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Father Factor

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

Discipline is defined, in the 1913 Webster dictionary, primarily as to educate; to develop by instruction and exercise; to train.[1] Discipline comes from the Latin word discipulus. Disciple also comes from this word, a disciple is one who receives instruction (discipline) from another.[2] Discipline also has secondary meanings of obedience and correction, however, today the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines discipline primarily as punishment. Discipline as instruction is said to be an obsolete meaning.[3] Instruction has been replaced by control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior.[4] 

The Greek word for discipline used in the New Testament is paideia. In the culture of ancient Greece, the term paideia referred to the rearing and education of the children to the ideal of kalos kagathos, "beautiful and good." This ideal is similar to that of the medieval knights and the English concept of the gentleman. Along with Godly training this ideal of discipline was developed by early Christians[5]. The biblical concept of discipline is of the earlier 1913 Webster definition.[6]  This is the way our heavenly father disciplines us. God promises us that if we discipline(train) our children in His way they will not depart from it. We learn this from our earthly fathers or absence of. 

The absent father or father factor is a crisis of great importance today. Absent fathers are the most significant factor of children who are abused, live in poverty, and suffer psychological distress. Fathers are absent in 63 percent of youth suicides, 90 percent of all homeless and runaways, 85 percent of all children with behavioral problems, and 85 percent of all youths in prison.[7] There is a father factor in nearly all of the social issues facing America.[8] Could this be the root of the moral issues facing us today? Whether it is abortion, sexual immorality, or gun violence, there is a correlation to the absence of the father. Many children grow up without fathers and this is reflected in society. 

More and more men are going into adulthood as adolescents. If 50 out of 100 children are raised well by fathers, the father factor says these children will raise their children well. It also means 50 other children will suffer and so will their children. This problem is cyclic and the only way to stop the cycle is to break it, boys need to become men. Boys need men to discipline(train) them. The idea of my four and no more is not an acceptable option for His kingdom, men who have been raised by Godly fathers also have a calling to disciple others outside the family. Discipline(training) is needed, discipleship is a must, men of God must step up. "It is for discipline that you have to endure."(Hebrews 12:7)

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes, "You cannot make men good by law: and without good men you cannot have a good society." Only through Godly training can the ideal of "beautiful and good" be obtained. There are those who are courageously stepping up, training the "child in the way he should go". These men are to be applauded and encouraged, they are making the greatest impact on society, attacking the root cause of many issues. We must be courageous, we must put on armor, we must do battle, there are children to save. 

"My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:20-23)

Courageous - Casting Crowns




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