The Marks of Manhood - Part 13

"When does a boy become a man?" With this question, Al Mohler embarks on a thorough, fair, and convicting journey of what constitutes true Biblical manhood. With the launch of our new men's group Propel, I thought it would be good to look at one quality per week from Dr. Mohler's article titled The Marks of Manhood.

Mark 13

Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.

A close look at many churches will reveal that a central problem is the lack of biblical maturity among the men of the congregation and a lack of biblical knowledge that leaves men ill equipped and completely unprepared to exercise spiritual leadership.

Boys must know their way around the biblical text, and feel at home in the study of God's Word. They must stand ready to take their place as leaders in the local church.

While God has appointed specific officers for his church — men who are specially gifted and publicly called — every man should fulfill some leadership responsibility within the life of the congregation. For some men, this may mean a less public role of leadership than is the case with others. In any event, a man should be able to teach someone, and to lead in some ministry, translating his personal discipleship into the fulfillment of a godly call.

There is a role of leadership for every man in every church, whether that role is public or private, large or small, official or unofficial. A man should know how to pray before others, to present the Gospel, and to stand in the gap where a leadership need is apparent.

Copyright © 2005 Dr. Albert Mohler. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article was published on Boundless.org on October 30, 2009.

Resources for Kids

Each month I receive emails from Christian booksellers letting me know of what's soon to hit the shelves. I've noticed recently that there are some really good books for kids being written, maybe because I'm more alert to those things now that I'm reading to Elyse and wanting to introduce her to the true Story of the world.

Since babies seem to be all the rage at Cornerstone, and since our children's classes are already filled with little minds needing to hear the Gospel story on a regular basis, I thought I'd throw together a few ideas for Christian resources for your kids. I'd challenge you to pick up a few of these, if you don't already have them, and make a pattern of reading and discussing the story of redemption with your family. Hey, you might even learn a few things yourself!

Story Bibles

The Jesus Storybook Bible (by Sally Lloyd-Jones)

Containing forty-six Bible stories from creation to Revelation with beautiful, rich, and vibrant artwork, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures and discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation - and at the center of their story, too.

The Big Picture Story Bible (by David Helm)

No child is too young to begin learning about the greatest love story of all: God's love for his people, as portrayed in the Bible. David R. Helm and Gail Schoonmaker collaborate to create a beautifully illustrated book of Bible stories especially for children, written with simplicity. Rather than simply retelling the most familiar short scenes from the Bible, this book presents the "big picture", the unified story running through the Old and New Testaments. This delightful book will help children learn the Bible's whole story and begin to appreciate the fulfillment of God's promise to his people. The Big Picture Bible Story Book is perfect for parents to read to their children, and eventually, for children to read on their own. It is an excellent way to introduce them to a book that will guide them through all of life.

Mighty Acts of God: A Family Bible Story Book (by Starr Meade)

"Do as David did. Don't do as Saul did. Follow this Old Testament person, but not that New Testament person." That's what you may find in many Bible story books. In Mighty Acts of God Starr Meade takes a new approach to teaching the Bible to elementary school aged children: she focuses not on characters in Scripture, but on God. Each of the ninety Bible stories included focus on a particular character trait or truth about God, emphasizing that God is the main character in every Bible story.

"The Bible's stories are not intended as a random collection giving us pointers on how to behave. The primary purpose of Scripture's narratives is to reveal God to his people as sovereign Ruler, holy Judge, powerful Savior, faithful Redeemer, and gracious covenant God." - Starr Meade

Books

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers (by Joey Allen)

The Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series introduces children ages four to eight to the fundamental teachings about God based on the Bible. The most foundational teachings of the Christian faith are presented in this four-book set at a level preschool and elementary

children can understand. Colorful illustrations compliment every page of orthodox Christian doctrine, creating an enjoyable learning experience for the child. In contrast to self-centered theology and watered-down Bible storybooks, the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series promotes God-centered theology with simple and precise teaching while offering stability and a strong, lasting connection with the faith.

Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God (by Susan and Richie Hunt)

Your children are a blessing from God. A gift that brings an abundance of joy and the privilege of teaching them God's ways. When they're young their potential to learn is amazing. And because actions and beliefs go hand in hand, the lessons they learn from you now will shape their lives forever. This wonderful book, with its easy-to-use story format, can help you teach the basic truths of the Christian faith to your children. They'll learn right along with Caleb and Cassie that God's ways are best - and that even as kids, they can live for His glory every day.

The Big Book of Questions and Answers (by Sinclair Ferguson)

Questions! Questions! Questions!

Children are full of them. Where did I come from? What is God like? Is there only one God?

The Big Book of Questions and Answers is a family guide to the Christian Faith. It has so many uses! You can use it as a daily devotional for the family, as a weekly spot at Sunday School or as a Christian basics course at home school. However you use it your kids (and you!) will have a great grounding in the Christian faith. It contains a wealth of activities, prayers, and Bible references. This interactive resources material will bring families closer together as they learn about the Christian faith.

Big Truths for Young Hearts (by Bruce Ware)

Sure, it's easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you're a theology professor. But what about the rest of us? With Big Truths for Little Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6 - 14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths. The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children's primary faith trainers and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.

"Imagine a respected theologian devoting himself to training a new generation of pastors and scholars in the seminary classroom. Now imagine him driving home at night to teach that profound theology in simple terms to his children at their bedsides. Now imagine this father compiling those bedside conversations into a book available to all pastors, parents, and children alike. Imagine no more. My friend Dr. Bruce Ware has done it." - C. J. Mahaney

The Marks of Manhood - Part 12

"When does a boy become a man?" With this question, Al Mohler embarks on a thorough, fair, and convicting journey of what constitutes true Biblical manhood. With the launch of our new men's group Propel, I thought it would be good to look at one quality per week from Dr. Mohler's article titled The Marks of Manhood.

Mark 12

Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.

The literature of manhood is replete with stories of courage, bravery and audacity. At least, that's the way it used to be. Now, with manhood both minimalized and marginalized by cultural elites, ideological subversion and media confusion, we must recapture a commitment to courage that is translated into the real-life challenges faced by the Christian man.

At times, this quality of courage is demonstrated when a man risks his own life in defense of others, especially his wife and children, but also anyone who is in need of rescue. More often, this courage is demonstrated in taking a stand under hostile fire, refusing to succumb to the temptation of silence and standing as a model and example to others, who will then be encouraged to stand their own ground.

In these days, biblical manhood requires great courage. The prevailing ideologies and worldviews of this age are inherently hostile to Christian truth and are corrosive to Christian faithfulness.

It takes great courage for a boy to commit himself to sexual purity and for a man to devote himself unreservedly to his wife. It takes great courage to say no to what this culture insists are the rightful pleasures and delights of the flesh. It takes courage to serve as a godly husband and father, to raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It takes courage to maintain personal integrity in a world that devalues the truth, disparages God's word, and promises self-fulfillment and happiness only through the assertion of undiluted personal autonomy.

A man's true confidence is rooted in the wells of courage, and courage is evidence of character. In the end, a man's character is revealed in the crucible of everyday challenges. For most men, life will also bring moments when extraordinary courage will be required, if he is to remain faithful and true.

Copyright © 2005 Dr. Albert Mohler. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article was published on Boundless.org on October 30, 2009.

The Marks of Manhood - Part 11

"When does a boy become a man?" With this question, Al Mohler embarks on a thorough, fair, and convicting journey of what constitutes true Biblical manhood. With the launch of our new men's group Propel, I thought it would be good to look at one quality per week from Dr. Mohler's article titled The Marks of Manhood.

Mark 11

Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.

A man must be able to speak, to be understood and to communicate in a way that will honor God and convey God's truth to others. Beyond the context of conversation, a boy must learn how to speak before larger groups, overcoming the natural intimidation and fear that comes from looking at a crowd, opening one's mouth, and projecting words.

Though not all men will become public speakers, every man should have the ability to take his ground, frame his words, and make his case when truth is under fire and when belief and conviction must be translated into argument.

Copyright © 2005 Dr. Albert Mohler. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article was published on Boundless.org on October 30, 2009.

The Marks of Manhood - Part 10

"When does a boy become a man?" With this question, Al Mohler embarks on a thorough, fair, and convicting journey of what constitutes true Biblical manhood. With the launch of our new men's group Propel, I thought it would be good to look at one quality per week from Dr. Mohler's article titled The Marks of Manhood.

Mark 10

Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.

While the arena of the home is an essential and inescapable focus of a man's responsibility, he is also called out of the home into the workplace and the larger world as a witness, and as one who will make a contribution to the common good.

God has created human beings as social creatures, and even though our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, we must also fulfill our citizenship on earth. A boy must learn to fulfill a political responsibility as a citizen, and a moral responsibility as a member of a human community. The Christian man bears a civilizational responsibility, and boys must be taught to see themselves as shapers of the society even as the church is identified by our Lord as both salt and light.

Similarly, a Christian man must learn how to relate to unbelievers, both as witness and as fellow citizens of an earthly kingdom.

Copyright © 2005 Dr. Albert Mohler. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article was published on Boundless.org on October 30, 2009.