Seasons

            Introduction:

1. In the last two sessions we discussed the Four Faces of Manhood. Your manhood can’t be just one dimensional, but needs to be able to express itself appropriately given different situations.

2. Those on the path of Authentic Manhood are not only aware of different situations in their life, but they are also aware of the different Seasons of life.

3. In this session, we’ll look at the life stages of a man. What should life look like in your twenties? Or forties? Or seventies and beyond? We’ll discover some helpful principles that can guide you through each stage of life and the unique battles you’ll face along the way.

Key Ideas

1. Reverse Engineering

·        Begin with the End in mind

·        Examine the lives of Godly men before us

2. The power of Mentor-ship

·        Men who have already experienced the season we’re in right now

3. Anticipate Transitions

·        Wise to plan for the major transitions

·        The laws of the Harvest

4. We reap what we sow.

·        We reap more than we sow

·        We reap in a different Season than we sow

Spring – Age 0 to 20 – Identity

1. In this season a man comes to terms with his Identity.

2. The key to this stage is Transitioning to adulthood well.

3. The key questions of this stage:

·        Who am I?

·        Who am I not?

Summer – Age 20 to 40 – Learning and Growing1. Potential
                 Dangers of your 20’s: 

   ·        Getting lost in extended Adolescence is not an option for
      Authentic Manhood. 

   ·        Handling Sexual energy :
      “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you
     abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you knows
     how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the
     passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
     1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 [ESV]

            2. The major opportunity of your 20’s: Learn, Learn, Learn!

3. The key questions for your 20’s: 

    ·        What do I want out of life? 

    ·        Where will I distinguish myself professionally? 

    ·        How am I different from my parents? 

    ·        What do I really believe? 

    ·        What skills do I need to develop? 

    ·        Around what person or conviction will I organize my life?

4. The major opportunity of your 30’s: Growth 

5. A key word to remember during your 30’s: Margin 

    ·        Without margins, Relationships are compromised

6. Key questions for your 30’s: 

    ·        How do I Prioritize the demands made on my life? 

    ·        Have I allowed enough time for a spiritual life and authentic
       relationships? 

Fall – Age 40 to 60 – Influence
1. There can be a great Harvest in this season.
2. Key questions for this stage: 
    ·        Have I Achieved everything I wanted? 
    ·        Do I have dreams that are unfulfilled? 
    ·        Can my mistakes be redeemed? 
    ·        Are my Accomplishments fulfilling?

3. The major danger of this season is a mid-life Crisis.
4. The great opportunity of this season can be summed up in
    one word: Influence 

    ·        David Levinson calls men between the ages of 45-60 the
          “dominant generation.” Levinson says that the guys in this
          season create and implement the governing ideas in every
          sector of society-whether it’s politics, business, religion,
          art, or science.

           Winter – Age 60 and beyond – Sage 
           1.      Marked by Wisdom, experience and respect. 
           2.      The greatest danger of this season is for a man to buy the lie
                    that he can no longer Contribute. 
           3.      The major opportunity of this season is to take advantage of
                your Flexibility.


           Conclusion
           1. Regardless of the season of life you are in, as men, we are
              all called to create and cultivate – not just for a particular
              season, but for our entire life.
           2. We are called to follow the example of Jesus.
           3. We are created to live a life of thruth, passion, and purpose.
           4. As men on a journey toward Authentic Manhood, we know
               how to do that. 
               ·        Reject passivity 
               ·        Accept responsibility 
               ·        Lead courageously 
               ·        Invest eternally

Taken from 33 THE SERIES "A MAN AND HIS DESIGN"
LifeWay