As a pastor, I long to see young adults grow into Christlike men; men of courage, conviction, humility, and strength. My desire is not to place heavy expectations on you but to help you discover the life Jesus invites you into. This document was written to increase your joy, to point you toward what truly matters, and to keep you from wasting your life on things that cannot satisfy. Ultimately, my prayer is that God uses these words to wake you up and lead you into a life of purpose and eternal significance.

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀

Why: If you are not finding pleasure in Christ, you will find it somewhere else. Joy in Jesus is the fuel for holiness, endurance, purity, and mission. Godliness grows best in the soil of delight, not mere duty. “The Christian’s joy does not depend on outward circumstances, but on the inward presence of Christ.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Key Verses: Psalm 16:11; John 15:9–11; Philippians 3:8.

Daily Practices:

• Listen to worship music.

• Think about the gospel frequently and all that Jesus has done, and is doing, for you.

• Refuse to allow your faith to become stale. Continue to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱

Why: God forms godly character through hearing and doing His Word (James 1:22; Psalm 119:105).

Key Verses: Psalm 119:105; James 1:22.

Daily Practices:

• Set aside time every day to be in the Bible.

• Slow down and enjoy being with God, experience His presence.

𝗣𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

Why: Prayer is the engine of dependence and discernment; Jesus modeled withdrawal for prayer (Luke 5:16). Prayer shapes the desires of the heart.

Key Verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 5:16.

Daily Practices:

• Create a simple prayer rhythm—a regular time that you are alone with God.

• Pray throughout the day.

• Begin a prayer journal.

𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

Why: Sexual sin is uniquely destructive to the soul, relationships, and future marriage. God calls young men to holiness not to restrict joy but to protect it. Purity is not merely avoiding sin, it is pursuing a clean heart that can see God clearly (Matthew 5:8).

Key Verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20; Psalm 119:9.

Daily Practices:

• Set specific boundaries (phone filters, accountability apps, a trusted accountability partner).

• If your phone, computer, TV, or social media is causing you to sin, take radical action.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

Why: You cannot become a man of God in isolation. God grows His people in the community of the local church where we worship, serve, learn, and encourage one another. The church is God’s chosen environment for discipleship and transformation.

Key Verses: Hebrews 10:24–25; Acts 2:42–47; Ephesians 4:11–16.

Daily Practices:

• If you are not a member, become a member.

• Discover your spiritual gift(s) and begin using them in the church.

• Join a Life Group.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆, 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

Why: God created young men for purpose, strength, courage, and meaningful work, not for a life numbed by endless entertainment. Video games, social media, and constant digital noise can steal focus, dull affections, and replace real growth with artificial escape.

Key Verses: Ephesians 5:15–16; Psalm 90:12; 1 Corinthians 6:12.

Daily Practices:

• Replace escape with purpose; Scripture, relationships, service, and skill-building.

• See your time as a gift from God.

• Set boundaries on entertainment so it doesn’t master you.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂

Why: God often shapes young men through older, wiser believers. Paul discipled Timothy. Older men are called to train younger men (Titus 2:2–6).

Key Verses: 1 Timothy 4:12; Proverbs 13:20; Titus 2:6–8.

Daily Practices:

• If possible, deepen your relationship with your dad.

• Join a Discipleship Group (https://grace-efc.org/adults/#groups

).

• Ask a godly older man to meet monthly for counsel and Scripture.

• Share honestly, growth requires openness.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 & 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

Why: Laziness and excuse-making undermine Christian maturity. Godly men embrace responsibility, diligence, and stewardship. This isn’t about figuring out your whole future, it’s about living intentionally today.

Key Verses: Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 6:6–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12.

Daily Practices:

• Work hard and build a reputation for excellence.

• Set goals and pursue them.

• Follow through, finish what you start.

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗕𝗲 𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁

Why: A man of God understands that his purpose extends far beyond himself. God calls young men to shine the light of Christ in their families, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Key Verses: Matthew 5:14–16; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Daily Practices:

• Share your testimony with one person this month.

• Ask people, “How can I pray for you?”

• Intentionally serve someone each week.

𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Young men, you don’t have to blend in with the culture around you. The world will tell you to chase pleasure, success, entertainment, and applause, but none of those things can give you identity, joy, or purpose. You were made for something far greater. God is calling you to swim against the cultural stream and live differently, to be strong in character and bold in faith. Don’t let the culture define who you are or what your life should be. Let Jesus Christ shape your purpose, direct your steps, and satisfy your soul. When you follow Him, you won’t just avoid wasting your life, you’ll discover what you were truly created for.