2Ki 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

This statement should get all fathers to sit up and think about how they are influencing their children in their faith: “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.” Azariah did right in the sight of God because of the godly influence of his father Amaziah. Parents, it should be obvious that both of you exert different kinds of influence to your children. Mothers exert the softer side of human nature on them. Fathers exert the specifically masculine influence upon them, especially on the sons. Fathers, you are the male role models for our sons. Fathers, it is by your leadership in the homes that your sons learn about leadership. By being strong, you teach your sons how to be strong. By being honest and just, you teach them to be upright in this wicked world. By loving your wife, you teach them how to love and respect women. By your diligence in providing for the family, you teach them responsibilities. What about spirituality? As fathers, you are also uniquely positioned to shape your son’s faith. God make fathers responsible for the spiritual training of their children: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers, paste Deuteronomy 6:7 on the door of your house: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Let it be a reminder of your responsibility in teaching your children godliness. Don’t live to regret later in life when your children depart from the Lord. It will be too late to ask yourself: “I don’t understand what went wrong!” Well, did you show your children how to be faithful by your active participation in the church? Solomon wrote: “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26). Solomon knew long ago that children are watching and following what’s going on in the family. Your children are observing your ways. Unfortunately, the evil ways they see stay with them. When sons see their fathers abusing their mothers, they will treat women the same way. When they see their fathers not attending church, they will follow. When they see their fathers not serving God, they will grow up the same. When they do not see their fathers praying and studying the Bible, they grow up not praying and studying the Bible. What happens next? They fall away! I’m addressing to all fathers: Fatherhood is your greatest responsibility in this life. It’s going to be hard, but it’s your responsibility. And being a father means doing your duty. You should not just be concerned about your children’s baptism; you should be concerned if they remain faithful to God. It is easy to persuade them to get baptised; the difficult part is ensuring they keep their faith to the end. And, fathers have to walk with them and show them how to remain faithful until death (Revelations 2:10). Are you leading your sons and daughters spiritually? While almost any man can father a child, but not every man knows how to be a father. Sadly, the average father spends less than 10 minutes a day one-on-one with his child. Family times should not be centred just around the dining table or in front of the TV. Family times should include spending time together with God. King Azariah followed what his father Amaziah had done. Your children will follow what you are doing. Are you leading them to God?