Recap: In this series we've been looking at what it means to be a real man. God has given us some wisdom that at times flies in the face of how our culture views a real man. For many guys, being a real man is about being a provider. While it's true we have a responsibility to provide, we're also called to be present. At the end of the day, our presence, our training, our time spent with those we most love will have the greatest impact on their life.

(1) What's the best (or worst) lesson your dad taught you? If you didn't have a dad around, what's one thing you wish he would have taught you?

(2) What man have you had the closest relationship with in your life? What made it a close relationship?

(3) Read Proverbs 13:22 and 1 Timothy 5:8. What do these say about our responsibility to be providers? What do you think this looks like realistically?

(4) Read Proverbs 27:8. What does this say about the importance of our presence in our family? What do you think it means to be "present"?

(5) Read Proverbs 22:6. When you think about athletics, what are some characteristics of training? What kind of effort & energy does it take? How might that look in our training of kids?

(6) We live in a world that says everyone should just blaze their own path - "whatever is right for them". But, if Jesus' ways are the best ways, is that really the best philosophy? How could this affect how we "train" our children?

(7) If you're a parent, we only have so many weeks with our kids before they are on their own. What can you do to proactively be present in their lives while you still have time with them? Be intentional.

(8) Do an honest assessment - on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not present at all and 10 being fully present - where do you think those closest to you would rate you? What's one thing you could do to move that number 1 or 2 spaces higher?

God, you know I love my family. I want to provide, I want them to be taken care of. I want them to have things even better than I did. But, more importantly, help me to be present. To be engaged in their lives, to support, encourage, train. To help them become all that you want them to be. I need your help. Help me to stay in the game. Give me energy for them. Help me to lead well for them to follow. Please do awesome things in their lives. Help me to honor you in this. Amen.