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Mistakes Fathers Make Introduction: Usually "Father's Day" is a day we thank those fathers and say some good things about Fatherhood. Not today! I want to talk about some mistakes fathers make. I consider Ephesians 6.4 to point out the primary responsibility of fathers. Of course there are other responsibilities such a providing for one's family, 1 Timothy 5.8. But teaching and training is of greater importance because what is taught will remain with the child long after they are grown, Proverbs 22.6. Therefore, I would say the biggest mistakes fathers make is in what they teach their children. I) Some Tell Their Children To Follow God But Teach Them To Not Follow God A) Solomon 1. He knew God and His law, possessed great wisdom, 1 Kings 3.12. a. Example of his wisdom in 2 women fighting over one child. b. His plans in building the temple of God 2. See his wisdom in the Proverbs; 1.7; 3.1, 9; 7.10ff. B) Yet Solomon did not follow his own words of wisdom, 1 Kings 11.6 1. He married foreign women 2. He set up altars to worship other gods. 3. Rehoboam was the result of Solomon's disobedience. He did not walk in the ways of Lord. C) How many fathers are like Solomon? 1. Tell their children to place God first in their lives, to read their Bibles, live so as to go to heaven. 2. Say these things as they drop them off at the church door on Sunday morning. As their Bibles are gathering dust, as they never think about heaven. 3. Our children will follow our example more than our words. II) Some Teach Their Children To Do Evil A) Manasseh was an evil king, 2 Kings 21. 1. For built wooden altars, offered human sacrifices, practiced witchcraft, encouraged others to do so. 2. Nothing about seeking God's approval or being concerned about God's word. 3. Eventually he was punished by God and did repent, 2 Chronicles 33. 4. Yet he could not undo the harm he had already done. 5. His son Ammon had already learned to serve the foreign gods, 2 Chronicles 33.21-22. B) There are fathers who teach their children to be disobedient 1. To be worldly, ;use profanity, drink, use profanity, steal, cheat, lie, etc. 2. Perhaps by example more than words. 3. May be they come to God later in life but their children have already learned their lesson. III) Some Do Not Teach Their Children Anything A) David 1. Had many family problems some were due to his sin with Bathsheba. 2. He appeared to be AWOL. Just not involved with his family. 3. He was busy in conquering Israel's enemies, expanding the territory 4. He was AWOL with Absalom, 2 Samuel 13. 5. Absalom left Jerusalem, eventually did return, 2 Samuel 14.24. 6. Upon returning David did not talk with him for 2 years, 2 Samuel 14.28. B) There are a lot of dad's who are AWOL 1. Fatherhood requires men to be hands on, personally involved. 2. Talk, reason, listen, discipline. Hebrews 12.8. a. Say NO and mean it. b. Discipline with a purpose "train the heart of the child to seek the Lord" Conclusion: Sad to see fathers who are isolated from their children. Sad to see children who are rearing themselves. Sad to see children who have been taught improperly. It is a joy to see fathers interact with their children.
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