The absence of the man in today’s families is a serious problem with enormous consequences. Thus, the woman was left alone. When questioned by the serpent, what was not supposed to be eaten became eligible to be touched.

How can a boy become a man without an impartation? There are some things that must be taught before they can be caught. If there was ever a time when manhood was needed, it is now.

It should not surprise many in today’s culture that far too many siblings fail to take care of their own brothers or sisters. This represents a spiritual desert in which many children do not survive. One of the greatest solutions to this challenge is simply to impart to one generation that they are not only responsible for the next generation but also for the present generation as well.

Death has become so common that society as a whole has lost its ability to hear the cries of those murdered and lost. Yet it is evident that God hears the cries of those murdered by those who were supposed to be sharpening them.

One of the subtle tendencies of one generation is its failure to discern the impact it has on the next generation. This responsibility is paramount for men since they carry the weight of covering their families. God gave the first man, Adam, this responsibility in Eden.

Knowledge is precious and was never meant to be learned by individual experience. Rather, fathers and mothers have the responsibility to share their knowledge with their children so that they are prepared for the responsibility that comes with parenting.

We learn by association. Men cannot afford to underestimate the power of influence. As brothers, we are to sharpen one another. As husbands, we are to lead while at the same time, we are to walk together in unity. As fathers, the responsibility is to lead by example—imparting the treasures of knowledge that have kept us from one generation to the next. How will sons know what it is to be a father without an example of fatherhood?

A wise person must pursue the knowledge of what they don’t know. It is apparent that we have an oblivious culture. The simple truth is that man has always assumed he knows. The word oblivious is defined as lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention. Simply put, it refers to one who is ignorant or clueless.

The absence of fathers in the home is at epidemic proportions. This pain is felt not only by sons but by mothers and daughters in general. If the truth were told, the man’s absence continues to lead to the erosion of the foundation of the family.

As we begin a brand new year, we understand that life is full of lessons, and none of us are exempt from the tests that come with them. As fathers, we must learn each lesson well. Our success in learning the lessons of life benefits others more than ourselves individually. This point is critical to know because, as fathers, we have the additional responsibility for those we cover.