Term 1 | Lecturer: Ps Mervin Jayaseela
Introduction#
Never lose sight of this truth: the only way to become the man you were created to be is to first become godly. The danger today is that many men pursue manhood more than they pursue God. Learning and practicing masculinity without prioritising a deep relationship with Him will never result in lasting transformation.
True men are those who are captivated by Christ rather than by themselves. This requires counting the cost of following Jesus and allowing Him to fill the emptiness of the soul with His presence. We must resist a culture that elevates self-discovery and self-fulfilment above fully surrendering our lives to God.
Let us honour godly character above worldly success. Let us seek biblical wisdom and spiritual depth more than achievements and skills. Let us love God through daily practices - prayer, meditation on the Word, worship, and authentic accountability and vulnerability with other men.
The Creation of the Male#
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” - Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
God created humankind in His image. Both male and female are spirit beings, able to relate to and connect with Almighty God. As spirit beings, they were created to be fruitful and to have dominion, bringing God’s rule and nature across the earth.
Fruitfulness is not limited to having children, but includes producing much fruit in all areas of life. The distinction between male and female is physical and functional, not a difference in essence, value, or spiritual identity as image-bearers of God.
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” - Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
The male was created first, and there was a period of time before the female was made. Clues about the purpose of the male can be discovered by studying what he was taught and entrusted with during this time.
Why Was the Male Created First?#
The male was designed to be the foundation of the human family and of human society. The woman was created from the man, not from the earth. She was made to rest upon the man, and the children were also to rest upon him. God was building from the foundation upward.
In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus teaches the importance of building one’s house on the rock. A strong foundation comes from learning and practicing God-given principles. A man is strengthened not by words alone, but by obedience.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” - Colossians 2:8 (KJV)
When the foundation is weak, identity becomes unstable, and the entire structure - family and society - suffers. Foundations are often hidden, beneath the surface, unseen by others. Yet they are meant to be stable, reliable, and strong.
Note: You are not destined to repeat broken foundations. In Christ, through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the support of strong, godly men, you can rebuild manhood and establish a solid foundation based on the principles of God’s Word.
Why Was the Male Placed in the Garden?#
“And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.” - Genesis 2:8 (KJV)
The male was placed in the Garden of Eden on purpose. Eden means “delight” or “pleasure,” and a garden was an enclosed, protected space - the place where Heaven touched Earth. This is where man began.
Man was created to start in the presence of God. In the garden, he learned to practice God’s presence - where the seen world met the unseen world, and the presence and glory of God flowed freely between Heaven and Earth.
Man functions best in the presence of God. Outside of it, he becomes insecure, fearful, and powerless - often turning controlling, destructive, or deceptive.
Many of us, driven by ego, convince ourselves that we don’t need God. But the truth is, God is the first and most essential thing we need. Before Adam was given a woman, sexual fulfillment, position, or status, he was given presence.
Presence came first - and it still must.
Why Was Man Given the Command?#
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” - Genesis 2:15-17 (KJV)
The instructions were given to the man. God taught him so that he, in turn, would teach his wife and children. He received knowledge, revelation, and direct communication from God. He was entrusted with God’s plan and given the responsibility to teach, lead, and guide others.
Five Purposes of Manhood#
1. Leadership#
When God placed Eve in the garden, it was clear that she was created to assist Adam in the work God had already given him. Leadership was first entrusted to the man. To carry out this role effectively, a man must possess initiative, decisiveness, humility, courage, and personal responsibility.
“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” - Genesis 2:18 (KJV)
2. Teacher#
“Do not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden” was an instruction given to Adam, and he was responsible to teach and guide Eve in the Word of God. He received God’s instruction first and was called to pass it on.
To fulfill this role, a man must possess teachability, discipline in study, humility, and wisdom.
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” - Ephesians 5:26 (KJV)
3. Cultivator#
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” - Genesis 2:15 (KJV)
To “dress” or “cultivate” means to cause something to grow so that it produces the greatest fruit. Cultivation involves developing potential and bringing forth the best possible outcome - in a wife, in children, in those being discipled.
Husbands are specifically called to exemplify the sacrificial love that Christ has for the church (Ephesians 5:25). True men should excel in generosity, gentleness, consideration, kindness, servanthood, and self-sacrifice.
4. Provider#
Work reveals potential - skills, creativity, wisdom, and capacity that God has placed within a man. Through work, a man provides for the needs of his family and contributes to God’s Kingdom purposes.
The qualities required include diligence, hard work, personal involvement, and servanthood.
5. Protector#
“And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” - Genesis 2:15 (KJV)
The phrase “to keep it” also means to guard or protect. Man is uniquely designed to protect his family - physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)
Conclusion#
By exploring God’s intention for biblical gender purpose rather than traditional or cultural roles, we see distinct masculine qualities. Many sins hinder men from embracing these roles and qualities, including fear, pride, laziness, selfishness, idolatry, greed, and a lack of trust in God and His Word.
There are also painful experiences and abuse that have caused many men to abandon their purpose and calling. While these wounds are real, they cannot serve as excuses or justifications. Men must turn to God and to other godly men for healing and restoration, reclaiming their full destiny in manhood.
When men consistently live out these roles and qualities, they are less likely to pursue counterfeit expressions of manhood such as machismo or authoritarianism, or to fall into passivity.
Group Discussion Questions#
- Which of the five roles - leader, teacher, cultivator, provider, or protector - do you find most challenging to live out, and why?
- How can men grow in godly leadership without falling into passivity on one hand or control and oppression on the other?
- What practical steps can men take to heal from past wounds or failures so they can fully step into God’s purpose for their lives and families?