Intentional Father by Jon TysonSample

Jon Tyson: Intentional Father Devotional Day 1

“Parenting on Purpose”

Scripture reading: Proverbs 22:6; 23:24; Malachi 4:6

If you’ve chosen to use this week’s worth of devotionals on intentional fathering, I’m going to assume that you are a father or a father figure to at least one boy. You know your role in leading him toward manhood is important. And you’re determined to get it right. You’re determined to pass on a legacy of blessing instead of brokenness. You’re determined to raise a child of consequence.

And because of that determination, because of that desire, I want to affirm you and honor you for your willingness to do the work, for trying to figure out how to raise your child in a God-honoring way.

You’re already on the right path.

Raising young men properly is a huge need in our culture right now. Just look around. We’re living in a time when men don’t know what it means to be men anymore, and women don’t know what it means to be women. It feels to me like there is total confusion. It’s hard enough to simply grow up into some kind of a functional human being, much less set out on a journey to discover what it means to be a man. What it means to be an adult.

For that, we need men who are intentionally fathering their sons.

The intentional father is deeply invested in discovering who his children are and how he can help them reach their redemptive potential. He seeks to understand the children God has given him and wants to form them into young persons who can fulfill their purpose. He sees parenting as central to his call before God and does it with all of his might.

This kind of father leaves multigenerational blessings in the lives of his children.

These devotionals—and the book they are based upon—are all about becoming that kind of father. And it’s a crucial topic. As the prophet Malachi said, godly cooperation between children and parents is a requirement to avoid destructive consequences in the future.

Are you willing to put in the time required to become an intentional father and help your children thrive? How are you going to make that work in your schedule?