The Day God Told a Father How to Change the World

God’s global mission to bless the nations began with one father teaching his family to walk in righteousness and justice. Before Abraham led a nation, he was called to lead his home—and that same calling still rests on parents today.

In Genesis 18, the author recounts a pivotal moment in Scripture: the destruction of Sodom. Three divine visitors—understood by many scholars as Yahweh and two members of the divine council (Jer. 23:18)—visit Abraham before heading to Sodom to assess its overwhelming sinfulness. Rather than join his guests in a meal, Abraham stands nearby—an uncommon practice for a host—while the visitors inquire about Sarah. She listens from the women’s section of the tent, eavesdropping on the unbelievable promise that she, in her old age, would bear a child (Gen. 18:10).

After this moment of laughter and promise, the men turn toward Sodom. Their glance signals an ominous tone—judgment is coming. Yahweh didn’t need a firsthand look at Sodom’s depravity (Gen. 18:21), but He used the opportunity to inform Abraham, the father of His people, about divine justice. As Abraham escorts the guests on their journey, he realizes their mission involves Sodom—the city where his nephew Lot lives.

At this point, God poses a profound question: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” This is not just about Sodom’s destruction—it’s about Abraham’s future and his responsibility. God reiterates that He has chosen Abraham with intentionality, using the Hebrew word yada, which signifies an intimate, purposeful relationship. Abraham wasn’t only chosen to father a nation; he was chosen to instruct his family in the ways of Yahweh.

Then comes one of the most significant verses in Scripture:
“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice…” (Gen. 18:19)

God’s strategy for blessing the nations didn’t begin with political power, military might, or grand religious structures. It began with a father raising his children to walk in the way of the Lord. Before Abraham was called to lead a nation, he was called to lead a home. His first task wasn’t global conquest—it was faithful parenting. God’s redemptive plan for the world started with a man who would teach his family righteousness and justice.

Abraham lived to see 60 years of his son Isaac’s life and the first 15 years of his grandsons Jacob and Esau. God’s intent was clear: pass down faith through the family (Deut. 6:6; Prov. 1:8). Long before Isaac was born (Gen. 21:2–3), God had already made Abraham’s parental responsibility non-negotiable (Gen. 18:19). The success of God’s global mission began with one man faithfully discipling his household.

So what does this mean for us?

It’s easy for parents and churches to lose sight of this priority. We all want our children to experience genuine spiritual growth. But we often assume God will accomplish it through complex, programmatic means. Just as we expect Abraham to receive some grand assignment, we often think our role is limited while the church takes the lead.

But here’s the question: Does your church spend more time developing ministries for your children or developing you to disciple your children?

What caused the last big stir in your church’s student or kids ministry? Was it a concern over a lackluster program, low attendance on a Wednesday night, or how an event was run? Or was it a parent urgently seeking help to disciple their child at home?

Most spiritual formation stories—good or bad—center around church activities rather than intentional family life. But God never intended organized religion to replace the family. Abraham wasn’t instructed to delegate his son’s discipleship to a community or a program. That calling was his, and his alone.

Before Isaac ever entered the world, God made it clear: Abraham’s responsibility was to command his children and household to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice (Gen. 18:19). That calling remains for every parent today. Teach your children. Model your faith. And remember: God’s world-changing plan starts in your home.