Spiritual Leadership for Husbands
Leading Your Home Like Christ
Marriage Series - Part 1
Based on Biblical Principles
What Is Spiritual Leadership?
Leading by serving, guiding by giving, influencing by example
- Not tyranny or control, but pastoral care
- Modeled after Christ who laid down His life
- Taking responsibility for the spiritual tone of your home
- Leadership means taking initiative in prayer, worship, and obedience
The Foundation: Christ and the Church
"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."
Ephesians 5:23 (NIV)
- Headship = Responsibility, not privilege
- Called to love sacrificially like Christ
- Your authority flows from your servanthood
Set the Spiritual Tone
- Lead by example: your personal devotion shows the way
- Initiate family prayer and Bible reading
- Make worship and church attendance non-negotiable
- Model repentance when you fail
"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
Lead with Humility
The gospel both humbles us (we are sinners) and exalts us (we are loved)
- Admit when you're wrong and ask for forgiveness
- Listen to your wife's wisdom and counsel
- Resist pride - it's the enemy of unity
- Remember: you're not perfect, but Christ in you is
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
Be a Student of Your Wife
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
- Understanding = Living together with knowledge
- Learn her needs, fears, dreams, and love language
- Your prayers are hindered if you don't honor her!
Practical Daily Actions
- Morning: Pray for your wife before your day starts
- During the day: Send an encouraging text or call
- Evening: Lead in family devotions or prayer
- Weekly: Discuss spiritual growth together
- Monthly: Serve together in ministry
Guard Your Heart and Eyes
"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman."
Job 31:1 (NIV)
- Protect your marriage from pornography and emotional affairs
- Set boundaries with technology and social media
- Find an accountability partner
- Your purity honors your wife and honors God
Provide Spiritual Protection
- Pray a hedge of protection around your marriage
- Stand against spiritual attacks on your family
- Speak God's Word over your home
- Be alert to Satan's schemes
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world."
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Lead in Decision-Making
- Seek God's wisdom first through prayer and Scripture
- Listen to your wife's input - she's your partner
- Make decisions together whenever possible
- When you must decide alone, do so with humility and prayer
- Take responsibility for the outcome
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously."
James 1:5 (NIV)
You Need the Holy Spirit
You cannot lead in your own strength - you need supernatural help
- Ask daily for the Holy Spirit's empowerment
- Depend on Him to overcome selfishness
- Let Him produce the fruit of love, patience, kindness
- Walk in step with the Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
When You Fail (And You Will)
- Confess quickly to God and your wife
- Don't make excuses or blame shift
- Repent and ask for forgiveness
- Return to the cross - Christ's grace is sufficient
- Get back up and keep leading
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Scriptures Referenced (1)
- Ephesians 5:23-33
- Joshua 24:15
- Proverbs 11:2
- 1 Peter 3:7
- Job 31:1
- Ephesians 6:12
Scriptures Referenced (2)
- James 1:5
- Galatians 5:22-23
- 1 John 1:9
- Colossians 3:19
- 1 Corinthians 11:3
- Matthew 20:28
Prayer Points (1)
- Lord, give me wisdom to lead my wife as Christ leads the church
- Help me to set a godly example in my personal devotion
- Give me humility to admit when I'm wrong and ask forgiveness
- Teach me to be a student of my wife - to understand and honor her
- Protect my heart and eyes from temptation
Prayer Points (2)
- Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to overcome selfishness
- Help me to pray for and with my wife daily
- Give me courage to initiate spiritual conversations
- Strengthen our marriage against spiritual attack
- Make me a faithful shepherd of my home
Your Call to Action
This Week's Challenge
Choose one practical action from this presentation and commit to it for 7 days. Then discuss with your wife how it impacted your marriage.
Remember: Your leadership is not about being perfect, but about pointing your family to the One who is.