In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need amazing men, we would only need men. Amazing, by definition, means “causing great surprise or wonder.” The kind of men that we are aiming at in this study, “Amazing Men,” will cause surprise and wonder only because most men are not even close to what they were supposed to be.

Obstacle #1 – Insecure Attachments

Obstacle #2 – Unresolved Trauma

Obstacle #3 – Masks and Triggers

Normal human development passes through a set of stages which can be identified as:

1. Grace
2. Discovery
3. Justice
4. Sacrifice
5. Community.

When I look around at the world of men today, I see that we have a lot of work to do. However, I am encouraged because when I talk to other men, they want to get better.

Obstacle #4 – A Shortage of Role Models

Obstacle #5 – Lack of Geniune Community

The 1st Dimension – How does a man connect with others?
The 2nd Dimension – How does a man navigate through life?
The 3rd Dimension – How does a man win the battles of life?
The 4th Dimension – How does a man lead?
The 5th Dimension – How does a man relate to women, especially his wife?
The 6th Dimension – How does a man inspire others, especially young people?

We were made for bonded, intimate relationships. It’s how God designed our brains. One of the worst forms of punishment is solitary confinement. However, relationships are hard. They are also revealing. If you want to know what a man is like, try having a relationship with him. Stickiness is required. Stickiness is the ability to attach to others and, for the most part, stay bonded.

Stage 1 – Buddies
Stage 2 – Self-Disclosure
Stage 3 – Reciprocity
Stage 4 – Intimacy – “Stickiness”
Stage 5 – Best Friends
Stage 6 – Friends for Life – “Hesed”

Consider these facts:
• You don’t know everything
• If you think you know everything, you’re more of a fool than you know
• If you admit that you don’t know everything, you’re on the path to wisdom
• Jumping to conclusions is an ignorant way to live life
• Asking questions is the best way to learn what you don’t know in all three realms of inquiry.

• Develop Your Curiosity
• Doing “the Columbo”
• Start with Your Story
• Freedom to Be Inquisitive
• Identity, Calling and Assignment

Developing grit starts early. A boy needs to start developing grit at four years of age. An adult who can serve as a coach takes on the task of teaching a boy to do hard things. An infant has all of his needs met without even asking; grit isn’t required. However, once infancy is completed, grit is required for maturity through all the other stages. Becoming a mature boy prepares you to become a man, then a parent, and finally an elder.

You may not have been warned, but when you accepted Christ, you made three new enemies: the world, the flesh (or ego), and the devil. Each of these are hellbent on trying to make you ineffective and fail in every area of life. You need to understand their respective strengths and weaknesses as well as your own strengths and weaknesses. Each enemy can be defeated but only if you know their tactics and who can help you be victorious.

In Ephesians 6, Paul describes six pieces of armor:
• Belt of Truth
• Chestplate of Righteousness
• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit.

If we remind ourselves that Christ is the source of truth, that Christ is our righteousness, and that Christ is our peace, our hearts should be at rest. But there are times when these reminders are not enough. We are still depressed. We are still filled with doubts, still disturbed. What is happening?

Have you ever considered doing something that you knew was wrong and went ahead and did it anyway? Or, have you ever been impressed to do something good but you neglected to do it? Then, afterward, you vowed to never act that way again—but you did anyway!

• Leading from a Healthy Heart
• Characteristics of new hearts
• Creating Belonging
• Receiving and Giving Life
• Recovery from Trauma
• Maximizing Potential

How a Man Treats Women, Especially his Wife

• Swimming Upstream from the Culture

Four Kinds of Love

• Marriage – A Picture of the Trinity and Christ

How Does a Man Invest his Life?
Fathers and Elders

• How to Mentor as a Father
• How to Mentor as an Elder
• What a Mentor Does
• Mentoring in the Scriptures