Hymn Lead me gently home father

1)      In almost every situation we can imagine there is a need for leadership.

2)      This leadership may not always be good or well organized, but it does exist.

a)      The Bible is a book which often talks about leadership.

b)      Job 1:5 says Job offered a sacrifice for his family.

3)      We know this man was married (Job 2:9), but nothing is said about Job's wife being the leader in his home.

4)      Job 1:5 says Job "continually" offered sacrifices for his family.

5)      Gen. 3:9 says God called "unto the man" and said "unto him."

6)      Listen to Gen. 3:12 – READ

7)      Other males that demonstrated leadership in the Old Testament include, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.

8)      This pattern of male leadership is also reflected in the law given by Moses.

9)      God chose a male (Moses) to deliver the Hebrew nation from Egyptian bondage.

10)  By the time of Ex. 3:16 there were "elders of Israel."  These leaders were males.

11)  Israel seems to have understood the principle of male leadership when it asked for a "king."

12)  1 Sam. 8:5 – READ

13)  The nation of Israel was united for 120 years and was ruled over by Saul, David, and Solomon.

14)  The kingdom divided into the north and south; 19 kings ruled in the north and 20 kings ruled in the south.

15)  When we come to the New Testament we continue to find male leadership.

16)  Jesus appointed 12 people to be special servants; we call these servants the "apostles."

17)  Jesus appointed the dozen people named in Mt. 10:2-4 and all these disciples were males.

18)  When two more apostles were added at a later time two more males were chosen.

a)      Acts 6:3 – READ

b)      Male leaders (Acts 6:3) chose additional men to help with a task that involved ladies.

19)  As local congregations were established, there was a need for local leadership.

20)  1 Tim. 3:2 – READ

21)  God said deacons are to be men – verse 12 – READ

 

22)  1 Tim. 2:8 - Paul said let "men" pray (this seems to be during times of worship).

23)  The word "men" in 1 Tim. 2:8 specifically describes the male gender.

24)  1 Tim. 3:1 refers to a man "desiring" to be an elder in his local congregation.

WHEN SOME THINK ABOUT LEADERSHIP THEY THINK ABOUT POWER.

a)      God is the ultimate example of a leader and He leads with gentleness.

b)      The title of our hymn said:  Lead me GENTLY home.

c)      The God of the Bible seeks to be a gentle Father.

2)      In Rom. 2:4 Paul said God has the qualities of "goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering."

3)      Peter said an example of God's suffering is found "in the days of Noah" (1 Pet. 3:20).

4)      God's gentleness is also illustrated by Isa. 40:11.

MEN AND ESPECIALLY FATHERS SHOULD PURSUE THIS PATH BECAUSE OF THE WORD "HOME."

1)      The word "home" in this lesson does not mean the same as "house."

2)      God wants fathers to provide a house for their families.

3)      1 Tim. 5:8.

4)      Being a leader in the fullest sense of the word means we go beyond providing a house; we provide a home.

a)      We provide a place where a spouse and children can be loved and nurtured.

b)      Eph. 6:4.  Eph. 5:29.

5)      Fathers seek to provide the right type of leadership and do so gently because of an eternal home.