God’s Blueprint For A Strong Family

This summary and strategic rewrite draws upon excerpts from a sermon by Jentezen Franklin, emphasizing the necessity for men to prioritize, protect, and invest in their families, viewing them as their most precious treasure in a spiritually volatile world. The message is a direct call for men to become the “Monuments Men” of their homes.

The Invaluable Treasure of Family

The family unit—specifically one’s wife, children, and relationship with God—is presented as the single most valuable possession, surpassing all material wealth. A man should prioritize his family over being a billionaire or possessing houses and cars.

In this hour, men must take their rightful place, embracing the identity of a “family man”. This commitment requires actively avoiding spiritual compromises, such as engaging with pornography, flirting through text messages, or any form of loose behavior, regardless of the person’s gender.

Defining the Role of the Family Man

A committed family man must make conscious choices to gird up the loins of his mind, ensuring he protects both his mind and his heart. Building a strong family requires sustained investment.

I. Prioritize Presence Over Perfection

The greatest gift a father can give is his presence. A father doesn’t need to be great; he just needs to show up. This involves prioritizing family events, even if they seem insignificant or require great patience, such as:

• Taking children fishing or hunting.
• Taking daughters shopping.
• Attending little concerts or ballet dances, even if the father must sit for three hours just to see the child wave.

The power lies in the child knowing, “I was there”.

II. Intentional Joy and Investment

Fathers should be more than just the “discipline guy” or “the hammer”; they must prioritize having fun with their children.

• Enjoy the Young Years: Fathers are encouraged to enjoy the years when their children want to be around them, as those years are fleeting before the teenage phase, when children may want to be dropped off a block away from school to avoid being seen with their parents.
• Modeling Integrity: Fathers should take their daughters out on dates to show them how a real man is supposed to treat them. A touching example is given of a strong, built man, a highway patrol officer named Mike, who, having tragically lost one child, treasured his remaining little daughter, dressing up and dancing with her at a father-daughter event, acknowledging that “this is all that matters now”.