FATHERS’ FIRST MINISTRY

FATHERS’ FIRST MINISTRY

Text: Gen 18:16-19
Memory verse:
”For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”“
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Some people think that ministry is all about wearing the clerical collar or climbing the pulpit. No, as a father, your first ministry is in your home. It does not end with your children but continues to your grandchildren and your entire household (1 Tim 3:4-5; Deu 4:9; Jos 24:15).
This is where ministry begins. God told Abram to walk the life that he had received before Him. “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.“ (‭‭Gen‬ ‭17‬:‭1). You can’t give the life that you don’t have. This is the conflict in most homes today, as fathers demand that their children and household ‘walk’ the life they themselves don’t ‘walk’!
Some have even turned their responsibility of teaching their children to the Sunday school or to the mission school. God didn’t say about Abraham, ”For I have known him, in order that ‘the Sunday school or the mission school’ may command his children and his household, … “. (Gen 18:19). The church and the school are to complement the ministry at home and not to replace it. No pulpit ministry can compare to the privilege to teach and lead his household to the Lord in worship and prayer.
God said, “I know him”. He acknowledged His intimacy with Abraham and Abraham’s commitment to His ways. Failure in these will truncate God’s covenant with Abraham. God’s desire is that fathers will have such an intimate relationship with Him and be committed to His ways that will allow Him to share His plans with them.
You see, God didn’t choose Abraham so he could have chains of businesses or become a renowned preacher. God’s priority in the choice of Abraham was that he would teach his household to keep the way of the Lord, which he had known. This is his first ministry. “…to command his children after him”. This means the children would observe and follow Abraham, just as he also followed the Lord carefully and attentively. God’s covenant with Abraham was unconditional, but the fulfillment of the promised blessings was premised on Abraham doing righteousness and justice and teaching his household. “…that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”. Thus, a father determines whether the covenant blessings are fulfilled in his household or not.
May we not fail as fathers in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, please forgive me in every way I have failed as a father and in my ministry to my household, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please, save and reveal Yourself to every father who hasn’t known You, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I walk in God’s way, and I teach my household likewise, that the Lord may bring to pass what He has spoken to me in Abraham.
2. God reveals His secrets to fathers who know Him, walk in His ways, and teach their household.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng