What Are Some Practical Ways for a Pastor to Love His Children?

1. Have deliberate, weekly one-on-one time with each of your children, probably to include playing, reading scripture, or praying.
2. Date your daughters.
3. Leave the church at church so dad can be dad at home.
4. Take a child with you on visits or short trips.
5. Take an interest in what your children enjoy doing.
6. Read to them. Buy books they will enjoy. Take them to the library.
7. Sing with them.
8. Pray for them and with them.
9. Be careful not to put them in the spotlight at church (stop using them for every other sermon illustration!).
10. 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”)