The Man You're Meant to Be - by John Simons (Paperback)

About the Book

In The Man You're Meant to Be, John Simons offers a call for biblical wisdom that points to authentic manhood. By following the wisdom that comes from above (God), Simons calls for the man to reject the wisdom from below (the world)and become the man that God desires him to be.

Book Synopsis

Every man is being shaped by some kind of wisdom. The key question is-what type of wisdom is guiding us? Scripture doesn't suggest every form of wisdom produces a better, more flourishing life. In fact, it warns us of the opposite condition-we ought to be mightily aware of the possibility that we may be digesting and guided by worldly wisdom, which eventually leads to our own downfall, devastation, and death-yet it will feel so satisfying going down.

The Man You're Meant to Be acknowledges the cultural landscape men are facing, outside and within the walls of the Western church, and challenges them to pursue wisdom from above-rejecting the call of this wayward world to walk on the narrow road of discipleship. This is the path of true wisdom and the calling to Christ, himself, as we learn his ways and to surrender every aspect of our lives to God.

Review Quotes

"John Simons keeps good company--he reads widely and deeply and charitably and clearly. Even better, John Simons IS good company. He channels the 'wisdom from above'--great minds across time and Scripture and Jesus above all--in ways desperately needed for our day."
-- John Ortberg
Founder of Become New & Author of STEPS

"At a time when Christian men are following celebrity influencers in search for how to be manly, John Simons counters with a biblical vision for discipleship. By following Jesus, we don't simply take up our cross (as some influencers have emphasized), but we also commune with the Son of Man-who has already gone ahead of us in love, promising us forgiveness. Rooted in this good news, The Man You're Meant to Be, calls men to a pattern of life full of grace and truth."
-- Dr. Joshua Chatraw
Billy Graham, Chair of Evangelism & Cultural Engagement, Beeson Divinity School

"As you journey into John Simons' call to full manhood, remember two powerful messages that are intertwined in every page: One, before you were loved well or poorly by anyone else, 'You were first loved by God.' And second, God calls you, 'son.' The God who claims you wants the best for you--simply because He wants you--regardless of the condition of your life. What makes the book so good is that the author invites all men to join with him in the same journey he is in."
-- Dr. Chip Dodd
Author of The Voice of the Heart

"In The Man You're Meant to Be, my doctoral student John Simons offers a sorely needed call to clarity and conviction in an age of masculine confusion. This is not just another chest-thumping call to 'man up' nor a sentimental therapeutic exercise. It is a serious, biblically grounded exhortation to pursue wisdom from above, walk the narrow path of discipleship, and reject the counterfeit gospels of self-actualization and cultural compromise. Simons helps men examine their lives with moral seriousness, while pointing them to the grace of Christ and the necessity of the Church. This is the best kind of book--one that speaks plainly about sin, identity, and purpose, and one that understands both the moral crisis and the spiritual hunger of modern men. I highly commend it."
-- Dr. Andrew T. Walker
Associate Dean in the School of Theology & Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"The Man You're Meant to Be is a powerful and thought-provoking guide that challenges men to look beyond the fleeting promises of worldly wisdom and instead pursue the transformative wisdom that comes from above. With clarity and conviction, this book calls men to a life of self-examination and surrender, leading them to become fully alive, and wholly devoted to their calling in Christ. A must-read for anyone seeking to live a life shaped by true wisdom and purpose."
-- George Gregory
Chaplain of LA Chargers & Author of The Marriage Game Plan: Developing a Winning Strategy for Marital Success

"The Man You're Meant to Be isn't who the programmatic approach tells you to become. It's so much better. Dr. Simons invites each of us into the long, slow work of becoming--returning to the heart of God, not to prove ourselves but to receive our identity as sons. No cheap hacks, cringy pancake breakfasts, or 'let's get better!' topical tropes here. Just the ancient, narrow way of Jesus. Life in and outside church programs leave us feeling exhausted, performative, and unsure about what it means to be God's man in the moment. You're not crazy. This book will remind you of what matters--and reorient you on the path toward the man your Heavenly Father already sees you becoming."
-- Dr. Jared Musgrove
Director, Beta Upsilon Chi - BYX.org & Host, Man to Men audio journal

"The Man You're Meant to Be pinpoints our current cultural moment as men in a way that is both thoughtful and piercing. John Simons charts a path forward through the influences of the world and the pitfalls of selfish ambition that is both biblically rich and personally fulfilling. Men in any season of life will benefit from the deep wisdom and provoking challenges--as all of us can find a piece of ourselves in this book. John accurately captures the wisdom from above, and in these pages gives every man a vision and pathway toward who we're meant to be."
-- Jacob Wilson
Pastor & Creator at A Writer and the Word

"In this hopeful and practical work, John Simons reminds us that true growth is not the same as growing up, nor measured by external metrics such as net worth or followers on social media. He challenges those of us who have been redeemed through Jesus to raise our sights to 'wisdom from above' and live into our God-given identity through this counter-cultural change in direction. By integrating biblical truth with personal, candid examples from his own story, John encourages us to walk in maturity and with purpose, affirming this can and will occur as we begin to align with 'the inner being of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.' His passion to help men break free of their loneliness is evident and the practical, open-ended questions at the end of each chapter helps on that journey, which makes this book an excellent and easy to use resource for us all."
-- Pike Williams
Counselor & Director of Leadership Development at The Refuge Center

"The Man You're Meant to Be is a must read for every man desiring to grow in their relationship with God. This book leads men to examine their own hearts as we seek to follow Jesus in this wayward and challenging world. Knowing John personally, I can say he is truly a man after God's heart. I am so thankful for him writing this book. If you are a man who longs to be your best, then I encourage you to read this book."
-- Jeff Simmons
Senior Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church

About the Author

John Simons (PhD in Christian Ethics and Public Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the men's pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church. He received his BA in political science from California Baptist University, as well as a MA in philosophy, and a MDiv from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also served as a small groups and men's community pastor in Southern California. John and his family live in Franklin, Tennessee.