Better Dads, Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character
The relationship between a father and a son is like none other. Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, always striving to teach their sons the life skills they'll need to grow into honorable men. But many dads struggle with feelings of inadequacy regarding their fathering abilities. They want to be better dads.
Rick Johnson can show them how. In this insightful and practical book, Johnson shows how fathers can be equipped and inspired to be positive role models for their sons. He stresses the significance of male bonding, discipline, and spiritual leadership; discusses important topics such as sexual purity, respect, and self-discipline; and reveals the top ten mistakes to avoid as a father.
From commitment and courage to honesty and humility, Better Dads, Stronger Sons helps men strive to be the dads God designed them to be--so their sons can grow to be everything they are meant to be.
From the Back Cover
Your son is counting on you.
The relationship between a father and a son is like no other. Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, always striving to teach their sons the life skills they'll need to grow into honorable men. That may seem like a tall order. But being a good father isn't so much what kind of parent you are as what kind of person you are. Better Dads, Stronger Sons can show you how to
" talk with your son about important topics such as dating, sexual purity, respect, and self-discipline
" understand why male bonding, discipline, and spiritual leadership are vital to your relationship with your son
" recognize and avoid the top ten mistakes a father can make
Even if you don't have confidence in your fathering skills, God says you fit the bill perfectly in his plan for your family. This book will help you strive to be the dad God designed you to be--so your son can grow to be everything he is meant to be.
Rick Johnson is the founder of Better Dads, a fathering skills program designed to equip men to be more engaged in the lives of their children. He is also the author of That's My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character.
"Rick Johnson is writing about the very things that deeply touch our hearts-the vital impact of fathers on their children! Fathers, sons, and families will benefit . . . for generations!"-Ron Nichols, director of training, National Center for Fathering
Top Highlights
“When only mom takes her sons to church while they’re growing up, approximately 15 percent of boys remain churchgoers after they become adults. However, if dad takes an active role with mom in leading the family to church, the number who continue their spiritual journey increases to somewhere around 75 percent.5 That’s a significant difference that speaks to the power men have to be spiritual influences upon their sons.” (source)
“God loves men and created us to be something special— noble leaders. He created us in his image, to be like him. But God is never passive or complacent. Unfortunately, many men are living lives of complacency. We are abdicating our roles as leaders in our homes, our communities, and our country in record numbers. This is creating a crisis that is threatening to dissolve the very fabric of society, destroying our country and possibly even the world. Men in our country are mired in apathy and passivity. The reason? Because as boys, we were not brought up to relish our God-given roles as protectors of and providers for our families.” (source)
“Pastor Jan Hettiga once said, ‘The number one problem in the church is the explosive combination of masculine apathy and feminine discontent.’ I submit to you that masculine apathy is the cause of feminine discontent.” (source)
“Remember to be careful what you promise. Many times we say things or make commitments that we can’t keep. These broken vows don’t seem like a big deal to us, but they are huge to your son. Anything you say short of ‘no’ is usually taken as a promise by your children. Be judicious about the promises you make. If you are not absolutely positive that you can keep them, do not make them. Your tongue has great power.” (source)
Product Details
- Title : Better Dads, Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character
- Author: Johnson, Rick
- Publisher: Revell
- Publication Date: 2006
- ISBN: 9781441200167
Rick Johnson is the founder of Better Dads, a fathering skills program designed to equip men to be more engaged in the lives of their children. Rick develops and delivers father training workshops for businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations nationally and internationally. He previously authored That's My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character. Rick, his wife, Suzanne, and their two children live in Gresham, Oregon.