Soon we begin another 36 week class on Authentic Manhood at Jester III Prison in Richmond, TX. This is the fifth time we have taught this class, each time with a new group of fifty or more men. In prison work and counseling in the free world, I often remind people of Proverbs 14:12—There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
One man told me that without parties, drinking, and drugs, his life had no purpose or direction. He made a string of bad choices that added up to a meaningless life. Examples of the “bad-choice string” are common. A couple chooses to be sexually active before marriage. Soon they make many more bad decisions that lead to spiritual, work, and family problems. Office workers cheat on expense reports, then make more bad choices to cover up their petty thefts. Psalm 1 warns us not to follow the advice of ungodly people or soon we may be living like they do and even teaching wickedness to others.
Genesis 13 shows us Lot’s bad decisions when he parted from Abraham. Lot wanted quick wealth, comfort, and the easy life. He settled near a city infamous for ungodliness and Genesis chapter 20 shows the disastrous consequences for Lot’s wife and daughters. Lot was a saved man, but he chose the easy way instead of the Christ-like way. God help us from doing the same!
Jesus remind us: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)
In our class, six weeks are given each to these topics:
A Man + His Design
(Manhood Realities; Create + Cultivate; Manhood Definition; King/Warrior; Lover/Friend; Seasons of Life)
A Man + His Story
(Looking Back; Dad; Mom; Healing; All-Alone; Heart)
A Man + His Traps
(Idols of the Heart; Empty Promises; Battle Plan; XXX; Control; Significance + Comfort)
A Man + His Work
(Tension; Blueprint; Courage; Essentials; Traps; Catalyzers)
A Man + His Marriage
(Foundation; Die to Live; Friendship; Intimacy; Threats; Game-Changers)
A Man + His Fatherhood
(Foundation; Grace-Based Parenting; True Greatness; Sons; Daughters; Decisions)
The class equips us for Christ-likeness “in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim 4:12) and the content is beneficial to men and women of all ages! Lord, help us to live a life worthy you, pleasing you in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10).
Thank you for caring, praying, encouraging, and giving to make this important prison ministry possible! Please pray for the volunteer leaders (like me) and the offenders who attend. We aim to bring hurting men salvation, healing, changed lives, and eternal hope in Jesus! By God’s grace, many are making progress at putting off the old life and putting on new life in Christ! Praise the Lord!
Your grateful brother in Jesus, Bob
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