Head of the House

In this brief introductory video, you'll be introduced to the major themes of this ten week study and what we hope you'll be able to take away from it. And, You'll get a sense for how to go about this journey so that you can make the most of it. 

In our first lesson, we reflect upon Ephesians 5:21-22. In these verses the Apostle transitions his readers from the general duties and affections of all believers to the particular duties required of godly men, women, and children, within a household. At the center of our duties before God is the fear of God. This is not a servile fear of punishment, but a filial fear of sonship. For a husband, true headship, and true leadership in one’s calling, is grounded and rooted in the fear of God. This steady motivation produces joyful obedience, humility, and faithful governance of the home.

This message demonstrates how Christ defines and models for men what headship ought to look like. God has established the order of headship by calling women to submit to their husbands and defining men as the head of their wife. This headship carries both dignity and weight when we consider the responsibilities associated with it. Christ himself is the model that we are to follow, as Christ himself is the head of his bride, the Church.

This message uses the illustration of a three legged to describe marriage. In a three legged race, the middle legs of the two partners are tied together, while the outer legs remain separate. Like the middle legs that are tied together, in marriage there are some mutual duties that both a husband and wife owe to each other. And like the outer legs, there are some duties and responsibilities unique to each gender within the marriage. Here we discuss the first three of five mutual duties of husband and wives.

In this message we consider the responsibility of a husband and wife to concern themselves with their spouse’s salvation and sanctification. This includes counsel for men who are married to unbelieving wives. It also includes encouragement and instruction for: edifying each other in Christ, rooting out and preventing sin in one another, and praying for one another with eager anticipation.

This message explains the biblical calling of a godly wife within marriage. Drawing from Ephesians 5:22-24, it teaches that a wife honors the Lord by fearing Him, submitting to her husband’s leadership, and serving her family with grace. Submission is not a result of the Fall but part of God’s original design for a flourishing household. True submission begins with inward reverence expressed through respect, encouragement, modesty, and wise speech, and it is demonstrated outwardly through faithful obedience in the home. The message encourages men to understand their wives’ God given role so they may lead them well, cultivating marriages marked by unity, joy, and mutual devotion.

This message explores the instruction for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. We consider six aspects of Christ’s love of his church, and how those aspects should play themselves out in a godly man’s home. Christ’s love is initiating, not responsive. Christ love is true and without hypocrisy. Christ’s love is free and not dependent on our works. Christ’s love is pure and undefiled or polluted by sin. Christ’s love is infinite and never runs dry. Christ’s love is constant and does not vary over time. In these ways, godly husbands can seek to mirror Christ’s example in establishing godly homes.

In this message we explore the importance of godly men wielding their God-assigned authority properly and effectively. Many men have unfortunately never learned to establish proper authority in the home. As a result, many homes are improperly ordered to the detriment of every person in the family. Not only will this message discuss what to do when authority has been lost in a home, but further it will examine three foundational elements for how to wield authority faithfully as a godly husband: provision, protection, and promotion.

In this message we examine the biblical responsibilities of husbands to wield authority in the home with wisdom, gentleness, and Christlike patience. In the first half, we will discuss how to wield authority through loving and thoughtful instruction. In the second half we will consider how patience ought to weave its way through a husband’s presence at home. Particularly, we will consider the role that patience plays in difficult marriages, when patience is often the most tested.

This sermon examines Ephesians 6:4 and calls fathers to embrace their God-assigned commissioning as the shepherds of their home. The spiritual influence that a father can have on his child can last for generations. In this sermon we consider three primary duties of fatherhood. First, a godly father must model personal godliness before his whole family. A leader cannot expect those he is leading to follow something he does not personally possess. Second, we discuss the attitude of love and joy that a godly father must have towards every person in his family. A father’s attitude can shape an entire home. Lastly, fathers chief duty is to pray for their children in every season.

In this second sermon on fatherhood, we develop three additional duties of godly fathers towards their children. First, we are commissioned by God to instruct our children in right living and right doctrine. The formation of a child cannot be left to chance. We must be proactive and guide our children intentionally. Second, godly fathers must maintain authority over their children through the use of proper correction and discipline. When done in love, these tools are some of the most valuable tools we have in forming godliness in our children. Third, as the pastors of our home, we ought to lead our family in daily worship, through the study of God’s Word, the singing of hymns, and the family prayer.

As we wrap up our 10 week study, this video provides a few concluding remarks, attempting to tie many of the individual pieces we have already studied. After going through these ten weeks, you now have been equipped with biblical and time tested tools to lead your family to the glory of God. Get after it!