I Thessalonians 2: 8 “Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had became very dear to us.”   We have previously looked at this verse as it applies to a father transferring his faith to his children.  We now look at it as making leaders out of those we lead and who follow us.  Leaders are usually made by other leaders both in the home and in the world.  Mentoring is one of the foundation principles in the development of leaders.  In the home, it should start very early by holding the followers (children) accountable and responsible for their actions.  It will provide training in decision making and knowing that decisions always have consequences and outcomes.  Good decisions have good consequences and outcomes and the opposite is also true.  This same principle is true in every walk of life, including business, politics, sports and family. 

A good leader is normally a proven follower who has had someone in their lives showing them what a leader is and does.  We are to be that leader example who imparts the things of God and our own examples and experiences to make yet more new leaders.  As I look at the current presidential primaries and the candidates running, I am saddened that most of them do not come from this kind of home, preparation and background.  I see so many college young men and women who do not come from a home where this kind of leadership model and training have been a priority.  No wonder we see so much insecurity, indecisiveness, lack of courage and commitment to integrity.  I know that I can count on you to make leaders of those whom God has placed under your care.  Fathers, make this a priority for your children and allow them to have leadership experiences and even a few failures along the way.  This is how we teach leadership to the next generation; or how it should have been taught.