A dad’s greatest legacy is a life rooted in the Word

The greatest legacy a father can leave isn't wealth, fame, or success—it's a life rooted in the Word of God. That's what I have experienced firsthand through the life of my dad.

When I say, "a father of the Word," I mean a man whose life is grounded in Scripture. Biblically, fathers are not called to be rich, popular, or successful by worldly standards. They are called to be fathers of the Word. From that, everything else flows: spiritual richness, dedication, and love from those around them as they reflect the nature of the ultimate Father—God.

Our model for fatherhood is not Abraham, Jacob, or even King David. It's God the Father. As Jesus prepared for the cross, He prayed in Mark 14:36: "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." That intimate moment gives us a glimpse into the closeness of their relationship—a bond rooted in trust, submission, and love. That's what a godly father-son relationship should look like. A father of the Word recognizes that he can't attain the perfection of God, but he lives in pursuit of Him, shaped by Scripture, and dependent on grace.

My dad is that kind of man.

Growing up, my dad taught us three truths as a father of the Word; to lead, provide, and protect. These truths came straight from Scripture. He was never afraid to admit his shortcomings. In fact, he made it clear to my five siblings and me that he falls short daily. But he also made it clear that his standard wasn't himself—it was the Word.

My story with him began the day I met him as a five year old in Ethiopia. When I first saw him, I remember thinking this white man looked funny. But I also knew I was going home with him. From the very beginning, he cared for me not just physically, but spiritually. He nurtured me with the Word of God. He didn't build his parenting around his own strengths, personality, or accomplishments—he built it around Scripture.

It wasn't until I gave my life to Jesus at the age of six that I began to understand the depth of what he had done for me. As I grew up, I began to notice that many of my friends either didn't have dads or had fathers who weren't present. That made me realize just how much of a gift I had been given.

Much of our early bonding happened through hunting. We spent hours together in the blinds, and he was right there when I got my first deer. I have a decade and a half's worth of memories—some fun, some challenging—but all shaped by his consistent presence and faithfulness.

In eighth grade, I was struggling with a sin and finally opened up to him. I was scared, but he didn't respond with judgment or shame. He responded with love and pointed me back to Scripture. That moment wasn't just emotional—it was spiritual provision. He gave me something far greater than advice. He gave me truth. That conversation brought us closer together.

Another defining season came when we moved towns before my freshman year of high school. My aspiration at the time was to be a stud football player as I was in a top-notch school in the state of Georgia. However, as the new kid trying to live by Biblical values, I faced isolation in a lost world. Our commute to school was 40 minutes each morning. Every single morning, before I got out of the car, my dad prayed over me: "Lord, show Isaac favor at this school—not just for athletic purposes, but for the advancement of Your Kingdom." He continued to remind me of my identity in Jesus. He never missed a day until I began driving myself. That daily prayer shaped my view of success, identity, and calling. He wasn't just trying to protect me with his words. He was using the Word to protect my heart and grow my faith. Those rides were some of the most formative moments of my life.

It was during that time that I began to feel God calling me to pastoral ministry. Looking back now, I see how the home I was raised in—and the dad who led it—cultivated my love for God's Word and His church. After that season, I started an in-home Bible study with a few friends. My dad and I led it together. Three young men gave their lives to Jesus through that small gathering in our living room.

So, I end this the same way I began: My dad is a Father of the Word.

He doesn't just tell me to love the Word, he lives it. He doesn't just encourage me to be godly, he models it. The greatest thing a son can witness is a father who is present and who lives out the very truth he teaches. One day, I want to lead, provide, and protect my future family the way he did ours. And yet, he always reminds us: the standard is not him. The standard is God the Father. My dad's greatest hope is that his sons and daughters surpass him in Christlikeness, not for pride, but for Kingdom impact. And he always says reminds me that we will never outdo our Heavenly Father, but that should make us strive to be more like Him every day.

That's what it means to be a Father of the Word. And I'm forever thankful that I've known one in real life.

Written by Isaac Melber

Editor's Note: Isaac Melber, 19, is a student at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee where he is pursuing a call to pastoral ministry. With a heart for orphans and widows, Isaac is passionate about preaching the gospel and plans to attend seminary after college. His life's mission is simple: to know Jesus and make Him known.