Among the many roles a man may bear, few are as honored—or as weighty—as that of “father.” Not the religious title “Father” that some men have taken upon themselves (cf. Matthew 23:6-11), but the word used for a man who takes on the responsibilities of raising a son or a daughter. The word “father” appears 1,672 times in the New King James Version of the Bible.
- When God wanted to use a term to describe His love, care, and guidance for His people, He used the term father (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, Hebrews 12:5-10).
- Paul compared his work of exhorting, comforting, and charging Christians to that of a father raising his children (1 Thessalonians 2:11).
- The term father is used to describe Christians who are mature and secure in their faith and knowledge (1 John 2:13-14).
- Often when we think of the great man of faith Abraham, we think of him as “Father Abraham.”
- It was to fathers God gave the responsibility to bring up children in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
- When God said who He wanted to watch over and protect His congregations, He specified that He wanted fathers (1 Timothy 3:4-5, Titus 1:5-6).
Truly, the title of father is given great honor and responsibility in the Bible.
The Cultural Undermining of Fatherhood
Sadly, our world has diminished and distorted the honor of fatherhood. The phrase “Father knows best” is often used today with scorn. In popular media, fathers are portrayed as clueless, inept, or emotionally distant. While mothers are rightly recognized for their deep influence, fathers are too often expected to be little more than financial providers—or worse, irrelevant altogether.
Many fathers have, consciously or unconsciously, accepted the world’s low expectations—or even sunk beneath them. Whether due to cultural influence, personal discouragement, or lack of guidance, many men today are not rising to the noble standard God has set for them.
Perhaps because of the influence of the world, perhaps because of discouragement, or perhaps because they simply don’t know how, many fathers are not living up to the honor of their calling.
The Devastating Consequences
Over one-third of American children now live without a father and many more homes have fathers who are physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually absent. Fathers need to understand their importance in a home. Consider a few of the following statistics gathered by The Fatherless Generation:
- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average.
- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.
- 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)
- 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)
Fatherhood today is in crisis—and its effects are felt in our nation, our neighborhoods, our churches, and most of all, in our children. It’s time for fathers to rise to their calling: to be present, to be spiritual leaders, and to guide the next generation with love and conviction.
Fatherhood is not optional. It’s not passive. It’s not a title to be worn—it’s a mission to be lived.
The influence of a father in the home ripples outward: shaping hearts, building futures, anchoring families, and strengthening churches. We need fathers who will love with tenderness and lead with conviction. Fathers who will discipline with grace, protect with strength, and teach with eternal vision.
Now more than ever, we need men who will rise up and reclaim the calling of fatherhood—not just as a biological role, but as a spiritual responsibility.
“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” —Malachi 4:6
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 