Raising Men in a Confused Culture
A Biblical Guide to Discipling Boys into Godly Manhood
Walk through any bookstore, scroll through social media, or listen to the talking heads on TV, and it won’t take long to notice—we live in a culture deeply confused about what it means to be a man. Strength is often caricatured, leadership dismissed, and virtue viewed as optional. Yet for Christian parents, the call is unchanged:
Raise men, not boys.
God's Blueprint for Manhood
Before social theories complicated gender, God designed manhood with clarity, purpose, and beauty. In Genesis, Adam is created with a role: to work, to cultivate, and to lead. Ephesians 6:4 reinforces this divine design:
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
This isn’t just a good parenting tip. It’s a God-given assignment.
What Biblical Manhood Really Looks Like
So what does it mean to raise a boy into a man—God’s way?
It looks like…
Servant-hearted leadership (Ephesians 5:25)
Moral courage and conviction (1 Corinthians 16:13–14)
Respect, humility, and restraint (Psalm 15)
Faithful integrity and keeping one’s word (Proverbs 20:7)
Legacy-minded discipleship (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
Godly manhood is not about dominance or cultural stereotypes—it’s about reflecting the character of Christ.
5 Practical Ways to Disciple Boys into Men
You don’t need to be perfect—you need to be faithful. Here are five practices you can start today:
Prioritize the Word
Build rhythms around Scripture: read it, memorize it, talk about it.
Model Humility and Repentance
Let your son see your need for grace. Repent openly. Forgive freely.
Expect Respect
Teach boys how to treat their mom, sisters, and women in general with dignity.
Encourage Responsibility
Work, stewardship, and follow-through aren’t punishment—they’re preparation.
Honor Their Uniqueness
Not every boy is loud or athletic. Help your son grow into who God made him to be—not who the world says he should be.
A Note to Moms
Your role matters deeply. Don’t underestimate your influence. But also—don’t steal your son’s struggle. Growth requires challenge. Let him wrestle, fail, and learn under your watchful, prayerful care.
Legacy Requires the Long View
This isn’t about raising perfect sons. It’s about raising sons who know who they are in Christ.
The world doesn’t need more “nice guys.”
It needs godly men.
It needs legacy-minded fathers.
It needs moms and dads who disciple with eternity in mind.
Want to Go Deeper?
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Let’s raise men after God’s own heart—and build a legacy that lasts.
Faith and Courage,
John and Lori
