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Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
After a lot of living and a good bit of failing, one thing I have learned is that my family cannot trust me to be the spiritual leader of our home. This truth is no secret to any of us. I have proven my inability to lead well as I have put my sin on display in our home too many times. I must acknowledge what my family already knows about me and why someone else must be in charge of our home. They need to know that someone more capable than me is spiritually leading us.
Anything that replaces Christ in your life or family is idolatry. God replacements suck the spiritual life out of what should be a vibrant God-centered home. The first step in orienting your home to God is to speak about what needs to change. You will not be able to do this without the humbling power of the gospel working in the hearts of the parents and children. The two most common problems in the disoriented home are child-centered families and the passive husband.
Child-Centered – Some families make their children the centerpiece of the home. Everything revolves around them. The typical mom in the child-centered home can spend ten to fifteen years in a minivan serving the activity-centered child. These kids become increasingly self-centered, as life revolves around their social and activity preferences. These children rarely learn humility, respect, or submission. They typically do not love God or others more than themselves because the parents have not made those two truths a priority.
Passive Husband – Another common problem in a disoriented family is the spiritually passive man. The stagnant male leader in the home is where the wife takes more of the spiritual leadership role, while the man is preoccupied with other things that align with his self-centered preferences. Perhaps he has no template for what a male leader should be or values what male leadership should be. Regardless, the “passive husband home” is an upside-down family.
If the orientation of your home centers on the wrong person or incorrect things, please understand there is no way to correct the problems unless the husband and wife are willing to talk about the disorientation. And make a practical plan to reorient their family, so Christ is leading it. If it is not possible to speak of these things—for whatever reason—I appeal to you to find someone who can walk with you through the problems. The disoriented home rarely auto-corrects, and if it continues, the inevitable fallout will break your heart.
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).