How Christian Fathers Get Help from the Church in Leading Their Families

Fathers have the most significant influence on what their children will become. If a Christian father lived out to it, he could bring his entire family to Jesus. 

But how could the church help them lead their families?

Dads could bring important teaching, guidance and motivation, correction, love, and response. 

Your impact as a father is foundational and long-lasting.

How Christian Fathers Get Help from the Church

Although dads play a crucial role in their homes and the belief of their children, if they do not get ample knowledge and support, they may hinder the entire family from believing in and loving God. 

That is where the church comes in. Churches have a significant part in empowering dads to do their responsibilities well.

The church should equip and nurture fathers, Christians or not, to lead their families. In this way, they could teach their families according to God’s purpose.

Here are some ways the church could help Christian dads lead their families.

Be Intentional

Most churches have a ministry for men but not for fathers. Men’s ministry is a great place where all men, including single, young professionals, fathers, and the elderly, could fellowship and learn more about God.

But, having a program exclusively for fathers could help them focus on their role as dads. This program could allow them to talk about their struggles as a father and be motivated by others.

The church could also use this opportunity to focus its teaching on what God says about their responsibilities as dads. Preaching the Gospel to fathers will indicate particular application and empowerment to their connection with their wives and kids. 

Some program that a church could have is a small group for fathers. In this group, they could discuss topics exclusively about fatherhood.

Train Dads to be involved in their family’s Spiritual Growth

Not all Christian dads know how to lead their families. Before they got married, they were only responsible for themselves. So having another responsibility and leading their family is another challenge for them. 

No school offers training on how to become a dad. Fathers lead their families according to how their parents raised them or what their environment taught them. 

The church is the best place to learn how to become a dad, so they must use this to their advantage. 

A recent survey in America revealed that 96% of responders highly agree that parents, specifically dads have a crucial obligation to be part of the discipleship process with each of their kids.

In the same survey, many responders admitted that they had never prayed aloud with their children. Also, they noted that they had never read or talked about the Bible with their children. 

One reason is that fathers need more training.

Churches should offer ways for Christian fathers to learn how to bring their families to Jesus and live out their faith. You could provide training and tools to help them know more about fatherhood that pleases God.

Let Fathers take part in Children and Youth programs

Many churches have female teachers and volunteers for their children’s and youth’s programs. But not all churches realize the value of having fathers involved in these ministries.

Having female leaders in these programs could leave a gap in the church’s leadership structure. The kids need male role models to follow and learn from. 

If Christian fathers are part of the children’s and youth’s ministry team, they could offer a context for demonstrating and mentoring godly manhood for young boys and girls. If they are not involved in the church leadership, the kids may think that the church is intended for women and children.

The church could provide training for fathers to be effective in leading these ministries.

Moreover, if fathers participate in these programs, they are helping the church to make the other children experience the kind of godly fatherhood they may not share in their biological and non-Christian dads.

Host Programs for Father-kid Bonding

Not all fathers express love for their children, even if they are Christians. Some just need opportunities to show how much they care for their kids. The church is the best place for them to express affection and develop relationships with their children.

There are many ways in which the church can host programs or events to help fathers create positive relationships with their children. For example, you can host father-son or father-daughter camps or weekend retreats. 

It provides a unique chance for Christian fathers to take valuable time away from their work and other priorities and focus on bonding with their children.

Give Time to Family Time

Having too much has always had a downside. People have so much on their plate at work, school, and even church activities. 

Suppose the church has too many daily activities for its members, such as Bible studies, small groups, youth fellowship, retreats, men and women programs, and children’s ministry programs. In that case, they may not have time to spend with their families.

The church should be careful not to host too many programs and encourage families to stay at home. They could watch a Christian movie or play board games to strengthen their relationship with each other.

Also, they visit places like coffee shops or restaurants for quality time.

Before adding more things to your church’s schedule, you can discuss what you can remove to free up families to have intentional family time. 

Let Fathers be Accountable

The church is accountable for disciplining and correcting fathers who may struggle with their character or addictions. 

Do not be afraid to correct them and help them overcome their weaknesses. 

They neglect a crucial part of their spiritual responsibility and personal discipleship in Jesus if they fail to bring their family to church or let their wives and kids attend alone. 

The church would need to let Christian fathers accountable and motivate them to lead their families in the Lord.

Some fathers may treat their children harshly, so the church’s pastor or spiritual elder could guide them and help them restore the spirit of gentleness.