The Power of a Father’s Example
June 21, 2026
Dr. Paul Cannings
No one can fully measure the influence a father has on his children. That reality alone should motivate every father to take his role and responsibilities seriously. Whether he realizes it or not, a father’s life leaves footprints that his children often follow for years to come.
A little girl once followed her father as he carefully stepped through a newly planted garden. As he looked back, he noticed that she was stepping exactly where he stepped. She smiled and said, “Daddy, if you don’t get mud on your feet, I won’t get any mud on me!”
Children learn far more from what they see than from what they are told. A father’s example often becomes the pattern by which his children learn to live.
Someone has written:
“Last night my little boy confessed to me some childish wrong; and kneeling at my knee, he prayed with tears, ‘O Lord, make me a man like Daddy—wise and strong. I know You can.’ Then while he slept, I knelt beside his bed, confessed my sins, and prayed with low-bowed head, ‘O God, make me a child like my child here; pure, guileless, trusting Thee with faith sincere.'”
The prayer of that father reveals a profound truth. While children often aspire to become like their fathers, wise fathers recognize that they still have much to learn from the simple faith, trust, and sincerity of their children.
Another story illustrates this same principle.
Four ministers were discussing the strengths and weaknesses of various Bible translations and paraphrases. Eventually, each shared which version he believed was the best.
The first minister preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful language and the reverence it conveyed. The second favored the New American Standard Bible because he believed it remained closest to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. The third minister preferred The Living Bible because its practical language connected well with the younger people in his congregation.
As the discussion continued, the fourth minister remained silent. Finally, someone asked for his opinion.
He replied, “When it comes to translations and paraphrases of the Bible, I like my dad’s translation best. He put the Word of God into practice every day. It was the most convincing translation I’ve ever seen.”
What a powerful testimony.
These illustrations remind us that a father’s example is more precious than the largest diamond ever discovered. Children may forget many of the words we say, but they rarely forget the life we live before them.
Without godly examples and healthy relationships between fathers and their children, there is little hope for our communities, our cities, our nation, and our world. This is why God’s final words in the Old Testament emphasize the importance of restoring the family relationship:
“He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:6, NASU)
When fathers faithfully love, lead, serve, and model God’s truth before their children, they do far more than strengthen a family. They help preserve a community, influence a generation, and impact a nation.
The greatest legacy a father can leave is not wealth, success, or possessions. It is a life that demonstrates the character of God so clearly that his children desire to follow both his example and his Savior.