The Example of a Godly Father

Did you know? An audio version of today’s devotional is available on Leading The Way‘s MY Devotional podcast!

Read 1 Corinthians 4:14-17.

In our day and age, fathers are often portrayed in the media as bumbling idiots with little value to the family, while the reality is often worse with many fathers altogether absent or aloof. Our culture has waged war against Biblical manhood and womanhood, rejecting the roles given to us in God’s Word.

The best thing we can do for our kids is to show them Jesus in how we live.

The answer is not to capitulate to the sexual revolution. It’s not to invite into our churches those who would tamper with God’s created order—who promote their own standards above God’s. The answer is for fathers—both natural and spiritual—to draw near to God and obey His Word. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul described himself as a "father" to the Corinthian believers, and he essentially says to them, "Follow me, as I follow Jesus."

We don’t need to be perfect. We don’t need to hide our faults from our children. (We won’t be able to anyway!) Rather, our children should see us handle failure with humility as we admit our mistakes, seek reconciliation, and persevere in godliness. You see, children watch their fathers closely, and our actions speak louder than our words. For example, if I tell my children not to cheat, but then they see me cheating on my taxes, what have I really communicated? That is why it is so important that we fathers are being transformed daily by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The best thing we can do for our kids is to show them Jesus in how we live.

Prayer: Lord, help me to humbly admit my faults, seek reconciliation, and pursue godliness as an example to the next generation. May they observe me as someone who knows my faults, trusts in Your grace, seeks Your forgiveness, and strives to see Your Holy Spirit transform my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Therefore I urge you to imitate me" (1 Corinthians 4:16).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Healthy Living in a Sick World, Part 6: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Link copied

Recent MY Devotional

The Cutting Edge

September 20, 2025

The Solution to Control

September 19, 2025

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Marketing Permissions

Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

Yes, I would like to receive ongoing updates about how God is moving through my support. No, I do not wish to continue receiving mailings at this time. I would like to completely opt-out and have my information to be forgotten.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at: uk.ltw.org/connect/contact-us. For more information about our privacy practices please visit uk.ltw.org/privacy By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.