God’s Promise
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
Back around 2012, I had a friend named Ken. Ken took his call to serve seriously — so seriously that he and his family moved right into one of the poorest, most dangerous parts of the city. That’s where they chose to live and shepherd — right in the middle of the need. My family and I stood with them in prayer and service many times, and it always left a mark on me.
Every time I drove through Ken’s neighborhood, I had a habit of slowing down near his house. I’d pull over for a quick prayer, asking God to cover their home and their work. It wasn’t a big moment, just something between me and God. I never thought much about it.
One day, we were driving through, and I was lost in thought. I passed Ken’s house without stopping. From the back seat, my child spoke up — “Dad, we didn’t stop to pray.” I was caught off guard, not because they noticed, but because I never told them this was something I did. They just saw it. And when we stopped and prayed together, I realized they’d been watching all along.
That moment stayed with me. How many times had my children watched me worship — not in church, but in real life? In the way I served others, prayed quietly, or made decisions when no one else was around? Some of those moments were intentional, but many were not. Yet, those moments still shaped what they believed about God and what it looks like to follow Him.
Men, whether we realize it or not, we are always showing our families what it means to follow Jesus. Our children, our wives, even our friends and neighbors — they see how we live out our faith. They see how we respond to stress, how we treat others, how we pray — or don’t pray. They’re not just listening to what we say about God. They’re watching how we actually live it.
That’s why shepherding starts with our own worship — not just Sunday worship, but the kind that happens in traffic, at work, around the dinner table, and yes, on those drives through the neighborhood. It’s in the quiet prayers we whisper when no one’s looking and the way we step up to serve when no one asks. That’s the worship our children will remember.
There’s no perfect script for this. It’s not about performance or trying to look holy. It’s about living a life that’s naturally turned toward God — because we know Him, we trust Him, and we want to follow where He leads. When our children see us love God in the middle of real life, they learn what real worship looks like.
That day in the car, my child taught me something. They taught me that shepherding isn’t always about the big lessons or the family devotions. Sometimes it’s just the simple things — a dad who prays at a stop sign, a man who pauses to remember that God is in control. Our children are watching, even when we don’t realize it. And what they see shapes how they follow the Shepherd too.
Shepherding in Action: Today’s Value
Everyday Worship: Our daily choices to worship through prayer, service, and faith-filled actions teach our children how to follow the Shepherd in everyday life.
Reflection Questions
- When your children watch you live out your faith, what are they learning about God?
- What small moments of worship could you invite your family into this week?
- How can you use the gifts God gave you to worship in ways your family can see and follow?
Bible References
- Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
- Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
- Revelation 3:10 — “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth.”
Prayer
Father, help me to worship You not just with my words, but with my life. Let my children see in me a man who loves You, follows You, and trusts You fully — even in the small moments. Make my daily worship a guide that points them to You. Amen.
My Personal Journey
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes — leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus. If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.
Hashtags
#TheHarvestField #fatherhood #servantleadership #FaithfulShepherds #ChristCenteredHome
Discover more from Men of the Shepherd
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.