The Roles and Responsibilities of Fathers and Husbands as Leaders of their Families

This year, Sunday, June 21 has been set aside to honor all Fathers.  As with Mothers, this should not be a one day affair.  No group of people functions properly unless there is a competent person in charge to make the major decisions that are compatible for the family to exist together in harmony.

In the Bible, God has set up high standards for the men who would be leaders in His Church.  These same high standards apply to the leaders of our families.

Titus 1:5-9 – “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination.  For a bishop (or overseer) must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 – “This is a faithful saying:  If a man desires the position of a bishop (or overseer) he desires a good work.  A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence.  (for is a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same  condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.  But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.  Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.  Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.  For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Being a leader of a family is not a macho nor an aggressive role, as in “Do as I say, I am the boss”.  It is a role requiring loving those under your leadership as God loves you.  He has our best interests at heart and we should follow His guidance as we guide those for whom He has given us responsibility.

Thank you for reading this.
Granny Witt