I Thessalonians 2:11-12

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God…”

Paul compares his style of discipling to that of a dad;

– encouraging

– comforting

– urging

Encourage and comfort are simple enough but what does it look like to ‘urge’?

urge – to exhort another; to try earnestly and persistently to persuade someone to do something; 

The someone here is ‘his own children’.  Yes to moms and yes to extended family and yes to those volunteers at church – but dads cannot pass this off to others. 

The something here is ‘live a life that is worthy of God’.   

Many dads earnestly and persistently persuade their own children in academics.  

Many dads earnestly and persistently persuade their own children in athletics. 

How many dads do you know who earnestly and persistently persuade their own children to live a life that is worthy of God? 

Prayer. 

Heavenly Father, forgive me for my lack of urging my own children and when I do urge, exhorting them in areas that are just not the top priority. I pray that every one of my own children and every one of my own grandchildren would live lives that are worthy of You!

In Jesus Name,  Amen.