In the Quest to Become a Knight One Must First be a Squire
Posted on 19 Jun 2026
Category: leadership, discipleship
Author: Barney Barns
As you read the below paragraphs, about the investiture of a knight and the expectations of him, see if you can find any principles that would translate to your life as a Christian man, a Christ Follower, in 2026. Make a note of your recent observations of fear and/or anxiety associated with the warfare in the Middle East and Ukraine, the global economic uncertainty, health threats to families, urban civil unrest, etc.
The medieval knight emerged as a defender of the Church and all its related territory. That defense was the basis for the Crusades to the Holy Land to quell Muslim invaders. The candidate for knighthood, a squire, was required to first prove that he could master himself before he could be trusted to master an enemy, highlighting the critical nature of discipleship.
Moreover, the squire candidate was also obligated to prove himself to be under God's authority, before he was permitted to operate as a knight under the king's authority. As a knight, he could no longer represent himself. Rather, he would first represent his God and his king in all of his actions, as well as, in all of his inactions. Wouldn't that make for a "jam-up" set of standards for a men's ministry group?
The investiture of knighthood perfectly combined the squire's holy passion and personal devotion to God with his formidable physical might and martial skills. This transformational discipleship process had been carefully crafted and perfected. Once a young squire became a knight, he fully embraced the requirements of his calling. Above all else he was required to maintain a pure heart and to live a holy life in the service of his God and his king.
In a final ceremony, a broad sword that had been specially crafted for his use would be laid before the squire. A priest would invite other knights to join their hands to the "virgin" sword and pronounce a blessing much like this. "Bless this sword so that it may be a defense for Your Churches, for widows and orphans, and for Christians everywhere against the fury of the heathen." Then, as the squire knelt, he was struck firmly on both shoulders with the flat side of the sword, not lightly "dubbed" that might be done today. This was to remind him of the weight of the authority of the sword that he was now under. It must be noted that the sword is both a weapon of war, as well as symbol of authority.
"Quell" is a word that is not in common usage today because of its historical context in warfare. However, quell can also mean "to quiet or allay emotions or anxiety". As we move further into 2026, there is a greater and greater need for modern day knights of The King to stand up, face and, "quell the fury of the threats", that many families, and particularly children are facing. As we prepare for unknown conditions just ahead, what if tens of thousands of Christian men began to do just that, to quiet or allay emotions or anxiety in their conversations, on social media, and in their personal and group prayer times?
The merging of a warrior with a weapon is not for certificates and ceremony but rather for warfare...to contact and engage an enemy...to demolish his ability to threaten what is held dear. "The weapons we fight with", from 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, does not say the weapons we read about, think about or that we talk about, rather "the weapons we fight with". Remember your weapon, the Sword of the Spirit, is also a symbol of your authority in Christ.
That weapon is The Word of God which is "alive and sharper than any double-edged sword". When skillfully wielded by a Christ Follower it can "penetrate even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12. Surely it could quell the emotions and anxiety of "the unknown future and economic uncertainty" ...if engaged. However, in the absence of effective discipleship, there can be no "knighting" and no quelling of the fury of the heathen. Let us not allow Jesus' command to "make disciples" be the great omission of The Great Commission.
Barney Barnes, 05-15-26, Former Promise Keepers National Ambassador for the Military and Prisons