Men’s Ministry: TITUS-10 and the Godly Definition of Manhood - by Dom Trawick

In a culture that distorts biblical truths of manhood, I struggled to understand what it truly meant to be a godly man. I knew I needed to grow spiritually, lead my family with purpose, and disciple my wife and children in a way that reflected Christ. But like many men, I became passive, content with doing the bare minimum.

By God’s grace, a brother introduced me to the TITUS-10 Bible study. At first, I thought it would just be another set of principles and strategies for men like me. However, it turned out to be a powerful tool the Spirit used to awaken me to the fullness of God’s calling. TITUS-10 not only describes godly manhood but challenges men to live it out in their homes, empowered by the gospel.

TITUS-10 emphasizes qualities such as integrity, humility, and reliance on Christ. It calls men to reject the world’s distorted view of manhood—centered on pride and independence—and instead embrace God’s design for a Spirit-led life of love, service, and faithfulness.

The study posed tough questions:

• Am I leading myself well through prayer and the Word before leading my family?
• Are my actions shaped by gospel truth or worldly ambition?
• Do I reflect God’s character in my role as a husband and father?

The answers were uncomfortable. The Spirit convicted me, showing areas of neglect that I had long justified. TITUS-10 reminded me that transformation doesn’t come through my own efforts but by the power of the Spirit as I submit to Christ.

Passivity is one of the greatest threats to godly manhood. I realized I had been passive in my role as a husband. Like many men, I had wrongly assumed that providing materially and managing household responsibilities was enough. However, God calls husbands to a deeper spiritual leadership that reflects the sacrificial love Christ has for His church.

I began to reflect on this: Am I praying for and with my wife? Am I encouraging her faith and nurturing her heart in the Word? I asked her if she felt spiritually supported by me, and her answer revealed what I had feared but needed to hear: I was meeting practical needs while neglecting her spiritual needs.

I sought God’s forgiveness and my wife’s, vowing to lead our marriage with a renewed focus on the Spirit’s power. Spiritual leadership is not about control or perfection but about consistently pointing my wife to Christ. Whether through prayer, sharing scripture, or listening to her heart, small acts of obedience have strengthened our marriage and centered Christ in our union.

My marriage wasn’t the only area where I had been passive; I was also neglecting my responsibility to disciple my children. God has entrusted fathers with the sacred duty of shaping their children’s faith, but I had been leaving this task to the church and others, hoping it would somehow happen on its own. I asked myself hard questions: Do my children see a father whose life is transformed by the gospel or just a father who talks about it? Am I modeling a life led by the Spirit or distracted by lesser things?

Convicted once again, I began to approach fatherhood with greater intentionality. I carved out time to lead my children in prayer, Bible reading, and discussions about how the gospel shapes every area of life. I asked the Spirit to help me reflect His patience, humility, and grace in these daily moments.

Leading our children is not a burden but a joy. God’s design calls fathers to embrace this privilege with intentionality, relying on the Spirit to guide them. Our actions, shaped by the Spirit, influence our children far more than our words. Godly manhood isn’t about trying harder; it’s about surrendering to the Spirit, trusting in the finished work of Christ, and walking in obedience to His Word.

This is the legacy I want to leave for my family: a legacy rooted in humility, love, and faithfulness. I encourage you to reflect on the same tough questions:

• What kind of legacy are you building?
• Are you leading with humility and reliance on the Spirit, or has passivity defined your home?
• If your wife and children were asked what kind of man you are, what would they say?

God’s design for manhood is far greater than the world’s fleeting promises of independence and self-sufficiency. It is a life of joyful submission to Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and anchored in the gospel.

I am grateful that TITUS-10 is not just a Bible study but a call to action—a challenge to reject passivity, embrace God’s design, and lead with love and courage through the power of the Spirit. I don’t have it all figured out, and I never will on this side of eternity. But I’ve seen the transformative power of opening God’s Word, seeking Him earnestly, and allowing the Spirit to change my heart.

The journey is difficult, but when you embrace God’s design for manhood, you’ll see Christ glorified in your home—and so will your family.