These 15 Bible Verses Show How AWESOME Dad Really Is!

Dad doesn’t often get the credit he deserves. Let’s honor him by remembering these 15 bible verses about fathers. Discover how AWESOME he really is!

Momming is HARD work, no doubt. But let’s be real for a second – we get more pats-on-the-back than dad.

The Bible tells us to “honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). We are usually great at the “honor your mother” part.

Honoring dad? Not so much.

How Society Belittles Dad

Society is quick to extol moms for our sacrifices, commiserate with the woes of motherhood, and laud our ability to multitask.

The typical American sitcom depicts a super-mom character juggling everything: kids, house, job. Meanwhile, dad sits in his easy chair watching the game (or worse, does something dumb that his wife now has to fix).

The Humbled Homemaker does a great job of explaining this phenomenon:

Dads long to be the heroes for their kids, and the warriors for their wives. Yet our culture often portrays the opposite. The dad who always needs saving or who is the joke of the family. He is constantly being run over by the mom and kids and couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag.

– from “Let’s Dump the Dumb Dad Stereotype”

Is this an accurate picture of how our world views the role of “dad”?

Despite this current trend, a lot of us Christian moms are here shouting from the rooftops:

Dad, we see you.

Your role is just as vital in the life of your child. Right here, right now, we recognize how much you mean to us and how much you sacrifice, too.

I love these thoughts from Chantelle at Her Life, His Way blog:

“It’s hard being the daddy, boy”, my husband hugged our son and sighed heavily as he got ready to head out the door. “It’s hard being the mummy too,” he added with a quick sideways glance at me, “Being a mum is hard because of what you have to do. Being a dad is hard because of what you don’t get to do.”

Stay-at-home-mumming isn’t as terrible or as difficult as everyone makes it out to be, but being a dad is a lot harder than everyone makes it out to be. 

– from “Dad Doesn’t Have It As Easy As You Think”

I know that in our house, my husband works hard all day and that work doesn’t stop when he gets home. He’s mowing the yard right now as I type this, and most days he can be found fixing something that’s broken and throwing the baseball to the boys instead of relaxing in his easy chair.

And when he is in his easy chair, well… he isn’t alone. (He wouldn’t change a thing.)

What is the role of a father?

The Bible paints a picture of fatherhood, much like the role of our Heavenly Father. He is the protector, provider, and carries a huge weight of responsibility in teaching his children.

Dad has the job of modeling and teaching what the Christian life looks like, and imparting this wisdom to the next generation. Let’s discover what the bible has to say about dads.

Read Next: 12 Bible Verses About Mothers to Celebrate Her Worth

15 Bible Verses About Fathers that Show His Awesomeness

These powerful Scriptures below are great Father’s Day bible verses, but they are relevant any time of year to celebrate dear old dad!

He is a constant teacher (Proverbs 4:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
or I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

– Proverbs 4:1-5

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 

– Deuteronomy 6:5-7

There are lots of Proverbs about fathers – in fact, much of the book is written from a father’s perspective, trying to teach his son which way to go. A huge emphasis is placed on wisdom and learning the commandments of God.

There is no greater blessing in a child’s life than when dad is the spiritual leader of the home!

And dad isn’t just modeling spiritual things, but he’s also teaching everyday life skills. My dad practiced hundreds of spelling words, taught me about money, and sat in the driver’s seat the first time my foot touched the gas pedal (gulp!).

He disciplines out of love (Hebrews 12:9-11, Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:6, 3:11-12, 23:22)

…we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

– Hebrews 12:9-11

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

– Ephesians 6:4

Train up a child in the way he should go;
    even when he is old he will not depart from it.

– Proverbs 22:6

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 3:11-12

Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.

– Proverbs 23:22

Dads have one God-given responsibility that is not always fun: discipline. Having to correct your child is difficult, but every child needs this so desperately! This holds true from infancy to adulthood.

I remember as a teen, most of our van rides consisted of dad giving us Bible-based advice about life. It was the perfect opportunity for him – he had a captive audience!

We used to groan and give dad a hard time about his “sermons.” But those words stayed with us.

Even when you think they aren’t listening, your kids are taking in your instruction.

He Provides Good Things for His Children (Matthew 7:9-11)

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

– Matthew 7:9-11

Dad, we are SO GRATEFUL for how much you sacrifice to provide for your family. There are lots of days you would rather stay home to relax and play with your kids – but you’re dedicated. You work so hard to give everything you can to your family.

Lots of moms work outside the home too, but the primary responsibility for providing usually rests on dad. This bible verse about a father’s responsibilities makes us appreciate you even more.

Thanks for shouldering the load.

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He demonstrates compassion (Psalm 103:13, Luke 15:20)

As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

– Psalm 103:13

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 

– Luke 15:20

There’s nothing quite like the feeling when you’re hurting and dad wraps his arms around you.

Peace. Comfort. Calm. That’s the biblical definition of a father.

As a small girl, I remember laying in my parents bed and pretending to be asleep so I could feel the coziness of dad picking me up and carrying me back to my bedroom.

He takes pride in his children (Psalm 127:4-5, Proverbs 23:24, 17:6)

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:4-5

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.

– Proverbs 17:6

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.

– Proverbs 23:24

The biggest beaming smile in the room when a child does something amazing? It belongs to dad.

Nothing matches the swell of pride in dad’s heart when he watches his son or daughter grow. At home, at school, at the ballfield, at that first job: dad is there, cheering on his kiddos every step of the way.

He protects his children (Deuteronomy 1:29-31)

Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 

– Deuteronomy 1:29-31

Just as God fights for his children, fathers strive to do the same. I love the picture in the verse above about God carrying us as a man carries his son.

Last night, my son was riding his bike and found a snake in the yard. He ran up the driveway toward me, crying. When dad found out and began his snake hunt, Gabriel brazenly walked in his footsteps to meet the scary predator.

I asked him, why did he do that? “Because,” he said, “I knew dad would protect me.”

It’s the same with us and God – we don’t have to fear this world, because our Father is with us.

Tell me in the comments: what do you appreciate most about your dad? Any bible verses to add?

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