Fathers around the world
Fathers all over the world look for ways to lead and bless their families. Here are examples from different countries and centuries, with the source. Choose one you want to try.
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Korea
In the Father School, started in 1995 in Seoul, fathers write a letter to their own father, embrace their children and on the last evening wash their wife's feet. According to the organisation, more than 450,000 fathers in 81 countries have taken part.
Who would you write a letter to, and whose feet would you wash?
Source: Duranno Father School (own figures)
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Japan
In Japan too, where fathers are often away for long days, Father Schools have been running since 2006, started in a church in Osaka.
How much of your week does your family really see you?
Source: Father School Kansai
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Philippines
The Christian movement Couples for Christ holds retreats for men such as the Abba Father's Weekend, about God as Father and the man as father.
When did you last deliberately take time to reflect on God as Father?
Source: Couples for Christ
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France
In 1976 one father walked to Cotignac out of gratitude for a safe birth. Now thousands of fathers walk in groups every year, with prayer and conversation along the way.
Which men could you walk and pray with for a day?
Source: Pèlerinage des pères de famille
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South Africa
In 2004, 240 men gathered on a farm for the first Mighty Men conference. A few years later there were hundreds of thousands, around themes such as loving your wife and serving.
What would change if the men in your church stood up together?
Source: Mighty Men Conference, Angus Buchan
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Jewish families
On Friday evening fathers lay their hands on their children and bless them with words from the Bible: may God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh, and may the Lord bless and keep you.
On which regular evening could you bless your children?
Source: Genesis 48:20, Numbers 6:24-26
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Germany, 1522
Martin Luther wrote that a man who washes nappies should not be mocked. Whoever does it in faith does something God values, even if the world thinks it foolish.
Which small, unseen task at home could you do with a different heart?
Source: Luther, The Estate of Marriage (1522)
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The Netherlands, 1679
Minister Jacobus Koelman wrote a whole book on the duties of parents. One sentence is still sharp: do not punish your children too little, too much or too late.
Is your correction usually too little, too much or too late?
Source: Koelman, De plichten der ouders (1679)
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Kenya
In the Anglican church a men's union arose, first called the Fathers' Union, following the example of the well-known Mothers' Union. Men carry responsibility together for family and church.
Who do you share your responsibility as a father with?
Source: Kenya Anglican Men's Association
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Colombia
Researcher Elizabeth Brusco saw that men who came to faith drank less, went out less and brought their wages home again. The family became the centre of their life.
Where do your time and money really go?
Source: Brusco, The Reformation of Machismo (1995)
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Greece
The monk Porphyrios, a beloved spiritual father, told parents: the life of the parents is the only thing that makes good children. Not the sermons, but who you are.
What do your children see in you, apart from what you say?
Source: Porphyrios, Wounded by Love