My six year old daughter recently began her weekly fast. On a particular fast day, food was about to be served in the family; I did not plan to fast that day. Her mum was fasting too. It was only I and my younger daughter that were being served. Then it occurred to me, “what kind of a father are you, your six year old is fasting while you are going to be feasting…right before her very eyes?” It looked odd to me. I had to join her in the fast to encourage her. I have had to keep fasting on that particular day of the week, aside my own fasting schedule. I want to be a good model to her.

Friend, God wants you to show leadership in the family. The marriage institution is the first institution that God founded long before the Church or any other institution. The home is to be the primary center of God’s activity on the earth. When we misplace the priority of the family in our pursuit of purpose and relevance, we would be jeopardizing the agenda of God in our generation without knowing.

God rates a man right from his home front before the public or society. If it does not work at home, you have no right to export it to the world. Home is where real leadership is seen (1 Timothy 3:4-5, 5:8). Look at the testimony of God about Abraham; “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19).

The word, ‘command’ in some other translations reads, ‘teach, give orders, encourage…’ That is what a good father does; he teaches, gives orders, encourages, models etc. All of these must be in the mix of kingdom parenting. God is looking for men (and women) that He can depend on. He is looking for families that can help perpetuate His purpose and agenda on the earth. He wants to pour His blessings upon families through which the entire society and world can be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

God is looking for kingdom fathers; those who prioritize the home above all else. Eli was a good prophet but a bad father. His undoing was the neglect of his family. Or how could the sons of Eli be the sons of Belial at the same time (1 Samuel 2:12)? He did not model rightly before them. He was not commanding them, he was only advising and tolerating them (1 Samuel 2:23-24). Eli missed his place with God when he missed his place as a kingdom father (1 Samuel 2:27-30). His family cost him his relevance with God.

Kingdom patenting is a sacred assignment and we have got to see it that way. God so much believed in you that He commits a whole human being, a destiny, a significant part of his program and agenda, into your care. We must leverage Divine Grace as we take responsibility for raising God’s heritage under our care. You need to be a model.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria