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Dad: Servant Manager
Yesterday I talked about being a selfish onion. I talked about how hard it is to truly die to self and to keep on dying to self. I also discussed that Jesus taught that someone who wanted to lead or "be first" would need to be a servant of all.
I have more and more found myself dealing with some people who have come out of a Christian environment where the father was strong to the point of dictator. The leading could be harsh, and following consisted of unquestioned submission with no exceptions. This is believed to be the "Christian" or "Biblical" way.
I don't believe it.
Now don't get me wrong. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that the husband/father is to be the head of the home. Wives are supposed to submit, children to obey. So often, however, our understanding of what that means and the context within which that is to take place is very lacking and often very worldly.
If the husband/father is supposed to be the leader of the home, what is the Biblical model for leadership? SERVANT! If the father is the head of the home than he is the first and foremost servant. He puts the needs of his wife and his kids ahead of his own. Not the other way around. A wife submits and children obey because the husband/father serves them, not because he bosses them.
This idea can be further born out (as I preached on Sunday) in 1 Timothy 3:4, "He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity..." The word "manage" there means
- 1a) to set over
- 1b) to be over, to superintend, preside over
- 1c) to be a protector or guardian
- 1c1) to give aid
- 1d) to care for, give attention to
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A look at life and ministry.