Expectations for Young Men: Challenging Status Quo

Expectations for Young Men: Challenging the Status Quo

Young men have always been expected to be restless and adventurous; to be hard-charging and driven. But are these expectations enough? In this article, we will explore how we can expect more from our young men, not just in terms of their physical prowess but also in their emotional and spiritual growth.

The Importance of Expectations

Expectations are powerful. They can either lift us up or hold us down. When we set high expectations for our young men, we give them something to aspire to, something to work towards. We let them know that we believe in them and that we expect great things from them.

On the other hand, low expectations can be just as powerful, but in a negative way. When we don't expect much from our young men, they can quickly fall into a state of idle complacency. They may not see the point in striving for anything more than the bare minimum.

This is why it's so important that we challenge the status quo when it comes to our expectations for young men. We must expect more from them, not just in terms of their physical abilities, but also in their emotional and spiritual growth.

Spiritual Growth

As Christians, we know that our ultimate goal in life is to glorify God. This means that our young men should be striving to grow in their faith and become more like Christ every day. But how can we encourage this growth?

One way is to teach our young men to be self-disciplined. The apostle Paul wrote, "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27). Our young men need to learn to discipline their bodies, their thoughts, and their actions in order to become more like Christ.

We can also encourage our young men to seek wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 says, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight." We should teach our young men that true wisdom comes from God and that they should seek it out in His Word.

Finally, we should encourage our young men to be leaders in their communities. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Our young men should be setting an example for others to follow, both in their words and in their actions.

Emotional Growth

Emotional growth is just as important as spiritual growth. Our young men should be learning how to handle their emotions in a healthy and productive way. This means learning to be vulnerable, to express their feelings, and to seek help when they need it.

One way we can encourage emotional growth in our young men is by providing them with positive role models. When young men see other men who are willing to be vulnerable and express their emotions in a healthy way, they are more likely to do the same.

We can also teach our young men to practice self-care. This means taking care of their physical, emotional, and mental health. They should learn to recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed and take steps to address those feelings.

Finally, we should encourage our young men to develop healthy relationships. This means learning to communicate effectively, to resolve conflicts in a productive way, and to build strong, supportive friendships.

Physical Growth

Physical growth is often the first thing that comes to mind when we think of expectations for young men. But physical growth encompasses more than just physical strength. It also includes things like endurance, agility, and coordination.

One way we can encourage physical growth in our young men is by providing them with opportunities to be active. This could mean playing sports, going hiking, or simply taking regular walks or runs. Physical activity not only helps to build physical strength, but it also has mental and emotional benefits.

We can also encourage our young men to take care of their bodies by eating well and getting enough sleep. The apostle Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our young men should learn to treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Expectations are powerful. When we set high expectations for our young men, we give them something to aspire to. We let them know that we believe in them and that we expect great things from them.

As Christians, we should be expecting more from our young men, not just in terms of their physical abilities, but also in their emotional and spiritual growth. We should be encouraging them to become leaders in their communities, to seek wisdom, and to handle their emotions in a healthy way.

We should also be providing them with opportunities to be active and take care of their bodies. When we expect more from our young men, we are helping them to become the men that God has called them to be.

References

• 1 Corinthians 9:27


• Proverbs 4:7


• 1 Timothy 4:12


• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20