Your child will have many teachers in life—but only one first pastor. And brother, that’s you. Before they ever sit in a pew, before they ever hear a sermon, before they ask a youth leader for advice… they’ve already been spiritually led by you.
Our springboard for today’s discussion is:
“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive.” — 1 Timothy 3:4 (ESV)
This verse is often quoted when discussing church leaders—but here’s the truth: every man of God is a leader of a church… and that church is his home.
You don’t need a pulpit to preach. You don’t need a title to lead. You’ve been given the greatest congregation you’ll ever serve—your children.
Being your child’s first pastor doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being the one who prays when they’re scared. Who opens the Word when life gets messy. Who shows them what worship looks like on a Tuesday, not just a Sunday.
I’ve realized my kids are watching when I forgive. When I repent. When I serve. When I raise my hands in worship. That’s pastoring. That’s discipleship. That’s fatherhood.
You are shaping their view of God—whether you mean to or not. The question is: are you pointing them toward the Father... or toward confusion and compromise?
Your home is a sanctuary. Your voice is a sermon. Your consistency is a covering.
And let me be real—it’s hard sometimes. You’ll feel unequipped. But you don’t need to be the perfect pastor. Just a faithful one.
Start simple. Pray with them. Open the Bible together. Speak blessings over them. Show them what it means to follow Jesus—not just believe in Him.
Question of the Day:
If your kids only knew God through the way you live… what would they believe about Him?
Mini Call to Action:
Set aside 10 minutes this week to pastor your home: lead a devotion, share a testimony, or simply ask your kids where they’ve seen God move lately.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for trusting me with the hearts of my children. Help me to lead them well, love them boldly, and reflect Your heart with every step I take. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s Get to Work.
You don’t need to wait for a platform. You’re already in the pulpit—your home. Pastor it like it’s the most important church in the world… because it is.
Share this post