Scripture teaches us many lessons of what it takes to be a good father. For those who have had an absent father in their lives may you take comfort in knowing God your heavenly Father knows your heart and mind who will never leave you nor forsake you ever! He is a Father who will love you in this life and for all eternity.

There are many things that make a Father a good Father, and fortunately scripture gives us an outline of what it takes!

Just as God our Father in heaven has compassion for His children, so does a good father show compassion for his own (Psalm 103:13) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Here are a few passages that show us what God expects a Father to be, and how to be a good example for your children to follow:

 Discipline is important to teach a child right from wrong (Proverbs 13:24) He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Be a good teacher! (Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Be a good provider to your children (1 Timothy 5:8) But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Time spent with your children is always quality time well spent (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Keep from angering your children, and be kindly affectioned towards them (Ephesians 6:4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 Just as your heavenly Father does not give up on you, be as the father of the prodigal son who welcomed his back home after living a wayward life!  (Luke 15:20-24) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

 Finally father’s pray for your children, for prayer moves the heart of God and keeps His protection over them!