For decades, women have outpaced men in church attendance. But now, according to a new Barna report, men—especially young men—are attending church at higher numbers than women, with “the trend spik[ing] significantly this year.”
In the most recent study, Barna found that “43% of men reported attending church weekly, compared with 36% of women.” This is the largest gap in church attendance between men and women since Barna first began tracking this decades ago. And what’s really interesting is which young men are “leading the way in church attendance”: “married fathers with children under 18.”
Is the Lord waking up young men, opening their eyes to the importance of leading and discipling their families? We pray this is so—we desperately need more godly young men who will prioritize raising up godly generations.
Consider the biblical commands to fathers:
Ephesians 6:4 tells us, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
In Deuteronomy 11:18–19 we read, “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 further states, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Many men prioritize providing physically for their families, while sadly neglecting the spiritual needs of their families. But that is not a biblical view! Fathers are called to lead their families, to be the spiritual head. Providing is important (1 Timothy 5:8), but our ultimate responsibility as men is to disciple our families in the gospel and in God’s Word.
Fathers, each of your children has an eternal soul that will live forever either in heaven or in hell. How seriously do you take that truth? What are you doing to prioritize the discipleship of your children?
