Surely there are some quite different styles of parenting. Today, Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees that they are doing exactly what their fathers have done in the past – they shed the blood of the prophets. Certainly that is not a very positive image of fatherhood. But them Paul gives a better view of parenthood. He tells the Thessalonians that he has worked hard for them, and treated them right and fairly, just as a good father would treat his children. A good father would teach his children what is right. And that is not just about fathers; any good teacher, superior, manager, leader is called to do likewise. For every Christian, one of the spiritual works of mercy is to instruct the ignorant.