January 23, 2026

Be The Dads – Your kids, Your wife, and this world needs.

That God created us to be and that our kids, family, and the world needs us to be.

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Session 3: Leaving a Godly Legacy: Being the Dads our Kids Need us to Be

farmerphilbethedad07 mins

Before jumping into today’s topic, I wanted to reflect back on my morning devotional that spoke to the importance of legacy and having an eternal perspective. If our focus is only on this material world then we will miss out on the bigger picture. The morning devotional referenced Ecclesiastes and how when we aren’t focused on eternity with God and try to fill ourselves with things of this world, we will find ourselves empty, unsatisfied, and lacking. (check it out here: LEGACY: Since our time here is temporary, we need to be doing things that will last and endure beyond ourselves. on the website from2005toeternity.wordpress.com)

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children…”

— Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)

(We aim to leave more than wealth – a heritage of faith and godly character.)

Welcome & Icebreaker

  • Icebreaker Prompt: Think of a father or mentor who influenced your life. What spiritual lesson or value did they pass on to you? Share a story or trait that blessed you.
  • Key Takeaway: Each of us has received a legacy of faith and values from those who went before us. Now we have the opportunity to pass a God-honoring legacy to our children, built on the foundation of Jesus (Deut.6:6–7).

Scripture Reading & Reflection

Read today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:4 (NIV): “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Q1: How does Proverbs 22:6 inform our role as fathers?

  • Answer: It promises that a child started “off on the way they should go” will not depart from it. In other words, early, intentional spiritual training pays off over a lifetime. We must train up our children by modeling faith and guiding them in God’s paths each day (cf. Deut.6:6–7).
  • Key Takeaway: Investing in our children’s faith early and consistently is crucial. Even simple daily habits (prayer at meals, bedtime Bible stories, etc.) help “impress” God’s commands on their hearts.

Q2: What does Ephesians 6:4 mean by “do not exasperate” and “bring them up in the Lord’s instruction”?

  • Answer: We’re told not to provoke or embitter our children, but instead to nurture them with loving discipline and teaching. This echoes Colossians 3:21: “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”. In practice, this means we should patiently guide our kids (not nag or scold out of anger) and consistently teach them God’s ways (as a loving father, not a harsh taskmaster).
  • Key Takeaway: Children thrive when fathers are patient, respectful, and godly in how they correct and teach. A discouraging parent crushes a child’s spirit, but a gentle, faith-filled parent builds them up (Eph.6:4; Col.3:21).

Q3: What is our highest priority as fathers according to Scripture? (Hint: Mark 12)

  • Answer: Jesus taught that the first and greatest command is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. As dads, we must put God first in our lives and family. When we love God wholeheartedly, it transforms our homes and then flows out to our children. The second command is to love others (including our wives and kids) as ourselves. By modeling these priorities, our children learn what truly matters.
  • Key Takeaway: Living out “loving God fully” and “loving others sacrificially” will leave the strongest legacy. Every day is an opportunity to show our kids what it looks like to trust God and to care for others (Matt.6:33; Mark 12:30–31).

Q4: How do the Psalms and New Testament teach us about generational faith?

  • Answer: Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”. We are to tell our children God’s stories. Likewise, Paul commends Timothy’s faith because it “first lived in” his grandmother and mother. These examples show that faith is intentionally passed down. We must tell and show our children God’s goodness by example and teaching (Ps.78:4–7, Ps.145:4).
  • Key Takeaway: Our family history should be a story of God’s faithfulness. By sharing testimonies and living by faith, we ensure “faith is alive” in the next generation.

Group Discussion

  • What inheritance do we want to leave our children and grandchildren? (Think beyond money.)
    • Discussion: Answers may include: a love for God, integrity, hope, sacrificial love, faith that endures. Proverbs 13:22 reminds us to leave an inheritance to our children’s children — not just possessions, but values and faith. For example, non-perishable gifts like faith, hope and love (1 Cor.13:13) last forever.
  • What does it look like for us to ‘live intentionally’ as dads?”
    • Discussion: Living intentionally means planning our schedules around God’s priorities. It might mean family devotions, saying no to extra work nights, or using “teachable moments” to share Jesus. We must avoid letting busyness crowd out ministry to our own kids. The goal is for our lives to clearly reflect our faith (cf. “walk the talk”).
  • Prompt:“What obstacles often hinder us from leaving a godly legacy?”
    • Discussion: Common challenges include: placing work or hobbies above family, impatience with kids, neglecting prayer, or lacking a personal faith to pass on. We can overcome these by prayerfully reprioritizing (seeking God’s wisdom, James 1:5), and by encouraging one another. Accountability from the group can help us stay focused.

📖 Want to go deeper?

Action Plan

  • Family Devotions: Commit to daily or weekly family worship/prayer. Read a Bible verse together and discuss it in simple terms (following Deut.6:6–7). Scripture says we should “talk about [God’s commandments] when you sit at home… when you walk… lie down… get up”– build faith into routines.
  • Model Faith in Daily Life: Find one concrete way each day to put God first. For example, pray aloud for your child’s needs, show love to your wife in front of the kids, or demonstrate honesty and generosity. Remember Mark 12:30 – our children learn most by watching us love God and others.
  • Teach a Scripture: Pick a key verse (like Eph.6:4 or Ps.127:3) and teach it to your child this week. Help them memorize it and explain what it means for how you live. (E.g. remind them “Children are a heritage from the Lord”.)
  • Write a Legacy Letter: Write a short letter or story for your child about your faith journey or family faith heritage (like Timothy’s faith in 2 Tim.1:5). This tangible keepsake can encourage them for years.
  • Prayer & Accountability: Share one goal from this plan with another group member or your spouse. Pray for each other daily about it and check in next week with progress.

Prayer Time

  • Prayer Focus: Ask God to help you be the dad your kids need. Pray for wisdom and patience to lead them (James 1:5), for love and humility in discipline (Eph.6:4), and for your heart to fully love God (Mark 12:30).
  • Praise & Intercession: Thank God that “children are a heritage from the Lord”. Pray blessings over each child by name, asking God to make them strong in faith. Intercede for any struggles in your family and ask God to turn challenges into opportunities to demonstrate His power.

Closing & Accountability

Fatherhood is a high calling and a divine partnership with God. Remember that God goes before you and promises to finish the good work He started in your family (Phil.2:13). Commit this week to one practical step from the Action Plan. Then share your goal with another dad and keep each other accountable. Let’s pray together and trust that, by God’s grace, the legacy of faith we’re building today will bless our children (and grandchildren) for generations to come.

📚 Further Reading

Explore more dad-focused devotionals and legacy-building content at:

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