Empowering Youth Through Positive Male Role Models
Summary
Growing up, I was blessed with the presence of two significant male figures in my life: my father and a friend named Michael. Michael, who lived just across the alley, was like a big brother to me. He was my protector, always looking out for my well-being. This dual blessing of having both a father and a friend shaped my life positively. Unfortunately, many young people today lack even a single such influence. The breakdown of the family and societal structures has left many without a father figure who cares for them, nurtures them in faith, and guides them towards a vibrant relationship with God and a commitment to Christ.
This absence often leads young people to seek connection and belonging in gangs, as they yearn for the guidance and support they are missing at home. However, it doesn't have to be this way. We have the opportunity and responsibility to create fathers and friends for those who desperately need them. Boys and girls need the influence of godly men who can pour into their lives, steering them towards good. When we invest in the lives of young people, we contribute to the development of good citizens, godly individuals, and ultimately, a better world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Male Role Models: Having a father or a responsible male figure can significantly impact a young person's life. These figures provide protection, guidance, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for healthy development. Without them, young people may seek these needs in unhealthy environments. [00:21]
2. The Breakdown of Family and Society: The absence of strong family structures and societal support has left many young people without the guidance they need. This void often leads them to seek connection in gangs or other negative influences, highlighting the urgent need for positive role models. [00:47]
3. The Role of Faith in Upbringing: A father who raises his children with a vibrant faith and commitment to Christ provides them with a strong foundation. This spiritual upbringing helps them navigate life's challenges and make positive choices. [00:47]
4. Creating Fathers and Friends: We have a responsibility to step in and become the fathers and friends that many young people lack. By investing in their lives, we can guide them towards becoming good citizens and godly individuals, contributing to a better society. [01:20]
5. The Power of Influence: The influence of a godly man can steer young people towards good, helping them develop into responsible and faithful adults. This influence is crucial in shaping a better world for future generations. [01:20]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - The Blessing of a Father and Friend
[00:47] - The Impact of Absent Role Models
[01:20] - Creating Positive Influences
[01:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
2. Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. What role did Michael play in the pastor's life, and how did it impact him? [00:21]
2. According to the sermon, what are some consequences of the breakdown of family and societal structures? [00:47]
3. How does the pastor describe the influence of a godly man in the lives of young people? [01:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Proverbs 22:6 relate to the pastor's emphasis on the importance of male role models in a young person's life?
2. In what ways does Ephesians 6:4 align with the pastor's call for fathers to nurture their children in faith? [00:47]
3. How does 1 Corinthians 15:33 reflect the pastor's concern about young people seeking connection in gangs? [00:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Who has been a significant role model for you, and how have they influenced your faith journey? [00:21]
2. Are there young people in your community who might benefit from a positive role model? How can you or your group step in to fill that role? [01:20]
3. Consider the relationships you have with young people. How can you intentionally guide them towards a vibrant faith and commitment to Christ? [00:47]
4. What are some practical ways you can support the development of strong family structures within your community?
5. How can you encourage others in your church to become mentors or role models for young people who lack such influences?
6. Reflect on your own upbringing. How did the presence or absence of a father figure shape your life choices and faith?
7. Identify one young person in your life who might be seeking connection in unhealthy environments. What steps can you take to offer them a healthier alternative? [00:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Impact of Male Role Models
Having a father or a responsible male figure can significantly impact a young person's life. These figures provide protection, guidance, and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for healthy development. Without them, young people may seek these needs in unhealthy environments. The presence of a positive male role model can steer a young person away from negative influences and towards a path of growth and fulfillment. The absence of such figures often leaves a void that young people try to fill in less constructive ways. [00:21]
"For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." (Genesis 18:19, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a male role model in your life that has positively influenced you? How can you express gratitude to them today?
Day 2: The Breakdown of Family and Society
The absence of strong family structures and societal support has left many young people without the guidance they need. This void often leads them to seek connection in gangs or other negative influences, highlighting the urgent need for positive role models. The breakdown of these structures is a call to action for communities to step in and provide the support that is lacking. By understanding the root causes of this breakdown, individuals and communities can work towards rebuilding these essential structures. [00:47]
"God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land." (Psalm 68:6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to strengthening family or community structures in your area?
Day 3: The Role of Faith in Upbringing
A father who raises his children with a vibrant faith and commitment to Christ provides them with a strong foundation. This spiritual upbringing helps them navigate life's challenges and make positive choices. Faith acts as a guiding light, offering direction and purpose. It instills values that help young people discern right from wrong and encourages them to live a life that honors God. [00:47]
"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate faith-based teachings into your daily interactions with young people in your life?
Day 4: Creating Fathers and Friends
We have a responsibility to step in and become the fathers and friends that many young people lack. By investing in their lives, we can guide them towards becoming good citizens and godly individuals, contributing to a better society. This investment requires time, patience, and a willingness to be present. It is about building relationships that are rooted in love and respect, offering guidance and support where it is most needed. [01:20]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one young person you can reach out to this week to offer support and friendship?
Day 5: The Power of Influence
The influence of a godly man can steer young people towards good, helping them develop into responsible and faithful adults. This influence is crucial in shaping a better world for future generations. It is about leading by example and demonstrating what it means to live a life of integrity and faith. The impact of such influence can be profound, leaving a lasting legacy that extends beyond one's own lifetime. [01:20]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you be a positive influence in the lives of those around you today?
Quotes
"We need to create fathers and friends for those who desperately need it—boys and girls—who need the influence of a godly man pouring into their life for good, because then you wind up with good citizens and godly people and a better world." [00:01:14]
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