✝️ Equipped to Lead: Developing the Four Core Qualities of Biblical Manhood

Good morning, my brothers! You don’t need a title to be a leader and if you are a Christian man, God has called you to lead … in your home, your workplace, your neighborhood, in your church. Christ-like leadership expresses itself first and foremost not in our words but in the examples of spiritual maturity we set for those around us to observe. This week, we consider the the qualities of spiritual maturity that qualify and equip us to lead … and then we set a baseline against which we can measure our growth in the days and weeks to come. Let’s go!

This week’s manly topics (5-min read):

🌲 GROWTH “Leaders aren't born, they are made” said famed football coach Vince Lombardi (more from him later.) This week, we look at the four spiritual qualities that form the foundation of Christlike-servant leadership.
📰  NEWS We talk a lot about exercise so this week we look at recovery. Plus, we learn something about Bitcoin by considering what Jesus said about currency.
🫡 SPONSOR Prison Fellowship visits the MTM fraternity this week to enlist our help to get Bibles into the hands of prisoners. Times are tough but lets’s do what we can to support this amazing ministry.

MINDSET
Equipped to Lead: Developing the Four Core Qualities of Biblical Manhood

When Coach Lombardi began each preseason, regardless of whether the Packers had just won the Super Bowl, he would start with the basics. Holding up a football, he would say, “This is a football.” This fundamental approach built champions.

As Christian men, we, too, need constant reminders of our fundamentals. Just as Lombardi returned to the basics of the game, we must regularly revisit the core principles of biblical manhood to find our purpose. It isn't found in meaningless distractions or a focus on self but in confident faith, taking responsibility, unwavering integrity, and diligent service.

The Christian Man’s Calling

We are called to be leaders in our homes, churches, and communities – not through intimidation and fear, but by reflecting Christ in everything we do. This means living with intentional character and integrity, allowing biblical principles to guide our decisions. When society challenges these values, we stand firm.

Quality #1: Leading with Faith

Leadership begins with faith—not a blind leap but confident trust in God and His promises. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells us, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” As men of faith, we lead by following Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, not relying on our capability or “wisdom” (or lack thereof).

A faith-driven leader prioritizes prayer and relationship with the Father. He seeks God’s guidance before making decisions. When facing challenges at work or home, he turns to God first for wisdom. The biblical man trusts God regardless of the circumstance.

Quality #2: Embracing Responsibility

Christian manhood requires embracing responsibility—first to God and then to others. This means dedicating time to prayer and Scripture, not as an afterthought but as the foundation of our lives. It means confessing and repenting from known sins. A Christ-follower is the first to apologize when we're wrong and to serve when there's a need.

In our families, Ephesians 5:25 calls us to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” This sacrificial love is without expectation and always seeks her best. It might mean turning off the game to listen to your spouse, taking on household responsibilities without being asked, or championing your family's spiritual growth through consistent example.

In today's victim culture, Christian men stand out by taking responsibility for their actions. We don't deflect blame or make excuses. We confess, repent, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us. We are victors, not victims.

Quality #3: Living with Integrity

Integrity forms the backbone of Christian manhood. Proverbs 11:3 reminds us, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Integrity means being the same person in private as in public—honest in business, faithful in relationships, and steadfast in commitments.

This week, examine your life for integrity gaps: Are you watching content that dishonors God? Are your business practices beyond reproach? Would your private conversations withstand public scrutiny? As Psalm 15 asks, who may dwell with God? “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.”

Quality #4: Serving Others in Love

Christ's example shows us a man devoted to serving others. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Service isn't a sideline activity but central to our identity as Christian men.

This service begins at home – setting aside our preferences to meet family needs. It extends to church – volunteering consistently, not just when convenient. It reaches into our communities – mentoring younger men, supporting neighbors in crisis, or volunteering with local organizations.

The Brotherhood We Build

The world needs more Christian men willing to live with purpose and passion. But we weren't made to walk this path alone. Through More The Man, we're building a brotherhood of like-minded men who encourage and challenge each other while growing together.

This week, take one concrete step toward deeper brotherhood:

• Invite another man to coffee to discuss Scripture and how you’re growing in intimacy with the Lord

• Form a small group to study Scripture together on a consistent basis

• Reach out to a friend who's struggling and offer specific help

Your Next Step

Living purposefully as a Christian man requires honest self-reflection and commitment to growth. This week, we invite you to:

1. Download the “Living a Life of Purpose” self-assessment questionnaire.

2. Set aside 30 minutes in a quiet place, free from distractions

3. Answer each question thoughtfully and honestly - remember, these results are between you and God alone

4. Use your responses as an objective benchmark you can use to measure your spiritual growth NOT as a reason for self-criticism or self-congratulation

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
You can put God’s Word in a prisoner’s hands

For many men behind bars, prison feels like the end of the road. But that’s not how God sees it. In His eyes, no life is beyond redemption, no past is too broken, and no future is without hope. Prison Fellowship has spent nearly 50 years bringing this truth into prisons across the country—offering men the opportunity to experience the freedom, healing, and restoration found in Christ.

And you have the opportunity to join their mission. Right now, thousands of men in prison are longing for a Bible of their own—a source of hope, strength, and transformation. By providing Bibles and Christian resources, you can help men grow in their faith, renew their minds, and build a foundation for a new life in Christ.

Will you help put God’s Word into the hands of those who need it most?

Visit Prison Fellowship’s website to give a Bible today.

THIS JUST IN
📣 NEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB 📣 

Training
“For physical training is of some value …” 1 Timothy 4:8

• Need fast relief from sore muscles? Visit your local feed store (or vet supply) and grab a bottle of horse liniment. That’s right, horse liniment. The active ingredients in many horse liniments—menthol, witch hazel, arnica and similar compounds—work by providing a cooling or heating sensation that increases circulation to reduce inflammation and pain. Avoid products containing DMSO, which can transport unhelpful chemicals into the bloodstream. Always test on a small area first, and avoid using with heating pads.

Finance
“He who is faithful in what is least is also be faithful with much.” Luke 16:10

• When Jesus asked whose image appeared on a coin, He revealed a profound truth: currency is how government monitors and controls transactions. For millennia, governments served as trusted third parties guaranteeing value in exchanges—more convenient than bartering cows for canoes. Cryptocurrency revolutionizes this by eliminating middlemen entirely. Instead, a decentralized database network (blockchain) secures transactions through encryption and verification across multiple computers. No government approval or bank processing required. While still maturing through its unruly teenage years, cryptocurrency has the potential to fundamentally transform how we exchange value and redefine the role of governments in finance.

Gear
“Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

• Ever wondered why walking barefoot at the beach feels so rejuvenating? Science suggests you're literally plugging into Earth's electrical circuit. Grounding—direct skin contact with the earth—appears to decrease inflammation, improve sleep, and support cardiovascular function. Studies indicate it might even boost recovery after workouts by reducing muscle soreness and inflammation. While you could simply kick off your shoes in the backyard daily, grounding mats offer the same benefits while you sleep or work.