RESPONSIBILITY OF MODELLING THE YOUNG MEN

As I was growing up, my dad was there for us to provide the following; leadership, provision for the family, clothing, guidance and discipline. I recall moments in my life that I am thankful to my late father particularly for instilling discipline in my life. I am fortunate to have grown under those conditions and has done the same to my family.

Looking around, I find that many young people are yearning for fathers in their lives. Most men became too occupied in their careers, work, looking for money and wealth, social lives and many other issues that prevent them in having times with their families. The eyes are on daddies to provide the modeling that these young people want.

There has been a lot of emphasis on the girl child. A lot of work has been done to empower the girl child. The boy child was left out and has now been struggling to compete with the girl child. Some young men have hence misused the ladies as there are unable to handle them. The fathers would have played a pivotal role in modelling.

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (NKJV)

There are no perfect fathers. We all say and do things that we later regret. But as committed fathers, we should be very aware that our words and actions are being heard and watched. We’re always “on stage,” and that awareness should add extra motivation to speak and act responsibly, or even in a way that encourages and breathes life into those around us. All men must be challenged regularly by these simple questions: What kind of example am I setting? My son is watching, and he needs to know what he should aspire to become. How does a “real man” act? My daughter is watching, because she needs to know what to expect from men. My child’s friends, teammates, and classmates—some of whom don’t have a father at home, are also watching. What lessons about fathering am I teaching them? And it goes deeper than that. During these uncertain times, our kids are tuning in to everything that’s happening and they’re watching how we respond. They need stability and security, and dads, our modeling sets the tone. Can your children watch you and see clearly that things will be okay? Change is an ever-present part of life. How we fathers handle the changes of life can be a big part of our modeling for our children. So do we run from change? Do we resist change and let it frustrate and anger us? Or do we view it with optimism and hope? Fathers are the reference points for the children as they are growing. You are very important in that home. Every child is trying to make sense of this strange world.  Dad, how you behave matters. You need to be calm, consistent and respectful as an example. This will help your children answer those questions in a positive way and build a sound value system for future changes. Positive modeling involves your actions, your emotions, and your attitudes. Your modeling extends into every part of your life, if you think about it. What promises have you made to your children? Ask them if you don’t remember, then make sure you follow through. Set examples around you to talk with your children about reliable and unreliable reference points for our personal and civic behavior. Our example is a great way to equip them with a healthy attitude towards life. For the sake of our children and other kids in our spheres of influence, we need to model healthy, genuine manhood.

Modeling is where our true influence as fathers shows up, because important values are caught more than they are taught. Children learn more from watching our lives than from listening to what we say. Each day, in hundreds of ways, we communicate to our kids, “Follow me.”

We also model through:

•  INTEGRITY - We can’t hide the truth from our families, and that should put some pressure on us. Our “walk” needs to be consistent with our “talk.” We need to be careful about keeping our promises.
• INTENTIONALITY- We must be intentional in all that we do. We must use positive words and actions that can impact our children over the many years in their lives.
• ·EMOTIONAL MATURITY - Emotional maturity is among the most important qualities in life, and your children, especially your sons, learn by watching you. Too many dads hide their emotions, perhaps thinking they are a sign of weakness. If they do show an emotion, it’s usually anger.
• RESPECT FOR WOMEN- One major areas of concern is the respect for women. Women need to be esteemed and encouraged and not to be seen as just sex objects to be abused anyhow. We dads must demonstrate and defend the notion that women are to be valued for their fascinating character, their integrity, and the feminine traits that complement our masculine approach.
• VALUES- Esteem good values, ethics and standards in our younger people. We are living at a time that values, ethics and standards have been forgotten in our society. Currently the principle at work is called the 2’C’s. The first C standards for Connection. People are looking for connections even by using the wrong ways. Those in positions of leadership use this system to benefit their cronies and friends.

The second C stands for Corruption. ‘It doesn’t matter how I become rich, but I must become a rich man’, they say. Work ethics have fallen down so much because of this. As fathers we must model through good examples in our society. Teach our young men to work hard to achieve their dreams and not follow short cuts.

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (NKJV)

As the father is faithful in role modeling, what children learn about God will put them in good standing throughout their earthly lives, no matter what they do or where they go.

All eyes are on the fathers to set good examples to be followed. It is not easy but we must do it.