Life Group Discussion Questions:

Who is your greatest living hero? If you walked into a room and they were in it, how would you react/respond?  When you have moments when you realize you are in God’s presence, how do you react/respond?  What are some things that set God apart from everything and everyone else?

The word “love” is sometimes thrown around like cheap candy. What does God’s kind of love look like?  Read Psalm 139:1-6; 7-12; 13-18.  In each of those sections of verses, how does the writer see God’s love?

When you hear the understanding that God wants to collaborate with each of us in writing the story of our lives, what does that mean to you? How are you allowing it to happen?  What are you doing to hinder the collaboration?

Define grace. (not the little prayer before a meal) What are some ways in which you have tried, or still do try to earn God’s favor?  Why can it be so hard for us to realize that God already loves us, unconditionally?  Thinking back to Psalm 139, what did the writer do to earn God’s love?  If possible, share a few stories from the Bible that demonstrate God’s unconditional love that a person didn’t have to earn to receive it. 

Read John 14:5-7. How is what Jesus saying here an exclusive thing?  When is the word “exclusive” an ugly word?  Why is “exclusive” good news here?  Why is the Christian faith “inclusive” as well?

In the podcast, Richard told the story about the ember that was taken out of the fire and began to burn out. Tell about a time in your life when you were like that ember when you stepped away from God, or church life, and floundered in your walk with Christ.  What are some ways an active church life has helped you to burn brighter with Christ?

Life Group Discussion Questions:

Can you remember telling a lie that caused someone some level of pain? Tell about it.

What about a time when someone lied to you about something? How did it affect you?

What are some of the statements, messages, and beliefs that were fed into your life that have caused some hardships?

Read through Genesis 3:1-13. What was the lie that Satan fed Adam and Eve?  What could have Adam and Eve done to keep focused on the truth?  What did they miss out on because they ate the lie that Satan fed them? 

Read John 10:7-10. If we allow Satan(the thief) to feed us lies that cause us to live his way, what does the thief bring us?  On the flip side, if we see Jesus as the gate, shepherd, etc, as he presents here, what does HE offer? 

Going back to what was shared in the podcast; Read John 8:31-32. Why is truth important?  What exactly does it mean that “the truth will set you free.”?  Name one truth which you have learned from Jesus’ teaching that has helped you(set you free) to live a better life?

Life Group Questions:

Share a story of when you first started noticing images of women. Like my stories of Charlie’s Angels and HBO at my friend’s home and SI Swimsuit magazines, how did it happen for you?

Can you remember a moment in the past when, looking, at these images affected a relationship around you? (Wife, child, parent, friend…) How did that go for you and your heart?

Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:27-30. Is noticing that a woman is beautiful a bad thing based upon this text?  (NO)  What is a definition of lust? (Google it) 

“your whole body to be thrown into hell” So often we read that phrase to mean in the end, after we die.  But, if our lusting after other women (other than our wives) causes issues in our relationships, and issues in our walk with God, could that be considered hell on earth? 

Jesus shares a figurative image of gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand, two parts of the body utilized in the lusting process. Since we know that a handless man and a blind man could still lust after a woman, what is Jesus actually suggesting we do?  What could that look like in our present age?

Extra: Read Proverbs 7.  It’s another wisdom chapter focused upon a “Warning about Immoral Women.”  Contemporize this chapter.  What are the warnings?  What ideas for life does Solomon share?

Life Group Questions:

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions during your lifetime?

Are you someone who looks at life as if the glass is half full, or half-empty? In other words, do you normally see life as good, or bad?  Positive or Negative?

Other than if/when you give thanks at mealtimes, how often do you intentionally give thanks to God? What does that look like for you?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Notice the extreme words for all three things we are called to do. How hard is it to carry out?  What can it look like to do those three things in our lives?  How might doing them change the dynamics of bad times in our lives?

IF anyone is willing to admit it, share some of those moments when you acted like a butthead to your family because your plans got changed.

Read Psalm 50:14-15, 23. How can stepping aside from life for a few moments so that we can intentionally give thanks to God to help us in those ugly moments?

What if in this next week, every day each of you were willing to come up with a list of ten things for which you are thankful, and then share them when you get together the following week?

Life Group Questions

Name a habit you do every day. What is a weekly non-negotiable activity for you? (tv show, hobby, etc)  What about an annual event you never want to miss. (opening hunting season, Fantasy football draft, etc)

What are some of the funniest/best reasons (excuses) you have used yourself, or heard someone else use for NOT going to Sunday morning worship? What about excuses for NOT reading the Bible?

Share a habit or discipline in your life that is helping, or has the potential to help you know God better?

Why do you think it is hard to start up good habits that can help us to draw near to God, and keep them going?

For those who regularly spend time in the Bible, what are some tips you can share with those who struggle, that might help them to be more disciplined in Bible reading?

What does your prayer life look like? What are some things you could do to make it better? (Trying a new place to pray, Listening more, Reading prayers in the Bible, reading a book about prayer)  Will you try something new?

What do you hope your relationship with God will look like five years from now? What changes will you do, habits will you try to start in this next month that will help your hope be realized?

Discussion Questions:

How much do you know about, and how much are you involved in politics? Would you rather know more and be more involved, or know less and be involved less?  Why or why not?

How did you come to your political party and where you stand on the issues? Directly from your parents/family? News media?  School?  Faith? Combination?

Is there a chance that you are not 100% correct with your stance on all of the political issues? If your answer is “no,” would God agree?  If “yes,” are you ok with it?

During the podcast, Mike mentioned Colossians 3 as a good passage that can help us in our process of letting our faith lead into our political positions. Read verses 1-3 and discuss how IF all Christians did this as part of their process in arriving at where they stand on politics, things would be better.

Tell about a time when you had a great political conversation with someone who thought differently than you do. What made it great?  IF you can’t remember a great, or even a good conversation like this, why do you think that is?

If the Christian characteristics that Paul presents in Colossians 3:8-14(read it) were part of our political discussions, how could that help all of us find our way to a better God blessed position on the political issues of the day?

Sticks and Stones

Study Question:

To swear or not to swear, that is the question. Is it a big deal?  For those who swear regularly, why do you?  For those who don’t, why not?  Do you think Jesus would have used 4 letter words?  Would he have dropped any F-bombs? Why or why not?

Tell about a lie that you told in your past that blew up in your face. Or tell a lie that someone else told you that blew up in their face. 

Read Proverbs 6:16-19. These are called the seven deadly sins.  What do you notice about lies?

Tell about a time when someone crushed your spirit with the words they shared with you.

What is a normal way that you crush someone’s spirit with your words? (Sarcasm, passive aggression, criticism, nasty names, etc)

Read James 3:1-12 Which image of the tongue sheds the most light on your mess-ups with your words? Bit in horses mouth, rudder on a ship, spark and fire?  Who needs to be in the saddle, steering the ship, holding the match?  Or, who do we need to depend upon to help our words bring life, instead of death to others?

What is one thing you will do differently this week to allow the Holy Spirit better control your words? Who will benefit the most in your life, if you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words in the week ahead?

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

Anyone else remember that saying as a kid.  I remember hearing and saying it as a kid.  Wouldn’t it be great if that were true?

Have you ever been hurt by something that someone else said to you?  And have you ever hurt someone else with the words you said?  Naturally, the obvious answer to both of those questions is Heck Yeah.  We have experienced both.

And that understanding is going to lead us into our next discussion of our theme of control verses influence.  And so here is the thought process for today.

We cannot control what other people say, and truthfully, we cant always control our own mouths, right.  We know what words should come out of our mouths, and the words that shouldn’t because we have messed up in the past with our words, but we still cant control what comes out.

But, can we allow the Holy Spirit to assist us to better influence a situation and a relationship by what comes out of our mouths.

So, we are going to look at a few of the different areas of life where our mouths can bless others, or not bless others.  And as we consider what the Holy Spirit might say to us in each of these areas, we are going to peak into some words of wisdom out of the book of Proverbs.  And there are lots of nuggets in the book of proverbs that talk about our words.

Lets think of some of the areas of life where our mouths can potentially bless someone, or not.

 

Swearing

Using colorful metaphors, or those famous 4 letter words.

We won’t spend long on this one, because truthfully, I don’t find a lot in the bible that would speak specifically to swearing, but then again, the fact that we don’t find using those words in the Bible, maybe that is telling us something as well.

People who know me know that I just don’t swear.  And that’s not just because I am a pastor.  It just hasn’t been me.  And I have worked and hung out in places where swearing would be normal.  I worked in a factory, in a warehouse, and in an engineering firm.  I also spent time as a volunteer fireman and I have spent lots of time at hunting camps.  So, I have been places where swearing would be normal.  But it still wasn’t part of me, mostly, because I didn’t grow up around it.  Parents didn’t.  And my dad spent his life in factories, and as a fireman.

Family Bliss

Study Question:

What are some of the problems(fun and not so fun) that arise in your family relationships because you can’t control you wife, or kids, or other family members?

What are some things(fun and not so fun) your wife, and kids, and other family member wish they could control of you because of the issues YOU cause in those relationships?

Read Ephesians 5:21-6:4. It’s easy to read this passage and point to what OTHERS are supposed to do to make our lives better.  What does this passage call us men to be about as we seek to INFLUENCE the family around us?

Zack and I talked about a few possible practical things we can do to allow our faith to influence our family dynamics. What are some things that you have tried to influence your family?  What are some other practical possibilities?

How does Philippians 2:1-12 lend itself to you influencing your family if you allow it to guide your actions in this next week?

If you could paint the picture of a God honoring family dynamic in your home and extended family, what would that picture look like? What practical steps in the next several weeks will you make to help influence your family towards that picture?

We are in the third week of our Holy Man journey, and it has been fun to hear some of the conversations that have happened in your life groups as we all wrestle with the topics I have been bringing up.  Can you imagine when all of us men who are looking for God to help us on this journey of becoming Holy Men, actually start to make progress on that journey?!  God be the glory as that continues to happen.

And I do apologize for the sound quality last week.  We are still learning this podcast thing, and hopefully we will continue to get things better for you.

This week I am bringing up another relevant topic for us men.  And I say that because of the number of conversations I have had with many of you on this topic.  And again, it’s a topic that plays right into the theme of these opening 8 weeks of the podcast I have titled Control versus Influence.  We can’t control everything in our lives, but, how can our faith influence things around us for our betterment in life, and the betterment of those around us.

Today, we will be looking into our family dynamics as we long for bliss within our families, no matter what your family looks like.  We would love ongoing joy and peace within our families, but as we know, we cant control things within our families.  If you are married, how good are you at controlling your wife?  if you have kids, what about them? Parents?  inlaws?  Other extended family?  You see where I am goin?  We cant control our family members.  But…can we influence them to help there to be more bliss within our homes, and within our families? That will be our conversation today. 

Also, to add some extra fun to the conversation, I also have brought in a special guest to help us to think things through a little. He is an expert on our subject for today.   Zack Poitra is with me today, and Zack is on staff here at New Life leading our hospitality team, and also leading the Blessings in a Backpack ministry for the kids in the community.  Zack, it is good to have you with me today.

Zack, tell me about your family dynamics.  Who is in your family?

And for those who don’t know my family…

Zack, our wives know what we are talking about today, so we will need to tread a little lightly and carefully or we might be on the couch this week.

Zack, you know the premise of the theme of this podcast which is us as men, not being able to control life around us, the people, the circumstances of life, there is much we can’t control.  We would like to, but we c

Costs vs Spending

Study Question:

Who is enjoying our present crazy financial world? What are you hearing about it in the news?  How much did you pay for your most recent tank of gas?  Do you struggle with control issues with the financial world?

We all have something that stirs our desire to purchase it. What stirs you?  New truck?  Atv?  Iphones?  Guns?  Tools?  A Big Mac?  Tell about a time when you gave into the impulse and bought something you really didn’t need.  Tell about a time when you refrained.

There is a balance between making the acquisition of money and possessions your focus and not doing enough to provide for yourself. Read Proverbs 30:7-9. How well do you maintain this balance?  What might help you to stay in balance?

Check out Proverbs 21:5. Do you have a plan for your finances?  Share what your plan is?  Is your plan working?  Is your family aware and involved in working that plan?  Do you feel God would approve your plan? Why/why not?

What potential changes can you make to better influence your financial situation from God’s point of view? Thanksgiving?  Prayer?  Take a Financial Peace class?

 

Hey there men, it is good to be with you in this second podcast of Holy Man.  I heard a few good things about the first one I did last week both the content and the discussion that followed in your life groups, so that was good to hear.

 One thing I want to mention to everyone out there, as I had a question asked of me after last week’s podcast, is that I don’t want anyone to think that I have any of these topics that we will be considering each week as something I have all figured out.  I am not perfect at any of them.  Oh, there might be one or two of the topics that I do better than some of the other topics.   But, every one of you listening could say the same thing.  But, I look forward to the Holy Spirit’s continuing work on me and helping me, like you, to become more and more holy as God calls us to be in all of these areas. 

Here is the deal…I know that living a holy life, or a life like God would want me to live, will be better.  I also know, that this crazy world that we live in makes that holy life hard.  Sin is easy to fall into.  So, thanks be to God for that gift of the Holy Spirit that can bless us if we are willing.

So, here we are looking at another good topic for us men to ponder as we seek to become Holy Men and as we consider those areas of life in which we cannot control, but we potentially can influence in a God honoring way.

I was just watching the news a little this morning to stay on top of whats going on around the world.  I was intrigued by one of the stories I saw on Fox Business that was an interview of a guy who works in an appliance and electronics store.  The store reminded me of a Best Buy type store.  I think many of us know what that looks like.  What was the headline of the story?  Get your Christmas shopping done early this year.  Yep, its October 11th, and they are saying, getter done in regards to Xmas.  Why were they suggesting it?  Well, unless you have had your head in a bucket the last couple months, they were saying this because of the computer chip shortage, and also, inflation.  If you are wanting any electronic device, shop now, they said, because they don’t know what the supply will look like at Christmas, and they couldn’t guarantee what the prices will look like in a couple months.  Possibly, they said, Black Friday sales on electronics this year may not be what they have been in the past due to supply and demand.

That story plays right into what I want us to ponder this week in our jo

This podcast is titled “Holy Man: a Journey of Becoming Godly Men.”  When you hear the word “holy” what comes to mind?  Do you think of the guy sitting next to you?  Do you think of yourself?

Read 1 Peter 1:15-16.  When you hear this call for us to be ‘holy men,’ what are you thinking?  Possible?

What are some of the things in life that we as men like to have under control?  What are those things that frustrate us when they aren’t under control, or they are out of our control?

Driving!  Everyone share a moment of frustration or one of those pet peeves about the idiots out on the roads.  What gets your blood boiling when driving?

Is driving outside the law a sin? Is there any gray involved?  What if there is no one near us for miles?  Is 1 Peter 2:13-17 relevant to this conversation?  What does holiness look like on the road?

How can our driving, our attitude when we are driving, and our reactions to other drivers(even the bad drivers) influence the rest of our day, and the days of those around us(including the bad drivers)?

Let’s consider the idiots out on the road as enemies.  Read Matthew 5:43-48.  How does this talk from Jesus help us with the idiots?

What are some intentional steps you can make to allow your driving experiences be more holy this week?

Maybe consider everyone going out to their vehicles and praying over the cars/trucks before you leave.