Living as a Christian: top 25 questions for husbands & dads

It means leading like Christ: serving, sacrificing and taking responsibility for your family's spiritual life. It's not about control. It's about love.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

Try this: Lead a short family prayer tonight.

Pass it on: Encourage another dad to do the same.

Keep it simple: read a short passage, ask a question, pray. Five minutes a day beats an hour once a month. Consistency matters most.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV)

Try this: Start a 5-minute devotion at dinner.

Pass it on: Share your routine with another family.

Love her sacrificially, listen, honor her and pray with her. Learn what makes her feel loved. Put her before work and hobbies.

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”1 Peter 3:7 (KJV)

Try this: Ask your wife how you can serve her this week.

Pass it on: Encourage a friend in his marriage.

Work provides, but your family needs your presence. Set boundaries on work time. Be fully present at home.

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)

Try this: Turn off your phone at dinner.

Pass it on: Share this habit with a coworker.

Discipline in love, not anger. Be consistent and explain why. Point them to forgiveness in Christ.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

Try this: Talk with your wife about one discipline approach.

Pass it on: Share what works with another dad.

Start small: hold hands and pray one sentence each. It may feel awkward at first. Prayer together builds intimacy.

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”Matthew 18:19-20 (KJV)

Try this: Pray with your wife tonight.

Pass it on: Encourage another couple to try it.

Bring it to God, make a budget and communicate with your wife. Avoid debt and live within your means. God provides.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Try this: Sit down with your wife and review finances.

Pass it on: Help another family with budgeting.

Talk naturally: in the car, at bedtime, at meals. Answer questions honestly. Live what you believe.

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”Deuteronomy 6:7 (KJV)

Try this: Ask your kids a faith question on a car ride.

Pass it on: Share good questions with other dads.

Set limits on screens, know their friends and talk openly. Model what you expect. Protection includes teaching discernment.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

Try this: Set up parental controls.

Pass it on: Help another dad set them up.

Guard your eyes and heart. Use accountability and filters. Invest in your marriage.

“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”Job 31:1 (KJV)

Try this: Ask someone to be your accountability partner.

Pass it on: Be one for another man.

Admit when you're wrong. It teaches humility and forgiveness. Kids respect a dad who apologizes.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”James 5:16 (KJV)

Try this: Apologize to your kids for something specific.

Pass it on: Encourage other dads to do the same.

Be present, listen and pray with them. Don't rush to fix it. Point them to God's faithfulness.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

Try this: Ask your child how they're really doing.

Pass it on: Share how God helped you in hard times.

Kids watch what you do more than what you say. Go to church, pray and read Scripture where they can see. Show grace when you fail.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

Try this: Let your kids see you read your Bible.

Pass it on: Invite another family to church.

Anger can wound. Step away, breathe and pray. Apologize when you lose your temper.

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”Colossians 3:21 (KJV)

Try this: Identify your anger triggers.

Pass it on: Talk with a friend about it.

Keep pursuing her. Plan regular dates, even simple ones. Show her she's a priority.

“My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.”Song of Solomon 2:16 (KJV)

Try this: Plan a date this week.

Pass it on: Encourage a friend to date his wife.

Model integrity, hard work and faith. Spend time together. Talk about manhood honestly.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Try this: Do a project with your son.

Pass it on: Mentor a fatherless boy.

Spend time with her, affirm her worth and model how a man should treat her. Pray for and with her.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”Psalm 127:3 (KJV)

Try this: Take your daughter on a date.

Pass it on: Encourage another dad.

Rest is God's gift. Keep a Sabbath rhythm. Rest models trust in God.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”Exodus 20:8 (KJV)

Try this: Plan one restful day this week.

Pass it on: Invite your family into it.

It's painful, but your identity isn't your job. God provides. Lean on your church and family.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)

Try this: Ask your church for prayer.

Pass it on: Help another man in transition.

Start early and age-appropriately. Be honest and calm. Present God's design positively.

“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”Proverbs 5:18 (KJV)

Try this: Plan an age-appropriate conversation.

Pass it on: Share resources with other dads.

Men need friends. Join a men's group or invite a dad over. Friendship takes intention.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)

Try this: Invite a friend for coffee.

Pass it on: Start a dads' group.

Listen first, speak gently and seek resolution. Don't let anger fester. Pray together.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)

Try this: Practice listening without interrupting.

Pass it on: Encourage a couple in conflict.

Serve as a family when possible. Use your skills. Show kids that church is family.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Try this: Serve with your kids.

Pass it on: Invite another family.

Every dad fails. Confess, receive grace and keep going. God's grace covers you.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

Try this: Write down one area to grow in.

Pass it on: Encourage a struggling dad.

Pray for your children's children. Pass on stories of God's faithfulness. Live faithfully to the end.

“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”Psalm 78:4 (KJV)

Try this: Write a letter of blessing to your kids.

Pass it on: Encourage grandparents to do the same.