Father’s Day is just around the corner, coming up on Sunday June 15. A day for celebrating dad’s and how they’ve impacted our lives and helped us become the people we are today. Of course, God is our perfect Father and He has a lot to say about the importance of dads in their kids’ lives. Here are just a few verses that begin to express God’s heart towards fathers and a few activities you might like to do as you get ready to celebrate dad:
Proverbs 1:8:
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
This is a verse that encourages us to keep a teachable spirit- one that’s open to correction and encouragement. It’s important to be able to learn from people older than you- especially your dad and mom because they love you and want the very best for you.
ACTIVITY
Make your dad a personal Father’s Day card. You might draw it, color it with crayons or use small items around the house to create his one-of-a-kind masterpiece!
2 Corinthians 6:18:
“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
This Scripture assures us that as followers of Jesus we get the privilege of being His kids. Check out John 1:12. Think about that- the King of the universe is our dad! So, you can always know that God knows you, sees you and has only great plans for you. Check out Jeremiah 29:11.
ACTIVITY
Make a list of 10 things you love about your dad. Is he funny? Does he play ball with you? Do you do fun things together? Does he read to you before bed? Make your list and then give it to him.
“The Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son.” —Deuteronomy 1:31
Psalm 103:13:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
Since God loves us and calls us His kids, we can know for sure that He knows all about us and cares about every little detail of our lives. He knows what color your hair is, how many freckles you have and even your favorite flavor of ice cream!
ACTIVITY
Plan a fun time for you and your dad. It might just be the two of you or maybe you can invite your siblings. A trip to the park? A walk through the neighborhood. A game of ping pong? Maybe a trip to his favorite coffee shop?
“Start children off on the way they should go … they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
This means that dads are especially proud of their kids who do the right thing, are open and honest and who try to please God (and their parents!) whenever they have the chance.
ACTIVITY
List 4-5 ways you can make your parents proud of you today.
Proverbs 4:11-12:
“I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble.”
This is a promise from God but do you know one of the ways He makes this happen? Through your dad of course! He teaches you things, he guides you, he protects you and he helps you grow up!
ACTIVITY
Think about the ways your dad or mom help you grow up. Do they teach you things? Do they help you solve problems? Do they listen? Some time today let them know how much you appreciate them.
Luke 15:20:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Jesus told this story of a son who left home and rejected his family. After the boy lost all his money and was reduced to eating pig’s food, he decided to come home and work as one of his father’s servants if he’d have him. But when his father saw the boy, he ran to him, welcomed him home and even threw a party for him. Jesus wanted us to know that this is how God is. He loves us and is always ready to welcome us home.
ACTIVITY
Make 5-10 IOUs to give to your dad on Father’s Day. They might be for a backrub or a trip for ice cream. Or an uninterrupted nap. You might offer to wash his car or take the dog for a walk with him. Be creative, find some things that you know he’ll love and let him pull out a card whenever he likes.
“I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths.” —Proverbs 4:11-12
Deuteronomy 1:31:
“There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
This is God’s way of saying that He’ll never leave us alone. No matter what you’re going through at home, at school, with friends, He’s always with you.
ACTIVITY
Make a list of 10 things you love about your dad. If you think of more than 10 keep going! You might even add some drawings. When you’re all done make sure you show it to him. Then give him a hug and thank him for being such a great dad.
Malachi 4:6:
“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.”
God loves it when dads and moms, brothers and sisters are all getting along and loving one another. Of course, no family is perfect, and you might not always get along but be thankful for your family and make sure you pray for them to become all God wants them to be!
ACTIVITY
Find out what your dad wants for breakfast on Father’s Day, then serve him breakfast in bed! If he wants cold cereal, you can do that yourself but if he wants something a little more complex, like eggs or pancakes, you might need some help from your mom or an older brother or sister. Bring it on a tray to his bed (be careful!) along with his newspaper and Bible and let him enjoy!
No father (or mother for that matter) is perfect, but God has placed you in the family you’re in for a reason. So, this Father’s Day celebrate your dad with maybe a special meal, a handmade card, a back rub or maybe even some help around the house. But most of all let him know you love him!
