Tag Archives: fathers
An Examination of I Timothy 3:12-16 (Part 7): Deacons as Faithful Family Managers
Let’s continue our study of I Timothy 3:12-16 as we get ready for our trip to New Jersey, September 28 to October 7. For Sunday School on October 6 we will be looking at the 2nd half of I Timothy 3. Let’s look at our passage one more time —
Paul returns to the topic of deacons for a few moments and adds one more major qualification followed by a strong commendation. The qualification is familial — he must be faithful to his wife and manage his children and his household well.
“Manage” his children?! In our culture the very idea of proactive, directive, authoritarian parenting is, in some places, ridiculed! Some today even suggest that we shouldn’t tell our children what gender they are, but leave it up to them to engage in self-discovery!
There is a world of difference between
a father being a godly, committed manager of his family and a dictatorial despot who abuses his wife and kids. And deacons need to model biblical fatherhood before a confused and crazy world.
Paul also gives a promise of a great commendation. Those who serve well as deacons receive two benefits: (1) They gain an excellent standing (before God), and (2) they gain great assurance in their faith (v. 13). The faithful deacon, one might say, receives God’s external approval and an internal assurance in their service.
I certainly want an “excellent standing” and a “great assurance” before the Lord, don’t you? Pray for the deacons in your church that they would long for the same. (to be continued)
Time for a Great Cartoon: Dads and Answers!
Sometimes we dads don’t know the answer! Actually, I admire Calvin’s dad for being creative with his non-answers! Teach the child to sort truth from error, I always say!
Time for a Great Cartoon: Happy Father’s Day!
Fathers should encourage their children to think for themselves, to ask good questions, to do their own research!
Happy Fathers’ Day to all of you Dads out there who take seriously the parenting of your children!
Time for a Great Cartoon! (Father’s answer)
You gotta admire Calvin’s dad! He is trying to raise perhaps the world’s most precocious kid, and creative answers are one way he is practicing fathering! Unlike many of the portrayals in the media of dads these days, Calvin’s father isn’t a doofus or an incompetent.
It seems to me that Calvin’s dad is strategic. When Calvin asks his often quite 
difficult-to-answer questions, the dad doesn’t say, “Hmmm. I have no idea.” No, instead he creates an answer that teaches Calvin to be careful in blindly trusting someone else’s perspective. The dad is not just messing with Calvin for his own entertainment (although there is some of that). He’s assisting Calvin’s thinking, at times risking the wrath of Calvin’s mom.
C’mon, dads! Let’s get a bit creative in answering our kids’ questions! You just might have some fun in the process!
When Only Dad Could Save the Day! (time for a great commercial!)
How nice to see a commercial that speaks positively about DADS! If your dad is still alive, may I suggest you give him a call and thank him for his love and protection in your life.
If your father has passed on, may I suggest that you take a few minutes and thank God for the positive impact your father had on you?
Not everyone has a protective, loving dad. Isn’t it good to know that you and I have an absolutely perfect heavenly Father who loves us so much He gave His Son for us?
Questions:
1. What verses about fathers jump out at you from the Scriptures?
2. If you are a father, how are you doing things a bit differently than your father did them?
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 