If you have young kids, you are probably thinking about who that "special someone" may be for your son or daughter. There may be a few characteristics you want that person to have. You probably want them to follow Jesus, be honest and kind. And, clearly, if they're to earn your child's affection, they must know which chicken restaurant is the best (do I have to say it out loud?). Pray for your kids to have a "godly filter" for their future spouse, and to have the wisdom to "know one when they see one." Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

It's time to talk! As dads, our goal is to raise our kids to honor God in their sexuality. Therefore, it's essential to have M.A.N.Y. talks with our kids related to sexual purity. And more importantly, these aren't one-way lectures. Over time, invite your kids to ask questions and spark real conversations at various stages of their understanding. Try not to baby them, tell it to them straight. They will engage if you lead with openness and sincerity. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

How we grew up can indeed affect our own fathering. Yet, we are not slaves to our past. Jesus taught us how to forgive, and He commanded us to do it. This is not so the offender gets "off scot free," but so that we are not burdened by our past. How we address our own past can set the stage for how our children relate to God. God Himself has equipped us with all the tools we need to successfully lead our kids closer to Him, regardless of how we got to where we are now. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

It's easy to blame challenges with our kids on every other factor but our own actions. Many of our issues at home boil down to a lack of communication. As dads, we make things worse by constantly telling and rarely asking. You tell your little kids everything. Go to bed. Put that down. Stop it. "Kenny, don't paint your sister." But, especially for teens, this approach backfires. Let's admit we are telling when we should be asking, and grow together in this area.

Dad, understanding the power of our words is crucial. Would you define what comes out of your mouth as a "fountain of life"? Have your words been encouraging? Do you reflect God's righteous example in what you say? These are very powerful and undoubtedly tough questions. Nobody's perfect at this. Yet, our goal as encouraging fathers is to become a verbal reminder of God's love and joy in the lives of our family. Let's explore how to do that. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org/

The desire for fresh starts is built into our DNA. God wants us to use these fresh starts as a way to get reground ourselves in His will. We may often have times where we see a needed change in our lives or the lives of members of our family. Let's explore what we need to keep, improve, stop, and start to achieve a richer connection to God's will. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org/

Our kids don't need to receive physical gifts from us to feel loved and appreciated. The reality is, our time and focused attention means the world to them (way more than any new gaming console or pair of shoes). And the best part is our kids already have all the fun activities lined up. All we need to do is lean in and dress up for the tea party or gear up for the covert operation to take down Darth Vader. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

When it comes to our children, natural interruptions can be incredibly valuable. Some of our most opportune moments as fathers will be unplanned, unscripted, and maybe even inconvenient. So, as we get hit with interruptions, let's take advantage and connect with our kids on a deeper level. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

An important part of having patience is realizing we're not in total control of developing our kids. God is. When we trust God and make disciples, the long and trying journey of raising children will be less pressure-packed. We eventually realize that our kids are just as much of a spiritual work-in-progress as we are! Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org

The modern challenges dads face can often seem impossible to overcome. So, what does the Bible tell us about fatherhood? Chip Ingram explains why dads often feel like they're failing and shares practical steps every dad can take to remove that internal doubt. The truth is a lot of us parent out of fear instead of letting God's Word help us become the fathers we really want to be. Want to join a community of dads like you? Visit: https://fatheronpurpose.org