June 3 Family Shepherd

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
 
MEN, this is primarily for you. There is a book entitled “Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes” authored by Voddie Baucham Jr. It is a call for fathers to lead their homes in the way of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
    Rev. Baucham teaches how we are to raise children through the lens of the gospel. In other words, we must know each of our children is born into sin and needs Jesus’ salvation. They are prone to evil and must be raised in God’s Word.
    Thus, we don’t “train” children as we would an animal to do or not do things based on punishment and reward. Instead, we are to teach them God’s Word. Our purpose is to teach them of God’s love, so they will love him. In love with God they will obey his commands. They will be saved.
    Biblical instruction is your primary responsibility, dad. Know the Bible is the key to open children’s hearts to honor their parents. An often quoted verse on child raising is Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. But we run into trouble with this Scripture when we know so many children have “departed from it”.
    But have they? Did they ever have proper biblical training? Or were they told, “Go to Sunday school.” while you stayed home? Were they told, “Read your Bible.” while yours stayed closed on the table? Did they see you go to church on Sunday morning then live with sinful passions during the week?
    These kinds of discords dishonor God, and they scar and mislead your children. This double standard exasperates children. They do not know what is right. Hearing one thing and seeing another, how can they be trained appropriately in Gods’ Word?
    Yes, I know that some of the best family shepherds have children who depart from the Lord. But in truth, when children 1) see the truth 2) hear the truth and 3) learn the truth through you, they will certainly be more likely to stay in the truth.
    Dads, if you turn from your shepherding responsibility, you will risk watching your children turn from the Good Shepherd. Be a witness for Jesus in your home. Lead your family in Christ. This is your calling. This is your responsibility. This is your job. This is God’s command. Got it?
 
Prayer: Teach me, Lord, to be a family shepherd, following after you, so I can lead my family to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.