There exist myriad avenues to become a spiritual leader for your family.
I’m going to focus on the ‘principle of story‘.
Hazel Gale, Former therapist turned author, has the following to say regarding how your neurology reacts to narrative or story:
“Using MRI scans, psychologist Jeff Zacks and his team found that when you read, your brain runs first person simulations of what happens in the story. This means that on a neural level, you’re not just learning about a situation or even simply observing it. Rather, it’s as if you are actually having the experience you’re reading about. Your brain is processing it as if you are the protagonist, making those choices, taking those actions.”
What Would Jesus Do
This puts a whole different spin on the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” He uses a storytelling method, known as parables, to cause us to become more spiritual. He is preceding Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis by almost 2000 years.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
The Bible Helps You Lead Spiritually
By reading your Bible and its ‘stories’, you are becoming more spiritual because your brain is running first person simulations.
Let’s consider a story
Hosea. A prophet charged to live out his prophetic calling as a symbol.
He was told to marry a prostitute, Gomer, a symbol of Israel, and how they lost their way.
Put yourself in his shoes.
As a holy man, or in modern terms, as a Christian, where do you begin looking for a prostitute whom you should marry? Most people would likely be thinking, ‘Did I misheard God? He wants me to marry a what?‘
The Caliber of a Father
As a father, I want to focus on Hosea. In this prophetic symbol, he is called to play the role of God. What is the caliber of a man who is called to represent God the Father?
Well, if God blessed you with children, then you are of the same caliber.
“You are called to be God with skin on to your family” as said by Arthur Burk, CEO of Saphire Leadership Group.
Why did God choose to make himself known as “the Father”?
The day you became a father, you stepped into a sacred office. One the Creator of the Universe chose as the ‘model’ for all families and one He chose through which to make Himself known.
Succinctly, so we can know Him, and we can step into the role of father in our families.
What Did Jesus Do?
What about the office of husband? Jesus stepped into the office of bridegroom. Through his sacrifice, he saved her (us).
The day you married your wife, what was your vow to her?
Does it come close to what God declares?
And I will take you as my wife forever;
Hosea 2:19-20
I will take you as a wife for myself in righteousness and in justice,
in steadfast love and in mercy.
I will take you as my wife in faithfulness,
and you will know Yahweh.
The Spirit of Truth
What office did the Holy Spirit fill? Other members of the Trinity had huge roles for fathers to be.
The Holy Spirit is called the paraklétos in Greek. The definition of it being “called to one’s aid.”
As per the Strong’s Concordance, it is used for:
- an advocate
- an intercessor
- a console
- a comforter
- a helper
The Holy Spirit is sent to guide all believers in the Way of Truth.
The ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ (the result of His work) is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Dad, you are to do the same and lead your family spiritually in all those roles ensuring you are cultivating those fruits in your family.
Start Leading Your Family Spiritually
Renew your mind (as Romans 12 exhorts) by reading the stories of the Bible. Seek the wisdom therein and BE a spiritual leader by stepping into each office that God has called you to as a God-fearing man.
Lead by reading about spiritual leadership.
Lead by being a spiritual leader.
Want to see how you’re doing on your biblical fatherhood journey? Take the Godly Father Assessment now.
