The godly dad is about the business of knowing Scripture. He loves God’s Word. And, he leads his family in learning and applying it to everyday situations.
Now, I’m not a prophet or the son of one. But, if you and I sat down for coffee and you asked me how to tell if you were a godly dad, my first question would be: do you really know Scripture? What do I mean by “knowing Scripture” as a dad? Here’s what I mean.
Why does knowing Scripture matter as a dad?
When I say “knowing Scripture” I’m not simply talking about knowledge about Scripture. Paul, writing in First Corinthians, says, “Knowledge puffs up…The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know” (8:1-2).
J. I. Packer wrote in his great book Knowing God, “…Bible study with no higher a motive than a desire to know all the answers, is the direct route to a state of self-satisfied self-deception.” I’m talking about knowing Scripture in such a way that you know God more—that you do what He says.
One more J. I. Packer illustration (I have a two-Packer illustration quota in my blog contract!). Packer points out two kinds of people: the “balconeers” and the “travelers”. Picture folks sitting on a balcony of a home in a city—watching travelers go by. Balconeers might talk about the way the travelers walk, the terrain, and so on—but their discussion is in theory only.
The travelers, on the other hand, actually face the problems—from which way to go and even how to make it. The travelers have actual experience. They speak from practice over theory. Dad, you are to be a fellow traveler with your family—not a balconeer.
The tool of knowing Scripture dovetails with our first tool of trusting God because we cannot know God unless we know His Word. God has chosen to speak to us through His Word.
May we turn our knowledge about God and His Word into actually knowing Him and doing His will. You and I need a command of God’s Word so we can shine the light of God’s truth into the lives of our families.
The godly dad knows the Bible and points his family to God.
How does knowing Scripture play out in your life?
Knowing Scripture matters. In order to know God as you should, you will quickly come to realize you need to know God’s Word—especially as a dad. There are times when I read Scripture in the morning, and then use it that same day. But, honestly, this doesn’t happen often with my kids.
Here’s what often happens: I can read Scripture on Saturday morning and be studied up—ready for a date with any one of my kids. Those dates are never the times when my kids are receptive and longing to hear my “knowledge” of God.
Nope, instead, the kind of knowledge God seems to use in my life what gets stored up over time. You don’t realize it until you need it. You’re training just kicks in. Rarely, if ever, do I have the question before the answer.
But, something will come up with my kids’ friends. Or, they’ll be watching something on TV or in a movie—and boom—they have a question for me. In those endearing moments, God nourishes with the water I need to help my kids. I truly believe that living water comes from days, weeks, months, years—of dipping just the days’ worth of water from in His Word.
Listen, Scripture will guide you through difficult choices (Prov. 3:5-6) and help you discern right from wrong (Ps. 119:105). Your Survival Gear will tell you more ways God’s Word helps you.
Knowing Scripture matters. In your knowing it, you’re pointing and aligning yourself to God and His ways. This kind of knowledge takes time. David knew this. We see it in Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
When your child asks a question, where do you point?
What does knowing Scripture look like for you right now?
Knowing Scripture doesn’t have to be a mystery. It’s time to realize what knowing God’s Word looks like as a dad. Then, you can determine where you are and what you should do next.
Here are the four stages of knowing Scripture as a dad.
Stage 1 > New Traveler: You have a Bible (or app) that you read on occasion.
Stage 2 > Capable Navigator: You have participated in at least one Bible study to help you grow and learn more.
Stage 3 > Road Warrior: You have the skills to confidently read and study your Bible on your own.
Stage 4 > Tour Guide: You love the Bible and help your family to learn it and apply it to everyday situations.
Think about it, which stage are you on right now? Decide now, which stage you’re on. Then, determine to move to the next stage.
The one light source that will never fade or lead you astray—God’s Word.
