Men , it is time to stop making excuses and take action ! After spending a couple of decades reading Scripture , seeking wise counsel , watching thousands of parents and having raised a few children of my own , I have noticed four key principles to help ensure parenting success .
First , fathers , you have a calling , and it matters ! Men , do not embrace the lies of the world . Your role of leadership in the home over your lifetime matters to God and to your family ! Godly women will see it and cheer . Your children will not go untouched by it . The church and society will benefit . It is worth the spiritual sweat and toil . It ’ s worth it to deny yourself and lead . Men , Jesus is worth it ! And God has no “ Plan B ” to replace you . You are that essential . The world may mock you , and foolish ladies may resent you , but God will honor you .
Secondly , fathers , be radical followers of Jesus ! We cannot expect our children to be great disciples if we are not great disciples first . Jesus describes this principle , “ A pupil is not above his teacher ; but everyone , after he has been fully trained , will be like his teacher ” ( Luke 6:40 ). If you want to produce a Navy Seal , send a young sailor to be trained by a Seal . If you want a medical doctor , send a student to medical school and have them intern with doctors . If you want an electrician , send an apprentice to work under a journeyman electrician . If you want sons and daughters to be Jesus freaks , then you be a Jesus freak . Don ’ t be a Jesus freak for five or ten years while they are young , be one throughout your lifetime ! Find the path of devotion , stay on it , and call them to follow you as you follow Jesus .
Thirdly , fathers , make a plan and start the training . You need a code to live by and a code to pass on . This is the point of the book , The Man Code . It is the code of conduct God expects of us , others should expect of us , and what we should expect of our sons and daughters .
For example : A real man exhibits godly character . This moral mandate from God is summarized in the Ten Commandments . While this present age mocks them , God gives a moral code for His children . The commandments should be memorized , understood and expected of one
heart & soul
another . A wife should expect her husband to be faithful . Why ? Because God has a moral code with a prohibition — “ Do not commit adultery .” Secondly , God has given moral direction : “ Let your fountain be blessed , and rejoice in the wife of your youth ” ( Proverbs 5:18 ).
Lastly , fathers , your prayers really matter . The Holy Spirit tells us , “ The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much ” ( James 5:16 ). When the formal spiritual training of our children is finished and our children are grown and out of our homes , impact their lives with prayer : “ Lord , lead them not into temptation but deliver them from evil .”
You only get a finite amount of time with your family . Make it count . Give your children a code to live by and voice to remember in those moments of temptation . It is only a matter of time until they are sitting in the barracks of Marines or heading to college where they will face temptation . Friends , what will your son or daughter remember ?
Ryan remembered the charge , “ Act like a man . Live the Code .”
CRA
Mark Henry ( ThB , DD ) is the lead pastor of Revive Church in Brooklyn Park , MN . Passionate about pursuing Jesus , Mark has helped establish thriving churches across America and Africa . Globally , Mark has shared the gospel with millions and helped train thousands of pastors . Mark and his wife , Jera , have been married for over 30 years and raised three children who are , along with their families , living for Jesus .
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