Fathers are asked to lead. If we look to Jesus as our example, it can only mean one thing: the man is supposed to follow the path of a servant leader.

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them (the disciples) to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

So, not to rule over his family, but to take the attitude of a servant.

A father takes charge of his family by looking after his family's needs and their spiritual well-being. He offers physical support, grace and encouragement. He is ready to protect, help and defend.

As a provider, he is not only responsible for their daily life, but also for the future.

Too many times I have had to experience that fathers have failed to provide for their families, in case something should happen to them.

It is not enough to say that you have funeral insurance, but leave your wife and children with no further financial support to meet their needs after you're gone.

But not only that, but also the communication between a father and his children is a big challenge for many.

Fathers often leave communication with the children to their wives, mainly because the women spend more time with the children.

And yet, without healthy communication with their fathers, the kids don't connect. Fathers occupy a special place that no one else can replace.

As a Father, quite a lot is required of us. In particular the example function we have. Children look up to their parents, so also to us as fathers.

How we interpret our faith, for example, influences the image that our children form about faith and about God.

Just as Joshua said, "But I and my house we will serve the Lord," so we as fathers share a responsibility for the spiritual education of our children. You can't dump that on your wife!

As a father you look out for your children and you take an active part in their upbringing, which also concerns the spiritual aspect.

In addition, fathers have an exemplary function in their dealings with the opposite sex: how you treat your wife also influences the image your children have and how they see the relationship between husband and wife.

Yes, as a father you are an example for your children. And sometimes you manage to be a good example and sometimes you don't.

And when you can no longer influence them, and the time has come to let them go, you can only trust God that everything will be okay.

Psalm 37:4-5 “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass…”

Put your life and that of your children in the hand of the Lord…and it will go well for them.