The Buck Stops with Dad

After commanding children to obey and honor their parents, Paul specifically exhorts Fathers to raise their children (Ephesians 6:1-2). Certainly, the instructions apply to both parents, but ultimately the responsibility lies with dad. He sets the example of how the children are to be brought up though their mother will most likely spend the most time with them.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:4, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Certainly, dad at times will make decisions for the family that may anger the children. The rules that he establishes may not always be popular, but the command, “…do not provoke your children to anger” probably has more to do with being clear about what is expected of the children, and then being consistent, loving and fair in correcting them. The positive command is “…bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The Christian father must train his children to walk in the ways of the Lord, and both warn them of the consequences of not following the Lord’s ways, and also remind them of the blessings of obeying Him. “The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright, but ruin to the workers of iniquity” (Proverbs 10:29).