Gene A. Getz - The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of A Godly Man

1974, 2004, 2016 by Gene A. Getz

published by Revell

a division of Baker publishing Group

p.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4934-0425-4

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations labeled ASV are from the American Standard Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

The author has added emphasis to Scripture by italicizing words and phrases.

In The Measure of a Man my friend and mentor, Dr. Gene Getz, has laid a foundation for biblical manhood that any male can use to build the superstructure of a solid life. It is past time for men to aspire to Gods definition of who we are to be rather then the flawed definitions of our contemporary culture. This book will enable you to do just that.

Tony Evans , president, The Urban Alternative;
senior pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship

Before God makes the ministry, He measures and makes the man. Gene Getz has been Gods tool for making many a man during this generation. His book has shaped me professionally and his friendship has marked me personally. I am so happy to see this classic book in a new, impactful edition.

Dr. James MacDonald, senior pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel;
author, Act Like Men and Vertical Church

It strikes me that it would take either a colossal ego or deep humility to write a book subtitled Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man. For nearly fifty years, Gene Getz has been my respected mentor, stellar example, treasured colleague, and beloved friend. Humility has always been his hallmark.

Jerry B. Jenkins, novelist and biographer,
The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild

The Measure of a Man is a great reference work for any man seeking the definition of biblical masculinity. It has helped me in my faith journey and I have passed it along to my son and other young men to help guide them in theirs.

Chad Hennings , three-time Super Bowl Champion;
founder, Wingmen Ministries

I have read and used the book The Measure of a Man to help train many church leaders... the book truly transcends culture. Im excited with this new edition, for it has made the reading and study of it easier for churches, groups, and individuals.... This book, as I know, has been very effective in helping men to become spiritual leaders at home and in the church; for this reason it has never gone out of print. It has been translated into many languages, including Hausa here in Nigeria, to motivate men to live a more Christlike life. I therefore highly recommend this book to every man, father, and husband; fellowship groups; and Christian organizations, for it will not only change your life but that of your church and organization.

Dr. Musa Asake , National General Secretary, Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abuja, Nigeria

Occasionally a book stands out among the mass of published literature as a must read and, in fact, a book that you know you will want to read again. Such is the case with The Measure of a Man. This book has had a global, transformational impact over the last few decades, and thankfully my friend Gene Getz has revisited the text and brought it up to speed for a new generation. If somehow you missed this book before, now is the time to pick it up and open your heart and mind to its powerfully relevant message.

Joseph M. Stowell , president, Cornerstone University,
Grand Rapids, Michigan

In our cultural penchant for quick results, quantitative metrics trump qualitative measures for longer-term growth toward spiritual health. The Measure of a Man explores key indices of an applied spiritual process, stimulating self-examination, then self-management, as men serve as leaders of families, businesses, and ministries. As always, Gene Getz addresses biblical claims which transcend culture, age, economics, and race, with pastoral care. Since he himself has lived out the spiritual process over the decades, his practical depth is credibly presented to all men who wish to live in a godly way in an ungodly age which disparages, and even degrades, their gender.

Ramesh Richard , ThD, PhD, president, Ramesh Richard
Evangelism and Church Health; professor, Global Theological
Engagement and Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary

When I was a young coach and husband, my marriage ended in divorce. Thats when a Christian friend and mentor recommended The Measure of a Man . These principles changed my life. I remarried my wife and have been happily married for 47 years. It also allowed me to model character to my coaches and players for 30 years. When I became a head coach and later an administrator, these same principles guided my hiring and evaluations.

Coach Tommy Cox , Texas High School Coaches Association

I was first exposed to The Measure of a Man as a Bible college student. I was saved out of a non-Christian family and reading this book transformed my life. Todayyears laterIm using it to equip the men in my church with the same life-changing results.

Edward M. Trinkle , lead pastor, Canyon Creek Church

First, Id like to dedicate this edition of The Measure of a Man to my son, Kenton, and my five grandsons: Kyle, Corban, Caleb, Carter, and Cooper!

Second, this book is dedicated to all the men who have told me over the years how The Measure of a Man has changed their lives! Thank you!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:2021

Table of Contents

Foreword

As an excited young seminary student, I first found my way to Fellowship Bible Church in the fall of 1976. The church had been launched only four years prior by Dr. Gene Getz as a bold experiment to put into practice what he had been teaching in the classroom. I often sat on a cushion in the aisle due to the size of the crowds, but the inconvenience of the seating never dulled the clear, practical teaching which I absorbed like a sponge.

Through my seminary years I remained involved in the ministry of Genes church and chose to be part of the group to plant a new church in the Park Cities. It would be an understatement to say Gene had a significant role in my spiritual formation as a believer, and later, as a Christian leader. When I became the president of the Moody Bible Institute in 2009, it was a heartfelt joy to see Genes warm, smiling face on the Board of Trustees. Even though he has retired from our board, he remains a dear friend, prayer partner, and wise counselor.