This Sunday, June 18 is Father's Day - a special day of celebration where we honor our fathers, grandfathers and father-figures.

The Bible has a lot to say about fatherhood and how fathers should demonstrate to their children the love God displays for His people. 

Throughout Scripture, God is called "Abba" - the Hebrew for "Papa" (Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6), signifying the intimate, trusting relationship of a father to his child. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all adopted children of God, sons and daughters. How wonderful it is that a holy and righteous God would allow sinful humans to call Him "Daddy"!

As you honor your father, grandfather, or father-figure this coming Sunday, take a moment to reflect on these Bible verses and Christian quotes, or include them in your cards. 

Father's Day Bible Verses

Proverbs 23:24 - "The father of one who is right with God will have much joy. He who has a wise son will be glad in him."

Ephesians 5:25-28 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."

Psalms 127:3-5 - "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

Psalm 68:5-6 - "Father to the fatherless, defender of widows - this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But He makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."

Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Psalm 103:13 - "Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."

Malachi 4:6 - "And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Father's Day Quotes

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society." -- Billy Graham, Christian Evangelist and Author

"Mothers play an important role as the heart of the home, but this in no way lessens the equally important role fathers should play, as head of the home, in nurturing, training, and loving their children." -- Ezra Taft Benson

"I was raised in the greatest of homes ... just a really great dad, and I miss him so much ... he was a good man, a real simple man ... Very faithful, always loved my mom, always provided for the kids, and just a lot of fun. -- Max Lucado, Christian Author

"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian ... and most of all, his family ought to know." --Dwight L. Moody, 19th Century American Evangelist

"How true Daddy's words were when he said: 'All children must look after their own upbringing.' Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." -- Anne Frank, German Jew and Holocaust Victim

"I want to congratulate all the men out there who are working diligently to be good fathers whether they are stepfathers, or biological fathers or just spiritual fathers." --Bishop T. D. Jakes