Dads Make a Difference

1 Tim. 5:8 - context = material things (needs)
                 - application is much greater.

Some Stats:    (in the last decade, is a larger percentage of fatherless homes in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world)
Dads & Sons
1)  71% of High School dropouts come from fatherless homes.
2)  90% of homeless runaways come from a fatherless home.
3)  70% of all juveniles in state reform schools come from a fatherless home.
4)  85% of imprisoned youth grew up in a fatherless home.
5)  43% of adult inmates grew up in a single parent home - generally without a dad.
6  80% of rapists come from fatherless homes.
7  crime rates in ALL categories are highest among those raised without a dad
8)  boys raised in a single parent home are twice as likely to commit a crime that leads to incarceration
9)  boys raised in step families are 3X as likely to commit a crime that leads to incarceration
10)  95% of men on death row HATED their fathers.

Dads &Daughters
1)  Teenage girls living in a fatherless home are 60% more likely to be involved in premarital sex than those in a 2 parent home
2)  90% of girls with anorexia (nervosa) lack a close relationship with their father.
3)  girls growing up in a home were dad is absent are far more likely to exhibit:
           A.  low motivation for achievement
           B.  a tendency to choose immediate gratification rather than self-discipline for later rewards
           C.  greater tendency toward group influence, peer pressure
          D.  lower self esteem
4)  a woman's self esteem is largely determined by 2 men in her life - ie:  her dad and her 1st. husband

On one hand, the stats may vary.  However, the pattern is consistent!    In other words, kids growing up in a home with the father present have a distinct advantage!!
They are less likely to live in poverty, abuse drugs and alcohol, do jail time, be sexually active as teens, even be obese!!
They do better in school, have a larger vocabulary!  (doesn't refer to curse words),  take healthy risks (which translates into confidence and abilities.  This less in childhood.  - adolescence and adulthood

Point is NOT the single moms can't  (many do well!!)
Point = dads Make A Difference  (MAD)

Conversion Stats: 
When a child is the 1st. to convert, the family will convert 4% of the time.
When mom is the 1st, the family will convert 17% of the time.
When dad is 1st, the family will convert 93% of the time!

Church Attendance As Adults  - parallel stats in England & Switzerland
If only mom attends church, 30% of children will attend as adults. 
If only dad attends church, 70% of children will attend as adults.  Why?  (When Dad doesn't attend, says to child, "not a grown up thing!!)

Doesn't mean moms are less important.  Point = dads MAD!!!  Which ADDS gravity weight to 1 Tim. 5:8

As a BELIEVING DAD you are to provide: 

(1)  Training - Prov. 22:6 - generally speaking
(Jewish understanding = training in LIFE and LORD - Deut. 6:6-7  "your children"
Dad to be early teacher, a Primary teacher, a lifelong teacher.  Therefore, must be a lifelong learner.

(2)  Discipline - Prov. 19:18, 13:24, 23:13-14 - Big difference between spanking and BEATING!!  Heb. 12:6

(3)  Reasonable training and discipline - (balanced)
Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21

(4)  A leadership model - 1 Tim. 3:4 - "deacons ... manage"
how dos a boy learn to be a husband, father?  girl, a wife, mom?

(5)  Blessing  (Jacob blessed sons, Jesus blessed children)
but this is more than prayer, declaration!!
Definition:  When communicate to someone (verbally/other) that he/she = lovable, valuable, special = Blessing!!
We all long for blessing, need blessing, it's within your power to give it!  - Prov. 3:27

(6)  An inheritance - Prov. 13:22 - this is more than money.  Prov. 14:26 - leaves a Faith they can turn to!! - moral integrity, legacy

Note:  Prov. 20:7   "_______ therefore _______"

SUMMARY:

#1.  Men Make a difference  - (not belittling women)

#2.  This is by God's design - (His intent) - not by society, or by Christians
So,
#3.  You are naturally equipped - (therefore naturally responsible!!)
But,
#4.  You are seriously flawed - (Rom.3:23) - you won't always measure up.
Therefore, to be effective,
#5.  You must commit, train, and develop yourself - it will not just happen naturally because you're a guy.
1 Kings. 2:1-2 - David to Solomon - "man up"

Available resources?
     God's Son - salvation
     God's Spirit
     God's Word - have enough here to keep busy whole life
     God's People
     God's Presence and God's Grace - Josh. 1:9

DADS M.A.D.            DADS M.A.E.D.  (make an Eternal difference. )