There is a lot of talk about Black Boys becoming men and becoming an endangered species. The lessons on how to become a man are well documented in the Bible. Here is a sharing of the ideal of what it takes to be a man. As with everything, we all must set goals and work to reach them. Parents should sit down with their children to set a life’s goal and write a contract, such as the one I've written here, that will lead to accomplishing the goal, and have your child sign it. The goals and the contract here are merely suggestions, but as your children return to school I believe that the following is a good starting place.

If you are the parent, grand-parent, aunt, uncle or any one who has contact with young people, sit down and spend some time having a discussion about the items listed in the contract below. It may be a good place to start a conversation about where your young person is headed, and it may give you an opportunity to share some experiences and/or observations that have helped shape your life. Maybe there are some mistakes you made or saw others make and you would like to steer your young person in a different direction. A discussion here may give you that opportunity.

Some people keep saying, the world has changed but I believe that what has changed is the way we approach the challenges of life. When babies are created by something other than sexual mating between a male and female, and when education is the result of something other than the hard work of studying, when dropping out of school is the best way to get an education, and when the best jobs go to the least educated and the person who has the least experience, then I will believe that the world has changed. Until then, teach your children that education and experience pays. Teach them that life is hard work, but sacrifice pays in the end.

Using the Books of Timothy and Titus, the following is a list of what a man is. The list is also taken, in part, from a book by Gene Getz called, The Measure Of A Man.

1. Above Reproach

2. Husband of one wife

3. Temperate

4. Prudent

4. Respectable

6. Hospitable

7. Able to teach

8. Not given to too much

wine (or drugs)

9. Not self willed

10. Not quick tempered

11. Not Pugnacious

12. Not contentious.

13. Gentle,

14. Free from the love of money

15. Manages his own household well,

16. Has a good reputation,

17. Loves what is good and just.

Yes, I want to be a man.

My career goal is to become__________________________________________________________

I am willing to sacrifice to reach my career goal and to be a man.

I will study at least three (3) hours per day, including reading a newspaper article and doing my school lesson.

I will spend no more than two hours per day watching television.

I will give up violent music and video games.

I will break off relationships with anyone else who does not share my goals, and that includes the following persons: _____________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

I will not use the N-word or other profanity or spend time listening to music that uses the N-word or profanity.

I will respect females and not call them derrogatory names nor force myself upon them in any way.

I will attend Sunday (or Sabbath) School at church, at least twice per month.

I will get a job, or create a job, no matter how menial the work seems to be.

I want to be a leader and not a follower.

I will not use drugs.

AIf@ I have sex with a girl, to protect her and myself from pregnancy and disease, and to protect my family and her family from embarrassment, I will use a condom.

I understand that sacrifice is not easy and that success in life comes from sacrifice with delayed rewards.

I will respect my elders.

Dated:_____________ Signed:________________________________

Parent or Witness:__________________________________________