…nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock
Fathers, God has entrusted you with your own “home team,” and He has called you to be an example to your family. He has provided some fundamentals that will help you succeed in this mission.
The very first – and most essential – fundamental is to read His Word, commit it to memory, and allow it to change the way that you think and act. An athlete cannot achieve well in his sport unless he is on the same page as his general manager. The Bible is the play book for the General Manager over all.
The second fundamental is to love. When the Pharisees pressed Jesus on which commandment was the greatest, He replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment” (Matthew 22:37-39). Dads, love the Lord in such an out-loud way that your children will learn to love Him, too.
Make sure they see you reading the Word and applying it to your life. They need to hear your prayers, to see you give thanks when God answers. Take them with you to the house of the Lord; worship Him with all your heart so that they, too, will begin to hunger and thirst after righteousness. The first God they will ever know is the One to Whom you introduce them.
The third fundamental is to lead. As Christ is the head of His church, so the husband is the head of his wife, the leader of his family (Ephesians 5:23). Dads, the trait that best qualifies you to lead is your ability to follow. If you follow Christ, He qualifies and equips you to lead. Every great coach is coachable. He never stops being a student of the game.
Hebrews 12:2 directs us to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, to be our example. When He walked among us, He taught His disciples by speaking truth to them and by demonstrating how to live it out.
He did not just instruct them to pray. He showed them how to pray. He did not just send them out to minister. He demonstrated what ministry “to the least of these” looks like.
As you learn the play book, love out loud, and lead by example, the General Manager promises to be beside you every step of the way. He will train and teach, encourage and inspire. He values your commitment to the home team; He recognizes your importance to its success.
Blessing:
Heavenly Father, I need Your help to be the father that my children need. Teach me from Your Word. As I follow You, show me how to love them well and lead them directly to You. In the name of Jesus…amen.
Today's Bible Reading:
Old Testament
1 Kings 20:1-21:29
New Testament
Acts 12:24-13:15
Psalms & Proverbs
Psalm 137:1-9
Proverbs 17:16
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