Do Diligence, Dads

1. Words of wisdom from Dads

• Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco.

• Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

• There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.

• Never miss a good chance to shut up.

• Always drink upstream from the herd.

• If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

• The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

• Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

• If you’re riding’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.

• Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’it back.

2. Real words of wisdom

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 1:8 "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching." A father instructs and a mother teaches.

3. Dads, Be intentional in Instruction

a. Spiritual leaders of the family

b. [Survival of Judaism – the Family, not the synagogue; parents are like priests (intercede for people; intervene for God); house is a little temple; table is a little altar;

c. A Problem: Dropping kids off in bible class and expecting the church to completely train and entertain – ½ or more of our kids leave us – why is this happening?

4. What to do?

I. Live It Out!

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

A. Show Your Children Faith in Action.

B. Faith is “Caught before it is Taught.

[Ken Pence’s life made me want to look into his beliefs about Jesus – how much more for dads and children?

II. Talk It Out!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

A. Formal Times of Instruction

B. Informal Times of Instruction

1. Rabbinic teaching methods – the world was the classroom

2. Parables and illustrations

III. Dig It Out!

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

A. To Talk your children, know God and God’s word

B. Show them prayer; study; service

[Carl Brecheen’s son told how he would find his dad in the floor at night praying for members of his congregation

C. Invite them in at times

[Jewish men wrap sons in tallit – Leonard Nimoy peaked during Aaronic blessing; developed Vulcan sign and for Star Trek

IV. Play It Out!

A. We Emphasize the Seriousness of Christianity

B. Don’t Forget the Joy

[Glen’s video of Sabbath at Western Wall

C. A Time for Seriousness and a Time for Joy – Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;

1. Some men feel “unmanly” about Christianity [Vietnam Vet prayed Psalm 23 but didn’t want his buddies to know;

2. Godly, Masculine men in scriptures

a. David – Women and War

b. Paul and beatings

c. Judges and Warriors

d. Jesus Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

• Most would’ve died from scourging

• Turning over stone tables

• Walking miles

3. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

• Strong in the flesh

• Strong in the Spirit

• Strong in the LORD