Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6
The Call to Fathers
Intro.
1. The need for godly fathers has always been great. (U.S. Fatherless Statistics) 1
a. Devastation of fatherless homes (stats)
b. Fathers must be more than present in the home; they must be engaged in nurturing their children, Lk. 2:52 (The carpenter’s son was a carpenter, Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3). Eph. 6:4
2. The Bible call to fathers is God’s call to be faithful fathers.
I. A CALL TO TEACH, Deut. 4:9-10; 6:4-9; 11:18-21.
A. Teach Your Children about God and Faith, Psa. 44:1; 78:1-4.
1. Bible stories, gospel songs, prayers.
2. Life situations, structures learning periods.
B. Teach Your Children by Your Example, Psa. 101:2 (cf. Phil. 3:17).
1. Children learn what they live. 2
2. Salt and light for your children, Matt. 5:13-16.
3. Faithfulness, obedience, worship, prayer, Bible study, honesty, responsibility, courtesy, kindness...
C. Some Lessons to Teach (and children to learn), Prov. 3:1-12.
1. Honor your parents, Exo. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3.
2. Listen to your father and mother, Prov. 23:22; 3:1-2; 6:20-23.
II. A CALL TO DISCIPLINE (CORRECT), Eph. 6:4.
A. This too is Love in Action, Heb. 12:5-7 (Prov. 3:11-12); 13:24.
B. Helps Prepare Your Children for Life Choices, Prov. 22:6.
1. Chasten while there is hope, Prov. 19:18.
2. Removes foolishness (wise), Prov. 22:15.
3. Temporary pain--eternal blessing, Heb. 12:11; Prov. 23:13-14.
C. A Fool Refuses Correction (parental and divine), Prov. 13:18; 15:5.
1. Stiff-necked response to godly correction results in demise, Jer. 7:23-27.
2. That is the full expression of foolishness, Prov. 10:1.
3. Show respect when your parents correct you! Heb. 12:9
III. A CALL TO PROVIDE (BLESS), Lk. 11:11-13 (1 Tim. 5:8).
A. A Father Must Determine and Supply what the Child Needs – Not Always What is Wanted, Matt. 6:8, 32-33.
B. Fathers Must Lead their Families in Faith, Gen. 18:19.
1. You and your house (those under your authority in your home) will serve God, Josh. 24:15.
2. Eli’s refusal to restrain his sons (when he had the ability to do so) hurt his sons, himself and Israel, 1 Sam. 2:12-17, 22, 29 (greedy fornicators); 3:13.
Conclusion
1. Fathers must turn their hearts to their children and away from themselves (Mal. 4:6), Eph. 6:4.
2. Children: Make your father’s heart rejoice by walking in God’s truth, 3 Jno. 4.
__________
1 U.S. Fatherless Statistics
1. 43% of US children live without their father [US Department of Census]
2. 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. [US D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census]
3. 80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes. [Criminal Justice & Behaviour, Vol 14, pp. 403-26, 1978]
4. 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father. [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release, Friday, March 26, 1999]
5. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. [US D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census]
6. 85% of children who exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes. [Center for Disease Control]
7. 90% of adolescent repeat arsonists live with only their mother. [Wray Herbert, “Dousing the Kindlers,” Psychology Today, January, 1985, p. 28]
8. 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. [National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools]
9. 75% of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. [Rainbows f for all God’s Children]
10. 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions have no father. [US Department of Justice, Special Report, Sept. 1988]
11. 85% of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home. [Fulton County Georgia jail populations, Texas Department of Corrections, 1992]
12. Fatherless boys and girls are: twice as likely to drop out of high school; twice as likely to end up in jail; four times more likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems. [US D.H.H.S. news release, March 26, 1999]
http://fatherhoodfactor.com/us-fatherless-statistics/
See also: The Fatherless Generation (www.thefatherlessgeneration.wordpress.com/statistics)
2
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in
those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in
which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
Online at: http://goo.gl/lTJD4
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: June 13, 2014