The vision set forth for the boys mentoring program will seek to nurture the lives of young men at the age levels of 8-17 years old. The purpose of the program is to give young men a clear and definitive definition of manhood. The principal text used in gathering information for this particular program was derived from a book called Raising a Modern Day Knight, written by Robert Lewis. This is without a doubt one of the most eye opening revelations to raising young men ever written. Mr. Lewis uses the Bible as his number one source of reference.

 

The program promotes the Ten Life Skill Principles of:

 

• Honesty

• Kindness

• Purity

• Self-discipline

• Integrity

• Excellence

• Perseverance

• Humility

• Loyalty

• Servant leadership

 

These Ten Life Skill Principles are the foundation on which the program is established. There will be examples given that include people past and present who have lived by these principles, and in some cases have given their lives in doing so.

 

The teaching materials also include fables and films that compliment the topic of discussions for a particular lesson.

 

The next level of teaching deals with the Four Character Principles of Authentic Manhood:

 

• Real Men reject passivity

• Real Men accept responsibility

• Real Men lead courageously

• Real Men expect the greater reward

 

Implementation of the program will proceed as follows:

 

1. Volunteer Male mentors that have undergone a study of the book, Raising a Modern Day Knight, and a men’s group accountability program (Authentic Manhood) within his church or small group fraternity. The volunteers will be expected to teach from the established curriculum set forth in the program.

2. The program will be administered at the elementary level to bring young men up in the way that they should go. By teaching the Ten Life Skill Principles set forth early, their foundation will be strong for the future. It is also within this group that the program seeks to establish a fraternity of boys that aspire to become Modern Day Knights. While the young men are being groomed in the principles set forth, visible works must follow as a witness to their growth. These young men will be hand picked by their mentors, teachers, counselors, civic leadersand parents. There will be three rites of passages that are offered to the participants: Page (age 8-12), Squire (age 12-16), and Knight (upon high school graduation). The program will follow them through their elementary, middle, and high school years. At the end of their senior year, they will be Knighted and charged to stand as guardians over their community and country.

3. An alternative program will also be offered at the middle and the high school level to those young men 14 years and older. The curriculum will define the Ten Biblical Life Skill Principles while focusing on the Four Character Principles of Authentic Manhood. The mentors for this group will stand in the gap for young men who may be without a father figure within the home. The mentors will also commit to work with the teachers as well as the parents for the well being of the young men.

 

 

The mentoring program can be offered in three different ways:

 

• As a early morning before class assembly meeting once a week at school

• Weekend mentoring program (once a month)

• As part of a Sunday morning young men’s ministry

 

This is only a preliminary outline as further input and additions may be made prior to implementing the program.

 

It’s been said “It takes a village to raise a child”.