Since my elder son was promoted to upper primary school, he has often asked me all kinds of questions, particularly about Chinese history. Fortunately, I also like history, so I can still answer most of them. When I encounter something I do not know, I turn to artificial intelligence (AI) for help. In this age of AI, technology seems to be gradually taking over many of the tasks and roles that people fulfil in their daily lives. So I asked AI, “Can you replace the role of a father?” AI replied that it could not replace my role in the family. As it explained, a father’s role is not merely to provide answers. It is also to build a relationship of mutual trust with his children, teach them to take responsibility, and guide them to make sound judgements amid the tensions and complexities of real life, influencing their growth through the example of his authentic character.

        In truth, it is difficult to find a perfect father in this world, and the fathers in the Bible were no exception. Jacob was the forefather of the twelve tribes of Israel. Yet, when his daughter Dinah was defiled, he remained silent (Genesis 34:5). He failed to assume his responsibility as a father promptly and deal with this tragic incident. Instead, he allowed his angry sons to take matters into their own hands, resulting in an even greater tragedy. Later, Jacob’s favouritism towards Joseph also caused jealousy and discord among his sons (Genesis 37:3–4). David, too, was a man after God’s own heart, but he also failed in his role as a father. When he learned that his daughter Tamar had been violated by his son Amnon, he was furious (2 Samuel 13:21). Yet, as a father, he did not uphold justice within his family, thereby sowing the seeds of the fratricidal tragedy that followed.

        I cannot claim to be a good father. I have failed my sons in many ways, one of which is that, because of the demands of work, I have spent too little time with them. Recently, as I looked through photographs taken during my sons’ outings over the years, I noticed that many of them showed my wife with the boys, while photographs of my sons and me together were few and far between. It is no wonder that my wife sometimes jokes that she is like a single parent. In fact, I also grew up without a father’s love. My father sadly passed away when I was four years old. There was always a barrier between my quiet and reserved grandfather and me, and it was not possible for him to take the place of a father figure. To be honest, this background once made me feel that it would not be easy for me to build a deep relationship with my sons.

       Thank the Lord! As my elder son continued to pepper me with questions, I gradually realized that these moments provided valuable opportunities for us to communicate and build our relationship. They gave us subjects of common interest. At the same time, as I answered his questions, I could guide him in pursuing knowledge, developing confidence, and growing in both faith and life. As the writer of Proverbs exhorts the younger generation with the heart of both a teacher and a father: “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11).

       “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). May the Lord help us assume our responsibilities as fathers and lead our children to grow in the reverent fear of God. Amen!