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How to Become a Godly Man

Godly men need a challenge

A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. 1 SAMUEL 17:4 MSG

I challenge the troops of Israel this day. Give me a man. Let us fight it out together!” When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine’s challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope. 1 SAMUEL 17:10-11 MSG

David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” 1 SAMUEL 17:26 NLT

The giant only gets louder until you kill it

For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army. 1 SAMUEL 17:16 NLT

God created you to handle difficult things

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. JAMES 1:12 MSG

so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. 2 TIMOTHY 4:2 MSG

Godly men need other Godly men in their lives

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. PROVERBS 18:1 ESV

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:33-34 NIV

A Godly man makes you better

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. PROVERBS 27:17 ESV

A Godly man makes you safer

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up! ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 NASB

Godly men need real commitment when it comes to sex

Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-2 NLT

A Godly Man does not have to be married

A Godly Man must be married to have sex

The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:3-4 NLT

A Godly man never demands sex

Love … does not demand its own way. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 NLT

A Godly man has sex within a marriage where it is mutually agreed upon and enjoyed

Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:5 NLT

Godly men live as Champions for Jesus

As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand. 1 SAMUEL 17:57 NLT

David took the Philistine’s head to Jerusalem, 1 SAMUEL 17:54 NLT

And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). MARK 15:22 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. HEBREWS 12:1-2 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to reflect on the sermon with God. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Wait until they are reasonably calm. If you sense the need, go for a walk. Take a few deep breaths, and when you are ready, invite God to guide you in your time together. Ask God to help you identify a Goliath in your life. What thoughts or feelings do you have about this challenge you are facing? Think about David's experience in facing Goliath. What inspires you about David’s demonstration of godly manhood? Have a conversation with God about facing the Goliath in your life. What could you ask God for help with, and what can you do in faith to overcome this challenge? Ask Him to reveal to you an action you can take this week to face this giant with His help and the help of other godly men. Close your time by asking God to help you picture what being a champion for Jesus looks like for you. Thank Jesus for being a champion for you, and ask the Holy Spirit for help in becoming a godly champion for Jesus as you trust and obey Him.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: What are the characteristics of a godly man–if you had a daughter, describe the kind of man you’d want her to marry.
  2. START HERE: Who is a man that God has used to challenge you and make you better?
  3. KEEP GOING: Looking back, what is the most difficult challenge you’ve had to face, and how has it shaped who you are today?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Samuel 17:4; 10-11 (NLT). What current Goliath is God allowing you to face so you can grow in your faith?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (NLT). Why do you think your sexual purity is so important to God?
  6. KEEP GOING: Why do you think so many Christians compromise their beliefs when it comes to sex?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read James 1:12 and James 4:7-10 (NLT). How do we kill the giants in our lives so we can experience the life God has for us?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Jesus was a champion for you when he died on the cross for your sin. How can you become a champion for Jesus?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Read Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT). What is a step you could take this week to grow in living with integrity, courage, and endurance?