This Sunday we celebrate the importance of our husband’s and fathers’ in our lives and the lives of our children. Our wonderful dads, who God has chosen for each of us, help us grow in character and wisdom. They are men of courage, and integrity. It is by their example that our sons grow into godly men, and our daughters are able to choose godly husbands of their own. The father’s role in our lives is, without question, greatly important.

Sadly, the world we live in likes to downplay the role of father. When you think of how dads are portrayed in our secular culture, what comes to mind? Maybe Homer Simpson? Or how about Modern Family’s, Phil Dunphy? Both characters are far from the Biblical idea of father. Sure they’re funny and even entertaining in their goofiness, but it’s sort of sad that our culture currently devalues fathers as the bumbling fools of the family unit, who are easily duped and disrespected by their kids and wives, and whose importance is merely that of a paycheck.

Back in the 80’s and 90’s we had quite a few family themed shows. The TV dads were characters like Dr. Phil Huxtable (The Cosby Show), Steven Keaton (Family Ties) and Danny Tanner (Full House). They were hard working, smart, respectable dads. Role models. Our culture, three decades ago, valued the idea that fathers were the foundation of the family.

5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Fathers

Cultural values may have changed, but God’s model of what fatherhood really means, remains the same. Here are some Bible verses that will help us celebrate our dads, by reading what God intended for our men to be.

(Joshua 1:9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Psalm 103: 13) As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

(Proverbs 3:11-12) My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

(Proverbs 22:6) Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

(1 Corinthians 16:13) Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Happy Father’s Day to our wonderful dads! Enjoy your day. Rest, be loved on, and know that you, through the truth of God’s plan, are the foundation of our family!

Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She has been a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on Talking Like A Girl.

Originally published on June 12, 2013