Becoming the Man God Sees: From Beloved Son to Sage
This Father’s Day, Bill Chapman brought a stirring and insightful message that reached into the heart of every man—and into the soul of the Church. Drawing inspiration from a powerful podcast by Carey Nieuwhof featuring John Eldredge, Bill unpacked the six biblical stages of a man’s spiritual and emotional maturity, each mapped beautifully in the life and ministry of Jesus.
This wasn’t just a message for dads, but a call to all men to understand their God-given identity, embrace their journey, and step into their purpose with courage, love, and wisdom.
The Six Stages of a Man’s Maturity
1. The Beloved Son (0–10 years)
The journey starts here: every man must know he is beloved.
Beloved means “dearly loved,” especially by a father or father figure.
Without this foundation, every other stage is shaky. If a man doesn’t know he is loved, he will try to fill that gap with success, possessions, or approval.
Even Jesus needed to hear this:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” — Matthew 3:17
Are we speaking this truth over the boys and young men in our community?
2. The Ranger (10–18 years)
This is the season of risk-taking, adventure, and discipline.
A boy becomes a young man by exploring, pushing boundaries, and beginning to take ownership of his growth.
Jesus modeled this when He sent out His disciples—teenagers—two by two:
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers...” — Matthew 10
Men are meant to range beyond comfort, stepping into adventure and learning responsibility.
3. The Warrior (18–20s)
Every man needs a cause to fight for.
This is the age of convictions, standing for justice, and confronting darkness.
Jesus told His disciples they had been given authority to cast out demons and heal the sick. This is warfare—not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual strongholds and systems of oppression.
“It is our cause to see the lonely brought in... and the broken made whole.”
4. The Lover (Mid 20s–40s)
Here, a man learns to love deeply and appropriately—his spouse, children, community, and even his enemies.
Jesus gave a new commandment:
“Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 13:34
This kind of love is sacrificial, servant-hearted, and powerful. It softens hearts and changes lives.
5. The King (40s–50s)
In this stage, a man’s authority is rooted in humility, experience, and service.
He is not just influencing others, but building up those around him.
Paul writes:
“The authority the Lord gave me is for building you up, not tearing you down.” — 2 Corinthians 10:8
A true king rules not with dominance, but with dignity and care.
6. The Sage (60s–70s and beyond)
The final phase is about passing on wisdom, mentoring the younger, and guiding with humility and sincerity.
“Wisdom from above is pure... gentle, open to reason, full of mercy...” — James 3:17
The sage doesn’t need a title—his life speaks. His wisdom becomes legacy.
The Heart of the Message: Men, Step Into the Journey
Bill left us with a clear and powerful challenge:
💬 “God wants you to step up. Know you are beloved. Embrace the risk. Fight for the broken. Love deeply. Lead with integrity. And when the time comes—pour your wisdom back into the next generation.”
This is more than a path—it’s a blueprint for Kingdom manhood. Every stage matters. Every man is invited. Whether you're a son, father, mentor, or elder, God sees you, and He’s calling you to step into the fullness of who you are in Him.
Final Reflections
This Father’s Day, let’s:
Affirm the beloved sons in our lives.
Challenge the rangers and warriors to go further.
Support the lovers and kings as they lead and serve.
Honour our sages, whose wisdom we cannot afford to lose.
Men of Myrtle House—you are needed. Not just as fathers, but as spiritual fathers, brothers, mentors, and warriors for the Kingdom.