Training4Manhood

Guest: Jack Cross

Great conversation with a young man looking forward to his future and asking all the right questions about how to make sure that he keeps his priorities of God and his family at the forefront while also looking to succeed and excel in his career. Hope you enjoy this conversation - and hope it helps you to evaluate your own priorities and the decisions you’ve made - always good to take some time for self-reflection and self-assessment - and never too late to do the right thing!

Guest: Gabe Boyd

The Netflix series “Adolescence” has taken the UK and 93 other countries by storm with its powerful and problematic portrayal of the life and struggles of a 13-year-old boy who takes the life of a female classmate. In the midst of the chaos, Netflix asks, but doesn’t provide answers, to some powerfully disturbing questions - the most important being, “What is a man?”

Appreciate Gabe Boyd for helping think through this conversation - hope it’s helpful to you as well.

Guest: Greg Tuohy

“To carry a message to Garcia” is demonstrating initiative, commitment, dedication, and tenacity to a purpose. The question from this story by author Elbert Hubbard is why more men struggle to develop these vital qualities. I enjoyed reading this short and poignant book and loved finding out that the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is actually attributed to Hubbard! I hope you enjoy the conversation with Greg Tuohy about the importance of and strategy to develop these qualities of manhood!

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Let's learn from the story of Rehoboam's Folly...(1 Kings 12)

US Birth rate 1.6

Young women are pursuing education instead of family - in part because there is an idea out there that men aren’t worth marrying…

What is the “right stuff” to be a good husband?

Men - sacrifice family for career - now women want to do that as well…

Children - quiver full of children is a blessing

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Titus 2:2

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Guest: Adam Griffin, Lead Pastor at Eastside Community Church, Husband, Father, Author

Loved chatting with Adam Griffin - guys, he’s doing it right - take notes! He’s going to cover a lot of ground, hit on several different important aspects, so pay attention, lean in and listen, and then get up and get busy putting into action what you heard. Here are a few of his books that should be helpful as you desire to grow in your spiritual walk and help others along the way!

Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home Through Time, Moments, and Milestones by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin

When Wrong Seems Right: A Kids Bible Study on Making Good Choices by Adam Griffin

The Boy Who Was Bold by Adam Griffin

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Psalm 144

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…

It is a battle against the world system to prioritize your spiritual and family life.

It is important to invest into your family…because a blessed nation is one filled with blessed families! What does a blessed family look like - David answers that question with verse 12:

May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.

Sons will be like plants full grown…or a well-manicured lawn.

Pruning is necessary - say no to them…and teach them self-control, the ability to say no themselves to things that aren’t in their best interest!

As young boys grow into godly men, they will be like “full grown plants” - trees that are straight and strong that offer protection and provision (fruitfulness) for others.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

In Joshua 1, God encourages Joshua three times with the phrase “be strong and courageous” - what did that mean for Joshua…and what does it mean for you today?

Be strong and courageous for…

Purpose - to advance the Kingdom of God, to inherit what God has for you

Be strong and very courageous, being careful to do…

Path - do not turn to the right or the left, stay on the path of God’s will for your life

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Power - God is our power source - not your own strength…but His

Examining how this plays out in the life of David might help us better understand this concept.

David has a purpose - to battle against evil

David had a path - didn’t let the armor or discouragement of others dissuade him

David had God’s power - his faith in a mighty God

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

I was up at Sky Ranch recently and had the opportunity to watch students take a “step of faith” off a 30 foot tree - harnessed up so that they wouldn’t fall - but still a pretty brave step to take…and it got me thinking that this physical picture of a step of faith is a good metaphor for our spiritual step of faith that each of us must decide to take…or not.

This also got me thinking about those who say that they have “walked away” from their faith - and how impossible that concept truly is. Christianity isn’t a set of principles, dos and don’ts - it is not a transaction that you can do…and undo. Christianity is transformational - Scripture compares it to being “reborn” - and when you take that step of faith, the Bible says that you are a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) and the old things are dead…so you couldn’t go back even if you wanted to!

The good news is that taking this initial step of faith and surrendering your life to Christ transforms your mind - just like the physical transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly, you are spiritually transformed. Pastor Tommy Nelson at Denton Bible often uses this little phrase to drive home the point that following principles and rules isn’t going to transform your life - but a relationship with Jesus Christ will:

"'Do this and live!' the law commands, but gives me neither feet nor hands. A better word the gospel brings, it bids me fly and gives me wings."

Guys, take the FIRST STEP of transformation from boyhood to manhood - and that step is placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle ([email protected]) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.