What are some practical ways for a pastor to love his children?
- Have deliberate, weekly one-on-one time with each of your children, probably to include playing, reading scripture, or praying.
- Date your daughters.
- Leave the church at church so dad can be dad at home.
- Take a child with you on visits or short trips.
- Take an interest in what your children enjoy doing.
- Read to them. Buy books they will enjoy. Take them to the library.
- Sing with them.
- Pray for them and with them.
- Be careful not to put them in the spotlight at church (stop using them for every other sermon illustration!).
- Ask your children questions that shepherd their hearts, such as these (these questions were originally devised by Pastor Rick Gamache of Sovereign Grace Fellowship):
- In your own words, what is the gospel?
- Is there a specific sin you’re aware of that you need my help defeating?
- Are you more aware of my encouragement or my criticism?
- What’s daddy most passionate about?
- Do I act the same at church as I do when I’m at home?
- Are you aware of my love for you?
- Is there any way I’ve sinned against you that I’ve not repented of?
- Do you have any observations for me?
- How am I doing as a dad?
- How have Sunday’s sermons impacted you?
- Does my relationship with mom make you excited to be married?
(This material is excerpted from the article “30 Practical Ways for Pastors to Love Their Wives & Families”)