Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary. For the next four weeks, our focus is on the first and most foundational part of our mission—deepening our love relationship with Christ. We will do this by zooming the camera in on four titles of Jesus given in the Isaiah 9 prophecy of the coming Messiah Jesus—Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What do these titles tell us about Jesus and what difference these descriptions of our Commander in Chief make in our everyday lives? This episode examines Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor.For Further Prayerful Thought Do you agree or disagree that every man has a little of Pat Tillman in him—a capacity to be inspired by a great mission.How would you argue that the most foundational part of our mission as Christ-followers to deepen our love relationship with Jesus?What stood out to you as takeaways from the truth revealed to us by God that Jesus the Messiah would be the Wonderful Counselor?For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary. This episode seeks to examine what the church’s commitment to the poor of our cities should look like. We then examine three serious flaws in the progressive view of social justice, an ideology which is captivating many young adults leading them to abandon Christianity. Finally, we examine how only the church can bring about the restoration require to solve the problems of our urban poor but raise the question, “Will middle class Christians care enough to do it?”   Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material. What is the biblical case for Christians being very engaged with alleviating the poverty and other suffering in our cities?What would you say to a church leader who said Jesus’ mission for us is to preach the gospel not care for the poor?What flaws of progressive ideology’s approach to poverty most stood out to you?How would you make the case that the true causes of poverty—the breaking of harmony between us and ourselves, each other, God, and creation can best be achieved by the church? Recommended Resources When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.Before Your Lose Your Faith, Edited by Ivan MesaFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary. The rising generation of Christians is rightly concerned about the link between Christianity and the oppression of racism. The problem is that many ideologies claiming to overthrow oppression are based upon destructive, anti-biblical worldviews. As the leaders of our homes and churches, how can we guide those under our care to oppose racism passionately, but be discerning enough to reject ideologies, that are not only false but have proven to be destructive? That is our goal as we examine Critical Race Theory in this episode. For Further Prayerful Thought: As you have seen aspects of Critical Theory being promoted in your experience, why do you think that Christians might unthinkingly buy into it?What part of Critical Theory do you think contradicts the teaching of Scripture most severely?Which principles for arguing against the Critical Theory worldview in the public arena stood out to you? What additional ideas do you have?Link to FBI Report on Ferguson.Recommended Resources I want to especially highlight the excellent series from the Colson Center, “What Would You Say.” This series addresses numerous worldview issues biblically, succinctly, and with logical clarity. It is the best equipping tool I have ever seen to guide Christians to know how to be salt and light, winsomely promoting the biblical worldview throughout the culture.A Practical Guide to Culture, John Stonestreet and Brent KunkleMama Bea Apologetics, Hillary FerrerFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left) 

Episode Summary: God assigns Christian fathers the responsibility of protecting their children—and one of the greatest dangers to them in this cultural moment is the false religion called progressive Christianity. This episode exposes this new movement that many in the rising generation are becoming convinced is superior to the old-fashioned, closed-minded, bigoted Christian faith they grew up believing and what dads, granddads, and church leaders can do about it.Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material.  What alarms you most about the rise of progressive Christianity? Why do you think this movement would be attractive to today’s rising generation of kids raised in the church?What was most helpful in thinking through how to help the rising generation reject this heretical movement?Recommended Resources  I want to especially highlight the excellent series from the Colson Center, “What Would You Say.” This series addresses numerous worldview issues biblically, succinctly, and with logical clarity. It is the best equipping tool I have ever seen to guide Christians to know how to be salt and light, winsomely promoting the biblical worldview throughout the culture.A Practical Guide to Culture, John Stonestreet and Brent KunkleMama Bear Apologetics, Hillary FerrerBefore Your Lose Your Faith, Ivan MesaThe Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity, Michael Kruger For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary. In a recent book published by the Gospel Coalition, Thaddeus Williams of Biola University argues that the church’s lack of concern for economic and social justice as a primary reason that many of those raised in Christian homes are deconstructing their faith. He writes, “The conclusion that Christianity is hardly the beacon of social justice that it should be is a common theme in many deconstruction stories.” “Instead of advocating for the poor by embracing economic justice, today’s church,” it is argued, “embraces capitalistic greed which oppresses the poor.” No teen raised in a Christian home wants to be part of a movement that oppresses the poor. No wonder so many are jettisoning biblical Christianity in favor of joining “social justice” ideologies that they believe support the poor instead of American consumerism. So, are American Christians enslaved to consumerism and affluence? Is Christianity guilty of neglecting the poor? And is ECONOMIC EQUALITY something that justice-loving people should pursue? This episode answers these tree questions.Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material. How would you answer the charge that Christians are guilty of neglecting the poor?How would you respond to the statement, “Rich people having more means that poor people have less.”How would you respond to the statement, “Socialism follows the pattern of the early church in Acts 4.How would you answer the charge that capitalism is evil because it is based on greed?Resources Used for Today’s PodcastI want to especially highlight the excellent series from the Colson Center, “What Would You Say.” This series addresses numerous worldview issues biblically, succinctly, and with logical clarity. It is the best equipping tool I have ever seen to guide Christians to know how to be salt and light, winsomely promoting the biblical worldview throughout the culture.A Practical Guide to Culture, John Stonestreet and Brent Kunkle.For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary: In view of the recent Dobbs Supreme Court decision, NOW is the time for all Christians to sharpen their awareness of the abortion plague and especially sharpen their ability to promote life by reasoning well in conversations taking place around us. That is the goal of this episode. Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material. What did you find most exciting about the Christian history of valuing the life and dignity of every human being because that person is made in the image of God?How would you support the argument that a human embryo is a human life?How would you refute the view that abortion denies a woman her “right to choose" what she does with her own body?         ”Resources Used for Today’s PodcastI want to especially highlight the excellent series from the Colson Center, “What Would You Say.” This series addresses numerous worldview issues biblically, succinctly, and with logical clarity. It is the best equipping tool I have ever seen to guide Christians to know how to be salt and light, winsomely promoting the biblical worldview throughout the culture.Tearing Us Apart, Ryan Anderson and Alexandra De SanctisA Practical Guide to Culture, John Stonestreet and Brent KunkleFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary: In today’s episode we will discover that the modern “enlightened” view of sexuality actually undervalues sexuality and that it is, in fact, the Biblical view that upholds sex as a precious treasure. We examine four common messages about sexuality articulated and assumed by today’s social media and how the biblical view is richer and corresponds much more to reality.Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to Think About this Material (I know that talking about sex is embarrassing. But it is a very important part of life.) What is your opinion of the modern view that sex is just a way to satisfy a normal bodily appetite? Do you believe the biblical worldview makes more sense? Why or why not?What is your opinion about pornography? What did you learn that was new to you?What is your opinion about sex being the normal way to say, “I love you romantically?” How would you try to persuade a friend that waiting for marriage to have sex is the best thing to do?Do you know Christian kids who are gay bashers? Why do advocates of the gay lifestyle use the ad homonym argument to label those who disagree homophobic? Why is it loving, if you had the chance, to guide someone AWAY from the gay life? Resources Used for Today’s Podcast The Meaning of Marriage, Tim and Kathy Keller A Practical Guide to Culture, John Stonestreet and Brent KunkleThe Secular Creed, Rebecca McLaughlinFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary: This episode examines the cultural drift that has been called, the rise and triumph of the modern SELF—the ideology that locates true human identity, meaning, purpose, fulfillment, freedom and authenticity in the autonomy of the human SELF. We examine how this destructive worldview harms those who embrace it, and how to help the rising generation see how much more sense the biblical worldview of identity, purpose, fulfillment, and authenticity makes. Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material. You probably haven’t thought about it much but when you leave for college and get ready to be on your own—your identity, who you were created to be is an important question. Right now, how would you answer the question, “who are you?” How do you think most of your friends would answer?What do you think about the statement “This is who I am—I don’t care what society thinks; I only care what I think?”What do you think of the statement that is often made in graduation speeches, “You can become anyone you want to be with enough determination?"What do you think of the statement, “authentic living is being free from restraints—especially institutions like the church, family, and government?”Resources Used for Today’s Podcast Making Sense of God, Tim KellerThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl TruemanFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary: Suppose someone says to you, “There Can’t Be Just One True Religion.” What would you say to prepare your children or grandchildren, when they leave home, to be able to respond to this critique? This episode gives you some ideas.For Further Prayerful Thought:How would you refute each of the four assertions that comprise the argument that there can’t be just one religion?Why might it be important to teach the rising generation the five ways Christianity is unique before they go out into the world?When you understand how an attack upon Christianity logically fails, why is it wiser to use questions with a colleague instead of telling them bluntly how they are wrong? Resources Used for Today’s PodcastThe Reason for God, Tim KellerEvidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowellThe Case for Faith, Lee StrobelTactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, Greg Koukl For the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Episode Summary: Suppose someone says to you, “The Bible is scientifically not believable, historically unreliable, and culturally regressive. I can’t believe it is God’s voice speaking to humans.” What would you say? This episode gives you some ideas.For Further Prayerful Thought:How would you argue that belief in the miracles of the Bible is not being unscientific?What to you are the most compelling arguments that we have historically accurate gospels of the story of Jesus’ life?In what ways is the Christian view of Scripture based upon Jesus’ view of the OT? His view of the NT?What did you learn about responding wisely to those whose initial take on the Bible is that it is culturally regressive, corrupted by the unenlightened, chauvinistic cultures around them? Resources Used for Today’s PodcastThe Reason for God, Tim KellerEvidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowellWhy I Believe, D. James KennedyQuestioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible’s Authority, Jonathan MorrowFor the printed version of this message click here.For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)