Life Stage · Week 1 of 6

The Man God Is Looking For

1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22

A heart after God

Main Point

God doesn't measure manhood by your strength, success, or status — He measures it by your heart.

Application Ideas

Where have you been chasing the world's version of manhood? Ask God to shape you into a man after His own heart.

Discussion Questions

What made David a 'man after God's own heart' despite his failures? What does God look for in a man?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Introduction

In our culture, manhood is confused. Some say a real man is a provider, a conqueror, a stoic. Others say toxic masculinity is the problem and men need to be softer, more emotional, less assertive. Between these competing visions, many men don't know who they're supposed to be.

Scripture offers a third way — a vision of biblical manhood that is neither domineering nor passive. A vision of men who are strong yet humble, decisive yet compassionate, confident yet dependent on God.

This series is about reclaiming authentic masculinity — not cultural masculinity, but the kind of manhood that God designed and Christ exemplified.

I. A Man Bears God's Image (Genesis 1:27)

Before you are anything else — before you are your career, your status, your physique, your performance — you are made in the image of God. This is your fundamental identity.

God is creative. You're creative. God makes decisions. You make decisions. God loves sacrificially. You're called to love sacrificially.
Your manhood is not something you prove. It's something you possess by virtue of being made in God's image.

This frees you from the exhausting game of performance. You don't have to be the strongest, the richest, the most impressive. You just have to be a faithful image-bearer of the God who made you.

II. A Man Takes Responsibility (Genesis 2:15)

God places Adam in the garden 'to tend and keep it.' This is his calling — to take care of something. Responsibility is at the heart of biblical manhood.

A man takes responsibility for his family — not by dominating them, but by providing for them and protecting them.
A man takes responsibility for his own spiritual growth. He doesn't outsource his faith to his wife or his church. He pursues God himself.
A man takes responsibility for his failures. He doesn't make excuses. He admits wrong and makes amends.

The opposite of biblical manhood is not weakness. It's irresponsibility. It's the man who refuses to grow up, to lead, to serve, to admit his failures.

III. A Man Follows Christ (Mark 8:34)

Jesus says, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' This is His definition of discipleship. It applies especially to men.

To follow Christ is to die to yourself. It's to put others' wellbeing above your comfort. It's to lay down your agenda for God's agenda.
Christ's example of manhood is radical. He washed His disciples' feet. He healed the sick. He ate with sinners. He died for His enemies.

A biblical man isn't looking to be served. He's looking to serve. He's not insecure about his strength — he's secure enough in God that he can lay it down for others.

Appeal

If you've been defined by your job, your bank account, your achievements, or your ability to 'get what you want' — that's not biblical manhood. That's slavery.

Come and be redefined. Be a man who bears God's image. Be a man of integrity. Be a man who serves. Be a man who follows Jesus, whatever the cost.