Many young men today have made the journey to adulthood without strong support networks in their families or social circles. It is not just a matter of whether they have been raised in broken homes or brought up outside of a Christian community. The fact is, young men today are immersed in a culture that is vastly different from the one older men have grown up in.
Today’s culture does not promote manhood or families; it denigrates it. Young men today may be surrounded in their workplaces, social circles, and families by people who cannot provide them with advice, insight, or encouragement that will help them successfully navigate the trials associated with becoming a parent and leading a God-centered family.
So, how can we recalibrate how these men see themselves?
Six Ideas for Reaching Young Fathers
By creating a social network within your church specifically directed at supporting young fathers, experienced fathers can provide a vital resource that young men desperately need. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
1. Hold an Informal Drop-In Social With Experienced Fathers
You don’t need to put a lot of planning and structure into place before moving forward. Creating too much of a structure can intimidate people, who worry that they have to “sign up” or commit to something they are not ready for. You can hold an event as simple as a “burger and beer” barbecue as a “get to know you” for younger and older fathers, with a proposed discussion topic that is appealing. Sample topics could be:
- Balancing work and family life
- Instilling Biblical values in the home
- Overcoming common parenting challenges
Invite young fathers to submit written questions anonymously. Then, gather and read the questions out loud, allowing a few of the more mature guys to give their answers. Or prepare questions ahead of time, giving the older guys time to think about how to answer the question. It isn’t a time for long speeches or instruction. It is a time to share stories, relate to one another, and build relationships.
If you successfully host a low-pressure and enjoyable event, your group of men will have no trouble scheduling another similar event, and your ministry will grow.
2. Form Peer Support Groups
Many young men in your church may engage in social groups with their wives and kids. But they also need the opportunity to meet with an all-male group to discuss things they would never discuss in mixed company.
Some peer groups form organically, but many men may need an explicit invitation to join the fellowship. If you start with a focus, such as a bi-weekly Bible Study group for young fathers, you can use passages and issues in the Bible as a starting point for discussions about raising children, overcoming hardships, strengthening marriages, and so on.
Creating a peer group just for young fathers can provide them a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and successes. When facing a struggle or taking on a new challenge, there is perhaps no greater comfort than being fully seen and understood by someone else experiencing the same things. Encourage open discussions about the joys and struggles of fatherhood and provide a safe space for men to express their concerns and receive ongoing encouragement. Peer-based discussion and support groups foster a sense of community and accountability essential for spiritual and personal growth.
3. Organize Family-Friendly Activities
Plan activities that allow young fathers to connect with each other while also involving their families. These occasions aim to strengthen the bond between fathers and their children through shared experiences while fostering a supportive church community. As positive memories accumulate, relationships are strengthened, and the support network for young fathers grows stronger. Some ideas include:
- Father-child sporting events
- Family worship nights
- Community service projects
- Parenting workshops and seminars
- Camping trips
- Building/crafting projects
If your church already has a family ministry, you and the other leaders can support it by encouraging the younger men to participate and volunteer to help make those events successful.
4. Invest in Teaching Materials on Biblical Manhood
Equipping young fathers with the right tools and knowledge is crucial for their growth as spiritual leaders of their homes. At Man in the Mirror, we are committed to providing resources and teaching materials on Biblical manhood that help men become the fathers, husbands, and mentors they were designed to be.
5. Offer Regular Classes and Workshops
Host classes and workshops that focus on Biblical principles of fatherhood. Brainstorm topics that address the specific needs of the fathers in your group, such as understanding a father’s role according to Scripture, effective discipline methods, and nurturing a child’s spiritual growth. Bring guest speakers or use video resources from reputable Christian organizations like Man in the Mirror. Not all of us have seen strong, faithful fatherhood modeled by our fathers; effective education can fill in some of the gaps and teach us what we don’t know.
6. Create a Resource Library
Establish a library of books, materials, and online resources for young fathers. This library should include parenting, marriage, and personal spiritual development materials. Encourage fathers to use these resources and consider forming study groups to discuss them. Recommended resources should cover multiple issues, including:
- Books on Biblical fatherhood
- Parenting guides from a Christian perspective
- Marriage enrichment materials
Building a Culture of Support
While these ideas can help you start a ministry specifically focused on supporting young fathers, these initiatives can only be effective if your entire church community cultivates a culture that explicitly values and supports fatherhood. In other words, it is not enough to be pro-family, which every genuine Christian church already is. Churches have to single out the special role that fathers fill in our families and communities. Enlist the gifts and skills of the entire congregation in the mission to bolster young fathers, whether through prayer, volunteerism, or financial support. The importance of Biblical fatherhood should regularly be addressed from the pulpit. Sermons and church communications can pointedly emphasize the role of fathers and the church’s commitment to supporting them.
Our mission at Man in the Mirror is to restore the role of men as leaders—especially as leaders of our culture, our communities, and our families—who lead people to Christ. This can only happen if we work at every level in order to reach and teach young fathers to step into this role with confidence and clarity. To learn more about Man in the Mirror and our men’s ministries, please contact us today or subscribe to our newsletters.
