Have you ever considered the role of a Point Man in the military? The dictionary describes him as the soldier who goes ahead of an armed force, leading the team. He's the "navigator," walking out front, often the first to encounter challenges or enemy soldiers, guiding his squad safely through uncertain terrain.   Similarly, God calls husbands and fathers to be the spiritual "Point Man" for their families. This means leading from the front and understanding that true leadership begins with personal commitment. You are called to be the standard-bearer, reflecting God's love and guidance in your home. However, like the great reformers before you, you must first submit yourself to God's leadership before you can effectively guide your family. Josiah: An Example of God's Point Man King Josiah provides a powerful biblical example. When he took command in Israel, the nation was far from God. Yet, by his actions, Josiah established himself as a Point Man for God, delivering himself and his nation from the consequences of past failures.   What did Josiah do as God's Point Man? Follow the Lead of a Successful Veteran: He sought the God of his ancestor, David. Josiah understood that godly leadership required wisdom rooted in a proven relationship with God. Like David, a man after God's own heart despite his failings, Josiah learned to highly esteem and prioritize God's Word.   Taking Out the Mines:  Like a vigilant Point Man clearing hazards, Josiah identified and removed the spiritual dangers—the strange altars and foreign gods—that separated his people from God. He dismantled the false religion that left them vulnerable.   Positioning Through Personal Commitment:  A Point Man takes his place before directing others. Josiah first took his stand, pledging wholeheartedly to obey the Lord by keeping all His commands, laws, and decrees found in the rediscovered scroll of the covenant. His leadership began with personal repentance and allegiance.   Giving Godly Direction: The Point Man guides his team. After committing himself, the Bible records that Josiah then guided his people, requiring everyone in Jerusalem to align with God's Word as contained in the scrolls (2 Chronicles 34:31-32 NLT). Stepping Up into Your Role Like Josiah Josiah's faithful leadership brought safety and prosperity to Israel. While his role as a king reforming a nation under the Old Covenant differs from your family context today, the principles behind his success hold powerful lessons. Like Josiah, as God's Point Man in your family, God is counting on you to step up and lead your loved ones into His peace, safety, and prosperity.   Truth is, you may not feel anything like it right now, but God has a word for you today: you have been equipped and have all that's required to succeed in your role as God’s Point Man in your family. Here are some steps you need to take as you step up into your role:   Self-awareness & Leadership Role: Understanding your God-given role as the designated spiritual leader, the "head" (Ephesians 5:23 TPT: "...for the husband provides leadership for the wife, just as Christ provides leadership for his church, as the Savior and Reviver of the body"). Lovingly guiding your household is foundational. This self-awareness is key to fulfilling your purpose and leading your family in alignment with God's design.   Taking Responsibility & Accountability: Your next key assignment is accountability before God. When Josiah discovered how far the people had fallen, his first response wasn't pointing fingers, but personal repentance. He took an oath of allegiance to God first. Then, he led his people toward alignment. Remember: You first! Lead by example.   Leadership Involves Loving Guidance:  After submitting yourself to God, you are called to exercise godly influence and provide spiritual direction for your household. Leadership is about exercising your authority. Josiah "required" (he demanded, he made it compulsory) everyone under his rulership to follow his demonstrated alignment with what God required from His people. As a father, God gives you authority over your household to establish a godly home and raise children who will serve Him based on your demonstrated leadership (Gen 18:19 NLT). This isn't worldly domination, but rather Christ-like servant leadership, patiently and lovingly guiding your family members toward God's ways. This means establishing an altar of prayer, esteeming God’s word in your home, showing exemplary devotion to God and His kingdom, modelling integrity, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering an environment where godly values are upheld. This leadership, rooted in sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25 “... husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”) and gentleness (Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”), is central when you embrace the title "husband/father."   The Crucial Impact of Your Role Your role as husband and father is crucial. How you lead impacts your family's ability to fulfill their God-given assignments, influences how your wife understands and supports your shared vision, shapes how your children imbibe family values, and affects the entire trajectory of their lives.   God's blessings and abundance are near when we commit to abiding in His will and guiding our families to do the same. Remember His promise: "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." (II Chronicles 16:9a NKJV). You Are the Man God Seeks! You are that man, husband/father, the one God is earnestly searching for, whose loyal heart He desires to strengthen, help, and show His unfailing mercy. Like Josiah, it starts when you humbly turn to God. Ask for His forgiveness, invite Him back into your heart, and ask Him to take over the leadership of your life. God is looking for you right now, ready to empower you and make you a blessing. His eyes seek you at this moment. You are His chosen one, chosen and qualified by the blood of Jesus to raise godly seeds, to be a covering to your wife, and to be His priest in your home.   Step forward & step up! You are a father, a leader, a husband – You are God's Point Man!  

Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai‘ God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” Then God went up from the place where he had spoken to Jacob. Genesis 35:11‭-‬13 NLT Such powerful and profound blessings that God spoke over Jacob! Interestingly, like so many of us, Jacob's story didn't start from the blessing cited above; he went through a process of refinement and transformation. Let's take a little peep into his backstory: Jacob's Journey Jacob's life story is a vivid testament to God's "process of making." His journey from a "rogue dad" to a revered patriarch was anything but smooth, marked by decisions that positioned him initially as a schemer and deceiver. • He negotiated his brother out of his birthright with a bowl of stew, demonstrating an early cunning. • He stole his brother's blessing through impersonation, a deceitful act that led directly to his self-imposed exile. • He endured 14 years of toil and deception under his father-in-law, Laban, all for his beloved Rachel, a taste of his own medicine. • He navigated the challenging dynamics of two sisters' rivalry, enduring their competition as they sought to have children, sometimes reducing him to a "seed-producing" role within their marital strategies (Genesis 30:1-24). • He was a victim of unfair wages and shifting terms while working for his father-in-law, all while raising 11 children. • Ultimately, through a divine encounter and a profound shift, he was able to reconcile with his estranged brother, Esau. Through these arduous experiences and divine encounters, Jacob came to a profound realization: he was not merely a survivor of circumstance, but a "God-made," "God-prospered man." He understood that God's hand was guiding his journey, refining him through every trial. This deep understanding spurred him to take deliberate, transformative action in establishing his family in God's ways: 1. He reinstated his altar of worship, acknowledging the God of his fathers who had been his constant help and provider. This act was a public declaration of his renewed faith and commitment, echoing the call to "serve the Lord" with one's household (Joshua 24:15). 2. He led his family in repentance, commanding them to discard their idols and purify themselves. He urged them to rid their lives of the "garbage of lies, sorcery, anger, fighting, gossip, and all our secret sins," promoting a cleansing both spiritual and personal. This aligns with the biblical principle, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). 3. He guided them to acknowledge and worship the God of his fathers, ensuring that the spiritual legacy would continue through his descendants. As fathers, we are called to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). By allowing God to take him through this transformative process, Jacob repented, reconciled with his brother, and successfully led his family into a relationship with God. At the end, we see a deceiver transformed into a patriarch, stepping into God's profound and abundant blessing. God's profound blessing is available to every father, like Jacob, who will step out of their past failures and into the finished works of Christ. God is raising men, Fathers, who will rise from their past into His blessing and abundance. These are fathers who will embrace their roles as priests over their households, leading them into repentance and the worship of El-Shaddai, so He can show Himself as the God who fights their battles. Remember the promise: "The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes" (Deuteronomy 1:30). Perhaps you're battling unforgiveness, pride, alcoholism, adultery, drug abuse, pornography, a lifestyle of fraud, being abusive to your spouse and children, failure, poverty or feeling inadequate as a father. The same God who met Jacob the deceiver is calling you to a place where He can fight on your behalf, to give you the life He intended when He called you into fatherhood. (Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 1:31, Proverbs 4:11-13, Jeremiah 31:1-3). He stands at the door of your heart today, ready to meet you. Speak those words of surrender, and let His Spirit take over your heart now! Be set free in the mighty name of Jesus! "Whosoever the Son sets free, is free indeed" (John 8:36). His sacrifice was once and for all. He went to that cross so fathers like you can rise into your place of blessing and increase. His going to the cross was to lay to rest every charge the enemy could ever bring up to disqualify you from the blessing! You have been set free; step into your freedom and live triumphantly in the blessing of the Father. As another Fathers' Day approaches, we rise to celebrate all fathers, men of courage who step away from the inadequacies of the past to embrace God's blessing and lead their families in strength. We celebrate you!

As Christian parents, our hearts are burdened with the eternal well-being of our children. We pray for their salvation, diligently teach them scripture, and strive to raise them in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord." But what if, despite all our efforts, we're missing the deepest purpose? What if we're aiming for outward conformity and a ticket to heaven, when God desires something far richer: a genuine, unyielding love for Him in our children's hearts? Could this also be the reason why some children despite all the teachings on faith they receive from home about faith, do a 180-degree turnaround from that faith at the slightest opportunity they get to leave home? We have heard many such stories of children rebelling and abandoning their faith when they leave their parents' home for the first time. Beyond instances of perhaps parents not modelling what they teach which in itself is a strong de-motivator for the child to have genuine faith and speaks of hypocrisy, is there also the possibility that our children turn away from faith because we are missing the core of how to teach and disciple them? These vital questions lie at the very core of what we call "strategic discipleship." It's the profound difference between preaching Christ for conversion simply to escape eternal punishment and, introducing our children to the love of God, engendering a relationship that builds into a life of commitment. It's akin to the relationship between a man and a woman, commitment in a relationship that translates to a marital union starts with an attraction, leading to a seeking to know the other better and subsequently an endearment and a commitment. Beyond Just "Getting Saved" Think about the components of faith we often emphasize: acceptance of God's gift of salvation, repentance from sin, faith in God, and the hope of eternal life. All are undeniably vital, yet Jesus Himself will ultimately summarize all of this under one core umbrella: love. John 3:16, 1 John 4:10, Romans 5:8 Mathew 22:37,39 remind us that God's ultimate gift was rooted in love. And Jesus declared, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Love isn't just a warm feeling; it's the very response God demands, the driving force behind true, joyful obedience. Love compels obedience to God's laws John 14:15,21 Even within our natural relationship with our children, children who have a deep love for their parents are more deeply committed to the parent-child relationship; giving themselves, their time and substance to, ensuring their parents' wellbeing. They do all in their power to mend the relationship when there's a rift. Yet, in our zeal to raise "good Christian children," we miss this link and can inadvertently fall into the trap of introducing Christ with motivations that, while well-intentioned, fall short of this ultimate goal of getting them to discover God's love and to love Him. We might subtly (or not so subtly) teach Christ so our children: • Follow our path: Ensuring they adhere to our family's traditions and beliefs. • Get saved and escape eternal damnation: While true, if this is the sole focus, it can become fear-driven rather than love-driven. • Conform and not bring shame to us: Prioritizing outward appearance and reputation over genuine internal transformation. While these outcomes might seem desirable, they often bypass the heart of the matter. We want our children to be obedient, yes, but we desire their obedience to flow from an overflow of love for their Creator, not merely from duty or fear. That obedience will flow from knowing God, His nature (1 John 4:8), His love for them and His plans. Jesus shows us the powerful importance of following this pattern in discipling our children John 17:6 NLT “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word". The first thing Jesus mentions is that He had "revealed" the Father to them. The Greek term here is the root word "phaneroo" which means to make something "visible". .ore like He had done an "unveiling" of the Father to His disciples and out of that unveiling they had come to know and accept God. Are we intentional in making God known to our children in a way that courts them into a relationship? 1 John 3:1; John 15:9. Strategic Discipleship: The Master's Example with Peter Consider Jesus' profound interaction with Peter after the resurrection. Peter had just denied Jesus three times – a moment of utter devastation, perhaps even a questioning of his entire commitment. Yet, Jesus didn't scold or rebuke. Instead, He asked, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15). Not once, but three times. And each time, after Peter affirmed his love, Jesus gave him a command: "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep," "Feed my sheep." Jesus was clearly showing Peter that true work and service must be born out of love, not just obedience alone, an obedience anchored in love. This is strategic discipleship in action. Jesus wasn't questioning Peter's belief; He knew Peter believed and had followed Him, despite Peter's many "failings". But He was calling Peter to transcend mere believing and move into the highest form of followership: the followership that believes, and in that belief, discovers an oasis of love so strong and unyielding that it compels unwavering commitment to the object of its affection. In this powerful dimension of strategic discipleship, Jesus looked beyond Peter's recent failings. He didn't dwell on the denial. Instead, He drew on a force stronger than a simple desire to obey – He drew on a love that brought complete restoration. Peter, undoubtedly reeling from his failure, found healing and renewed purpose not through a lecture on his shortcomings, but through a reaffirmation of his love for Jesus. When Love is at the Heart of the Matter This principle holds incredible power for us as parents. When we face moments of rebellion from our children, whether towards us or toward God, it's easy to react with frustration, correction, or even punishment. But strategic discipleship invites us to pause and consider a deeper truth: love is at the heart of the matter. Our children may learn the rules. They may even outwardly obey. But if they haven't yet truly fallen in love with the God we propose, their obedience can be fragile. When faced with temptation or the allure of the world, a lack of genuine affection for God can leave them vulnerable. But when love has been established in their hearts, repentance and returning will be the outcome. Our essential task, then, is not just to teach them about God, but to help them fall in love with God. This means: • Modeling our own love for God: Jesus' disciples never doubted His love for the Father, they saw it in His consistent communion in prayers to the Father, fervency and commitment to His Father's house, the dedicated pursuit of purpose and the Father's business. He lived and died for His love of His Father. Our children learn more from what they see than what they hear. Does our joy in Christ, our devotion, and our obedience to Him truly stem from a deep love? Can our children truly see and feel that love for God in our service to God and to people? • The big reveal: just like Jesus said in John 17:6, we must consistently direct our children's hearts to recognizing God at work in our family and in, their lives. From the ordinary daily occurrences of a divine favour coming our way, healing, financial access and other supernatural blessings, there are countless opportunities to explicitly focus our children's minds on the Source. God shows up for us in manifold ways out of His unwavering love and care for us. Let your children know this, for this glorifies the Lord and imprints on their hearts. • Highlighting God's character of love: Regularly share stories of God's faithfulness, grace, forgiveness, and ultimate love demonstrated in Christ. Share your personal stories of how God has comforted you through trying times, helped you through specific struggles, and instances where His love has truly warmed your heart. For example, in seasons of doubt or weakness, I've experienced moments where God's reassurance poured into my spirit with such warmth, that it felt like a Father hugging and strengthening His child. These profound moments deepen my relationship with Him. I share these experiences with my children when they talk to me about their faith walk too. • Creating environments for encounters: Facilitate opportunities for your children to experience God's presence and goodness personally, whether through worship, prayer, or service. Share stories of how God has specifically intervened in situations affecting them, personalizing God from a distant concept to one who is intimately mindful of their individual needs. • Emphasizing relationship over rules: While rules are important, always frame them within the context of a loving relationship with God who desires our ultimate good. • Restoring with grace: When they falter, imitate Jesus with Peter. Seek to understand their hearts and draw them back through love and understanding, rather than simply focusing on their failures. Strategic discipleship is about nurturing a faith that is not just intellectual assent or outward performance, but a deep, abiding love for God that becomes the wellspring of all they do. It's a love that conquers all, the gift that God gave, and the response He earnestly desires from the hearts of our posterity. Let us strive to lead our children not just to obedience, but into a deep committed relationship with the living God that is founded on love. Help your child embrace the greatest gift; a faith built on a deep, conquering love for God. Our FREE Parent Workbook lights the path for your strategic discipleship journey at home. Download below to get started! What aspects of strategic discipleship resonate most with your parenting journey?