A Little Father’s Day History
Father’s Day is a time in the United States that we have set aside to honor fathers. History says that Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who was raised by her father along with her five siblings after her mother died in child birth, was the first to suggest Father’s Day in the early 1900s. Her idea was sparked after she heard a sermon on Mother’s Day, which was a relatively new holiday at the time. Sonora wanted to celebrate Father’s Day in June each year because that was the month of her Father’s birthday.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 and it wasn’t until 1924 that U.S. President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea. In 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation to recognize the day however, years later in 1972 President Richard Nixon signed legislation that made the third Sunday of June Father’s Day each year (1).
Originally it was a religious celebration and later developed into a more commercialized event. With this in mind, let’s look at the Bible and see what guidelines God’s word has for Fathers.
Father’s in the Bible
Several years ago Dr. Mike preached a message on Father’s Day that he entitled “A Father’s Mandate”. Most of the following is from the notes I took during that message.
A father must be a good example to the children
1 Peter 1:13-16. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
A father must show that he loves his wife
Ephesians 5:25-33. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
A father must be part of his child’s private world – pray with them
Matthew 6:5-8. ” And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
A father must keep his promises
Matthew 5:34. “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Hebrews 6:17-20. “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
A father must give his children the freedom to fail so they can learn
Romans 5:1-5. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The father must be the encourager in the family
Proverbs 15:23. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!”
Proverbs 25:11. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
A father must give his children hugs like Jesus did
Mark 10:13-16. ” And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
A father must build his family based upon the Word of God – Jesus Christ
Jeremiah 17:7-8. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
1 Corinthians 3:11-13. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
More from the Bible?
Do you have a favorite verse or passage from the Bible about fathers? Share in the comments below.
Adapted from “Father’s Day | Definition, History, & Facts.” n.d. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fathers-Day.
Pamela Rose Williams, Founder of Christianity Every Day, is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She and her husband, Dr. Michael L. Williams have served in Christian ministry since 2001. She has Master of Ministry in Biblical Counseling and Bachelor’s in Christian Education degrees. Most of her time is spent as a professional editor and writer, working with many Christian authors and artists. She also uses her extensive experience in information technology providing Christ-centered teaching tools and resources for people all over the world. To learn more about Pamela visit her About page.
