THE CHIEF DISCIPLER

Main Scriptures: Gen.18:17-19

More Scriptures: Eph.5:25, Col.3:21, Gen.18:19

For I know him that he will command his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken (Gen.18:19)

Let me start by saying that as the head of your family, you are the chief discipler of your household and this includes your wife and children. Your position in your family structure positions you as the leader and the person with the sole responsibility of setting the standards, principles and precepts for your sheep. And that will position them unto godly living. Your wife and mother of your children may have a role to play. But it is your job to define and set the benchmarks using the commandments and instructions from the word of God. You cannot transfer this responsibility otherwise you will lose your authority and influence over your sheep. And ultimately, you become an unfaithful steward before the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what the above Bible passage tries to communicate to you and I as husbands.

But who is a discipler? A discipler is a leader. He is also an influencer. He is a role model and he produces himself in others. And that is who you are. In the sheepfold you have the shepherd and the sheep. The shepherd not only leads the sheep, it also influences the sheep to behave in certain ways that are both beneficial to both the shepherd and the sheep. Now, that is the description of your family. In your family, you are the shepherd and your wife and children are the sheep. In Gen.3:16, the Bible says to the wife, your desire shall be to your husband and he shall have rule over you. In 1Cor.11, the Scripture says that the head of the wife is the husband and the head of the husband is Christ and the head of Christ is God. And in Eph.5, the Word of God says that the husband is the head of his wife and Christ is the Head of the Church. Now, who is a disciple? A disciple is a student or an apprentice. A disciple learns skills, experience, methods from the discipler. A disciple is more than a follower. And you can see the manifestation of the life, values, conduct and character of the discipler in the life of the disciples. So, your wife and children are not just disciples but they are your first disciples. They must reflect your personality and influence in their conduct, character and godly values.

So, how do I disciple my wife and children? First, by your teaching and doing what is righteous and godly in your words and conduct (Acts.1:1). The second is by nurturing your children in the way and admonition of the Lord through living godly values and imparting same in them (Eph.6:4). The third is by dealing with your wife according to your roles as the good and godly husband (Eph.5:25).

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to take full responsibility for my sheepfold.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to bring up my wife and children in Your way.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, baptize me with the Spirit of diligence and wisdom.

 FAITH CONFESSION

I take responsibility to disciple my wife and children in the way and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ because that is what defines my headship and authority as the good and godly husband in Jesus Name. Amen.

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