Fatherhood is of course for those men who actually have children through conception or adoption, but Fatherhood is actually the call of every man that is a part of the body of Christ. We are called to reflect the Nature of God which Jesus’ references God as in The Lords Prayer.
Matthew 6:9
Psalms 68:5
1950 4.7% of Children were born out of Wedlock
Today that number has risen by 1700%
NATIONAL CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL STATISTICS
· 85% of children that show behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes (20x the National Average)
· 90% of all American inmates are men
· Over 75% of said inmates grew up without a father
· 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (5x the National Average)
· 90% of homeless and runaway children come from fatherless homes (32x the National Average)
· 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (9x the National Average)
When you remove fathers from a home society gets ill. We need to be fathers to a fatherless generation! I am going to say something that is definitely not PC in today's world, but a genderless world is dangerous! Men and women are different and different doesn't mean bad, but beneficial because we complete each other.
Genesis 2:18 NIV
The Hebrew word used here for “Helper” is found 17 times in the Bible. Referenced twice for women and 15 Times for God. “Suitable” in Hebrew really means something opposite of you that really completes you.
Genesis 2:22-24
So they are joined as one. They are married and they complete each other. God created us specifically with a purpose which means our genders and biological makeups are on purpose and there are powerful qualities we each bring to complete each other!
Women are more natural when it comes to nurturing, with empathy, mercy, compassion, and peace. When a child typically gets hurt typically runs to mom and when they want protection or a display of strength they typically run to dad! Now dudes we need to strive for more empathy, mercy, compassion, and peace.
THE ROLE OF A FATHER
Colossians 3:21
1. FATHER’S MUST PROTECT CHILDREN FROM DISCOURAGEMENT
The word implies losing heart, lack of motivation, spiritless, disinterested, with no purpose in life. Don’t be the kind of father who raises that kind of person. Instead, develop a style of fatherhood that produces the opposite of discouragement.
WE LEAD THEM TOWARDS HOPE
Matthew 6:24
Psalms 20:7 TPT
WE LEAD THEM TOWARDS JOY OVER HAPPINESS
Happiness is fickle and fleeting it comes from the root word is from hap which means chance. Human happiness dependent on the chances and changes of life, something which life may give and which life may destroy. However, Joy is a heart thing… It is a mindset.
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. - Viktor Frankl
Psalms 4:7-8
Can we be the type of men that show our children our devotion to God even in difficult times that we are not slaves to emotions, but servants to our God and that even in the midst of extreme difficulties we know God will work all things together for those who love him! We know he gives us peace beyond understanding!
WE LEAD THEM TOWARDS THEIR GOD-GIVEN CALLING
We need to teach young people that they are not accidents or afterthoughts. They are not less important, but they have been given a God-given calling to make an eternal difference in the Body of Christ. That they have been given spiritual gifts to make a heavenly difference a part of Gods community! We need to build their confidence not in themselves, but in their God and the identity God has for them!
Hebrews 13:21
2. FATHER’S MUST NOT MISUSE THEIR AUTHORITY
Colossians 3:20-21
You ever heard the statement “Do what I say not what I do”? They are going to do what you do despite what you say and the biggest misuse of our authority is we don’t model the things of God we just mouth them! Our kids look at us and they see that we make everything a bigger priority over God in our lives. If God is an afterthought to you then most likely He will be of no thought to your children when they grow up!
WE CAN EITHER BE A GREAT EXAMPLE OR A HORRIBLE WARNING
Men who go to church, read the bible and pray statistically in this nation have the lowest divorce rate, the lowest adultery rate, and the lowest abuse rate. Also, have the happiest life and best intimacy in a relationship.
The Highest divorce rate people practice 2 different religions. Lowest both serve and active in the same religion.
Men who are Active believers. Surveys by sociologist
More expressive with their kids
More emotionally engaged in marriage
Desire to have a healthy legacy
Religious attendance associated with more empathetic behavior towards spouse and kids because they Understand there is sin and implement more grace to their spouses and children.
➡ WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE WITH A KINGDOM MENTALITY