The Standard: Discovering Jesus as the Standard for Masculinity

About halfway through this book, it became obvious that it wasn’t a traditional book. I think this is a book clearly designed for a Bible study group.

(I don’t remember where I got the book, honestly. I might have picked it up at church somewhere.)

Either that, or it’s a promotional tool. It’s published by an organization called Standard 59 (no idea what that means), which appears to be a Christian men’s ministry. I assume this is the book that lays out the basic tenets and theme of the organization.

It’s not a bad book, but, again, I think it’s meant to be read in a group, and studied together. The chapters are very short with lots of headings, and there’s a “coaching” section at the end with some life application stuff.

It’s divided up into six major sections, representing the quality of manhood that Jesus demonstrated.

1. Self-Mastery
2. Leadership
3. Communication
4. Empathy
5. Confrontation
6. Love

Each chapter then breaks down into individual lessons to prove that particular point. For example, some of the sections under Leadership:

• Jesus is a servant leader
• Jesus is a teacher
• Jesus is a coach
• Jesus responds to questions with questions

Each of of those is well-supported with parables and verses.

I admit to skimming some of this. Given how short and study-oriented the book seems to be, it was hard to get into any narrative. It feels like more of a daily devotion thing.