Knowing God in the Company of Men

What Do Men Teach Us about God?

As men, we often learn a great deal about life in the company of other men. Some of it is good, some of it is not so good. In the company of men, we have learned to make the perfect cast, throw a curve ball, drive a nail, paint a wall, enjoy a classic story, or appreciate a piece of music. In the company of men, we have also learned how to treat women, how to use power, and how to get what we want.

But, what have we learned about God in the company of men? A great deal has been written in recent years to bring a more holistic view of God in light of the contribution of women. I don’t ask this question to suggest either of the sexes is more or less capable of teaching us about God. The truth is that God’s image is expressed most fully in the relationship of a man and a wife (Genesis 1:26-27). As men and women relate to one another, especially in marriage, the world sees a living reflection of the character of God. Each one makes a unique contribution to God’s self-revelation through the human race.

So, what has been the unique contribution of men to your understanding of God? What positive contributions have other men made to you knowing God? How have the actions and attitudes of men hindered you from having a view of God that is consistent with the Bible’s revelation of God?

Reaching the Next Generation of Men

1 O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
(Psalm 78:1-4 NIV)

My father was incredible story teller. Throughout my childhood, he made it a point to tell me stories before I would go to bed. He created memorable characters like the adventurous Oolie the Indian, and the mischievous team of Becky and Henry. I can recall many nights with him as we watched the fire burn down in our fireplace and he would take me on Canadian moose hunts. We did all of this and never left the living room.

As great as those stories were however, it was the stories he and my mom would tell me of God's faithfulness to them during the Great Depression and the Second World War that have stuck with me into my adulthood. The memory of these stories caused me to wonder, "What stories have I passed on to my own children of God's faithfulness? How have I placed a hunger in their hearts for a relationship with their Heavenly Father by recounting the Lord's presence in the life of their earthly father?"

On a broader scale, this passage has led me to wonder how the current generation of men's leaders is preparing the young men coming behind us to be the leaders God is calling them to be. The power and influence of the men's movement of the 1990's cannot be understated. Ministries like Promise Keepers and men like Ed Cole launched the current generation of men's leaders into an era of unprecedented fruitfulness in men's ministry. But how will we pass along a passion for God to the next generation of young men?

I encourage you to respond with your thoughts, insights, and experiences as to how you and your men's ministry is reaching back and helping ignite a fire of spiritual passion in the lives of the next generation.