Chapter 1 – Becoming a Faithful Man
Two paragraphs in Paul;s letters to Timothy and Titus give us a powerful profile for testing our maturity levels in Christ (see 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10). The following list depicts the spiritual qualifications from both letters:
- Overall spiritual maturity (a well-rounded man)
- Above reproach (a man of good repute)
- The husband of one wife (morally pure)
- Temperate (balanced in words and actions)
- Prudent (wise and humble)
- Respectable (good role model)
- Hospitable (unselfish and generous)
- Able to teach (communicates sensitively in a non-threatening and non-defensive manner)
- Not addicted to wine (not addicted to substances)
- Not self-willed (not self-centered and controlling)
- Not quick-tempered (void of anger that becomes sinful)
- Not pugnacious (not abusive)
- Gentle (sensitive, loving and kind)
- Peaceable (non-argumentative and non-divisive)
- Free from the love of money (non-materialistic)
- Manages his own household well (a good husband and father)
- Loving what is good (pursues godly activities)
- Just (wise, discerning, non-prejudiced and fair)
- Devout (holy, devoted to God)
- Self-controlled (disciplined)
Chapter 2: Building a Good Reputation
If you really want to know what kind of reputation you have – what people really think of you – ask your own wife (if married), and then give her freedom to answer the question openly and objectively. Ask your children and then give them the freedom to do the same. Ask those who know you well in your church and those who know you in the business world. You;ll be amazed at what you;ll learn.
Chapter 3: Maintaining Moral Purity
Every Christian man should have at least one other Christian man as an accountability partner. Having an accountability partner or partners has become more and more necessary in the culture in which we live.
Chapter 4: Living a Balanced Life
A temperate man doesn’t lose his physical, psychological and spiritual orientation. Like all of us, he experiences emotional turmoil and trauma, but through it all he remains stable and steadfast.
Chapter 5: Demonstrating Wisdom
A prudent man is a humble man. He has a proper view of himself, and he is keenly aware of one basic thing: All that he has (his gifts, abilities and possessions) is from God.
Chapter 6: Making God’s Truth Attractive
A respectable man is a man who lives in such a way so that his total life adorns the teachings of the Bible. Whether it’s his dress, his speech, the appearance of his home, his office or the way he does business – all are to be in harmony with biblical principles and doctrines.
Chapter 7: Sharing Our Resources
The word “hospitable” means being generous and caring for others. That is why we call our medical centers “hospitals.” They are places where we can help people who are physically and emotionally hurting. However, the Church is also to be a hospital -not only an environment for spiritual healing, but also a place to meet one anothers’ physical needs.
Chapter 8: Communicating Sensitively
A man who is able to teach not only is self-controlled and convinced that the Word of God is true, but also understands the Scriptures sufficiently to be “able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).
Chapter 9: Being Moderate in All Things
Addiction is the number one problem in today’s culture. This is why some people believe in total abstinence, and rightfully so for alcoholics or even for those who have this propensity. But it’s not accurate to say that the Bible teaches that all Christians should abstain from drinking wine.
Chapter 10: Overcoming Self-Centeredness
Self-centeredness comes in various degrees. Even mature Christians have a tendency toward self-centeredness and can fall into this trap. At some point this kind of behavior breeds resentment, lack of respect and lack of trust. If we persistently demonstrate this trait, people will not feel comfortable around us or respect us.
Chapter 11: Handling Anger appropriately
It’s impossible to live without getting angry. It’s a natural, God-created emotion. This is why Paul wrote, “Be angry, and yet do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). To deny this emotion in others and ourselves can lead to some serious psychological, spiritual and even physical problems.
Chapter 12: Avoiding Destructive Behavior
If you talk frequently about others to a variety of people and enjoy repeating negative stories about a particular person, chances are you are getting even with someone. You are using a more culturally acceptable form of pugnacious behavior, but it is striking out just the same.
Chapter 13: Treating Others Fairly
Paul was instructing Titus – and teaching us – that as Christians we of all people should show mercy toward people who are lost in sin. Although we may not be able to identify with the depths of sin into which some people fall, we must remember that it is only by God’s grace that we may have been reared in a Christian home. It is only by God’s grace that we may not have been trapped in the mire of sin or grown up in a drug-infested ghetto.
Chapter 14: Being a Peacemaker
Paul was concerned about the man who consistently and habitually demonstrates inappropriate attitudes and actions. He was also concerned about the unpredictable person, the man who at times is congenial and at times, seemingly without provocation, stirs up arguments and throws a wrench in the spiritual machinery that God designed to create peaceful relationships.
Chapter 15: Learning Generosity
Some researchers tell us that the average Christian gives only about two percent of his or her income to the Lord. We’re also told that among this population are approximately 15 percent who tithe (give one-tenth of their income). If this statistic becomes part of the average, the majority of American Christians give next to nothing.
Chapter 16: Fathering God’s Way
Paul made it clear in his letters to Timothy and Titus that a mark of maturity, or immaturity, in a man is the way he functions as a father in his home. If he is mature, Paul told Timothy, a man will be able to keep “his children under control with all dignity” (1 Tim. 3:4). Paul told Titus that this kind of father will have “children who believe” and who are “not accused of dissipation or rebellion” (Titus 1:6).
Chapter 17:Loving God Wholeheartedly
Loving what is good is a mark of Christian maturity. It’s possible for every Christian to “overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21) because of our relationship with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.
Chapter 18: Being Just and Upright
God gives us opportunities every day to practice justice and to be upright in our dealings with our fellow human beings, especially in our relationships with our immediate families, with our fellow Christians and with non-Christians who regularly cross our paths.
Chapter 19: Living a Holy Life
Become holy and Christlike while on Earth is a process that should continue until we are with Jesus Christ in heaven. This is the great emphasis in the New Testament letters. Again and again, we’re instructed to become like Christ in His holiness.
Chapter 20: Becoming a Disciplined Man
When we are not functioning well physically, it affects both our psychological and our spiritual lives. When we are not functioning well mentally and emotionally (our psychological dimension), it affects our physical and spiritual lives. And when we are out of God’s will spiritually, it affects us physically and psychologically.