Did you know Father’s Day has West Virginia roots? Pastor Linda Reese opened this Father’s Day 2025 message with the story. After a terrible mine explosion in Marion County in December 1907 left about a thousand children fatherless, Grace Clayton asked her pastor to set aside a day to honor fathers, and he preached on it in 1908.

Children follow our example

When Isaac feared for his life, he told the men of Gerar that his wife Rebekah was his sister (Genesis 26:7). Where did he learn that? From his father. Abraham had done the same thing with Sarah in Egypt (Genesis 12:11-13). Our children learn more from what we do than from what we say. As Pastor Linda put it, there’s no such thing as a half-truth.

A father’s guidance protects

“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8, KJV). When friends entice us to do wrong, “consent thou not” (1:10). Young people face heavy peer pressure. A parent’s experience can save a child from serious mistakes. Under the law of Moses, a father could even set aside a daughter’s rash vow (Numbers 30). Parents should let children learn, while protecting them from disaster.

Honor for life

“Honour thy father and thy mother” is the first commandment with a promise (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2). Children obey while they’re at home, but honoring is for life: speaking well of your parents, speaking kindly to them, and respecting them. And fathers, “provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Pass it on

Future generations will hear about the Lord through us (Psalm 22:30-31). Don’t just send your children to church; come with them, and read the Bible together at home. Pastor Linda told of a father heading to the bar who heard footsteps behind him. It was his little boy, following right where he walked.

Dads, granddads, and everyone who’s been a father to someone: there’s a seat for you on Sunday. Plan your visit.