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It's the chief model for all earthly fathers. All children will face temptation. How they respond will depend largely on what they have experienced—the truth of God modeled and affirmed by their fathers, or the lies of Satan who has kept them isolated from the life-giving encouragement of their families.

The work of connecting fathers to their children is not something to do in addition to preaching the gospel, but is a central part of how we can sow the Word into the hearts of children who will be able to call God Father.

Roland C. Warren is president of the National Fatherhood Initiative (www.fatherhood.org).

Copyright © 2005 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's earlier articles on fatherhood include:

Affectionate Patriarchs | In the popular imagination, conservative evangelical fathers are power-abusing authoritarians. A new study says otherwise. An interview with W. Bradford Wilcox (Aug. 6, 2004)

Editor's Bookshelf: Creating Husbands and Fathers | The discussion of gender roles moves beyond 'proof-text poker.' (July 19, 2004)

Editor's Bookshelf: Raising Up Fathers | An interview with Maggie Gallagher (July 19, 2004)

Complicit Guilt, Explicit Healing | Men involved in abortion are starting to find help (Oct. 27, 2003)

Fatherhood on the Rebound | What we can learn from the real history of basketball. By David Blankenhorn (December 6, 1999)

Touchstone's January/February 2001 issue examined human and divine fatherhood. Books & Culture's John Wilson had praise and criticism.

Christianity Today sister publication Christian Parenting Today has specific advice for moms and dads.

Warren's National Fatherhood Initiative offers training and other resources.

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May 2005, Vol. 49, No. 5