With cell phones, social networks, and other technology it's easier for men to stay connected with their families even when they have busy schedules that keep them away from home. Try some creative ways to network Dad with the family's faith.
Use Technology to Stay Connected With Fathers
Harness the power of computers, phones, and more to share faith. Text message Dad about prayer needs, pray over the phone, or let Dad email prayers for Mom to read. Try doing devotions on a social network in a live chat.
Let Dad record devotions ahead of time. This can be done on many computers that have built in cameras and recorders. He can read a passage and ask questions where the recording can be paused for children to provide answers.
Try to time it so Dad calls at the end of the devotion to chat about the lesson. Use the speaker feature on the phone to make it a family time. Before putting the children on the phone clue your spouse in on the reading or activity he missed. This way he knows the subject. If Dad has his Bible in hand or a duplicate of the devotion book give him the Bible reference or the page number so he can quickly turn to it and be ready to chat about the topic.
Let Children Create Connections With Their Father
Help Dad picture devotions by having children draw the lesson. Write a key thought from the lesson as a caption. When Dad is home let the children present the drawing and chat with Dad about what he missed and what they learned. It makes a good review to reinforce the concepts.
Record devotion time so Dad can listen to it on his next trip away. Place the recorder on the table with Dad’s photo. Encourage the children to include Dad by prompts, such as, “Tell Dad your favorite part of the story." or "Daddy can’t see the picture so who can tell Daddy what it looks like?”
When a prayer is answered, don't wait to tell Dad later. Text the praise immediately, or send a message via email or social network. This way Dad is part of the conversation and can join the excitement while the child is enthused.
Have slips of paper for prayer needs and place them in a prominent place in a container. Dad and child can pull one out when he is home and pray together over the need.
Resource Help for Dads
Buy duplicate Bible story or devotion books so he can read along while away or at work and know what is being studied. Then he can ask about what happened and understand what his little ones have to say if they leave out big parts of a Bible lesson. He can even prompt them about the story because he read it too.
Let Dad choose out the readings or find a devotion book to use. He can even shop online while away at an online bookstore. Dad can inscribe the book with a note or a prayer to be said at the opening or closing of devotions.
Purchase a journal and let the child draw or write on left side pages about prayer needs or devotions. Then let Dad write a response on the right side pages when he has time. Provide stickers for him to use for responses when his time for writing is limited.
Keeping children connected to their dads about faith builds a strong bond and establishes patterns that can continue through their lives.
Karen Whiting - Professional freelance writer with ten published books and hundreds of published articles. My books are for women (time management and ...
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