Raising Simple Sons to Become Wise Fathers: The Essence of Kingdom Work

by Dave Miller

If you trace the arc of the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—you’ll find a quiet, consistent thread: God’s work is a fathering work. His goal is not merely to rescue individuals, but to raise them. Not merely to fill seats, but to forge sons and daughters who can, in turn, become fathers and mothers in His Kingdom.

Kingdom work, at its essence, is this: raising simple sons to become wise fathers. And nowhere is this pattern stated more clearly than in the book of Proverbs—a manual for this very transformation.

From the Garden: Sons Meant to Rule

In Genesis 1–2, we find the original commission:

“Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over every living thing…” (Genesis 1:28)

This is not mere survival or religious ritual — it is royal sonship. Humanity was designed to be image-bearers, representatives of the Father, ruling and cultivating creation in His name and likeness.

The garden was to expand. Sons and daughters were to grow into wise rulers—fathers and mothers of future generations who would know the Lord. Sin fractured this calling, but it never erased the design.

The Simple-to-Wise Arc of Proverbs

Proverbs is one of the most intentional expressions of the fathering work of God through human leadership. It is framed as a father addressing his son:

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” (Proverbs 1:8)

The entire book is a roadmap for transforming a simple son—one who is naïve, inexperienced, easily led astray—into a wise father who can walk with integrity, lead others, and live under the fear of the Lord.

• The simple (Prov. 1:4, 7:7) must gain prudence.

  
  

• The young must grow in discretion and wisdom.

  
  

• The wise will continue to listen and grow (Prov. 1:5).

  
  

• The goal is a man who can fear the Lord (Prov. 1:7), lead others, and pass this wisdom on (Prov. 4:1–9).

  
  

This is not an academic process — it is a fathering process. The goal is not mere knowledge, but transformation of character and capacity: sons who can become wise fathers themselves.

Christ: The Perfect Son and True Father

The pattern reaches its perfection in Christ.

Jesus is the eternally begotten Son of the Father. Yet in His ministry, He functions as a father to His disciples—not in a biological sense, but in the deep biblical sense of raising spiritual sons to maturity.

“I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18).

Paul later echoes this, saying to the Corinthians:

“For in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15).

And Jesus Himself is the embodiment of perfect wisdom:

“Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24)

The wisdom arc of Proverbs finds its fulfillment in union with Christ. The goal is not to merely move from simple to wise by human effort, but to grow into maturity through relationship with Christ, the wisdom of God Himself.

The Great Commission Is a Fathering Work

Disciple-making is not about producing workers or mere followers—it is about raising up people who can carry responsibility with the Father’s heart for others.

The pattern of Proverbs is the pattern of the Great Commission:

• Start with simple, teachable disciples.

  
  

• Train them through life-on-life fathering.

  
  

• See them grow in wisdom, responsibility, and capacity.

  
  

• Watch them become leaders—spiritual fathers and mothers—who in turn raise others.

  
  

This is why Paul labors in every city not just to plant churches, but to form leaders who will shepherd and build others:

“You know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God…” (1 Thessalonians 2:11–12).

The test of our Kingdom work is not in how many people we gather, but in whether we are raising sons who become wise fathers.

The End of the Story: Fathers Forever

Revelation shows us the ultimate picture of the Kingdom:

• The Father dwelling with His people (Revelation 21:3).

  
  

• A new creation in which the sons of God are revealed (Romans 8:19 finds its climax here).

  
  

In the New Jerusalem, God is not surrounded by mere servants—but by a mature family of sons and daughters who reign with Him.

“They will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5)

The simple-to-wise arc of Proverbs is not just for this life — it is a preparation for the life to come.

Conclusion: The Radical Simplicity of the Work

In a noisy world of church growth strategies and spiritual busyness, we need to remember:

Kingdom work is raising simple sons to be wise fathers.

• We raise simple sons: not complicated, impressive men—but humble, obedient, teachable ones.

  
  

• We aim to see them become wise fathers: men and women of responsibility, discernment, and sacrificial love who can carry others in the faith.

  
  

This is the Great Commission in its truest form.

This is the way of the Kingdom from Genesis to Revelation.

And this is what we must give our lives to—generation after generation—until the Father gathers His mature family at the end of the age.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)