Transcript
So I want to be a good father. I want to prepare my sons for life. I want to give my sons a better legacy than I had, but I didn't have a model. I don't know what that looks like. Well, there's a couple things that I would say. Go to your pastor and get recommendations on good, fatherly things to read. Who are people out there that are writing about biblical parenting, biblical fathering. Consume as much of that as you can.
The Family Was Meant to Live Connected to the Body of Christ
Second, I'm convinced that the family was intended by God to live in a lively connection to the body of Christ. No family - no matter how good your heritage is - is meant to live in isolation. So a dad isn't meant by God to do his dad work without connection to the body of Christ. So who are the mature fathers in your fellowship, in your Christian community? Who are the fathers that you look up to? Who are the dads that you would say, "Wow, I wish I was that kind of dad"? Go to them. Ask to be mentored. Ask questions. Be humble and say, "I don't know what I'm doing and I need help."
Luella and I were blessed by mature couples who taught us what it meant to be parents. I think back on those conversations. I think where would we have been if mature moms and dads hadn't been willing to stand with us as an immature mom and dad. There are resources of help. That's what God's designed His body for. Don't be embarrassed. Go in humility and watch what God will do.
