God's Fathers - Questions for FathersSample

Do you respect your children?

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

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Did you attend their first sporting event, public speaking competition, or prize giving (even when they may have only come third)?

Are you "the Great Silence" in the house? You're there, but you're not talking. You don't speak when asked a question. You're just busy with your own stuff? Are you there with a presence that is a constant reminder that no one is allowed to laugh, talk, or play music? Does the house "die" when you walk in the door?

Are you being unreasonable? Do you have unreasonable expectations of your child? Perhaps you excelled at athletics and want the same for your child. They may prefer to play the violin - is that acceptable to you?

Are you inconsistent with your decisions? Do your children know what to expect, and can they predict how you will behave? Does your behaviour change according to how you feel and based on what is right or wrong at that point?

Do you listen when they speak and respond to them?

Why would your children want to be close to you? Is it because it's nice for them to be with you?

A little boy overheard his father say, "My time is money." One day, full of hope, the boy walked into his father's study and handed his father R120's 10 cents, 50 cents, one rand, and five rand in a bottle. He saved everything possible for more than a year and asked, "Dad, is this enough to buy an hour of your time so that you will come and kick the ball in the park with me?”

What do your children believe about themselves? How much of what they think of themselves is because of your words and actions towards them?

Do you tell your children when you have learned something from them?

Ask them what there is about your behaviour that they don't like – and change it.

Do you pay your taxes (Romans 13:6-7)?

What do you spend your money on? Would your children respect you if they knew what you were spending your money on?