INTRODUCTION:

1. Father’s Day –
   1. Mother’s Day – sweet thoughts
   2. Father’s Day – club them over the head
2. Patering = Greek word for “father” is “pater”
3. Here are 5 P’s important for being a father

 Prayer

1. For many – father is a spiritual stumbling block
2. Kids need to know that you:
   1. Honor God in your life
   2. Show gratitude – meal time
   3. Pray about important matters
   4. Live like a Christian
3. 1 Corinthians 4:12 – bless not curse
4. 1 Corinthians 4:15 – be a spiritual father to them

 Patience

1. Challenge and urge your kids to do their best
2. But don’t demand perfection
3. You aren’t. Why demand it of them?
4. Proverbs 19:11 – “A man’s wisdom gives him patience”
5. Our reaction does more damage than their infraction.

 Play

1. Kids learn social skills through play
2. Obey rules of the game – don’t change as you go
3. Play with them – by the rules
4. Take them fishing, hunting, play catch, kick a ball, swing and slide

 Praise

1. There is a power in acceptance – just tell them they did good
2. Ephesians 6:4 – “Don’t exasperate your children”
3. Be more positive than negative

 Purpose

1. Husbands cannot abdicate leadership
2. There are many demands on our time – work, social, personal, church, recreational, home
3. Ecc. 3:1 – “there is a time for everything under heaven”

Conclusion: Legacies are forever

1. Stuff doesn’t matter – kids do
2. Stuff can get lost, broken, replaced
3. A spiritual legacy will last past your lifetime