Text: 1 Samuel 2:22-25
Memory verse:
“For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As we continue yesterday’s Father’s Day study, remember that, “Having kids doesn’t make you a father; raising them does.”
Now, the third kind of fathers is the Permissive father. He is unreasonably lenient with regards to discipline and he views it as infringing on the rights of the children. The children make decisions on their own. Though loving but reluctant to impose rules and restrictions. His instructions are mere suggestions which could be ignored. The children do not see him as one with authority that should be obeyed but a peer that could be ignored. Eli was such to his family. Though he loved God, yet he was a colossal failure as a father, due to his permissiveness.
“… because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them.” ‭‭(1 Sam‬ ‭3‬:‭13).
Rather than sacking and sanctioning them, he merely scolded them without demanding compliance. He even joined in the sins of his sons (1 Sam 2:29). What a failure! Children raised from permissive homes lack self control and struggle to submit to the opinions of others.
We also have the Indifferent father. He doesn’t even attempt to control the children and completely ignores them. He is uninvolved and unaware of the child’s academic, social, and emotional state. Even when aware, he says nothing about it. King David was such. A great king but a poor father! He was indifferent even with the grave crime committed by his children. For example, when Amnon raped Tamar; when Absalom murdered Amnon; when Absalom overthrew him as king; when Adonijah revolted against Solomon’s kingship. “And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?”..‭‭(I Kgs‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬). This remark about his disposition towards Adonijah confirms his weakness. Children from this kind of home often lack discipline and a sense of purpose and may be involved in vices.
Friends, to be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.

Prayer points 
1. Father, please, don’t let our fathers fail in their parenting responsibility in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, help all our fathers to balance between love and discipline in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations
1.Children from permissive homes may find it difficult exercising self control when they grow up.
2. It’s hard to grow up without a father, but it’s easy when you have a fantastic mother who plays both roles.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng