Life Skills That Men Can Teach

Sermon for 6/20/2010 Father’s Day

Proverbs 23

Introduction:

A. My family attended a home school conference near Baton Rouge and one workshop from that really stuck with me. It was exclusively for fathers. The workshop leader is the father of a home school family. His wife teaches his children. He holds a high level government job that takes a lot of his time and energy.

B. He asked a simple question that really applies to fathers (but also to every parent): “What is a father to do?” Most fathers work full time (and many mothers) and many times are tired when they get home. What is a father’s role and what can they do?

C. Some people in our society say that males are no longer necessary. They are useful when it comes to reproduction but beyond that, what good are they? Ken Canfield, founder and president of the National Center for Fathering, once asked a stadium full of men, “Are fathers necessary or optional? Do dads have a unique and important contribution to make in the lives of their children?” The crowd grew quiet. He sensed that many of them had experienced firsthand the emptiness a young boy feels when his father is not involved in his life. Ken went on to say that he believes men possess more power through healthy fathering than in any other area of their lives. “As we consider who will be the real heroes of the coming generation, I’m convinced that fathers like you and me have a great opportunity – to shape the destiny of America one young life at a time.”

D. To answer, look at 2 Samuel 10:9-13 in the KJV. Vs. 12- Let us play the men.

E. What is this saying? Joab is saying that we will play the part of the men. So many times in the history of Israel, the men just didn’t show up. This is the problem today, men just don’t show up. If they would just show up and act like men, be responsible and take seriously their role as men, then a lot of the problems of our society would melt away. As Christian men, we need to play the part of men even for those families where the man doesn’t show up. Men make a big difference.

F. What role does the man play? If nothing else he teaches valuable life skills. He teaches things that cannot be taught in the classroom.

G. The ladies have a chapter in the Bible and that is Proverbs 31. Talk about a chapter in Proverbs that can really apply to the men.

Thesis: There are some skills that are talked about in Proverbs 23 that men can teach their children.

For instances:

1. In eating

A. Proverbs 23:1-3.

1. Yes, men need to teach their children good table manners.

2. Men need to teach their children about self restraint and self control.

B. Proverbs 23:20-21 as it applies to eating. We must control our animal instincts. Use moderation and self control, even when we eat.

C. Our Nation has a problem with obesity. From 2002- Over 7 million people in the U.S. are classified as severely Obese, 13 million are Obese, and 80 million are over-weight. That is over 1/3rd of our population. Do we realize that the calorie intake on average for all of the countries in the world (excluding the U.S.) is about 436 calories per day! The average American eats 3,576 calories per day!

2. In drinking

A. Proverbs 23:29-35

1. I do not partake of alcoholic beverages. I understand that there are other Christians who do but I would not encourage it. I believe alcohol can ruin one’s witness for Christ and cause someone weaker to stumble.

2. I cannot say one is sinning by drinking alcohol, but the Bible does speak plainly concerning drunkenness. It seems logical to me that if the first drop is never sipped then drunkenness will not be a concern.

3. Illegal drugs also fit in this category. Also, prescription drugs are a growing problem for Americans.

5. Many people in today’s culture are looking for freedom in the wrong places. Plug for Celebrate Recovery.

B. Proverbs 23:20-21 as it applies to drinking and drugs.

3. In dealing with members of the opposite sex

A. Proverbs 23:26-28

1. Men need to teach limits and boundaries on sexual issues.

2. Pornography.

3. Gawking at women when they pass by. Giving them sexual rating, etc.

4. Think about the witness a man can be if he tries to get this right in his life and then teaches this to his children.

B. Proverbs 23:25

1. Men need to model how to love a woman in the covenant of marriage. (Prov 5:18 NIV) may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.