"You have countless guides, but not many fathers." Discover the shift from transactional leadership to transformational parenthood.
Jeremy Haroldson identifies a silent crisis in modern culture: we are drowning in information but starving for fathers and mothers. We have "guides" (influencers, teachers, bosses) but very few "parents" (mentors who take responsibility for our growth).
This teaching challenges every mature believer to step up. It moves the goalpost from "being a good Christian" to "reproducing your life in others." If you are done living for yourself and ready to build a legacy that outlives you, this is your call to action.
Paul wrote: "For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers."
Jeremy distinguishes the two: A Guide gives you information and points the way. They are helpful but transactional. A Father/Mother walks with you. They are relational. A guide charges you for the tour; a parent pays for your lunch. We have enough content; we need connection.
Why are there so few spiritual parents? Because it is expensive. "Parenting is messy. It’s expensive. It costs you your time, your comfort, and your patience."
Real mentorship means getting your hands dirty in someone else's drama. It means answering the late-night phone call. It means cleaning up messes you didn't create. Jeremy warns: If you value your comfort more than people's growth, you cannot be a spiritual parent. You have to choose between convenience and legacy.
"Healthy things grow; growing things reproduce."
This biological law applies spiritually. If you have been a believer for 20 years but haven't led anyone else into maturity, you are spiritually sterile. Maturity isn't measured by how much you know; it is measured by who you are raising. The ultimate test of leadership is not your performance, but your successor's success.
Immaturity is self-obsession. Maturity is others-focus. Spiritual parenthood requires a death to self-absorption.
Jeremy explains: "Success is what you do for yourself; legacy is what you do for others." You shift from asking "How can I get fed?" to "Who can I feed?" This shift marks the transition from being a spiritual child to becoming a spiritual adult.
Look around your life. Who are you intentionally investing in? Who calls you when they are in trouble? Who are you empowering to go further than you?
If the answer is "no one," it's time to change. You don't need a title to be a father or mother; you just need a heart to serve and the willingness to open your life. The world is full of orphans waiting to be adopted.
Perfect for:
Absolutely not. In fact, your scars and past failures often make you a better parent because you lead with empathy rather than judgment. People don't need a perfect example; they need an honest one. They need someone who knows the way out of the hole because they've been there.
Look for "FAITH": Faithful, Available, Intentional, Teachable, and Hungry. Don't try to force mentorship on someone who doesn't want it. Look for the person who is asking questions, showing up, and wanting to grow. Invest your time where there is a return on relationship.
They are synonyms in the Kingdom. Discipleship is the process; spiritual parenthood is the relationship. You cannot truly disciple someone without taking a parental posture of care, protection, and empowerment toward them.
Key Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 4:15
"For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel."