What Does It Take to Be a Godly Man? Every young boy dreams about what he wants to be when he grows up. Some have goals of becoming an astronaut, or a fireman, or a professional athlete. But what does it take to be a man ? How does a young person get there? In this six-session video-based curriculum (DVD/digital video sold separately), NFL All-Pro, sports analyst, and businessman Tim Brown uses experiences from his life to teach men the principles and priorities he has learned for leading a life that honors God. Through his stories of struggling with God, overcoming temptations, and discovering what it takes to be a good husband and father, he shares what true manhood is all about and what guys must do to attain it. These principles have helped Tim lead a life of honor and integrity that has made him one of the most respected men in the world of sports. The Making of a Man will not only inspire men of all ages but also challenge them to measure their lives and success by a higher standard. Designed for use with The Making of a Man Video Study (sold separately). Tim Brown is one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the National Football League. Notre Dame's Heisman Trophy winner in 1987, and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015, Tim played sixteen seasons for the Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and setting numerous team and league records. He has served as a television analyst for Fox Sports, NBC, ESPN, and Sirius XM Satellite radio, and devotes his time and efforts to numerous charitable causes. Judson Poling is coauthor of the Walking with God series and general editor of The Journey: A Study Bible for Spiritual Seekers. The Making of a Man How Men and Boys Honor God and Live with Integrity By TIM BROWN, Judson Poling Thomas Nelson Copyright © 2014 Tim Brown All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-529-11304-7 Contents How to Use This Guide, 7, Session 1 A Man Uses His Talents, 11, Session 2 A Man Overcomes Temptation, 29, Session 3 A Man Takes Responsibility, 47, Session 4 A Man Forgives Others, 63, Session 5 A Man Has His Priorities in Order, 77, Session 6 A Man Builds a Godly Legacy, 95, CHAPTER 1 SESSION 1 A Man Uses His Talents GET TOGETHER If the men in your group are just meeting each other for the first time, be sure to go around the circle and introduce yourselves to each other. Have each group member complete the following icebreaker sentence: As a boy, I wanted to grow up to be a _____ [Your Response] _____, because ___________ [Your Response] _______________________ ______________________________________________. GET THINKING Watch the video for session one. Use the outline provided to note any thoughts or concepts that stand out to you. NOTES Tim Brown made the transition from being a Heisman Trophy college star to playing in the NFL. A 97-yard kickoff return in his first game boosted his confidence — though he quickly discovered that the professional players he encountered were faster, stronger, and more talented than in college. [Your Notes] After his first season, Tim was named to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner. When he returned home, his parents welcomed him with a big banner across the porch to congratulate him. However, his mother told him to leave the "big head" outside and just be "Timmy" when he got inside! [Your Notes] We all have talents, but we need to use our skills and abilities for God's glory, not our own. [Your Notes] Jesus told a parable about a man who gave his three servants bags of gold to use in his absence. The first two used theirs well to increase their master's wealth. The third one foolishly did nothing with the treasure entrusted to him. The point is clear: God wants us to use the talents He has given us and not hide them away. [Your Notes] You may think God can't use your abilities for Him, or you may not know what your God-given skills are. However, when you're in tune with God, and are reading the Bible and praying, you're in a position to get the answers you need. [Your Notes] You may not have the talents others have, but that's okay. Maybe you have the ability to listen well, or multitask, or find solutions to complex problems. God has entrusted you with those skills, and He wants you to use them for His glory. [Your Notes] GET TALKING Tim Brown points out that we men are on a journey to understand what we need to do to make ourselves into the men that God wants each of us to be. Our search for understanding manhood begins early in life. As boys, we received ideas from a variety of sources: television, movies, books, sports figures, and, of course, our dads. Sometimes, we learned what we didn't want to become by watching men. Most of us can identify a man — in real-life or someone whom we learned about — who stood out, who impressed us, and whom we wanted to be like. 1. Share with the group members a man who was a hero for you growing up. What was it abo