Faithful Fatherhood: Trusting God in Crisis

Summary

### Summary

In today's world, particularly in the United States, about one in four families lack a father figure, which has a profound impact on society. Fathers play a crucial role in the family dynamic, providing love, support, and discipline that are essential for the healthy development of children. A good father loves his family, spends time with his children, respects and loves their mother, and disciplines fairly. The absence of fathers often leads to children struggling in school and life.

We explored the story of Jairus from Luke 8, a synagogue ruler whose 12-year-old daughter was dying. Jairus, despite his high position, humbly sought Jesus' help, demonstrating the desperation and love of a father. Jesus, who had been dealing with other crises, responded to Jairus' plea. On their way to Jairus' house, they were delayed by another miracle, which resulted in Jairus' daughter passing away. Despite the devastating news, Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith and not be afraid.

This story highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, especially in times of crisis. Jesus' response to Jairus' situation shows that God is always prepared and present, even when it seems like He is delayed. The story also emphasizes the unique and profound love fathers have for their children and the lengths they will go to protect and save them. It serves as a reminder to parents to trust in God's timing and presence, and to children to respect and appreciate their parents' efforts and sacrifices.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Role of Fathers in the Family: Fathers are essential in providing love, support, and discipline. Their presence significantly impacts the well-being and development of children. A father's love and respect for the mother also set a crucial example for the children. [01:30]

2. Faith in Times of Crisis: Jairus' story teaches us the importance of maintaining faith in God, even when situations seem hopeless. Jesus' encouragement to Jairus to "not be afraid, only believe" is a powerful reminder that faith can carry us through the darkest times. [13:02]

3. God's Perfect Timing: The delay in Jesus' arrival at Jairus' house, which resulted in the daughter's death, illustrates that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Jesus' eventual miracle shows that He is always in control and knows the best time to act. [16:11]

4. The Power of Humility and Desperation: Jairus, a respected synagogue ruler, humbled himself and pleaded with Jesus for his daughter's life. This act of humility and desperation highlights the lengths a loving father will go to for his child and the importance of seeking God's help earnestly. [08:28]

5. Trusting God with Our Children: Parents often face fear and anxiety about their children's well-being. The story of Jairus reassures us that God is always watching over our children, even when we cannot. Trusting God with our children's lives is crucial for peace and faith. [19:18]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - The Role of Fathers
[04:02] - Introduction to Jairus' Story
[05:29] - Jairus' Desperation
[08:28] - Seeking Jesus' Help
[11:22] - The Delay and Its Impact
[13:02] - Jesus' Encouragement
[16:11] - God's Perfect Timing
[19:18] - Trusting God with Our Children
[22:31] - God's Protection
[23:46] - Jesus' Miracle
[25:11] - Faith Amidst Doubt
[27:10] - The Miracle Unfolds
[29:06] - Lessons for Children
[30:39] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Luke 8:41-42, 49-56 - The story of Jairus and his daughter.
2. Isaiah 41:13 - "For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'"
3. Luke 12:7 - "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jairus take when he realized his daughter was dying? ([04:02])
2. How did Jesus respond to Jairus' plea for help? ([11:22])
3. What was the reaction of the people when Jesus said Jairus' daughter was only sleeping? ([23:46])
4. How did Jesus reassure Jairus after hearing the news of his daughter's death? ([13:02])

### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jairus' humility and desperation in seeking Jesus' help tell us about his character and faith? ([08:28])
2. How does the delay in Jesus' arrival at Jairus' house illustrate the concept of God's perfect timing? ([16:11])
3. In what ways does Jesus' encouragement to "not be afraid, only believe" apply to our personal crises today? ([13:02])
4. How can the story of Jairus and his daughter help parents trust God with their children's well-being? ([19:18])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt desperate for God's help. How did you approach Him, and what was the outcome? ([08:28])
2. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing, especially when it doesn't align with your expectations? ([16:11])
3. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate love, support, and discipline in your family, similar to the role of a good father described in the sermon? ([01:30])
4. How can you encourage your children to have faith in God during difficult times? Share specific strategies or examples. ([19:18])
5. Think of a situation where you felt God was delayed in answering your prayers. How did you maintain your faith during that period? ([11:22])
6. How can you show respect and appreciation for your parents' efforts and sacrifices, as emphasized in the sermon? ([29:06])
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to "not be afraid, only believe." What steps can you take this week to strengthen your faith in that area? ([13:02])

Devotional

Day 1: The Essential Role of Fathers
Fathers are essential in providing love, support, and discipline. Their presence significantly impacts the well-being and development of children. A father's love and respect for the mother also set a crucial example for the children. In today's world, particularly in the United States, about one in four families lack a father figure, which has a profound impact on society. Fathers play a crucial role in the family dynamic, providing love, support, and discipline that are essential for the healthy development of children. A good father loves his family, spends time with his children, respects and loves their mother, and disciplines fairly. The absence of fathers often leads to children struggling in school and life. [01:30]

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Reflection: Think about the father figures in your life. How have they impacted your development? If you are a father, how can you better fulfill your role in providing love, support, and discipline to your children today?

Day 2: Faith in Times of Crisis
Jairus' story teaches us the importance of maintaining faith in God, even when situations seem hopeless. Jesus' encouragement to Jairus to "not be afraid, only believe" is a powerful reminder that faith can carry us through the darkest times. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, humbly sought Jesus' help for his dying daughter, demonstrating the desperation and love of a father. Despite the devastating news of his daughter's death, Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith and not be afraid. This story highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, especially in times of crisis. [13:02]

Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent crisis you faced. How did your faith in God help you navigate through it? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in future crises?

Day 3: God's Perfect Timing
The delay in Jesus' arrival at Jairus' house, which resulted in the daughter's death, illustrates that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Jesus' eventual miracle shows that He is always in control and knows the best time to act. This story serves as a reminder to trust in God's timing and presence, even when it seems like He is delayed. It reassures us that God is always prepared and present, even when it seems like He is delayed. [16:11]

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt God was delayed in answering your prayers. How did the outcome demonstrate His perfect timing? How can you trust God's timing in your current situation?

Day 4: The Power of Humility and Desperation
Jairus, a respected synagogue ruler, humbled himself and pleaded with Jesus for his daughter's life. This act of humility and desperation highlights the lengths a loving father will go to for his child and the importance of seeking God's help earnestly. Despite his high position, Jairus demonstrated the desperation and love of a father by humbly seeking Jesus' help. This story emphasizes the unique and profound love fathers have for their children and the lengths they will go to protect and save them. [08:28]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you need to humble yourself and seek God's help earnestly. What steps can you take today to approach God with humility and desperation?

Day 5: Trusting God with Our Children
Parents often face fear and anxiety about their children's well-being. The story of Jairus reassures us that God is always watching over our children, even when we cannot. Trusting God with our children's lives is crucial for peace and faith. Despite the devastating news of his daughter's death, Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith and not be afraid. This story serves as a reminder to parents to trust in God's timing and presence, and to children to respect and appreciate their parents' efforts and sacrifices. [19:18]

Isaiah 54:13 (ESV): "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."

Reflection: Reflect on your anxieties about your children's well-being. How can you trust God more with their lives? What practical steps can you take to surrender your fears to God today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The key to a family, and I think a key to our strength of our homes and our churches and our nation, is dads. We're missing something in our world today that I believe needs to change, that God is wanting to turn us around." [01:30] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Kids really want discipline. I know they'll say they don't, but without discipline, children don't grow up to be good adults. Guys, it's true. We don't like it when mom or dad disciplines us, but if we don't learn what is right and wrong, if we don't learn how to behave right and how to be good members of our family and society, we really don't appreciate it." [02:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God has promised that he'll be with you even when they're far away and you're not able to be with your sons or they're grown up and they have their own families and you worry about them still. God's promised he'd be with you even though it seems like he's across the lake doing something else. He's promised when you need him most he'll show up." [09:46] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus says even when you have bad news even when it seems hopeless even when it seems like nothing is going to go right do not be afraid but believe." [14:36] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you trust in God he's promised you will get you through. I say this to children as well who are listening maybe to this message right now because kids it makes a difference how you see God and how you relate to God by how you see your parents and how you treat your parents." [27:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I would say that probably the greatest challenge we're facing in our world today is seeing parents who model and love and show God to their children." [02:43] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus, in this story, has been out all night. The previous night he was out there on the Sea of Galilee. He went with his disciples. The waves became rough. They thought they were going to perish. They cry out to him. He rescues them. He saves them. They end up landing on shore where the demoniacs come out, and they deal with that spiritual battle." [04:02] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus immediately hears this and when he hears this the bible says he turns to the father and he says don't be afraid only believe in the father and he says don't be afraid believe and she will be made well." [13:02] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Jesus doesn't have the power to hurry he's in a crowd here that's pushing on all sides he knows that she's going to be okay what doesn't an extra minute or two or ten make when he's going to raise her back to life why should he have to hurry but jesus understands what's going on in the father's heart he understands what's going on in mom's heart she's back home she's watching her daughter die." [16:11] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The world is going to tell you the opposite of what god is telling you but this story tells us that god wants us to look to him to trust him to be led by him to follow him this story tells us that it doesn't matter what others are saying if you trust god if you follow god you believe god he's going to be the one to carry you and to lead you and guide you." [25:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?