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Oct 17, 2024 06:00am

Leading Your Family to Faith

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Notre Dame – Fighting Irish

Tennessee – Go Vols

Memphis Tigers

NASCAR – boo Jeff Gordon

Jerry the King – Memphis wrestling on Ch. 5

Law & Order

Classic Rock & Roll

These were my faves.

Why, you ask?

Because of the influence of my dad.

These were actually his favorites, so they naturally became mine. We spent hours together watching these games and shows and cheering from the living room.

To this day, I think “Dad would be excited. This could be Tennessee’s year!”

Even with our son Hunter, I can see so much of his dad in him. The love for the outdoors – fishing and hunting – has been passed from father to son.

I watch Witten sitting side by side with his dad in their identical hats and similar clothes. That boy loves his daddy and wants to be just like him. He loves football, golf, and video games because that’s what daddy likes.

There is no denying the influence of a father is great.

Acts 16:29-34

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.”

This was a Roman guard in Philippi. His devotion was to Caesar and Rome, and just moments before this encounter, he was ready to die by his own sword because he thought the prisoners had escaped on his watch.

But they were still there. Amid the darkness, they remained even though their chains had been loosed, and they could have been free.

And the jailer was amazed.

Who could this God be that could break open the prison doors and set the captives free? He wanted to know that God.

Immediately, he asks what he must do to be saved. He wanted the peace and assurance these men had. Not the fear, worry, and unrest that filled him.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That’s it.

It’s that simple.

And to declare it, to show God had saved him, he followed that in baptism, he and everyone in his house.

Imagine the influence a father has on his family for all to see they, too, needed to be saved.

Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And on this day, the jailer was making that same declaration. His family saw the difference in him. They saw the truth with their own eyes. And they loved and respected him and knew that if it was good for him, it was good for them.

If you’re looking to be an influencer, my friend, if you have a family, you’re already one. You have some of the greatest followers you’ll ever have. Where are you leading them? What are you influencing them towards? They are watching, soaking it all in, and molding their own lives after you.

They are following you. Where are you leading them?

Don’t waste this opportunity. Teach them to follow Jesus.

There are many who say they aren’t sure where to begin or how to go about disciplining someone. Let me help. Go to follow.lifeword.org. This is an easy-to-follow, interactive, digital discipleship tool you and your family can use to learn what it means to be a follower of Christ. Use your influence in a mighty way today.

Lead them to the feet of Jesus.