"Lessons from Jethro" (Father's Day 2026)

I. INTRO

Continuing in new series, “Faith in the Footnotes”

Heart behind series

Today is Father’s Day

Want to introduce you to a father you don’t hear about often

Jethro, Father of Zipporah, in other words, Moses’ Father in Law.

Quick re-tell of the story

Read the results

Exodus 18:24–27 NKJV

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Today whether you find yourself in the trenches of early parenthood (like me), find yourself battling with teenagers, or maybe you are struggling find the balance in parenting your adult children.

I believe we can all a few lessons from this father you’ve never heard of, a man named Jethro:

II. BE THE PRIEST

Exodus 18:1 NKJV

And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Notice that not only did Jethro have a priestly responsibility, but he took care of his family when the time came he was needed

He had a responsibility to the world, but he never let that overshadow his responsibility to his family

He takes Zipporah and her two sons in and cares for them while Moses takes care of business in Egypt

He leaves his responsibility in Midian and takes a multiple week journey through rough terrain and a desert, just to minister to his family and help restore his daughter’s marriage

Parents, especially fathers, we have a job to minister to our families.

In fact, if I can say something to shock you.. it is not my job to disciple your family

It is my job to empower you to disciple your family!

Before you say it, “where does it say that in the Bible”

Let me help you, from the beginning, God has established parents as the chief disciple-makers in your homes!

Genesis 18:19 NKJV

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

All throughout the OT, time and time again, God says, “command your children, teach your children, etc.”

We all know this famous scripture:

Joshua 24:15 NKJV

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The standard has always been this way

And before you say it… “Well that’s the OT”

Ephesians 6:4 NKJV

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

The Biblical Principle… Be the PRIEST OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD

III. MAKE ROOM FOR GOD ENCOUNTERS

I mentioned earlier, that Jethro took Zipporah in, but also at the beginning of Exodus when Moses flees Egypt the first time

Guess who takes him in? - JETHRO

Exodus 3:1–2 NKJV

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.

It was in Jethro’s house, on Jethro’s land, that Moses encountered God

Make it real quick.. God was welcome there!

The truth… if you want your children to encounter God and serve Him in your home… than you have to make room for Him in YOUR HOUSE!

LEARN TO LET GO

Exodus 4:18 NKJV

So Moses went and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”

Sometimes, making room for God encounters is learning to let go!

IV. WORSHIP WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Exodus 18:9 NKJV

Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:12 NKJV

Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God.

Jethro decided, when he heard what all God had done, before they could eat or do anything else, they had to worship!

Worship with your children, worship in front of your children, and let them see worship be the number one priority in your life (PREACH HERE)

Not just in church, but outside of the church (Nona - I watched her pray a tree back to life)

Let your children not just see you worship in song, but in sacrifice, obedience, etc.

“Worship is an all of life response to all of who God is” - Dr. Steve Bowersox

V. LEARN WHEN TO SPEAK UP & WHEN TO SHUT UP

Exodus 18:19 NKJV

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you...

When approaching children, especially when they enter adolescence and adulthood, a lot of times the common thinking “don’t say anything, just let them figure it out”

And sometimes that’s all you can do

But I believe there are moments, when God makes room for you to speak up

Real practical for just a moment (from my background in student ministry and education)… there are some things your children are doing just to see if you will speak up!

Speak up… when God tells you to! (EXPAND)

Look at the gurantee.. “and God will be with you”

In order to make that promise, Jethro had to be walking with God himself!

You’ll never know when to speak up, if you’re not walking with God daily (EXPAND)

Exodus 18:27 NKJV

Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Jethro served his purpose and went his own way (EXPAND)

There are moments God gives us, but sometimes we have to learn those moments have an expiration date.

That’s different in every season of life

IV. CONCLUSION

You may be asking… “How do I navigate this season?” (EXPAND)

James 1:5 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

PARENT IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST

(PRAY OVER FATHERS)