The Instructing Father

I.  Spirit controlled fathers do not provoke their children to wrath.  (Eph. 6:4a)

II.  Spirit controlled fathers nuture their children.  (Eph. 6:4b)

      A.  Nuture is to manifest itself through a proper discipline.

      B.  Nuture is to manifest itself through a proper instruction.

                 Both the discipline and instruction commanded here emphasize the teaching ministry of fathers more than the "punishment" of wrongdoing.  They do not deny that proper corrective discipline is to be a part of parenting, but stress that positive, instructive discipline is to be primary.