Despite the cultural denigration of dads and distrust of male authority (“the Patriarchy”), fathers play a vital role in children’s faith development, one that is reinforced by the importance of fatherhood in the Bible. Not only is fatherhood a metaphor God uses for himself, God’s loving, self-sacrificing authority should be the model for fathers.

Answers to the questions: What does this look like practically? How do I maintain authority while showing self-sacrificial love? What if I’m lovingly leading my kids, but they still won’t listen to me?

An example of how to explain to our kids the importance of listening to the right people, trusting God as the ultimate authority, and appreciating how their fathers model God’s love for them.

A curated list of some helpful articles, podcasts, and books on this topic for those who want to explore it further.