Man Up and Lead – God's Design for the Home

When God created the family, He didn’t just form a structure—He established a mission. And at the heart of that mission is you, man of God. You were never meant to sit back and let the world shape your home. You were called to rise up, stand firm, and lead with biblical authority, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.

Leadership Begins at Home
Before a man can lead a ministry, he must first lead his marriage. Before he can make disciples in the church, he must be discipling in his own living room. The role of spiritual leadership isn’t reserved for pastors on a stage—it begins with husbands at the dinner table.

Ephesians 5:25–26 says:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”

Men, are you washing your wives with the Word? Are you reading Scripture with her, praying over her, and covering her in truth? Too many homes are filled with Bibles that are never opened together, prayers that are never spoken aloud, and marriages that are spiritually malnourished. Your wife needs your leadership—not your dominance, not your silence—but your Christlike love anchored in the Word of God.

Training Up the Next Generation
Your children are watching you more than they’re listening to you. They see what you prioritize. They follow what you model. If they see a dad who only worships on Sunday, they’ll believe faith is a weekend event. But if they see a father who seeks Jesus Monday through Saturday—who repents quickly, prays boldly, and lives the gospel—they’ll remember that forever.

Proverbs 22:6 says:

“Train up a young boy according to his way; Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Training your children isn’t a suggestion—it’s a God-given assignment. It's not the youth pastor's job to disciple your kids—it’s yours. Teach them to love the Word. Teach them to pray. Teach them to serve. Show them how to worship with conviction, how to share the gospel, and how to walk with integrity.

Leading the Family to Church and Into Mission
Too many families are led by their children rather than toward Christ. It's time for men to stop outsourcing spiritual growth and start owning it. You don't "send" your family to church—you lead them there. You don't "hope" they serve—you show them how. Men, if the mission of God isn’t coming from you, don’t expect it to come through your house.

Joshua 24:15 says:

“But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

Let your kids see you worship loudly, serve faithfully, give generously, and love unconditionally. Let them see you evangelize boldly and disciple intentionally. The church isn’t a spectator sport, and your family doesn’t need another spiritual consumer—they need a leader who lives on mission.

The Call to Man Up
So what’s stopping you?

• Is it apathy?
• Is it fear?
• Is it shame over your past?

Lay it at the feet of Jesus. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be obedient. God will meet you with grace and power the moment you step into your role.

Men, we live in a world that’s confused about masculinity. But the Word is crystal clear: biblical manhood means leading like Christ, serving like Christ, loving like Christ, and living for Christ.

It’s time to Man Up.
Lead your wife with the Word.
Train your children in truth.
Guide your family into worship, service, evangelism, and discipleship.
Your home is your first ministry—don’t neglect your calling.

—Pastor Jody