Growing fathers can often feel uncertain about how we are to go about parenting our children. Thankfully, God has provided clear and powerful instructions in His Word. Guest writer Todd Curtis, a father of four grown children who are faithfully following Christ, points fathers to God’s clear instructions.

Most kids and dads don’t think about sin accurately. We tend to view sin as an inconvenience, an interruption, or a social ill. But the Bible teaches us to think and parent differently.

How can we as Christian fathers avoid provoking our children? Here are five safeguards you can put into place to avoid provoking your children to wrath without compromising your parental authority.

One of my least-favorite responsibilities as a dad is disciplining my children. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather just feed them ice cream, play games, and wrestle all day long! However, there are many biblical reasons why it is essential that we train our kids to obey.

King David is known as a “man after God’s own heart,” but he made several parenting decisions that had disastrous consequences. There are three important lessons we can learn as dads from the sad stories of David’s sons in 2 Samuel 11–15.

The Bible teaches that a dad’s authority comes from God. That’s a simple truth with profound implications.

Many Christian parents are looking for a formula to ensure that their children trust Christ as Savior and please Him with their lives. Unfortunately, such a formula doesn’t exist. You must work and pray to the end that your children know and faithfully follow God. This is the work of shepherding your child’s heart. In order to do this work, you must understand that your children are the products of two things: shaping influences and Godward orientation.

How can you help your children understand the difference between God’s rules and your family’s rules? Pastor Kit Johnson provides four biblical guidelines to help you communicate your family convictions to your kids.

Why doesn’t the slogan, “Do as I say, not as I do” ever work with your kids? Because often when it comes to parenting, “actions speak louder than words.” If you are going to effectively disciple your children, they need to see that YOU walk with God!