A Letter To Dads During Covid-19

Dear Dads,

​It seems crazy to think that just two weeks ago life was relatively normal.  Now, it seems that everything has changed.

​There is a lot of uncertainty and if you’re like me, you’re still not entirely sure what is going on.  There is a lot that we are all going through and a lot that we all need encouragement in right now, but with this letter I want to encourage you to do one thing: lead on Sunday morning in your home.

Covid-19 is and will continue to be disruptive and hard.  But in every difficulty there is opportunity. God meant it when he had Paul pen the words of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The reality of “church at home” is probably going to be a reality for the foreseeable future.  Our church leaders and pastors are doing a great job creating online content that can help us through this time. 

And while it's good to sit down in front of the TV or computer screen and watch and listen as a family, there is an amazing opportunity to step up and lead your family in being the church, in actively doing church at home.

Jesus told us that “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  Gather your family in the name of Jesus.  Lead them in prayer and worship and in fellowship.  This is an opportunity to teach your children to seek the face of Jesus, to model for them prayer and worship and what it looks like to be a man of God who looks to actively apply the teachings of Jesus.  Help them learn to actively apply the teaching of Jesus in their lives.

There is a simple format that can be followed that will help you lead your family. Divide your Sunday morning as a family into three thirds.
 
Looking Back
CARE:  The first third of your time can be focused on caring for one another and worship.  Start by praying for your time together and then ask two simple questions and allow everyone to share about how their week went.

1. What are you thankful for this week?
2. What was challenging this week?

After everyone has shared, invite your wife and kids to join you in praising God for the things that are going well and to pray for one another about the needs that were expressed.

WORSHIP:  Lead your family into a time of worship.  Some of us are musically gifted, but for the rest of us this may mean asking your kids what their favorite worship songs are and finding them on Youtube to listen to or sing along with.  It may be an opportunity to read some of the Psalms together.

Regardless of what this looks like at your home, have fun worshiping the Lord together. If you have young kids, let them beat spoons on a pan or dance as they worship.

CAST VISION: Is there a verse that has been particularly meaningful to you this week?  Is there an area you are hoping you and your family can grow in? Take a moment to cast some vision for the things that God is putting on your heart for your family. Share a verse from the Bible to encourage your family in the way you know they need to be encouraged. 

Looking Up
The second third of your time together can be spent looking into the word of God together.  Acts 2:42 paints a picture of the early church saying "that they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."  This is the time to learn from the word of God.  

This would be a great time to tune into your church’s online service to listen together to your pastor’s message for the week.

You could also use the SWORD method to lead your family in discovery Bible study, helping teach your kids how to dig into God’s word for themselves.  Together you will learn what Jesus has for each of you in a particular passage of scripture. [learn about discovery Bible study]

Regardless, this second third is a time to dedicate to studying the Bible.

Looking Ahead
The final third of your time together should be spent looking ahead to the week to come.  It is a time to plan together how you can apply what you’ve learned and be a blessing to others in the coming week.  A few simple questions for this time are:

1. How can I apply what I learned today from the sermon or our discovery Bible study?
2. Who can I tell about what I learned today? Do I have a friend who needs to hear about it?  Is there someone I can tell about Jesus this week?
3. Who can we bless this week?  In our home? In our neighborhood?  In our town? In our world? 

After you have discussed these as a family, ask your kids to hold you accountable to actually do the things you’ve said you would do.
  
End your time together by praying for your family.  Then enjoy a great meal together!

Covid-19 is going to be a life changing event for all of us.  But as fathers we have an opportunity to step in and lead our families into a deeper place of faith and following.  

Imagine if our kids look back at this time and remember most of all that their dad led them closer to Jesus!

May it be!  

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