Father- Spiritual

What does a spiritual leader look like to you? Can you think of someone by name? Many times we expect our church to lead us spiritually, but where does it all start? Who is responsible for children's spiritual growth? For their example of Christ's love?

The Bible shows us examples of Fathers who are spiritual leaders. They look after the well-being of the family, as well of the individual members of the family. In Genesis 12:8, the father functioned as the priest of his family, sacrificing on their behalf.

There is a clear example of a fathers love in Job 1:5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Father's today can show the same concern by praying for their children. This means "sacrificing" some time each day to ask God to forgive them, help them grow, protect them and help them to please him.

Father's should be the religious leader in their home, training the children in godliness.

Exodus 12:3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.... 26Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ 27 And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

Many Father's want to make all the decisions for their children. It hurts them in the long run. When Father's teach children how to make decisions, they don't have to watch every step their children take. Children remain on the right path when they have chosen that path themselves. This is an example of a spiritual leader, one who will lead them into godliness.
Proverbs 22:6
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

The purpose of discipline is to help children grow, not to exasperate or provoke them to anger. It is not easy, it takes patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner. Fathers today are pulled in every direction. They must remember that they must act in love, treating children as Jesus treated his disciples, he loved them. This is vital to children's understanding of Christ's character.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Please continue to pray for Erika M. this week. Also, please continue to pray for Angela as she travels today.