Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary: One of the habits of Jesus that is often overlooked, but extremely powerful is his habit of regularly withdrawing to a secluded place to review his mission with his heavenly Father. This episode considers why following Jesus’ example is so life-changing and gives practical suggestions for how to do it in our own lives.For Further Prayerful Thought:What insights have you gained from the example of Jesus coping with his Saturday night busyness by getting up Sunday morning to talk to the Father about his mission?What stood out to you about the way Josh goes about implementing this discipline in his life?What did Josh say about his reasons for implementing this practice that you found most persuasive? If you are persuaded that you should try something like this, what is the next step? Resources in Today’s Podcast: In Josh’s story he mentioned a resource that is available in our bookstore, called the Focus Notebook. 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 podcast looks to the end of the race Jesus has marked out for us and the longing to hear from the lips of our master, “Well Done. You have greatly honored me with your life.” This episode presents a powerful way to regularly strengthen our heart loyalty to our King.For Further Prayerful Thought: What would you say to a Christian who says tithing is legalistic? How would you summarize the biblical teaching about tithing? Which benefits of tithing stand out most to you? Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.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  a contribution  to help us promote the podcast to other men click here and scroll down to the DONATE button.

Episode Summary: Jonathan Edwards, the brilliant American theologian and student of human behavior once said, “Every decision you make is determined by the strongest desire reigning in your heart at the time of the decision.”  In other words, your heart shapes every decision you make. So, living a godly life is the result of our hearts wanting the right things. But those heart desires are shaped by the lens through which we see life. This episode examines first how to build the habit of heart alignment, so we keep our passion to want to please Christ first place in our hearts and, second, how to build the habit of putting in our spiritual contact lenses so our hearts see life from God’s perspective. For Further Prayerful Thought: Why should Christians watch over their heart with all diligence? If you were explaining to a young believer how we need to go about delighting ourselves in the Lord and why, what would you say?What were the most persuasive arguments to convince you to spend time in God’s Word?Resources Mentioned: Knowing God, by J.I. PackerThe Holiness of God, by R.C. SproulObjects of His Affection, by Scotty SmithFor 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.

Episode Summary: “How much thought have you given to your fathering legacy?” No matter what stage of life we are in, we are probably too busy doing what we need to get done this week to think much about something as nebulous and far away as my fathering legacy. Yet, whether you are on the front end of adulthood or adding great grandchildren to your tribe, it is worth considering how we can make the most strategic investment of ourselves to build a godly heritage because, God, himself, underscores the importance of the spiritual heritage we are to pass on. This episode examines the importance of building a godly fathering legacy and identifies a few practical suggestions about HOW to do it.For Further Prayerful Thought: Which aspects of Israelite fathers failure to pass on their spiritual heritage to their children stood out to you? What are some ways in today’s world that you see men concerned for their legacy and some ways you think they aren’t as concerned as they should be about their legacy?What are your biggest challenges to building a godly legacy to pass on to your posterity?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.

Episode Summary: All Christian men fight inner battles with their sinful nature. Lust, anger, selfishness, resentment, impatience, discontent, idolatry are just some of the forces that seek to overpower us as men. Many times we lose these battles for a simple reason—we are trying to fight them alone. But how do you find a few close friends to help you in your spiritual battles? You may not be able to find them; you may need to forge them. This episode shows how. Resource used in this episode:Got Your Back: Helping Men Forge the Brotherhood Connections They Need, (available at Amazon in print, kindle, or audio formats). This short book explains in detail the kinds of brotherhood connections that today’s podcast talks about. The book is just 120 pages, with discussion questions at the end of each of the nine chapters. At gotyourback.info you will find a 2 minute trailer about the book, video clips of men helped to forge brotherhood bonds by the book, and video clips of church leaders talking about the impact of the book on the men in their churches. 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.

Episode Summary: No man walks down his wedding aisle expecting his marriage to fail. But many do, and most divorces are instigated by unhappy wives. This episode looks at what we can learn from God’s design of marriage that can help our current or future marriage thrive. For Further Prayerful Thought:What insight from this Genesis 2:18-25 stood out most to you? Why?Which part of the design for romance explained in this text do you think is the most understood?Which part of the design for romance seems the hardest to achieve? Past Podcast Highlight:  The series, Ruling Our Sexuality for God’s Glory, (S1 Episodes #12-15) which includes the messages, Understanding Our Sex Drive Helps Us Fight for Purity, and Directing Our Heart Passions to Defeat Lust.Resources used in this episode:For Couples--Intimacy: God’s Design for Marriage: Three Conversational Dates to Rediscover Intimacy in Your Marriage. For Men-- Loving Our Wives Well: Understanding Four Needs of a Wife That Only Her Husband Can Meet.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 a contribution to make others aware of the podcast click here.

Episode Summary: Christian author Rick Phillips writes, “To be a man is to stand up and be counted when there is danger or other evil. God does not desire for men to stand by idly and allow harm or permit wickedness to exert itself” (The Masculine Mandate). This episode examines the masculine calling to be fierce protectors and warriors and identifies two reasons men often fail to fight the battles God has designed them to fight. For Further Prayerful ThoughtWhat do you think is the biggest obstacle to men battling spiritually as they are called to do?How would you combat the argument that Christians should not express their views about current cultural topics because it gets too political and detracts from focusing on the gospel?Why do you think, Tim Keller’s answer to what Christians believe about homosexuality has those specific three parts?Summarize the lessons that you believe Elijah can teach us about prayer? Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.This Week’s Past Series Highlight:  Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons Using the Spiritual Weapon Satan Most Fears S2 Episode #9 1/3/21How Jesus Wants Us to Fight Through Prayer S2 Episode #10 1/10/21Knowing How NOT to Promote Biblical Truth S2 Episode #11 1/17/21Understanding the Breastplate of Righteousness S2 Episode #12 1/24/21Myths That Make Us Fear Sharing Our Faith S2 Episode #13 1/31/21Becoming More Contagious Christians S2 Episode #14 2/6/21For 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 a contribution to make others aware of the podcast click here.

Episode Summary: God created Adam with a heart that wants to accomplish a mission that matters. This episode takes a careful look at what this mission is and how it relates to our everyday motivation for living. We then consider some concrete questions you can use to better focus on the mission Christ has assigned you to accomplish in your everyday life.  For Further Prayerful ThoughtHow would you support the idea that men are made to impact the world around them through the Biblical texts of Gen 1:28, 2:15, Matt 6:9-10, 6:33?In your everyday experience what are some examples of typical masculine behavior that support the idea that men are created to accept the challenge of overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal?What would you say is the difference between success and significance?Why do you think many men don’t understand that their calling to the workplace is just as holy as the call to ministry?Why do you think so many Christian men fail to see that seeking to spread Christ’s kingdom of righteousness over earth is the renewal of Adam’s call to spread the kingdom of righteousness over the earth, as the potential of God’s creation is developed? Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.This Week’s Past Series Highlight:  Surrounding Our Loved Ones with the Belt of TruthKids and the SCIENCE DISPROVES GOD Argument S1 E #48 10/4/20Answering HOW COULD A GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? S1 E#49 10/11/20Answering THERE CAN’T BE JUST ONE TRUE RELIGION S1 E #50 10/18/20Answering YOU CAN’T TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY S1 E #51 10/25/20Shaping Culture In a World That Jesus Said Hates You S1 E #52 11/1/20For 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 a contribution to make others aware of the podcast click here 

Episode Summary: Today we begin a 6-week series entitled Understanding the Masculine Passions that Drive Us. In this series, we want to look at the good desires God created into the masculine heart, the way these desires have been corrupted, steering us in wrong ways to satisfy them, and how Christ can recover, renew, and restore those fallen desires into the godly man he wants you to be.  This episode examines the power of a man’s need for approval.For Further Prayerful Thought What are the situations in your life where you are most tempted to want man’s approval instead of God’s?How can you be more proactive thinking about how God wants you to be a blessing and light to the lost world around you?What is it about Jesus that most captures your desire to be loyal to him?Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.This Week’s Past Series Highlight:  Surrounding Our Loved Ones with the Belt of TrutKids and the SCIENCE DISPROVES GOD Argument S1 E #48 10/4/20Answering HOW COULD A GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? S1 E#49 10/11/20Answering THERE CAN’T BE JUST ONE TRUE RELIGION S1 E #50 10/18/20Answering YOU CAN’T TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY S1 E #51 10/25/20Shaping Culture In a World That Jesus Said Hates You S1 E #52 11/1/20For 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.

Episode Summary: God is a heavenly father who knows his children’s continual need for encouragement. This episode examines his example, why our kids need our fatherly encouragement, and some concrete ways to give that encouragement to them.For Further Prayerful ThoughtHow would you support an argument to a friend that children need fathers who are master motivators? What stood out about how the two words Paul uses encourage—PARAMUTHIA and exhort—PARAKALEO differ? Why are both important parts of motivating our children.Which elements of Paul’s brief description of his motivational approach charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory stood out most to you—as encouragement for your own walk with God.Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.This Week’s Past Episode Highlight:  Responding to the Argument that the Bible Teaches Patriarchy S1 E #33 6/21/20For 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.