A Father’s Spiritual Leadership
Joshua took a stand, not just as a leader of the Israelite people, but as a husband and father, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).” To often in this day and age I see fathers and husbands handing over the reigns of spiritual leadership for their family to their wife because they just aren’t into the “spiritual thing” or the “church thing”. However, God has given the responsibility of being the spiritual head of the household to the husband and father, and when he chooses not to do this it often negatively impacts the faith of their children. One study found that when the father doesn’t participate regularly in worship with his children (only the mother or grandparents bring the children), the percentage of those children who grow up worshipping regularly is only 30% (versus 80% with both parents regularly attending). What is astounding is that if it is only the father bringing the children to worship regularly the retention is 70% when they grow up! That’s how much influence a father has on the spiritual development of their children. While I realize worship attendance isn’t the only measure of a father’s spiritual leadership, it is one indicator of which gods we prioritize to worship (the god of sleep, the god of hobbies, etc.). I believe we need more “strong and courageous” husbands and fathers who are willing to take a public stand for their faith in Jesus Christ, beginning with their own families, to “man up” with their spiritual responsibility from God as the spiritual servant leader of the home. [Speaking to husbands and fathers] It begins by your own personal relationship with God. Are you spending time with God? Are you worshipping God? Are you setting the example for your family, in character and action, in how you treat your wife (or in some cases, ex-wife) and children? What other men are holding you accountable? How are you intentionally raising your kids to love and fear God? Choose today to be strong and courageous and take a stand, for your sake and your families sake.