It's short. It's simple. It's a little uncomfortable. And it's directed specifically at fathers. In today's Colossians devotional, we sit with Colossians 3:21 — a verse every dad, stepdad, grandfather, uncle, and any man with influence in a child's life needs to hear.

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

In this devotional, we explore:

→ Why Paul writes this verse specifically to fathers — and not mothers
→ Why moms may tend to err toward too much grace, while dads often err toward harshness
→ The parallel verse in Ephesians 6:4 about not exasperating your children
→ Two foundational assumptions underneath this verse:

The family — not the state, school, or even the church — is the foundational unit of society
Fathers hold extraordinary influence in the family
→ What it actually looks like to embitter a child — from abuse to the more subtle patterns:

Neglect
Criticism without affirmation
Broken promises
Emotional absence even when physically present
Demanding a lot but expressing little pride
→ An honest personal confession about pushing too hard — and the value of a spouse who tells you the truth
→ Why the willingness to apologize to your child ("I'm sorry, I handled that poorly, I'm proud of you") is powerful
→ Why "feedback is the breakfast of champions" — and why asking your spouse or kids how you can grow is a strong move
→ The sobering reality: there aren't a lot of great dads in the Bible — the list is remarkably short
→ The one perfect Father held up throughout Scripture — our Heavenly Father — and how Jesus taught us to call Him "Abba"
→ Why the best thing any dad can do is point his children to Him

Key takeaway: "The child sitting across from you at the dinner table is an eternal being. What you say to them, how you say it, whether you show up, whether you affirm them, whether you ask for forgiveness when you've hurt them — all of that is shaping an eternal soul. Is there something left unsaid between you and your child, or between you and your father? What would prevent you from going and saying it?"

Whether you're searching for a devotional on Colossians 3:21, teaching on Christian fatherhood, help with how to be a better dad according to the Bible, or a study on Paul's instructions to fathers, this devotional offers a challenging, tender, and hope-filled call to lead well in the home.

📖 Scripture Focus: Colossians 3:21 (with Ephesians 6:4)
🎯 Series: Colossians Devotional (Chapter 3)
⏮️ Catch up on previous parts if you're just joining us!
⏭️ Coming Tomorrow: We continue our journey through Colossians 3

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💬 Drop a comment below: What's one thing you wish had been said (or not said) between you and your dad? And what step could you take today toward healing or growth?