Far too many men today try to “go it alone”. The fact is God did not intend for it to be that way. God did not design us to go through life alone. The knights of medieval times understood and embraced this concept. They believed strongly in “the community of men”. They believed it took a community of knights to strengthen and support one another. They believed that only a community of knights could adequately raise up the next generation of knights and they built a process around becoming a page, squire, then knight. Each level had its own ceremony or “rite of passage” to the next level.
Much like knights believe only existing knights could raise up future knights, so it is that it takes “godly men to raise godly boys”. As a Christian, I believe that a community of godly men can do a better job than one man alone. God did not design me to go through life alone. I seek out godly men to support me and hold me accountable in my spiritual journey, as well as my process for raising my boys to be godly men. I encourage you to do the same. If you do, you will be positively influenced by this community of godly men.
The Bible tells us we are influenced by those that we spend time with:
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.
A community of godly men are like iron – let them sharpen you!
Ecclesiastes 4:9,10,12
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
As a community of godly men stand together, making each individually stronger.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
A community of godly men is a good place to develop friendships.
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
A community of godly men will help to make you successful in your walk with God.
A community of godly men can be there for you. They can listen to you when you’re hurting or simply need advice or help. They can be a resource to help you live a godly life and to become a godly man. They can become your wisest friends. Use them!
At New Community Church, I find my own “community of godly men”. One example of their support is our annual “Manly Camp”. At this camp (August 7-9 and 14-16 this year), the community of godly men invest their time and support in assisting one another by teaching and affirming their boys. It is a great experience – I hope you will participate if you are local to New Community Church. If not, I encourage you to seek out your own “community of godly men”.
Please comment on this article below, or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
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