This fall, our new Head of Lower School, Jeremy Tipton, launched Ironworks—a leadership and fellowship group for fifth-grade boys. The goal: to help them grow as men of faith and integrity who lead by example. Their first meetings focused on verses like Proverbs 27:17 (“Iron sharpens iron”) and Proverbs 10:9 (“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely”), exploring what it means to live with accountability, responsibility, and wholehearted effort in all they do. Mr. Tipton encouraged parents to keep these conversations going at home, helping raise up the next generation of godly men.

This fall, our new Head of Lower School, Jeremy Tipton, seized a unique opportunity to start a valuable new program with our fifth-grade boys.

Tipton shared, “This is a large group of young men, and I see a wonderful opportunity to pour into them. They are already seen as the leaders of the Lower School and will set the example for the younger students, especially the boys. I had previously shared with some of them about organizing a men’s lunch group where we could all get together and fellowship. The responses to this offer were positive and encouraging, so we kicked it off in September.”

During the first lunch session of the fifth-grade men’s group, Mr. Tipton facilitated the discussion about the scripture verse Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another,” adding that they are calling the new group Ironworks. The plan going forward is to hold regular meetings to get together and talk about leadership in becoming a man, specifically a man of faith.

During that first meeting, as they discussed the Proverbs verse and the characteristics of a godly man, the conversation quickly led to topics such as “accountability” and “supporting” each other in and out of the classroom. The group touched on responsibilities, knowing God’s word, doing their best academically, and handling themselves well in competition, recess, and other physical activities.

They held a second session in October and focused on being men of integrity. The memory verse for this session was Proverbs 10:9: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes the crooked paths will be found out.” Mr. Tipton spoke of the significance of men being “whole” and not losing their moral compass, sharing that the word “integrity” comes from the Latin word “integer,” which means whole or intact. Math integers, for example, are numbers that are not divided, but remain whole or complete. The group touched on building a foundation of integrity and what that may look like as a student, a son, an athlete, a brother, and a friend.

They discussed what the Bible says about their callings as men. Mr. Tipton referenced Genesis 2:15: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” He highlighted that God created man to work, even before the fall! It was after the fall that work got harder (thorns and thistles)! Great dialogue continued about having a job and doing it well. Mr. Tipton then shared a picture of a bridge that was half finished. This image represented a job half completed. He asked them what it looks like to work halfway as a student versus doing the work fully, and then shared an image of men working to complete a bridge. Some of their points during the discussion were: completing all their homework, studying fully for an assignment, representing the school with appropriate behaviors in and out of the classroom, and completing chores at home.

The last scripture he shared was in Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Tipton chose these verses in hopes that these young men would understand that whatever their work, it should be given their full attention as serving Christ.

5 Characteristics of men working to demonstrate integrity:

1) Being a man of faith (Romans 5:8) - seeking and pursuing a relationship with God because he died for us

2) Being a man of his word (Proverbs 12:22) - demonstrating honesty; your word matters

3) Being a man around the house/school (Colossians 3:23) - responsibility

4) Being a man among other men (Proverbs 27:17) - accountability, actions, and ownership

5) Being a man after God’s own heart (Philippians 3:17) - persistently following God’s example, even after mistakes

With only thirty minutes, they could not dive very deep into these conversations or verses, but only touch on them at a surface level. Mr. Tipton shared with the parents, “Thank you for allowing me to partner with you in raising up the next generation of godly men. I hope that you are as excited as I am to have these discussions with them.” He then shared details with parents and asked for their partnership to take these meetings as opportunities for more in-depth discussions with their sons and to study what God’s Word says about men walking with integrity.