25 Oct Spiritual Leadership in the Home – Oct 24 Class Notes
Colossians 3:18 – 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Ephesians 5:22-33 – 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
These scriptures are clear in the calling of husbands to be the Spiritual Leaders in their home.
We are commanded to hear the Word of God, study the Word of God, and DO the Word of God.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourself.
*If we want to raise our sons and daughters to embrace their God-given roles and responsibilities in leading their families when they are older, then we have an obligation to teach them how that is supposed to look.
7 Truths…
1 – Everyone has to start somewhere. This is a starting point.
2 – We grow and mature into the role of spiritual leader
3 – You CAN be the spiritual leader in your home. God designed I that way., He will empower you to do what he has called you to do.
4 – Small steps forward can make a big difference.
5 – Satan will try to discourage you.
6 – Your wife may be farther along spiritually, that’s ok. She wants you to take the initiative.
7 – Don’t compare yourself to others. Sure, there are mentors you look to, but don’t determine your value by looking at others.
Take Away 1 – Spend time with Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
The very best thing you can do for your wife and kids, to be the spiritual leader is to spend time with Jesus. Every. Single. Day.
Take Away 2 – Pray for and with your wife.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Maybe start by asking her “What can I pray for you this week?” Then at some point move into praying with her.
Take Away 3 – Be clear about who you serve
Joshua 24:15 – And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond 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.”
Lead your family by:
1) being in church weekly Hebrews 10:24-25
2) praying faithfully 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
3) reading daily Psalm 1:1-3
What is your next step? This is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on starting with one step. Move forward.
**Pastor Dave will be posting a video each month for the next few months to encourage you in your journey to becoming the spiritual leader in your home.
Click here to visit the Men’s Blog page where follow-up lessons are posted.