The Importance of Fathers

Proverbs 17:6 NKJV

Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

The Traditional Family is Under Attack

Sociologists contend that since modern families no longer resemble the traditional nuclear family consisting of a father and mother and biological children, the definition of “family” needs to be updated to reflect new norms.

They contend that the Judeo-Christian definition of marriage and family is restrictive and exclusive to the experience of most families today. The institution of marriage, the preference for heterosexual marriage, and the need for both a father and mother must be laid aside for a more inclusive definition.

They contend that the traditional nuclear family must give way to a more “communal” approach to raising children. This “community” includes parents, extended family, friends, childcare, schools, teachers, etc.

Question: “Do we redefine ‘family’ to reflect the dysfunction in our culture, or do we uphold the biblical definition of family to change the culture?”

Are Fathers Important?

We recognize that not all fathers are good fathers. Some are absent. Some are abusive. Some are distracted. Some are disengaged.

A father is more than a male who spawns offspring.

Statistics reveal that fatherhood is essential to the healthy development of children.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 18.5 million children grow up without fathers.

The United States is the world’s leading nation in fatherlessness.

Children without a father in the home are five times for likely to live in poverty than a child in a two-parent household.

80% of single-parent homes are led by single mothers. This means that 25% of children are growing up without fathers.

85% of children and teens with behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

Over 70% of all adolescent patients in drug and alcohol treatment centers come from homes without fathers.

Children without fathers at home are nine times more likely to drop out of school.

90% of all homeless and runaway children are from homes without fathers.

The devastating impact of fatherlessness is evident in the issues of rising crime, substance abuse, incarceration, decreased social mobility, and economic strains.

Fatherless youth who are deprived of the model and structure of a healthy two-parent household, eventually become adults who struggle to gain their footing in the world.

A father’s role in empowering, teaching, and developing the children plays a direct role in their well-being, mental health, and ability to persevere through adversity.

The increased involvement of fathers in a child’s life results in a variety of positive outcomes:

Economic prosperity

Increased academic performance

Improved social mobility

These positive outcomes continue to be a key indicator of success for all children across racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups.

[Statistics from a June 17, 2022 article, “America’s Crisis is a Lack of Fathers” by Jack Brewer at https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/america-crisis-fathers]

Fathers are Key to a Child’s Identity

Adam was given the authority to name the animals. (Genesis 2:19-20)

Adam named his wife Eve (Genesis 3:20)

Zacharias named his son John (Luke 1:13, 59-63)

A child’s identity has historically been tied to the father.

Simon Bar-Jonah (Simon son of Jonah)

John and Charles Wesley

Fathers are key to defining and developing their child’s God-ordained identity.

It is important for parents to train their children to dress in gender appropriate clothing. God forbids cross-dressing.

Deuteronomy 22:5 NKJV

“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

Progressives want a genderless future through disintegration of the sexes, dissolution of the family, and deconstruction of social norms.

Progressives are actively grooming the next generation of children and youth through weaponizing language to redefine gender, sexual identity, marriage, and family.

The romance languages, such as Latin and Spanish, have gender identity built into their language, i.e., nino (boy) and nina (girl). Progressives are actively seeking to neuter the romance languages of all gender renderings through what is called “Latinx”.

We must engage in this war of language and use language to cultivate our sons and daughters.

We must insist on the biological designation of boy and girl in recognizing a child’s gender at birth.

We must insist that a child’s biological DNA gender is unalterable by drugs, hormones, or surgery.

We must insist that gender is not “fluid”. Such instability are signs of mental and emotional dysfunction that requires compassionate intervention.

We have forgotten to talk to our children as biological boys and girls, future husbands and wives, and future fathers and mothers.

We have forgotten to talk to our children in the language of Scripture regarding their role in the home, church, and society.

Fathers are Key to a Child’s Feeling of Self-Worth

Every human being needs to feel secure in their value as a human being.

Children first look to their fathers for the validation of their worth.

Fathers can communicate unconditional love and acceptance to a child.

Fathers hold the key to a child’s sense of self-worth apart from peer approval and cultural evaluation.

Fathers are Key to a Child’s Sense of Significance

Children need to know that they are not an accident and that their life has purpose and meaning.

Children need to know that their presence and contribution to the family, church, and society is important.

God the Father openly declared the significance of His Son, Jesus Christ.

At His baptism by John

Matthew 3:17 NKJV

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

At His transfiguration

Matthew 17:5 NKJV

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

Fathers function as a guide to a child’s discovery of their gifts and calling as determined by God.

Response to the Word

The crisis in our nation is one of fatherlessness.

Fathers, you are important in your child’s life.

Accept your God-given role as a father.

Seek to be a godly father and example to your children (and grandfather).

If you have not been a godly example, repent to God and ask your child for their forgiveness, prayers, and support as you seek to change.

Seek to be a father-figure, coach, mentor, and support to fatherless children in your family, church, and community.

Be actively involved in a brotherhood of godly men and fathers in the church that can begin to foster healing and change.

If you need a father, the heavenly Father invites you to come to Him today through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.