A Father's Responsibility Joshua 24: 14, 15

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His reach into the future:

v.14 1. To teach his family the fear of the Lord.

(Now therefore fear the Lord,)

includes to fear the Lord.

A big gap is bridged here- the building of a life relationship, so much more 

effective than teaching procedures or mechanics.

v.14 2. To teach his family how to serve the Lord.

(and serve him in sincerity and in truth:)

v.14 3. To model and teach spiritual reverence for God.

(and put away the gods which your fathers served ...and serve ye the Lord.)

v.15 4. Foremost, to lead his family to follow God.

(but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)

Joshua  led his family to fully follow God.

v.15 5. To realize the importance of making right choices before God and to lead

                his family in right choices.

(choose you this day whom ye will serve;)

realizing the family (individuals within the family) will serve someone or 

something.

to serve an idol is to be continually in bondage; 

to serve Christ is to be continually free. 

The father is to relate every choice to the decision to follow God.

Clear choices are to be made, not popular or easy (costless)choices. Evil is 

                to be refused.  There was no tarrying with obedience.

v.15 6. Realizing future blessing comes from present commitment.

(As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)

There must be a walk of faith to receive the reward of faith.

7. Desiring fullest honor for God to be given through his family.

(As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)

Joshua was not making some brash, proud statement.

Joshua was clearly identifying with God, with God's word .

He was acknowledging God as source. (Look at Joshua's life message.)

Joshua's commitment was not what was in life for himself nor for his family.

Joshua's commitment was to God and to what God desired.