Raising a Modern-Day Knight

Perseverance “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).

Honesty “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).

Real manhood begins with a decision to reject social and spiritual passivity when nothing is the more comfortable and natural option.

The second aspect of “a work to do” relates to more than a chosen profession; it encompasses a son’s spiritual giftedness. God has designed men to contribute to the whole community, specifically to the church and kingdom work. Says 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manif

A will to obey (God’s will) A work to do (according to his own unique design) A woman to love Lacking these elements, a son will flounder in adulthood; he will wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, and restlessness. But armed with them, a son becomes equipped to succeed in his relationship with God, in his community and church, and in

Sons need fathers who are involved in their lives—dads who will love them, teach them, and discipline them. But clearly, sons also need a masculine vision. They need a manhood language. They need a ceremony. And they need other men.

While each of the ceremonies detailed above is different, they do share common characteristics. You’ll want to incorporate some into your own manhood ceremonies. First, remember to employ the element of surprise. Like most of us, a young man loves surprises; they heighten the effect. Second, make the ceremony intensely spiritual. Relate the truths

“Begone” is a commanding cry of manly leadership. The Old Testament quotation Jesus then recites from Deuteronomy 6:13 illustrates His embrace of truth. The courage to lead with truth rather than surrender to feelings always separates the men from the boys.

The only antidote to the futility of life is a transcendent cause. Until a son discovers and commits himself to a cause that is truly heroic, timeless, and supremely meaningful, no amount of pleasure or success is going to satisfy his heart. King Solomon ultimately came to this same, painful conclusion and left us a record in his timeless book of w