The Men of Iron Minute
by Steve Glick | Director of Marketing Strategy
Fatherhood and Mentoring
I mentioned in the last blog, Building a Strong Foundation For Your Family, the type of father my dad was: faithful, resilient, steady, and reliable. As I look back on his life and his impact on me, I realize he wasn’t just my dad—he was my first mentor. He taught me what it meant to be a man. He not only raised me up in truth but was there to lead me back to Jesus when I wandered off the path. In the father-son relationship, the father serves as a “guide,” helping the son understand who he is and pointing him to truth.
As much as fathers act as mentors, not all mentors are fathers. Our role as dads is permanent and not optional, whereas mentors often step into our lives for a season. Mentors focus on specific goals or skills, such as helping you grow in your faith or career. Fathering, on the other hand, is holistic. It’s not confined to any single area of life. It’s about teaching our kids how to navigate all aspects of life.
A father’s guidance provides not just advice, but also a model of character, integrity, and how to face life’s challenges. My dad modeled this well.
Intentional fathering is going above and beyond the daily routines of life.
It calls us to lead with purpose, to pursue an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, and to model the values we want our kids to live by. Dads, it’s not about just being present; it’s about being engaged. Be that guide for your kids, point them to truth, show interest in their interests, encourage them, and teach them what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus.
The most effective fathers are intentional mentors. As fathers, we have the privilege and the responsibility to be both. And while mentoring may come to an end, fatherhood lasts a lifetime, allowing us the opportunity to continually shape and invest in our kids.
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