Father's Day is fast approaching--it falls on Sunday, June 21-- and it is a special time to celebrate the sacred nature of fatherhood and appreciate your father, father-in-law, grandfather, and father figures.
The Bible is full of admonitions regarding fatherhood, and of the influence of godly fathers as they strive to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord. For example, Genesis 18:19 describes the role of the Christian father in this way: "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
This Sunday, remember to thank God for the special role your father has played in your life, not only as an example of strength, compassion and love, but as the God-given spiritual head of the family. Incorporating one of these 15 Father's Day Bible verses, quotes, or poems into a gift or card is a great way to honor your father and thoughtfully express your gratitude for all he has done for you.
Father's Day Quotes
"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." -Billy Graham
"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" - Lydia M. Child
"The greatest gift I ever had came from God; I call him Dad!" -Anonymous
"It's only when you grow up and step back from him--or leave him for your own home--it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it." -Margaret Truman
"A father holds his child's hand for a short while, but holds his child's heart forever." -Anonymous
Father's Day Poems
"With these three words,
'Dear Heavenly Father,'
I begin my every prayer,
But the man I see
While on bended knee
Is always my earthly dad.
He is the image
Of the Father divine
Reflecting the nature of God,
For his love and care
And the faith he shared
Pointed me to my Father above."
--Mary Fairchild
"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together,
keep me in your heart--I'll stay there forever."
-Winnie the Pooh
"My hero is the quiet type,
No marching bands, no media hype,
But through my eyes it's plain to see,
A hero, God has sent to me.
With gentle strength and quiet pride,
All self-concern is set aside,
To reach out to his fellow man,
And be there with a helping hand.
Heroes are a rarity,
A blessing to humanity.
With all they give and all they do,
I'll bet the thing you never knew,
My hero has always been you."
--Anonymous
"God made a father who is,
as sweet as a nectar,
as brave as a lion,
as cheerful as a bear,
and he gave such dear father to me."
-Tanusrii Gopal Krishnan
"A Father means so many things...
A understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way.
A special generosity and always affection too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you..."
- Anonymous
Father's Day Bible Verses
"Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." [I Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV]
"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him." [Proverbs 23:24 ESV]
"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 ESV]
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." [Ephesians 6:4 ESV]
"In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge." [Proverbs 14:26 ESV]