Remember Your Leaders

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Hebrews 13:7

WE KNOW THAT it is our responsibility to bring our children up with “the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We also realize that our children benefit greatly from other voices who can speak the Word of God into their lives and serve as exemplary models of faith. So it makes sense to pray that God will give our children Sunday school teachers who will captivate their hearts and imaginations with the Bible; youth leaders who will come alongside to listen, to laugh, and to lead them wisely away from the world and toward the Word; and influences at college and in the workplace who will live holy lives of robust, contagious faith. We pray that our children will engage with the preached Word week by week rather than seeing that message as something for the grown-ups —or as they enter adulthood, as something that is very out of touch with the realities of their lives.

The writer of Hebrews has several instructions for us in regard to leaders who bring the Word of God. We are to remember them, think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow their example of faith. We’re also told to “obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit” (verse 17). Remember, think of them with appreciation, follow, obey, give them reason to watch over your soul with joy —these things should mark the way we talk about and interact with the pastors in our church. We know that our children are often more likely to do what we do rather than do what we say. They’re listening when we complain or criticize, and when we affirm and honor those who teach us God’s Word.

Lord, we thank you for those you have placed in our lives and over our souls who have taught us your Word. You’ve blessed us with leaders who love you and live for you. We ask you to do that in ________’s life. At every age and stage, would you bless ________ with spiritual leaders who recognize they are accountable to you for the way they watch over ________’s soul? And would you cause ________ to give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow?