Boys will be Men

Stages of a Man’s Life

Over the years there have been numerous suggestions about how boys become men. Shakespeare produced his own version of this process.

The following outline is presented with the conviction that this is a Biblical approach to raising our sons to be Godly men. This approach does not include adolescence. That unbiblical concept is replaced by the simple and brief transition to young manhood as the boy is given training and responsibility.

1. Pre-natal – conception to birth
2. Infancy – birth to one year of age
3. Boyhood – 2 years to 10 years

Transition from boyhood to young manhood

 4. Young manhood – 10 to 16 years
5. Manhood – 16 to 35 years
6. Mentor – 35 to 55 years
7. Patriarch – 55 years to death

Boys can move from boyhood to young manhood.
How can they do this?
They do it by Father guiding them and Mother releasing them.

Mothers need to encourage their sons to become men.
Mothers need to be willing to let go of their sons as they are becoming men.
Mothers need to stop doting on their sons so they do become men.

Fathers need to teach manhood to their sons by words and by example.
Boys need to be given responsibilities as they grow and become men.
Responsibilities create a sense of worth and significance.

Fathers need to insist on sons giving their mother absolute respect.
This is a key part of the transition into manhood.
Boys need to make the transition from being cared for by Mother,
To accepting the responsibility to care for mother,
And to care for all other women they encounter.

This will set their direction for life –
As they provide security for women,
And never exploit girls or women in any way.

Mother gives birth to the baby boy.
But, Father gives “birth” to the adult man.
Father and mother cooperate in bringing the boy to manhood.

Boys who become real men serve their families, their churches and their world.
Boys who never grow up will demand attention all their lives.
They will stay in an adolescent stage of life.
They think that everyone owes them the doting they received (or wish they had received) from their mothers.
They never own the masculine qualities of character and leadership.

Adolescence is a modern term – a confusing time of life.
This does not need to be part of boy’s experience.
Jesus had a sense of His Father’s call at 12 years of age.
He was still subject to his parents (Luke 2:41-52).
He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.
Boys today can experience that same call as they are trained and mentored into manhood by loving parents who follow God’s plan for life.

Boys will be boys – we hear sometimes.
That should not be true.
Boys will be men.
That needs to be true.