In a previous episode, I shared the following practical applications from the parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke chapter 15:
· The father himself did not put the robe, ring, and sandals onto the younger, returning son. Instead, in verse 22 he instructs his servants to do so. Why? Because the father is helping to create a community of redemption and restoration, with which to collectively celebrate his son’s return. In other words, the wayward son did not need a lecture. He needed a connection – to family and community.
· The older son, in replying to his father, referred to the returning son as “This son of yours…” The father, however, identifies the returning son as “Your brother…”, and thereby reminds him of his connection to his wayward brother. Here is an application for us: We should stay connected to the broken people around us. Don’t be judgmental, or point to others’ sin and say in a critical way, “Those people!” This creates a culture of “us” versus “them.” We must help to create within the body of Christ a community of redemption and restoration, with which to collectively celebrate everyone who turns to Jesus.
Yet, despite these excellent applications for our lives today, this parable does not fit today’s culture in one important way: Today it is not only the son that is prodigal, but the father. Sadly, in so many cases, it is the son waiting on the porch for his dad to come home.
Listen to these statistics compiled from several sources such as the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the US Centers for Disease Control, and see if you do not likewise come to the same conclusion.
In 1950, less than 5% of all children were born out of wedlock in America. By 2019, that number had risen to 40%.Today, 51% of all children in America are born without a dad.
Consequences of these absent fathers:
o 63% of all youth suicides in America are from fatherless homes (5 times the national average).
o 90% of all runaways or homeless children are from fatherless homes (32 times the national average).
o 85% of children who show behavioral disorders (mental and emotional issues) are from fatherless homes (20 times the national average).
o 80% of all rapists come from fatherless homes (14 times the national average).
o 71% of all high school drop-outs come from fatherless homes (9 times the national average).
o 90% of all inmates in America are men.
o The percentage of male inmates who grew up “without a father” is:
75% => father absent and does not know who their father is.90% => “without a father” also includes those whose father was in the home but was emotionally absent.
How do we close this gap in fatherhood? I believe the answer is robust discipleship.
Jesus never called His followers Christians. Instead, He always called them disciples.The last command that Jesus gave His followers is what we c0mmonly call The Great Commission, which is found in Matthew 28:19-20:Matthew 28:19-20 NASB "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…”
Note that Jesus did not say to go and make Christians. Instead, He said to go and make disciples. And we should do the same.
Men especially need discipleship by faithful men. The huge gap in fatherhood we are experiencing in our country is evidence of this.Discipleship requires bonding with like-minded people who are also being discipled by Jesus.Discipleship includes not only planting seeds of truth, but watering and nurturing them.
Discipleship should be a part of our spiritual legacy. We are discipled, and then we in turn disciple others, so that they can in turn disciples others.
Will you join me in committing to receive discipleship from followers of Jesus that are one step ahead of you in your spiritual journey? Will you then disciple other believers that might be one step behind you in your spiritual journey, with the goal that they will in turn disciple others?
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”
(Portions of this devotion were inspired by a sermon by Kris Vallotton.)