Training4Manhood

Your Life...Well Spent with author Russ Crosson

Guest: Russ Crosson, chief mission officer and senior partner of Blue Trust, author of Your Life…Well Spent, The Truth About Money Lies, What Makes a Leader Great, and Your Money Made Simple. You can reach Russ at 1-800-987-2987 or via email at russ.crosson@bluetrust.com

 

Men, it is so important to realize the difference between investing your time, energy, and resource into your prosperity (wealth/money) vs. into your posterity (children/legacy)

 

Prosperity - the accumulation of goods

• The process of working is a real blessing
• God empowers us to enjoy the fruit of our labor by giving us the proper perspective about it
• We are successful when we are in the process of being obedient and carefully doing all that God’s Word says to do

 

Posterity - the heritage we leave to coming generations

• Money is simply a tool to invest in our posterity

 

• When you make spending decisions, ask, “How will this expense affect our entire family?”

 

• Principle of Replacement - the addition of new time commitments to my schedule usually involves a trade-off between work and posterity time
  • Only say yes if the activity can replace something else that’s already in your schedule that doesn’t detract from your posterity time

 

Only change vocations to better fulfill your purpose and maximize your time flexibility - not to make more money

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield (Session 1 of 4)

Guests: Dr. Jason Snyder and Dr. Jonathan Teague

 

Some incredible excerpts/statements from Five Lies:

 

This book is for Christian, especially Christian WOMEN.

• But still a valuable read for guys - which is why we are tackling this book on T4M

 

But some of us believe, as I do, that God’s design for women determines our roles and our priorities. The Christian family matters, and its neglect is deadly.

• God’s design for women is biologically to bear children - and the greatest calling and responsibility for Christians (men and women) is to train children and raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord…
• This will require a sacrifice from both men and women in terms of their priorities and opportunities…

 

This book [the Bible] offers one simple answer: the world is in chaos, and the church is divided because we have failed to obey God and value his plan for how men and women should live.

 

The creation of man and woman, also known as the “creation ordinance,” is CENTRAL, not peripheral, to the GOSPEL.

 

God is holy, and therefore ignorance, iniquity, and ungodliness reflect our sin nature in Adam.

 

Three “exchanges” of truth for lies in Romans 1:21-28

• First there is the exchange of the Creator for the creature, or the exchange of God worship for idol worship
• Second is the exchange of truth for lies
• Third comes the exchange of natural sexuality (heterosexuality) or dishonorable passions (homosexuality)

 

The Five Lies:

Lie #1: Homosexuality is normal

• Lie #1 claims that the word of God doesn’t apply to homosexual orientation because homosexual orientation represents a person’s core truth
• But if you exchange the Creator for the creature, you impose God’s attributes on man.

 

Lie #2: Being a spiritual person is kinder than being a biblical Christian.

 

Lie #3: Feminism is good for the world and the church.

• In 2023, we cannot even define what a woman is or defend her right to exist

 

Lie #4: Transgenderism is normal.

 

Lie #5: Modesty is an outdated burden that serves male dominance and holds women back.

 

My reason for changing my mind can be stated in two words: Obergefell (as in Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015) and Bostock (as in Bostock v. Clayton County, 2020)

• Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage
• Bostock made sexual orientation a protected class

 

Thomas Watson in The Doctrine of Repentance

1. Recognition of sin
2. Sorrow for sin
3. Confession of sin
4. Shame for sin
5. Hatred for sin
6. Turning from sin

 

Thomas Watson comments:

“Loving of sin is worse than committing it. A goodman may run into a sinful action unawares, but to love sin is desperate…”

 

After Obergefell and Bostock, LGBTQ+ describes who someone is rather than how someone feels.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Valuable Life Lessons from Coach Hunt

Guest: Melvin Hunt, man of God, husband, father, coach

 

Melvin uses the “camouflage” of basketball to be able to train young men - for success on the court…and off!

 

Best advice that someone else has given you? Melvin’s daughter Braya reminded her dad to “be you.” In a world that tells you to be someone else, there is rest and comfort in knowing that God has a plan for your life - and that He created you just the way you are!

 

Second best piece of advice was from Coach Riggs - you steal a page from every man’s book, and soon you’ll have your own. We learn from others. Thomas Watson’s line is, “Great men are the mirrors by which ordinary men dress themselves.” What great men are you seeking to emulate? Are there younger men looking to learn from your life?

 

As you move up in life, don’t forget where you came from. Seeing the “big world” can give you perspective, but remembering where you came from can keep you grounded. Both are valuable.

 

Community that knows you is valuable on your journey - give others permission to speak truth into your life…and learn to listen!

 

In life, there are principles and preferences. Stand on the principles, soften on the preferences.

 

There is a huge difference between chasing good things…and not “God” things. That extra “o” changes things. Want nothing more than you want God.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

As You Start, So You Will Finish (So Start Well!)

Guest: Michael Perron, Minister of Life Recovery at Prestonwood Baptist Church

 

Sit down with a piece of paper and write out: What is success? How do you answer that question?

 

Guys, at some point in life, you might make a decision that runs counter to the opinion of your father - which is an important step of growing up - to learn to pursue the acceptance of God as opposed to the acceptance of any man.

 

If your definition of success deals with anything “extrinsic,” you’re going to be frustrated. Success needs to be something that is intrinsic, internal - your character, integrity - having that peace of mind that you’ve made good decisions and can sleep well at night!

 

Guys, are you satisfied with life? Are you “worthy” of being satisfied? Are you living today trapped in the past failures of your life?

 

Great resource: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs

 

Guys, do you ever consider the decisions that you’re making will impact future generations?

 

A good name is better than great riches. Proverbs 22:1 What “name” was left for you and what name will you leave for your posterity? As your children see you being obedient to what the Lord has for you, it will mark your children!

 

Randy Pausch The Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams (YouTube video)

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Moving Through the Phases of Maturity

Guest: Dr. Steven Lytle, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founding Partner of Sparrow House Counseling

 

Guys, the journey to manhood begins early in life. Moms are great at giving a foundation of unconditional love. Dads are great at giving encouragement to a young boy and calling him upward.

 

Great resource - Fathered by God by John Eldredge - a young man needs to go through some developmental phases of maturity:

 

• “Cowboy” phase - not a lot of wisdom, but a lot of energy. Separation individuation is an important process. You’re experimenting, and failing, and learning! Most important social influence is actually your parents - better to be connected to parents than peers! But your peers/friends are an important element in your development - so be wise in whom you allow to speak into your life.
• “Warrior” phase - the launching time for a young man, rules and accountability are set by you, not others. Learn to appreciate how God wired you. You don’t have to compare yourself to others who are designed for a different plan and purpose!

 

Another great resource - Love, Identity, and Purpose: Finding Purpose in Our Identity as God’s Children by Terry Moore

 

• “Lover” phase - the time to find your passion in life. This is the time you look for your wife to share your life and passion with. 
• “King” phase - now you’re the expert and are doing the work you’re called and equipped to do.
• “Sage” phase - this is the time that you’ve accumulated a lifetime of wisdom - now is the time to pass it on to others!

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Created for Deep Community (Don't Settle for Superficial Substitutes)

Guest: Nick Henderson

 

Far too many men are lonely and isolated - the value of authentic community is underplayed in our culture today, but is necessary for truth growth and maturity!

 

Guys, we need to move from casual conversations to personal conversations…then next to intentional conversations - don’t settle for casual conversations - casual conversations don’t build authentic community!

 

There is a huge difference between a man who offers his opinion and one who can share the truth of God’s Word with you.

 

You were created with eternity in your heart and no person, except Jesus Christ himself, will ever be able to fill that level of love, intimacy, and depth!

 

Christ had a method, a message, and a model for spiritual transformation. The model was life-on-life discipleship. The method was building relationships. Men, if you’re lonely, go find a disciple-maker.

 

Sin struggles are cheap substitutes for God’s best for you.

 

Men, step out in faith.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Value of Authenticity and Community

Guest: Nick Henderson

 

Guys, what do you find your identity in - your work, success, family, friends, behaviors, failures? Scripture tells you that “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). Faith in Christ begins with receiving the free gift of salvation by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Men, what is holding you back from God’s best for your life - secret sins, pornography, addiction? There is freedom found in a relationship with Jesus Christ who offers forgiveness and redemption from sin and replaces your old sin nature with a new heart. In the Gospel of John, Jesus claimed to be “the light of the world” - and whoever follows Christ walks in the light and not in the darkness. Jesus also says that freedom from sin is found in a relationship with him! Don’t allow the shame of your past hold you back from the goodness that God has for your future!

 

Guys, it is very important to have good, solid, Christ-centered community to encourage and equip you to grow as a man of God. 

 

The Christian life isn’t a call to a life of convenience and ease - it’s a battle cry against sin, against the flesh, against the powers and principalities of this world that set themselves up against the knowledge of God.

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

 

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

What Does Trusting God Look Like?

Guest: Ethan Severin

 

What does it mean for a young man to really trust in the Lord? 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

 

When you trust in God, will that mean that you always get what you want from a good and loving God? No. God’s ways are higher than our ways…sometimes love hurts or is disappointing or painful - we have to learn to trust the heart and plans of a good God will run counter to our own self-interests in many ways.

 

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

Jim Elliot - He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

 

Men - you can’t trust someone you don’t know. You must know God personally to learn to trust Him. Can you know God? Yes. God reveals Himself through His creation, through His Word, and through His one and only Son Jesus Christ! God created us to be in an intimate and personal relationship with Him made possible by the work of Jesus Christ who lived the perfect life that we couldn’t and gave His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

 

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Building the Qualities of a Godly Man (Building Altars Part VI)

Guest: Tricia Panetti

 

So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well. Genesis 26:25

 

Guys, if you want to be the men that God has designed for you to be - start right now where you are. Start practicing for future relationships with the ones that you have. Start preparing for marriage by treating the women around you with honor and respect - your mom, sister, teachers, etc.

 

Guys, being a better communicator starts with being a better listener. Practice being a good listener and putting into practice the wisdom and advice that others share with you.

 

Guys, if you want to lead another person and your family spiritually, start with leading yourself spiritually - don’t just rely on others to feed you, learn to feed yourself…don’t rely on others to serve you, serve others.

 

Joshua 24:15 says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua made that decision to follow the Lord and to lead his entire household toward the things of God. And he demonstrated the character of Christ with his humility - leadership is about serving God and others. If you want to practice leading a family, practice putting the needs of others ahead of your own!

 

T4M guys - just a reminder that Training4Manhood is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) ministry and you can make donations either via Zelle (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.

Qualities of a Godly Man (Building Altars Part V)

Guest: Tricia Panetti

 

So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well. Genesis 26:25

 

Guys, if biblical manhood was not modeled for you in your home, the ideal for manhood is Jesus Christ and you can know Him and learn from His ways!

 

Consider the qualities that Tricia wanted in her husband:

• A servant-leader
• Good manners, values others ahead of himself
• A good listener
• Helps you be a better version of yourself!
• Actively engaged and serving in a community of believers
• Being discipled…and discipling others
• Pursuing purity in the relationship
• Not allowing alcohol to adversely impact life’s decisions

 

Guys, being the man that a quality woman would desire to lead her starts with being a follower of 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 (info@training4manhood.com) or by visiting the Training4Manhood website.

Huge thank you to Jared Wood for allowing T4M to use his music in our intro and outro selections.