Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record the explanation of the parable of the sower.  The explanation reveals important truth for all people, but may be particularly significant for fathers.  The parable tells of seed being sown, and falling into soil in four different conditions.  The first three were unfavorable conditions that did not allow for the seed to grow to fullness.  But the fourth was seed that fell on good soil and the seed grew to bear fruit.  Now, as parents it is our responsibility to prepare the ground in the hearts of our children so that they are fertile soil, ready to humbly receive the Word implanted, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21). The first recipient of the seed fails to understand the Word, which allows for it to be snatched away.  The second recipient receives the Word joyfully, but fails to produce a root.  As persecution begins, he stumbles.  The third recipient fails to become fruitful, because the Word is choked out within him by the "worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth."  

Now our children must ultimately decide for themselves whether or not they will entrust themselves to the Word of the Lord, but what we do can go a long way to determine whether or not the ground that the Holy Spirit finds for the seed is ready.  We have to teach our children the Word of God and His principles so that they are able to understand Him, and that the Word would not be easily snatched away by the deceitfulness of our enemy.  We have to teach and set the example for our children to know how to allow the Word to take root, by training them to be disciples of Jesus, devoting ourselves to God's Word and to walking with Him without ceasing.  And when persecution begins they will answer as Peter did in John 6:68-69:  "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."  We have to train up our children to trust the Lord instead of concerning themselves with the worries of this world or the deceitfulness of wealth, but instead to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  And that life cannot be taught unless it be clearly lived out in front of them, day to day.

I'm thankful that my parents didn't have to browbeat us into submission to God.  Instead, because of the way that they lived their lives and the principles that they taught us, both in word and deed, we were able to recognize the Lord when He reached to us, we understood His Word, and we knew how to respond.