PARENT FAILS - failing to be Christ-like in the home will reap a whirlwind of destruction sooner than later

Adolescent mental health issues are on the rise especially during COVID-19 and the suicidal hotline has seen a spike in their calls. Their activity has increased by 800%.

We cannot and should not turn our backs on a very evident issue we are facing today. We would like to blame it on social media, the culture of the times and some go so far as to blame it on the presidency. However, the truth of the matter is that 85% of the issues the young person is going through started in the home.

1. Number one mental health issue: depression

2. Second cause of death: suicide

3. FOMO (fear of missing out) - This social anxiety is characterized by "a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing

    

   some of you know what’s happening in the White House but you are totally oblivious to what’s happening in your house.

   • you don’t know what you don’t know

   • and ignorance is not bliss... it steals, kills, and destroys

   • Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (NKJV) - If you can’t define it, you will never defeat it

     - Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out is there is any evil in me. ~ David

   Let me for a moment focus on dads, that doesn’t mean that I am underestimating the power of a mother. Women become moms the moment they find out they’re expecting, Men become dads the moment they carry the baby.

   • -  the power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched

   • -  one hug from dad is worth 20 kisses from mom

   • -  who we are as dads speaks of who our children will become in the future

     your son will become like you

            your daughter will end up marrying someone like you

   - men, you have the power to impact your children either for good or for bad, you words bless them or curse them, you have the power to lift them up or tear them down, you can either fill them hope or inundate their minds and hearts with despair

   - I have set before you life or death, blessings and curses, choose life that you and your children may live (Deut 30:19)

   - as a father you MUST have the mindset that being a father is your most important MINISTRY

   You have such a small window of opportunity to impact their lives and to train them up (a child, not a young teen, not a young adult, a child)

   - 0-11 trainer coach
   - 12-18 counselor
   - 19-rest of their lives advisor

    

   • Before you can “train them up” you must connect to their hearts. You can’t lead them by the hand it you haven’t earned their hearts.

   - Do you care for me?
   - Can I trust you?
   - Can you help me?

   Every home needs a Jesus, are you willing to become like Jesus?

   4 ways to parent

   1. Rules - Relationship = Rebellion

   2. Relationship - Rules = Aggression

   3. Absence = Desperation (a state of despair) (not quality over

      quantity)

   4. Rules + Relationship = Blessings

   Truth without Grace = Condemns

   Grace without Truth = Condones

   Four Basic Needs of a Son/Daughter

   1. Love 

   2. Security
   3. Purpose
   4. Acceptance