The Curse of Fatherlessness

2. The Curse of Fatherlessness • “Mentoring boys into being responsible young men is the proven method to build strong fathers and healthy families.” • Leading up to Hitler’s takeover of the “Fatherland,” Germany had 19% fatherlessness. Today in America we are at 30%. It would be disastrous for us not to act.”

3. The Curse of Fatherlessness “We are engaged in rescuing men, and that includes young men. New construction is always better than reconstruction. We have men ministering to men in cell blocks, but we’d rather avoid that by ministering to youngsters on blacktops.”

4. Bishop Harry Jackson “The idea that God created (young people) with a unique purpose really challenges them. The next generation wants to be God’s answer to problems of the world. They just don’t have a clear understanding of how that comes together.”

5. Hebrews 13:5-6 “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not!” (Amplified)

6. God is Our Father • WORDS HAVE GREAT CREATIVE POWER • GOD CREATED ALL THAT EXISTS BY HIS WORDS • EXCEPT FOR MAN – WHOM HE CREATED WITH HIS HANDS… • CREATED FOR RELATIONSHIP • FOR INTIMACY • AND THEN, HE SAID – CALL ME ABBA – FATHER

8. Our Father • WHY WOULD HE USE THAT PICTURE? • “FATHER” – IMAGES THAT ARE NOT POSITIVE • WHY MANY FEEL MIXED UP IN LIFE? • “FATHER” TODAY CREATES SOME CONFUSION • FOR MOST MEN – “FATHER” IS A MYSTERIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE JOB

9. The Core of a Man is Formed in the Breath of His Father • God and Adam – “He breathed life…” • Jesus and Disciples – Breathed on them, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit.” • Apostle Paul – “The Bible is God-breathed…”

10. Called to Lead • Adam – Called too lead his family. • TO GUIDE, GUARD AND GOVERN • TO DIRECT, PROTECT AND CORRECT • AND, THAT IS THE CHARGE TO FATHERS STILL TODAY

11. Winston Churchill “Now, maybe I've done something my father would have been proud of.” Still looking at age 50 for the affirmation that had never been his from his father!”

12. Pastors and Discipleship • The basic ministry of a pastor is to disciple men. • Man, disciples his family • “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” - (2 Timothy 2:1-2, NKJV)

13. Benefits • STRONG MEN make STRONG FAMILIES • STRONG FAMILIES make STRONG CHURCHES • STRONG CHURCHES WILL TRANSFORM CULTURE!

14. Honor the Past Be Disciplined in the Present Envision the Future

15. Empowering the Next Generation

16. Models • Moses & Joshua • Jesus and the 12 • Paul & Timothy

17. Young Men’s Ministries What does it look like?

19. Malachi 4: 5-6 (NLT) “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

20. Edwin Louis Cole • “The absentee father is the curse of the day.” • “It is fatherlessness that is the curse of our day and it is a worldwide curse.”

21. Billy Sunday The tragedy of his ministry, however, was that his children did not follow him in the faith.

22. Principle New construction is always easier than reconstruction.

23. Commissioning Young Men • Courage • Maximized Manhood • Sexual Integrity • Power of Potential Middle School – Adventure Rangers High School – Expedition Rangers

24. Resourcing the Vision

25. Resourcing the Vision What you believe about God has the greatest potential for good or harm in your life. – Edwin Louis Cole