Monday, February 16, 2026

Be The Dads – Your kids, Your wife, and this world needs.

That God created us to be and that our kids, family, and the world needs us to be.

Be The Dads – Your kids, Your wife, and this world needs.

That God created us to be and that our kids, family, and the world needs us to be.

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Dads Who Serve: Lead with Love at Home and Beyond -#4

farmerphilbethedad06 mins

Dads Who Serve: Leading Like Jesus at Home, Church, and in the World

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
— Matthew 20:26–28 (NIV)

1. Welcome & Icebreaker (5 min)

Prompt:
Share a time someone unexpectedly served you. How did it make you feel? How did it impact your view of leadership or love?

2. Scripture Reading & Reflection (10 min)

📖 Matthew 20:26–28 (NIV)

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reflection Questions:

Q1: Why does Jesus connect greatness with servanthood?

Answer:

Jesus redefines greatness by making it about humility and service, not power or position. In Matthew 20:26–28 (NIV), He says:

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

This is a radical shift from worldly thinking. In God’s Kingdom, greatness isn’t about who you rule over—it’s about how you love and serve others. Jesus modeled this by taking the lowest place, even washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:14–15), and ultimately giving His life for us (Philippians 2:7–8).

Supporting Scriptures (NIV):

  • Matthew 20:26–28 – Greatness is tied to being a servant.
  • Mark 9:35 – “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
  • Philippians 2:3–8 – Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant.

Key Takeaway:
Jesus values a servant’s heart. As dads, we are called not to dominate but to build up our families through love, humility, and daily acts of service.

Relevant BeTheDads Devotional:
➡️ “Choose To Be the Dad Who Serves Jesus”
🔗 https://bethedads.com/2023/10/choose-to-be-the-dad-who-serves-jesus/

Q2: How does Jesus’ model of leadership challenge your role as a father?

Answer:

Jesus leads through sacrificial love and humility. He said:

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” – John 13:15 (NIV)

Jesus flipped leadership upside down—He served, stooped, and sacrificed. This challenges us as fathers to let go of control, pride, and entitlement. Instead, we’re called to serve our families with compassion, patience, and love.

Supporting Scriptures (NIV):

  • John 13:14–15 – Jesus washes His disciples’ feet.
  • Luke 22:26 – “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
  • Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Key Takeaway:
Jesus’ leadership demands humility. As dads, that means showing up consistently, loving sacrificially, apologizing when we’re wrong, and laying down our pride to serve.

Relevant BeTheDads Devotional:
➡️ “Put Aside Pride and Serve Your Wife and Kids”
🔗 https://bethedads.com/2023/10/put-aside-pride-and-serve-your-wife-and-kids/

Q3: In what specific ways can you reflect Jesus’ servant-heart in your family?

Answer:

You reflect Jesus’ servant-heart by putting the needs of your wife and children above your own—intentionally and consistently. This includes small, daily acts like praying with your kids, helping with homework, listening without interrupting, or doing household chores without being asked.

Ways to serve like Jesus at home:

  • Pray aloud with your kids (John 17 shows Jesus praying for His followers).
  • Share spiritual encouragement at meals (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
  • Ask your wife, “How can I help you today?”
  • Say, “I’m sorry” and show forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32).

Supporting Scriptures (NIV):

  • Ephesians 5:25 – Love sacrificially.
  • Ephesians 6:4 – Raise children in the training and instruction of the Lord.
  • 1 Peter 4:10 – Use your gifts to serve others.
  • John 12:26 – “Whoever serves me must follow me… my Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Key Takeaway:
Serving your family is not weakness—it’s Christlike strength. Every act of love, no matter how small, points your family to Jesus.

Relevant BeTheDads Devotionals:
➡️ “Love One Another – Serve Sacrificially”
🔗 https://bethedads.com/2023/10/love-one-another-2/

➡️ “Be the Dads Who Reflect Jesus Through Service”
🔗 https://bethedads.com/2023/05/be-the-dads-who-model-how-to-live-a-life-that-reflects-jesus/

➡️ “Using What God Has Given Us to Serve Others”
🔗 https://bethedads.com/2023/03/gifts-use-them-for-gods-glory/

Supporting Scriptures:

  • John 13:14-15 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and told them to do the same.
  • Philippians 2:3–4 – “In humility value others above yourselves…”
  • 1 Peter 4:10 – “Use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”

Key Takeaways:

  • True greatness comes through humble service, not status.
  • Jesus modeled sacrificial leadership as our standard.
  • Serving in love brings glory to God and honor from the Father (John 12:26).

3. Group Discussion: Serving as Dads (15 min)

Discussion Prompts:

Supporting Verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 9:19 – “Though I am free… I make myself a slave to everyone…”
  • Galatians 5:13 – “Serve one another humbly in love.”

4. Action Plan: Dads Who Step Up to Serve (10 min)

Choose one action this week for each area:

🛠 At Home:

“Be a servant-leader in your home.”
Examples: Do a chore your wife dislikes, read with your child, prepare a meal.

🙏 At Church:

“Use your gifts to bless others.”
Examples: Volunteer to serve, greet, teach, or help with setup/cleanup.

🌍 In the Community:

“Be a light outside the walls.”
Examples: Help a neighbor, coach a team, lead a service project with your family.

5. Prayer Time (5 min)

Prayer Focus:

  • Ask God for a servant’s heart.
  • Pray for opportunities to serve in your home, church, and community.
  • Ask for strength and humility to lead like Jesus.

Scripture to Pray:

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”
—Philippians 2:5–7 (NIV)

6. Closing & Accountability (5 min)

Challenge:
Set a clear, measurable service goal this week. Write it down and share it.

📝 Example:

“I will pray with my wife each night.”
“I will volunteer for the next service day at church.”
“I will mow my elderly neighbor’s lawn this weekend.”

Follow Up:
Encourage group members to check in next week and celebrate steps taken!

📚 Want to Go Deeper?

Explore these BeTheDads devotionals for encouragement and next steps:

💬 Final Word:

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” —Matthew 20:28
Let’s follow our Savior’s lead and be the dads who serve—with joy, humility, and love. For our good and for God’s glory.

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