Lessons from the Father | Part 1 of 8
About this series
The Gospel of Matthew is filled with timeless wisdom about how we should live, love, lead, and grow in our faith. In this eight-part Dadvotional series, we’ll explore the teachings of Jesus through the lens of fatherly advice, uncovering practical lessons that challenge us to become better men, stronger fathers, and more faithful followers of Christ. These aren’t just lessons worth learning; they’re truths worth living and passing down to the next generation.
Scripture: Matthew 4:18–22
Growing up, we all had someone we looked up to. Maybe it was our dad, a coach, a teacher, or even a professional athlete. Someone we admired enough that we wanted to be like them. We watched how they acted, listened to what they said, and sometimes even tried to imitate them. As we get older, that doesn’t really change. We still look to others for direction, whether it’s a successful businessman, a respected leader, or someone we’ve never actually met but follow on social media.
There’s nothing wrong with having role models. In fact, I think having good people to look up to is important. But there’s a question we probably don’t ask ourselves often enough. Are we following the right people?
In Matthew 4, Jesus encounters two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting their nets into the Sea of Galilee. Fishing was their livelihood, their routine, and probably the life they expected to continue living. Then Jesus says something that would change everything:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:19
Matthew tells us they immediately left their nets and followed Him. A little farther along, Jesus calls James and John, who are working in a boat with their father. They, too, leave behind the familiar to answer His call. These men weren’t given a detailed explanation of where they were going or what the next several years would look like. They simply trusted the One calling them.
Now, I don’t think the lesson is that we should all quit our jobs and abandon our responsibilities. But I do think this passage challenges us to examine where Jesus fits into our priorities. We build our lives around careers, financial goals, family schedules, and personal ambitions, then try to find room for Him somewhere in the middle. We go to church, read our Bibles, and say our prayers, but sometimes faith becomes just another item on an already crowded calendar.
Jesus isn’t supposed to be someone we fit into our lives. He’s supposed to be the One who shapes them.
I’ll admit that I sometimes get this backward. There are times when I want God to bless the direction I’ve already decided to go rather than asking Him where He wants me to go in the first place. I want His guidance, but I also want to maintain control. I’m willing to trust Him, provided the path doesn’t become too uncomfortable. But that’s not really surrender, is it?
There’s another part of this passage that stands out to me as a father. James and John were working alongside their dad when Jesus called them. Matthew tells us they left the boat and their father. I wonder what Zebedee thought in that moment. Scripture doesn’t tell us, but it makes me think about my own responsibility as a dad.
We spend years leading our children, teaching them how to make good decisions and navigate life. We hope they’ll listen to our advice and learn from our mistakes. But our ultimate responsibility isn’t to raise children who look to us for every answer. It’s to raise children who know where to find the answers that matter most.
If I want my children to build their lives around Christ, they ought to see what that looks like in mine. Not perfection, because they’ll certainly never find that in me, but a man who seeks God’s direction, acknowledges when he’s wrong, asks for forgiveness, and genuinely tries to live according to God’s Word. Even when our children are grown, that opportunity to demonstrate faith remains.
Jesus didn’t call Peter and Andrew because they had everything figured out. Throughout Matthew, we see the disciples struggle with fear, misunderstand His teachings, and sometimes fail spectacularly. Yet Jesus continued teaching and preparing them. That’s encouraging because a life of faith doesn’t require having all the answers before taking the first step. It requires trusting the One who does.
So take an honest look at the direction of your life and the influences shaping your decisions. Are you allowing Jesus to lead, or are you simply asking Him to approve the life you’ve already chosen?
The people we follow influence the people we become. And there is no wiser teacher, better example, or more faithful leader than Jesus Christ.
A Father’s Challenge
This week, identify one area of your life where you’ve been holding on to control rather than trusting Christ’s direction. Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you surrender it. Consider what your example is teaching your family about a life centered on Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling ordinary people like me to walk with You. Forgive me for placing my plans ahead of Your will. Help me recognize Your direction and give me the courage to trust You, even when the path is uncertain. May my life point my family and those around me toward You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
