14 Fathers Day Scriptures for Spiritual Growth

Last June, my oldest son got to celebrate his first Father’s Day. It was really cool watching the one who made me a father for the first time enjoy the blessings of being a dad himself. But it also reminded me of the incredible responsibility we have as fathers, whether our kids are newborns or “adulting” in the real world.

That’s what makes Father’s Day Scriptures so important. By digging into God’s Word and learning to apply those verses to our lives as dads, we can raise a new generation to know God and make Him known. When it comes to Father’s Day, it just makes sense to make Scripture a primary part of the celebration.

Father’s Day Scriptures and their connection to dads today

For centuries, Christianity has viewed God as Father. In the ancient world, as the Bible was starting to take shape, the false deities surrounding the early believers never made such a claim. Their followers never saw them as “Father.” Only Christians embraced that kind of relationship, and the imagery has stood the test of time.

But as we think specifically about Father’s Day Scriptures, it’s worth remembering the spiritual roots of this special holiday. Father’s Day is typically credited to a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora’s mom died when she was young, leaving her widowed father to raise six children on whatever a farmer could earn. Around 1910, her deep faith and her appreciation for her father convinced her that dads needed a special day of prayer and recognition—sort of a male equivalent to Mother’s Day.

The first official Father’s Day was held in Sonora’s home state of Washington in 1910, but it didn’t really catch on for several decades. Finally, in 1972, it became a national holiday. Now, people spend an estimated $1 billion every year celebrating dads. But the roots of the day can be traced to Sonora Dodd and the support she received from her pastor and his peers in the ministry. From the start, Father’s Day was a holiday rooted in faith.

Fatherhood celebration

Since Father’s Day only goes back to 1910, we can’t point to specific chapters and verses to pull out as Father’s Day Scriptures. But we can find a lot of verses about being a dad, being a husband, and being a man.

The list below includes 14 such verses, divided into two categories. The first could be called “celebrations.” These Father’s Day verses focus on things that make being a dad so great. The second category could be labeled “challenges” because they reveal what it takes to be a man of God in this world.

Whether a celebration or a challenge, these Father’s Day Scriptures can add something special to your special day.

1. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalms 103:13

The best way to celebrate Father’s Day is to remember that you are a child of your heavenly Father. He loves you, and He empowers you to love others.

2. “The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.” Proverbs 23:24

As a dad, you’ve felt that smile come across your face as you’ve watched your child tackle a major milestone or simply choose to do the right thing. Guess what . . . your Father feels the same way about you. As you take joy in raising your kids, feel the joy He takes in you.

3. “While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20

In ancient culture, it was considered inappropriate for an adult man to run for any reason. That’s what makes this father’s love so incredible. All he cared about was his son coming home. God still runs to meet you when you come back to Him. If you’ve been keeping Him waiting, Father’s Day is a great time to come home.

4. “As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

If you ever wonder whether what you do as a dad, a husband, and a man is important, let this Father’s Day Scripture be an ongoing encouragement. You’re not just a thermometer measuring the moment; you’re a thermostat setting the standard. You’re a leader, and your family will follow your lead. Not sure where to start? Take this free tool to see where you are as a dad, and where you’re headed: Become the Father God called you to be.

5. “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

For a lot of guys, worry is second nature in their lives. But you’ve got a heavenly Father who wants to take that burden off your shoulders so you can stand a little taller. Don’t worry . . . give it to God.

6. “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

If you’re a believer, you’ve heard that God is your refuge. But here’s the cool thing: As you learn to take refuge in Him, your family gets the benefit. It’s like having a really big umbrella on a rainy day. You can cover others by covering yourself.

7. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

As a dad, you walk around with a huge target on your chest. The enemy will do all he can to tear you down, but your Father’s given you everything you need to stand firm in Him. Of course, you’ve got to wear the armor for it to do any good, but it’s there for the taking.

Father’s Day Scriptures that are full of challenges:

8. “Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

Spider-man reminds us that with great privilege comes great responsibility, but God was telling men that nearly 3,000 years ago. You get the privilege of raising your kids, but you also have the responsibility of doing it the right way—God’s way.

9. “Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

Father’s Day is also a day to remember your role as a husband. After all, one of the best ways to love your kids is to love their mom well. It’s also interesting to note that God specifically connected your relationship to Him with your relationship to her. You’re a team, so love your partner well.

10. “A righteous person acts with integrity; his children who come after him will be happy.” Proverbs 20:7

I once heard someone say that when it comes to raising kids “more is caught than taught.” In other words, your example means more than your words. Live with integrity, and your kids will see you’re real—and they’ll want to imitate what they see.

11. “For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

It’s not a bad thing to spend time at the gym. After all, God’s only given you one body, so you need to take care of it. But don’t let physical health get in the way of your spiritual health. No matter how healthy you are, your body’s going to give out one day. Nurture what will last for eternity.

12. “Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

One of the great things about God is that He often lays things out in black and white. If you’ve ever wondered what He expects of you as a man, this verse makes it clear: stay just, stay faithful, and stay humble.

13. “Maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

If you want to go deeper into the importance of love, you can also meditate on the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13. But for starters, keep in mind that love covers a multitude of sins. You want to be forgiven, so forgive others because that’s what love does.

14. “But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12

OK, so technically, this is two verses, but it works well as a single Father’s Day Scripture. In a nutshell, run away from what drags you down and embrace the stuff that will make you more like your heavenly Father. The fight is real, but the payoff is well worth the pain.

A generation hangs in the balance

In a 1924 message encouraging states to observe a special day for dads, President Calvin Coolidge said that such a celebration would “impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligation.” The man often known as “Silent Cal” said a mouthful that day, putting the ball squarely in the court of dads to be all they should be as men.

There is a mystic power in the bond between fathers and their kids. The impact of a dad can last for decades, sometimes just below the surface. If you’re honest, you can see ways your father has influenced you (either positively or negatively). You can be sure that you will influence your kids as well.

That’s why you need to spend time meditating on these Father’s Day Scriptures—not just on one Sunday in June, but all year long. You’re not just shaping your kids today. You’re shaping them for a generation.