Raising A Modern Day Knight
The subject of guns can be a touchy one. So if you have issues with guns unsubscribe from my blog now. I’m about to show you some guns being used . . . properly.
Brian stood beside each of our sons while they practiced shooting. He always made sure that the barrel of the gun was pointed in the appropriate and designated direction. No person or animals were hurt for this blog post (except if you want to count the hotdogs and hamburgers).
Raising A Modern Day Knight Defined
The Engineer has been meeting with a group of other dads (with boys) for several months now.
Their purpose is to raise up boys who become real men, by giving them
- a vision,
- a code of conduct,
- and a transcendent cause (Christianity) in which to invest his life.
These dads from our church and community want to do something different. They have formed a fellowship with which to hold each other accountable – to create moments together where rites of passage can be documented and boys can turn into men through ceremonies and training.
The Effects of Raising A Modern Day Knight
The Engineer is purposefully investing in his sons and let me tell you, it has had trickle down effects into many aspects of our family life.
All for the better.
Our boys are largely respectful. They open doors for ladies. They clean up their mess. They defend the women in their household. They seek danger and never run from it (ok sometimes they do – they are still kids.)
Ceremony Is Missing In Our Culture
Many years ago, we began researching the idea of “ceremony.” There aren’t many events in our American culture that are rooted in Biblical tradition that leave a legacy and provide a roadmap of action for the future. Our journey initially led us to A Family Guide of Biblical Holidays.
Books that Inspire the Modern Day Knight
The Engineer has also read authors and stories like:
- John Eldridge, who wrote the book Wild at Heart,
- been captivated by the life of Teddy Roosevelt in his biography titled Mornings on Horseback,
- Unbroken – a story about how Louis Zamperini survived the ocean, sharks, enemy fire, and starvation before being rescued after World War II
- YWAM Christian Heroes Then and Now
- and listened to Jon Courson –
Books and teachings from men who ooze manhood and adventure (just like my Engineer).
Modern Day Knight Ceremony Benefits
Raising A Modern Day Knight brings back ceremony into our family.
It lets our sons know when they have reached an important age – an age where they clearly know what is expected of them.
It culminates in one final day (many years from now) . . . a ceremony when they know that they have reached manhood. They are a man.
And they act like it.
If you don’t raise your son to manhood… the world will!
– Dennis Rainey
Dangerous Boys
If you are around us, you will hear us encouraging our boys to be dangerous. We purposefully try to NOT say, “Be careful.” While we don’t want them to get hurt, we also don’t want them to fear life. To fear trying something new.
- So we have them in Taekwondo.
- The Engineer takes them on backpacking trips once they are 5 years of age.
- They get to help build and start campfires.
- They have used hammers, knives, saws, and drills.
- We let them get dirty.
- They can climb trees (when there are some to be climbed).
- They can get on the roof.
- We have them scale the climbing wall at church.
- The Engineer has even built them a ramp to jump off of on their bikes.
A Challenge to Families with Boys
May I challenge you to invest in your sons and teach them how to be a Modern Day Knight (this is an affiliate link to get the book) in our technology driven society. Give them their war cry.
Thanks so much for the info Jodi! I am going to be passing this on to my husband.
Absolutely wonderful post Jodi. This is the same track I’ve been on with Daniel. I didn’t know Brian was doing so also. So cool to hear of others doing the same thing. In fact, I’d really like to connect with this group. If you don’t mind, could you let me know how to get in touch? Thanks for promoting and celebrating the “cause” of Biblical masculinity!
Thanks Tim!!! I value that you took the time to post on my blog!!! Maybe YOU should do a guest post — some of the things that you and Daniel have done???
Thank you for sharing this!…I will also be sharing with my hubby. We have one son who is 13 going on 14. He also has Aspergers. God has given us a wonderful son, we are blessed, but we also want to do all we can, that God calls us to do, to help him as he transitions to manhood.
Nicole — that is fabulous!!! All boys need to know that their daddy’s are behind them — boys grow up to be men and knowing that their dad thinks that they have what it takes to be a man — is important. Let us know if you have any other questions!!! (We aren’t authorities — but we are walking through this prayerfully!)
I’m very encouraged by your website on “Raising A Modern Day Knight”.
I too am an engineer who will be starting this study for men at my home. Starting this Weds, 8 May.
I would really like to hear from ‘the engineer’ on tips for success.
Robert Lewis’ book was excellent and I can’t wait to start to partner with other dads, raising boys to men.
Thanks for posting this.
Engineer #2 — I just emailed you back!!!! But I am going to post here what I wrote to you . . . for others to read!
What Did The Dads Study Look like for Raising a Modern Day Knight?
A group of guys met from our church, and really from our community. They first read King Me. The group setting (from what I know) was pretty informal. They read the book and discussed. I think for Raising a Modern Day Knight — they actually watched the video series and worked through the journal that accompanies the book.
This book launched us going on dates each week with our kids. 2 get to go each Sunday, and we take turns (we have 4 kids). Other activities they did was create a family crest, talk about how Brian was doing as a dad, and just generally talk about things that don’t get discussed when siblings are around. On the dates our kids get to pick what we go and do — often they pick something “dangerous” with Brian. I get the quieter dates. 🙂
The purpose of the ceremony that I blogged about was mainly for the dads — a chance for them to seal their purpose in a public way and to let their kids know that their daddy’s were purposing to raise them as men for the Lord. The guns were just bonus. At the serious portion of the night, after the guns and cookout, each of the dad’s prayed for their sons — issuing a charge of sorts — as they held on to the sword and then each boy got a REALLY nice compass, which I didn’t show.
The ceremony that happened in this blog post — is not one from the book. Most of the boys involved or represented aren’t old enough yet to become a “page.” There are several different ceremonies to help the boys know that they are getting older . . . and part of manhood.
If anyone else has questions, let me know, and I can have the Engineer email you.
amen, judi!
We need to reread our copy, we love that book.
Great post. I was blessed to be a part of this study and the evening shown in the pictures above. We grilled animal flesh on an open fire. Blew things up. Told our sons that we were proud of them for who they are, not what they are able to do. And challenged them to seek Jesus Christ as their highest goal and most important relationship. The boys were able to see us fathers associate in the company and fellowship of men. Every father prayed a specific, unique prayer over each of his sons.
What a great night. I am thankful for these men in my life, and that includes the Engineer.
BoilerRon
You rock, Ron!!! So glad to know you and your wife!
Jodi:
Great post. The ceremony was meaningful on many levels. As men, it is often difficult to share struggles, anxieties or fears. Bringing men through a series focused on molding their sons to be God fearing, honorable men sharpens the men and the boys. What a privilege it has been to join this group of men as WE endeavor to honor God in how we raise our modern day knights.
So glad to see other men out there taking this on full speed. God bless you all.