The word of God places the responsibility for training in the home on the father and mother. The father is the head and, therefore, must take the lead in the home. When he functions, the home functions; when he fails, the home fails. Some of the specific responsibilities of the father and husband are as follows:

First, he must leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. This has been God's divine plan since the beginning (Genesis 2:24). "Oneness" is the foundation for a strong home. This "oneness" must be maintained through "thick and thin." It is a great influence; especially as the children view it day by day.

Second, the husband must love the wife (Ephesians 5:25). Love is the "glue" that holds the marriage and home together. The person who said, "The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother," was right. No one will deny the power of love for good within the home.

Third, he is to be the provider. After his sin with in the garden, Adam was told that he must eat by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19; cf. 1 Timothy 5:8). Many husbands demand that the wife work to help make ends meet so he can slack off, but the Bible says that providing is his responsibility.

Fourth, he must be the head of the house. He is the leader. The ERA, however, would like to reverse this formula set forth by God. But it still stands. God told Eve after the fall, "... in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16). The apostle Paul stresses this truth in Ephesians 5:23-31 and 1 Corinthians 11:3. The man must take the lead in the home.

Fifth, the father is responsible for training his children. In Ephesians 6:4 Paul wrote, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The emphasis here is on education. A good pattern to follow in the home for educating our children in righteousness is Deuteronomy 6:6-9. The word of God must be taught in such a way lest they "forget the Lord" (vs. 12).

- www.lawofliberty.com, edited for space