October 24, 2011

Yesterday I referenced from Scripture that spiritual leadership at home is most healthy when husband’s/father’s lead their family in devotions and model that leadership for the next generation.  I also noted that with children, mom’s have a profound impact on developing godly young people for the next generation as well.           

                                                                             (Narciso, Adriana, & Andrea 

                                                                                     Friends in Nicaragua)

Today I just wanted to give some practical helps for Dad and Mom:

1. Keep it simple.  Dad can lead the family with a devotion out of  “Our Daily Bread” or some other simple devotional booklet and read the accompanying Scripture with that.  Mom can bring in some great illustrations too to liven up the devotion time. Then you could have a very simple prayer for your each other  and the children. Contemporary Stories that are enhanced with follow-up Scriptures worked great for us when our children were really young (elementary aged).  We even used an old book called “Little Visits With God” by Allan Jahsmann and Martin Simon.  If this can be done around the supper table a few evenings per week, it can become a very meaningful and delightful family time. All it takes is 10 minutes. As the kids get older, they will be the ones who encourage it to go longer as they talk about their day at school and you pray for their concerns, etc. Sometimes our two children lead the devotions now as they are age 17 and 15.  I saw this demonstrated in the home of John and Sara Ellen Carson, and it made a lasting impact on me.  When I got married and then had children, we incorporated this model I saw demonstrated by the Carsons.

2. Husband and wife can have a simple devotion, scripture reading, or read together out of  “Streams in the Desert” devotional or “Our Daily Bread” etc.   This can be done in the morning or most likely before bedtime.  It is refreshing and helps communication in the marriage. The Spirit of God comes.  Again, even 10 minutes is a blessing. 

Leadership in the church family must begin with spiritual leadership in the home.  That is a lot of what Paul is saying in 1 Timothy 3 when he starts writing about Elders and Deacons.  

3. For men, I would encourage us to read 1 chapter per day in the Book of Proverbs.  There is so much godly, practical wisdom in that book that if we saturate our lives with that, our households, church, and community will be a better place. One chapter a day is better than one pill per day of any kind of medication.

4. Ladies, I encourage you to pray for us men.  Most of you have already figured out and practice daily devotional times.  We men can get better at this.  Pray that God will call us out to be men of God.  We need encouragement from you. Thanks so much.

Hope this helps everyone in some way,

Pastor Mark