What virtues should we strive to instill in our boys as they grow into men?

Robert Bosley suggests that the answer lies in the qualities Paul lists in his letter to Timothy, describing the requirements for an elder. These are virtues that every man should aspire to, Bosley explains. An elder, or a mature Christian man, should be someone that everyone in the church can look up to. He should be above reproach, faithful to his wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, and respectable. These are the traits we should aim to cultivate in our boys.

Bosley emphasizes the importance of teaching boys to control their natural masculine urge to fight. They should know when it's right to fight and when it's not. A man does not use his strength to hurt his family or those he loves, but to protect, defend, and promote the gospel. As our boys grow older, we should strive to raise them into men who are respected by their peers, the community, and the church.

1 Timothy 3:2 (NKJV): 'A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.'

Does the act of making a disciple require less than the power of the Spirit of God?

In a provoking discourse, speaker Paul White identifies a common issue within the Christian community. Many believe that discipleship can be achieved through persuasion or conformity to a doctrine or set of principles. This belief assumes that discipline and obedience are sufficient for discipleship, disregarding the essential role of the Spirit of God. However, White argues that a true disciple cannot be made without the involvement and influence of the Spirit of God. Focusing on outward conformity and verbal affirmation without the transformation brought about by the Spirit of God is inadequate. Consequently, we may be content with a mere semblance of discipleship, not a genuine one.

White further explains that creating a disciple is not just about fitting someone into a predetermined mold. It is not about them saying the right things or following the right practices. It's about the Spirit of God working in that individual, shaping them into a true disciple. White's message is a call to reassess our understanding of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of the Spirit's role in this process.

Romans 8:14 (NKJV): "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

What does it mean to be a Proverbs 31 woman and how is this relevant to our daughters?

Jason Dohm emphasizes the importance of teaching our daughters the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. He suggests that our understanding of womanhood should not be shaped by our own preconceived notions, but rather by the biblical text. Dohm stresses that a Proverbs 31 woman is one who fears and loves the Lord, and it is this reverence that shapes her life in a compelling way. Additionally, she leads a productive and industrious life, often being the first to rise and the last to sleep.

The Proverbs 31 woman is also multi-talented and multifaceted, challenging the common perception of motherhood. She is far from being confined to the home; instead, her life is dynamic and productive, embodying biblical womanhood. Dohm contends that this should be the standard that our daughters aspire to, as it is not a second-rate calling but a life to be celebrated and rejoiced in.

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV): 'Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.'

What makes preaching an effective means of discipleship?

Jeffrey D. Johnson asserts that the key to discipleship lies in the pulpit ministry, specifically through authoritative and experiential preaching of the Gospel. He explains that effective preaching is not a mere lecture or sharing of information, but it's 'logic on fire' coming from a man of God who deeply believes and has been personally impacted by the Word he shares. The preacher's conviction and personal transformation by the Word of God add weight and authenticity to his message, making it powerful and transformative.

Johnson emphasizes that effective preaching is deeply personal. The preacher identifies strongly with the message, making it his own truth and part of his identity. He believes in the life-and-death importance of the Gospel message and communicates it passionately, encouraging transformation in the listeners. This kind of preaching is crucial in disciple making, as it showcases a man of God who is not just leading others to follow the Lord, but is himself an ardent follower.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV): "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

What are the marks of grace that signify you are a true disciple of Jesus?

Dr. Joel Beeke discusses the concept of the "marks of grace" which are found throughout the Bible. According to him, these marks are indicators of genuine faith and discipleship. The first epistle of John, often referred to as the "book of assurance of faith", outlines 11 such marks. These include loving fellow believers and obeying God's commandments from the heart. Beyond these fundamental marks like faith in Christ for salvation and repentance of sins, there are other marks that one can self-examine against.

Additional marks of grace are found in 2 Peter 1, Galatians 5, and in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). These marks are not just character traits, but indications of a transformed life resulting from being a disciple of Jesus. They include the fruit of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, and meekness. They also include the beatitudes such as being poor in spirit, mourning, meekness, and hungering and thirsting after righteousness. These marks provide a framework for self-examination and reflection on one's discipleship.

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV): 'Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.'

What differentiates a general admirer of Jesus from a genuine disciple?

Josh Buice examines this question, highlighting that there's a clear distinction between the two. While some individuals might be curious about Jesus's teachings or seek to witness his miracles, they don't necessarily follow him as disciples do. A disciple, according to the Greek term 'mathētēs', is a genuine follower and believer of Jesus, someone who has submitted themselves to his teachings and doctrine, and strives to reflect these teachings in their personal life.

John's Gospel, particularly chapter 6, presents an enlightening example of this difference. Initially, an enormous crowd follows Jesus, but as he delineates what it truly means to be his follower, many depart, leaving behind only the genuine disciples. This distinction is essential, highlighting the difference between someone merely curious about Jesus and a true disciple committed to following Jesus in all aspects.

John 15:8 (NKJV): "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

What is the rightful place of nations in God's grand design?

Paul Washer addresses the centrality of nations in God's plan as seen in the Scriptures. From the beginning with Adam and significantly in the covenant with Abraham, the promise was that God's glory and message would spread throughout the world. The holistic theology emphasizes that the mind of God always had a vision for nations. There is a divine desire to gather a people from every tribe and every language. God is not only working towards this, but it will indeed be accomplished.

The real question that arises for us as believers is whether we will participate in this grand plan or forfeit the privilege. Participation means playing a part in the greatest work that God has ever embarked on. The challenge is to not shun this privilege but to embrace it, understanding that it is an integral part of God's plan from the very beginning.

Isaiah 40:5 (NKJV): 'The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'

Is it our duty as parents to pass on the wonders and teachings of the Lord to our children?

In this video, Scott Aniol discusses the importance of discipleship within families and cites Psalm 78, which emphasizes the role of parents, particularly fathers, in passing on the teachings of God to their children. He underscores the dangers of inadvertently hiding God from our children by failing to recognize this responsibility or by trying to do it alone, without the involvement of the local church. Aniol stresses the importance of the intergenerational context of the church in nurturing discipleship.

He further highlights the beauty of creating a tradition of faithfulness that is passed down through generations when we take our role as spiritual mentors for our children seriously. He concludes that the ultimate goal as Christian parents is to ensure that our children know, love, and obey God. This, he believes, is best facilitated when fathers acknowledge and act on their responsibility to disciple their children within the context of the local church.

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV): "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

How did one faithful Christan help to transform an entire nation?

In the late 1800s, Welsh missionary Robert Germaine Thomas traveled to Korea following the death of his wife. In the midst of a battle, he scattered Bibles ashore before being beheaded by a Korean magistrate. This magistrate then papered his home with pages from the Bible Thomas had been carrying. In the decades that followed, others read these scriptures, leading to the planting of Christianity in the region.

When missionaries returned to Korea later, they discovered people who had already heard the Gospel through the Scriptures posted along the magistrate's wall. Today, Korea, once a secluded kingdom allowing no foreigners, has become the second most 'sending' nation in terms of missionaries, only surpassed by America. It is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of discipleship in spreading the Word of God.

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV): 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'

Is modern feminism truly pro-woman or is it betraying the inherent uniqueness and value of women?

In this video, Robert Bosley argues that despite the claims of being pro-woman, our society, influenced by modern feminism, is actually fostering a culture that undermines the true value of women. He notes the societal pressures for women to either adopt masculine qualities or be reduced to mere objects of lust. This, he asserts, is a distortion of the true nature of womanhood as ordained by God. Womanhood, he suggests, is not about mirroring men or being sexual objects, but about embracing the unique qualities that women possess.

Bosley encourages daughters to take pride in their womanhood, affirming that being a woman is about recognizing one's beauty and inherent worth as a unique creation of God. He emphasizes that women are intended to be helpers to their husbands, not rulers, and that this is a good and honorable role. He also discourages the societal pressure for women to imitate men, instead urging women to find joy and pride in their femininity and the unique roles they play in the family and society.

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV): 'Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.'