Men, you belong. That’s the foundation of boldness. In a world constantly attacking our identity, Brian Clark kicked off GBC’s Man Month by reminding us that our identity is rooted in Christ—and when a man understands who he belongs to, everything changes.
The Weight of a Father’s Influence
Brian opened with some striking statistics that should make every father pause. Research shows that when a father is the first in a family to place his faith in Christ, there is a 93% likelihood that the rest of the family will follow. Compare that to a child coming to faith first (3.5%) or a mother (17.5%)—and the father’s influence becomes undeniable.
Another survey found that if a father attends church regularly, 66–75% of his children will attend as adults. If only the mother attends? Just 2%. These numbers aren’t about guilt—they’re about the profound opportunity God has given men to lead their families toward eternity.
“When a man understands his identity in Christ, his impact on others is profoundly more beneficial than a man trying to figure out his identity outside of God.”
Created for Purpose: Genesis 1:26–28
To understand our identity, Brian took us to the very beginning:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth…’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them…”
Both men and women together reflect the full image of God. Neither gender alone can do this—it’s only when we live out our God-given roles that we fulfill His purpose. Satan is attacking this truth, confusing the world about identity. But when we embrace God’s design, we have freedom to bear fruit for Christ (John 15:8).
You Belong to Christ
The first point of the “MEN Be BOLD” acronym is B = Belong. You belong to Jesus Christ. Brian highlighted two things we belong to:
1. We Belong to Christ Personally
Romans 1:1 — “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” Paul had no ambiguity about his identity. He belonged to Christ. Brian challenged us: How would you finish that sentence? Are you “set apart” for God’s purposes?
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 puts it plainly: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.”
Brian used vivid examples to illustrate the temporary nature of earthly accomplishments. Jeff Bezos? $197 billion—all of it becomes worthless at death. Elon Musk? $210 billion—same result. But what we build for Christ endures for eternity (1 Corinthians 3:10–15).
2. We Belong to Christ’s Body
Romans 7:4 — “You also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”
Brian walked through 1 Corinthians 12, showing that every believer is a vital part of the body of Christ. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you'” (v. 21). We belong to each other—and the local church is where we live out our God-given purpose.
A Call to Boldness
Brian closed with one of the most charge-it-to-memory verses in Scripture:
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13–14
This Man Month isn’t just about one inspiring month—it’s about starting something permanent among the men of GBC. Men connecting with men, spurring each other on toward Christ.
If you’ve never put your faith in Christ alone, Brian gave the clear invitation from Romans 10:9–10: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved. Today can be the day you know you belong.
Scripture References
- Genesis 1:26–28 — Man created in God’s image
- John 15:8 — Bear much fruit, glorify the Father
- Romans 1:1 — Paul’s identity in Christ
- Romans 7:4 — Belong to Christ and His body
- Romans 10:9–10 — The way of salvation
- 1 Corinthians 3:10–15 — Building on the foundation
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — Bought with a price
- 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 — The body of Christ
- 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 — Act like men, be strong