Luke 9:10-20

It was without hesitation that the disciples first started following Jesus’ leadership. Something inside told them Jesus was going to take them places. There was something about Him that caused a spiritual fire to kindle within their hearts. The disciples were good Jewish men. They knew the Scriptures, but Jesus spoke and acted with authority like they’d never known . . . and now he was teaching them to do the same.

What about you?

“What person—living or dead—has most influenced your thinking, behavior, and path in life? Was it your mother? Your father? A coach? A teacher?” This is the first question my co-authors and I ask in our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus.

“Any time you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you take on the role of a leader.”

If you’re a mom, the truth is, you’re a leader. And in this leadership role you might feel like the disciples . . . lacking!

Jesus pointed out their lack of resources. Check out Luke 9:13: “But Jesus said, ‘You feed them.’ ’But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?’”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at what resources I have in my role as a mom, and they’ve come up painfully, painfully short.

Jesus took them out of their comfort zones and asked them to be leaders.

Jesus didn’t group the people up in lots of fifty himself; he had the disciples do it. They were the ones mingling with the crowds and directing them. Jesus also asked his disciples to pass around the bread and fish. He used their hands and feet to show them what being a leader was all about. Jesus knew that some day He wouldn’t be around. This was their training ground.

Moms, our home is our training ground. And raising kids is our race. And the most important part of leading our children is guiding them to their eternal home.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message)

Leading like Jesus as a parent is first a spiritual matter. It all starts with the HEART. As a leader of your family, are you focusing on what’s temporary—or on what will last?

Peter Drucker once said that nothing good ever happens by accident. If you want something good to happen, he advised, put some structure around it. Here are some practical ideas for reaching your family’s heart that my co-author Ken Blanchard shares from our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus:

Birthday Blessings. On every family member’s birthday, we have a family gathering. As part of the celebration, we sit at the dining room table. One by one, each of us tells the person whose birthday it is what we really love and cherish about him or her. Our kids, Scott and Debbie, used to protest this tradition. But today they encourage their kids to take part in it, too.

Christmas Recital. Between dinner and dessert on Christmas Day, all our family and friends who are gathered share something special with everyone. They can sing a song, recite a poem, or tell us something important in their lives. This not only delights all those who are gathered, but it also makes the day memorable and meaningful.

Date Night. Margie’s brother, Tom, and his wife, Jill, try to schedule a date night every week, when they get a babysitter and have a night just for themselves. There is no focus on their work or kids—just on their relationship. What a wonderful way to cherish each other!

There is also a link to read the first chapter of Lead Your Family Like Jesus! Just click “Look Inside”!

When you follow Jesus He’ll guide you into leading your family in ways that will last!

- Tricia

Note: Looking for the giveaway of Tricia’s Leading Your Family Like Jesus book?? Click here.