Many households struggle today – not because of a lack of male presence, but because of a lack of true spiritual leadership from men. Recently I heard Pastor Donnie Edward’s at Legacy Baptist Church preach on 1 Corinthians 11 about this critical issue and the impact it has on Christian homes.
That notion really struck me. In the last week I have watched two families get a divorce, both fathers admitting they haven’t had their families in church recently or regularly. In the last month, I have met with friends who take their kids to church weekly without their husbands in tow. In the last year, I have had lunch with women whose greatest prayer is that their husbands will go with them to church.
The Biblical Order of Authority
The sermon centered on the clear biblical hierarchy established in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
This isn’t about domination or dictatorship – it’s about divine order and spiritual authority.
Pastor Donnie put it this way, “It’s not about domineering. It’s not about dictatorship. What it’s really about is respect. If there’s no respect in worship and in order, then there’s going to be disrespect in worship and order.”
The Responsibility of Spiritual Leadership
Pastor Donnie went on to explain there is a difference between merely being present in the home and actually providing spiritual leadership.
“It’s one thing for God to give you and I the title of spiritual leader; it’s a whole another thing not to take it seriously,” he said, speaking directly to men.
The Response to Proper Leadership
A key point in the sermon was how women are created to respond to proper spiritual leadership. This isn’t about submission to control, but rather about responding to godly leadership from men that points toward Christ.
The message challenged both men and women to examine their roles in light of Scripture rather than cultural trends. “God wants the woman to honor the man, but God wants that man to honor Jesus,” Pastor Donnie emphasized. When this divine order is respected and maintained, it creates an environment where true worship and reverence can flourish.
A Call to Action
This teaching serves as both a wake-up call and an encouragement. For men, it’s a reminder that being the spiritual head of the household is about more than just claiming the title – it requires actively leading your family toward Christ. For women, it reinforces the importance of supporting and responding to genuine spiritual leadership in a way that honors God’s design.
The Bottom Line
The message wasn’t about establishing superiority or inferiority, but about understanding and embracing God’s divine order for the family. As Pastor Donnie reminded us, when we follow God’s design – with Christ as the head of man, and man as the head of woman – we create an environment where both spiritual growth and true worship can flourish.
This teaching challenges us all to examine our roles within our families and ask ourselves: Are we truly following God’s design for spiritual leadership in our homes? Are men stepping up to their calling as spiritual leaders? Are women supporting and responding to proper spiritual leadership? These questions deserve our careful consideration as we seek to honor God in our homes and families.