Sabbath Thought – Father’s and Family

This coming Sunday is the recognized holiday here in the U.S. of Father’s Day. While this is one day to honor fathers, it should not be the only day to do so. It was God who established the family through marriage (Genesis 2:18, 24), and he did so in part to show on a physical level what family will be like on a spiritual level. 

Family is important to God.  The children we have are a gift from Him (Psalm 127:3). We are instructed to teach them of His way so that they become holy offspring before Him (Malachi 2:15). This is best achieved when God is the center of instruction within the family. God is not divided and the family He established is not to be either (1 Corinthians 12:25). The beauty of God’s instruction is that it applies to all forms of family He has established – physical families, extended families, the family of Church and of being part of His family (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:2). As we can bring babies into our existing family, God brings “babes” into His. As parents are to instruct their children, we are to instruct those spiritual babes. As the children are to submit to the parents, we are to submit to Christ.

How we honor our parents reflects how we honor God. On a physical level, it is a whole lot easier to honor someone who acts honorably.  So, going back to fathers and Father’s Day, what does an honorable father look like?

• He serves the family first (1 Timothy 5:8).
• He is firm, loving, and there for the family.
• He sets the example for his family. The love and honor he gives to his wife are priceless and timeless examples of behavior to his children (Ephesians 5:25; 6:4).
• He teaches his family to do their best at whatever they do (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
• He teaches his children God’s way of life – by example, by instruction and by attitude.

Is your family united in purpose, action and thought? Is our congregation united in this way? Are we one with God the Father and Jesus Christ as they are with each other (John 17:11)? We can be and we should be. Let us be united in our families, congregation and with God through the knowledge, understanding and practice of living His way of life.  I encourage you to consider God’s ways especially during this Sabbath day in all that you say and do.

Whether you are a father or not, whether you had (or have) a loving father or not, God is our loving Father and He wants us to be a part of His family forever.

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

14 June, 2025