacrifice.
So, what makes a dad a hero? Is it the big, bold moments or the consistent ones? The Bible says it is a balanced mix of both.
Discipline of the Lord
In the New Testament, the devoted ink commands dads to nurture their children’s discipline of the Lord. We can find a verse that God inspired the apostle Paul to include in the New Testament of the Bible.
In Ephesians, the biblical themes of unity of the Church and the spiritual blessings we have in Christ refer to the dads’ role of grace and faith in their children’s lives. The teachings are deeply practical for a dad.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
In Colossians, the epistle directly refers to Christian household codes and instructions for family relationships. The greatness of Jesus is at its core and shapes every part of our family life.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)
We can interpret the verses in terms of the discipline of the Lord. To provoke, as seen in Ephesians, can be positive as well if that involves positive motivation you inspire in your children in the name of faith and spiritual growth toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
Paul similarly commands fellow Christians to provoke the others to come together and care about God (Corinthians 9:2).
All in all, it is not the factual action of provoking but rather the intended outcome of it.
Christian Superpower
Teach and model God’s discipline in a way that reflects God’s own character: loving, just, patient, and redemptive.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).
We now know how easy it is to avoid negatively provoking a child’s anger and disagreeableness. Which means a Christian dad’s superpower is exactly self-control, through which he can master his everlasting God given blessings.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:21).
Christian dads walk around the house biting their tongue in the favor of their superpower. A malice conquered Christian dad will blurt out unwise words that diminish their superpower. Imagine the magnitude of your children thinking, my dad is so strong, he can think of hurtful things to say that he does not say!
More simply put, going through Christian life, I have had many opportunities to learn the Christian superpower of self-control. I want to say things out loud, but I know I will regret it later. When in front of my children, this becomes paramount.
The Lord’s source of quiet strength
Teach the “Why,” Not Just the “What”. The Lord’s source of quiet strength is not just about behavior—it’s about the heart.
If the Lord Himself walked around Earth being in complete control, it must mean something.
As the Lord declared, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18), so too does a father lay down his own desires, pride, and even comfort for the sake of his family. In a world that prizes power, the Christian dad reveals a deeper kind of heroism—the strength to let go when love demands it.
If the Lord had the self-control to give up control but did not strike back or speak back, I want to preach that so can you.
Our children will always learn more by what we do than by what we say. A Christian dad who disciplines himself—through prayer, repentance, time in God’s Word, humility, and control—teaches his children that obedience to God is both possible and joyful.
This is a direct consequence of being a beloved son of God. And a direct contributor to a Christian dad’s children becoming beloved sons of God as well.
Quick to forgive and restore
Just like God’s kindest gesture to mercifully restore us, Christian dads should also be quick to forgive and restore their relationships with their children after applying meaningful and faith-based discipline. This most importantly reflects the Gospel teachings. When a Christian dad’s correction is followed by grace, children see discipline not as rejection but as the Lord’s love in action, as inspired in their dad.
Remember that no matter the amount of well-intended discipline, it will not change a child’s heart—only God can do that. Christian dads should instead pray regularly for their children’s hearts and include them in prayer, helping them see that their father is under God’s authority, like everyone else is too.
Put it in Practice
With a few more wise lessons under your belt, you are free to go on and adapt God’s teachings based on your children’s needs. Whatever you do, if you do it with God’s faith on your side, it is well done.
Young children can adopt your mindset. Start by reading them a short story great for reflection. If they are not in Bible school, this fictional story can stimulate their sense of identity, the role of God in their lives, and your role as a caregiver.
Story: The Cape in the Closet
Jonah was six, and like many young boys, he thought his dad could do anything. He was the strongest man he knew.
One evening, Caleb disobeyed. He lied about finishing his homework so he could keep playing. His heart raced when his father found out. He was preparing for dad’s anger but something different came out – something holy.
His dad sat beside him, Bible in hand, and said gently, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11–12).
Jonah started tearing. It was not because of fear, but because of love. His father didn’t raise his voice. He raised the truth. Jonah’s dad followed prayer, Scripture, and a warm embrace. That night, young Jonah understood something deeper than any punishment: his dad’s strength didn’t come from muscles or might, but from the Spirit of God. He was a simple man under our great God’s authority, modeling the discipline and mercy of the Heavenly Father.
Years later, Jonah was able to remember that precious teaching moment—not as the day he got in trouble but as the day he saw a glimpse of what God’s strength is like. A Father who corrects because He loves and restores because He delights.
Find more children’s bedtime stories from the Bible.
Do you have any other meaningful verses you would like to share with us? Let us know what you think down below in the comments.
If you found this useful, continue reading REVEALED! 4 False Claims About Christian Marriages.
