A spiritual leader is not the person who has all the right, holy-sounding answers.
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That’s one of the many lessons I’ve learned about what it means to be a spiritual leader in my family over the past almost-30 years.
This episode of the Christian Home and Family podcast is aimed at gaining a greater understanding of two of the key biblical passages that speak to the issue of spiritual leadership in the home. In each of the passages, husbands are singled out as the ones responsible to take spiritual leadership in their home.
The first passage, Ephesians 5, points out very clearly that spiritual leadership is an act of service, self-sacrificing service. No man who understands spiritual leadership is going to be domineering or demanding toward the people in his home. Instead, he will be gracious, patient, and loving because those are the demeanors of a servant leader.
This recording contains my off-the-cuff thoughts about how men should approach the issue of spiritual leadership end to grow in their ability to be The Godly spiritual leader in their homes.
Here’s a rough outline of Lessons for Spiritual Leaders
- [0:58] The home as the foundational element of society – and why we need to take a more diligent approach to that issue.
- [4:37] Looking at Ephesians 5 – A husband’s sacrificial role as a spiritual leader
- [11:20] Questions for husbands to consider about their spiritual leadership
- [14:58] 1 Peter 3:7 – Learning to be understanding of our wives
- [26:17] What does it mean that a woman is said to be a “weaker vessel?”
- [34:05] What does it mean to be a spiritual leader? Humility and Initiative
Many times one of the first things we think about when it comes to Jesus is His self-sacrificing nature
But how often do we consider that his leadership was being expressed in that sacrifice? As He said Himself, he did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
That is the kind of leadership the Apostle Paul describes when he speaks of men being the spiritual leader in their homes. It’s not an easy kind of life to live. It’s not a “me on top” existence. it is a life like Jesus lived, serving those who were under His care.
In this podcast episode, I take you through Ephesians 5 with a view toward understanding why that kind of self-sacrifice is required for husbands in order to leave their wives and their families into a place of Health, spiritual strength, and eventual maturity.
Spiritual leaders also work hard to understand those they lead
Those who are the best leaders are typically also the ones who have done the best job of understanding the people that they lead. In 1st Peter chapter 3 husbands are taught to live with their wives in an understanding way.
What does that mean, exactly?
It may sound overly simplistic but one of the primary meanings is that husbands need to understand that their wives are women, not men. Don’t let the simple nature of that statement for you. There’s so much that goes into a good understanding of your wife as a woman. It could take a lifetime to learn.
But I’m convinced that men who are willing to become students of their wives can be empowered by the Spirit of God to love their wives in a way that transforms their own home.
In this episode of the podcast, I share my understanding of 1st Peter 3:7 and how husbands can Learn to live with their wives in an understanding way, and in so doing, enrich the generational Legacy of their families.
Resources & People Mentioned
- www.DesiringGod.org – The ministry of John Piper
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It may sound like a silly question, but I’m not joking… because God doesn’t joke about the way Christian husbands are to love their wives. You and I are to love our wives in a way that reflects the love that Jesus has for His bride, the church (Ephesians 5:25).
