As Christian men, part of our calling is spiritually leading our homes. That’s not necessarily to teach or discipline but to model an authentic, intimate relationship with our Lord that affects every aspect of our lives. Leading spiritually is more than knowing the Bible or attending church; it’s following Christ daily by word and good works. Here’s how to be a spiritual leader in your home.
1. Be Consistent in Your Walk with Christ
Spiritual leadership always begins in our relationship with the Lord. We must ensure we have our house in order before inviting others to follow. This starts with our personal devotional life. We need to spend time each day praying, reading the Bible, and asking God to lead us in all we do. Our families will recognize the priority we place on God.
As Jesus emphasized in Matthew 22:37, if we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds, then our families will know what it means to know and love God. They’re more likely to follow us if we first follow Christ.
2. Lead by Example, Not Just by Words
We can talk a good game about faith, but we need to walk the walk and live it. Fathers and husbands need to be the examples of integrity, honesty, and humility we are trying to teach our children.
When we model repentance, forgiveness, and patience, we are modeling that we are not perfect but serve a perfect God who is at work in us. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This verse tells us not to discipline out of frustration or anger but out of love and instruction.
3. Create Intentional Moments for Family Worship
It can be easy for the urgent things of life to crowd out the essential things, such as spiritual activity. So, we want to be the spiritual leaders of our families. In that case, we need to create routine occasions for family worship, whether it’s a weekly family Bible study, a prayer before meals, or a time on the weekends to talk through a passage of Scripture.
Try choosing a verse or Bible story every week and discussing it openly with your family. Ask questions to help your kids apply God’s Word to their everyday lives. Spiritual conversations with your family can help everyone grow and develop a deep understanding of God’s truth.
4. Encourage Open Communication About Faith
Encouraging honest dialogue about faith will make your home a place where your children grow spiritually. Allow your children and spouse to express their questions, doubts, thoughts, and struggles about their faith. Be honest about your struggles and triumphs in your faith journey.
For example, Proverbs 27:17 says: ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.’ The sharpening of iron starts at home. Who better to spiritually spar with, to help sharpen each other, than our family?
5. Pray for and with Your Family Regularly
Prayer is the greatest gift we, as spiritual leaders, have to offer. Make it your practice to pray for and with your family. Have them hear you pray for their needs, growth, and protection.
When you pray out loud together, you show your family their need for God and how to share their worries and needs. ‘The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working’ (James 5:16). Doing this teaches your children to take their burdens to God, not avoid them with a quick fix.
6. Serve Together as a Family
Serving others is one way we can live out our faith and show our children what it is like to love someone else as Jesus loved us. Look for ways you can serve your family together. Serving in your church, community, or home is a great start.
When your family serves others, they see the gospel lived out and have a more significant opportunity to express Christ’s love and concern in a way that words alone might not communicate. ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matthew 20:28). When we serve others with humility and love, we reflect the same attitude that Jesus had.
Conclusion: Leading with Grace
Spiritual leadership in the home is about more than having the answers or being perfect. It is about showing up, being intentional, and letting God lead you by leading your family. Look to Him in everything, and He will give you the wisdom, strength, and grace you need to be a successful spiritual leader for your family.
Spiritual leadership is a process. You don’t do it in your strength. God is with you, as He has promised to equip you to do what He calls you to do. In leading your family, trust Him to work in the hearts of your family members and keep growing you all up in faith together.