Fresh Ideas for Father's Day, A Father's Day Bookmark

Written by Diana Davis

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one's youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.” Psalm 127:4-5 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Note to churches: This article is formatted as a printable bookmark at www.keeponshining.com. Feel free to personalize it for your church and print it as a gift for dads on Father’s Day.

Deacon Wives

A Christian dad impacts his family and the world! A few fresh ideas for dads:

Create father/child traditions

Begin traditions: birthday breakfast with dad, father/daughter date, annual father/son adventure, read Sunday funnies together. Share a hobby with your child (fish, collect rocks, golf, and woodwork.)
Make lifetime memories with family vacations. Tight budget? Do a back yard campout.

Pray for your child

Kneel by your sleeping child’s bed. Pray for your child as you drive to work, or before you get up each day. Remind your child of your prayers.
Pray together at bedtime. Pray aloud with your child as you drive to school. Pray in crisis. Pray about specific needs/blessings (e.g., peers, new puppy.)

Invest time in your child’s life

Child-rearing days encompass only about 1/4 of your life. There are no do-overs, so invest wisely. Secret: Hit the TV remote’s off button.
Offer to substitute in your child’s Sunday school class.
Idea: Spend a minimum of 10 focused minutes with your child daily. Take a walk, shoot baskets, go for a soda, play a board game. Listen. Comfort. Make eye contact. Speak wisdom.

Be your home’s spiritual leader

Enthusiastically initiate family commitment to God, His Word & His church. Help your child know Jesus as personal Savior.
Get caught studying God’s Word. Show it’s a priority in your life. Occasionally handwrite a Scripture on a note card to give to your child.
Teach your child. When? Deut. 11:18-21 says to teach your child God’s ways when you sit, walk, lay or stand. Oh, you’re doing that right now…Get busy!

Encourage your child

Show family affection. Hug. Laugh together. Delight in your child. Say “I love you” with feeling. Speak only positive words about him to others.
Be the parent. Your child needs a father, not just another “buddy.”
Offer sincere compliments often. Discover your child’s spiritual gifts and help develop them.

Love your wife

It’s one of the best things you can do for your child, and you’re teaching how to treat his or her future spouse. Let your child see you show genuine affection to mom, compliment her, pray with her, brag about her and laugh together.
Idea: tell your child today the story of how you met and fell in love with your wife.

Serve God together

Set an example of joyful service to God. Find ways to include your child, i.e. homebound visit, church work day.
Idea: Watch for a new project at church; sign up to do it together.

Be a man of integrity

Memorize this verse: “I will lead a life of integrity in my own home” Psalm 101:2. Guard your reputation vigilantly.
“The glory of children is their fathers” Proverbs 17:6b. Happy Father’s Day!

More "Fresh Ideas" for your ministry are available in these practical books by Diana Davis:

Also, check out Diana's official website at www.keeponshining.com

Diana Davis lives in Indianapolis, where her husband Steve serves as the Executive Director for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana. A popular women’s conference speaker, Diana has ministered to women’s groups internationally. She especially loves encouraging pastors' wives and deacons’ wives.

Other free articles from Diana Davis on LifeWay.com:

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Father's Day Resource Index