Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary: Jesus commanded us not to be preoccupied with what we will eat or drink or distracted by what we are going to wear. Rather, we are to seek first the kingdom of God. But how do you seek something you can’t describe and don’t know how to define? Modern Christians are not the only ones confused about what this means. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus spent his last forty days on earth explaining this concept to his disciples, and they still got it wrong, asking “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” But Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God are puzzle pieces that do fit together and can make a huge difference in understanding our mission. This episode puts some of those pieces together and illustrates how Christ-followers have sought and prayed for the kingdom of God to advance over the earth. For Further Prayerful Thought:What is the most helpful thing you have ever learned about the term kingdom of God?Do you agree or disagree with the argument that Christians fail to understand what it means to seek first the kingdom of God because they don’t go back to Adam and Eve’s original creation as rulers of kingdom earth and calling to spread shape culture FOR the High King?How does understanding the ALREADY/NOT YET aspects of the kingdom help you understand it. What is still confusing to you?What examples of kingdom discipleship stood 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.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 S 1 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: Peter’s allegiance to his King, Jesus, was legendary. When HIS SOVEREIGN KING was about to wash HIS feet, Peter, seeing the utter indignity of the King of Kings washing his slave’s feet said to Jesus, “YOU shall never wash MY feet.” When Jesus answered, “if I do not wash you, you have no share with me,” Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but all of me.” I am ALL IN with you. When Jesus said he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter’s loyalty to his master bubbled to the surface and he said essentially, “No. I will never let this happen to you.” When a posse from the chief priest and Pharisees came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and slashed the ear off Jesus’ attacker. Though he did fail Jesus in denying him, Peter’s loyalty to Jesus was absolutely fierce. In this episode we will see Peter as a model for our allegiance to our sovereign lord—but more importantly try to see what it was about Jesus that summoned such intense devotion to him. For Further Prayerful Thought:What do you think of the argument that the kind of love we are to give God in the greatest commandment is more about loyalty than feelings? Does this argument matter? Why or why not? What do you think were the strongest characteristics of Jesus’ kingship that summoned allegiance from the heart of Peter?Which incidents from Peter’s life stood out most to you?What ideas do you have about how to regularly stoke the fires of your own allegiance to 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 Series Highlight:  Anchoring Our Kids to Biblical Truth About Gender Christian Men, The Equality Act & the Resurrection S2 E #22 4/4/21Wisely Protecting Your Child from Gender Confusion S2 E #23 4/11/212 Requirements for Steering Teens Towards Godly Sexuality S2 E #24 4/18/21Help Loved Ones Celebrate God’s Design of Male & Female S2 E #25 4/25/21Guide Your Teen to Embrace a Biblical Sexual Identity S2 E #26 5/2/21For 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.

Episode Summary: Most men get impatient with too much debating, analyzing, and risk aversion. They just want to do it! This comes out in our walk with the Lord. “Jesus, just tell me what to do, so I can do it. Give me the mountain to be taken, and it will be done by tomorrow.” This podcast can’t promise to make life simple; but we are committed to helping you have a concrete picture of what your mission from Jesus is. Today we look at our calling as agents of reconciliation, a phrase used by Paul and described by Jesus in the last two beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers—those devoted to restoring relationships broken by sin—and those who, in the process of restoring rightness, suffer because of taking a stand for such righteousness.”   For Further Prayerful Thought: How is understanding our responsibility to be agents of reconciliation—peacemakers—enriched by understanding peace as SHALOM—the flourishing that results from harmony in all four foundational spheres of relationships—with God, self, others, and creation?Which aspects of being a peacemaker are the hardest for you? How can we overcome a desire to be liked by people that is stronger than a desire to stand for truth?  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: Anchoring Our Kids to Biblical Truth About Gender Christian Men, The Equality Act & the Resurrection S2 E #22 4/4/21 Wisely Protecting Your Child from Gender Confusion S2 E #23 4/11/212 Requirements for Steering Teens Towards Godly Sexuality S2 E #24 4/18/21Help Loved Ones Celebrate God’s Design of Male & Female S2 E #25 4/25/21Guide Your Teen to Embrace a Biblical Sexual Identity S2 E #26 5/2/21For 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.

Episode Summary: Jesus offered men a shot at greatness—the opportunity to walk across the stage in eternity, have Jesus place a crown on our heads and whisper in our ear, “Well done.” This podcast is for the men who live for that moment—men whose greatest desire is to accomplish the mission assigned to them by Jesus. At the core of this mission is becoming like Jesus, which is one reason our mission is so tough. Yet every ounce of energy and moment of time we devote to building Christ-like character matters—it honors Him eternally. Today we examine two heart attitudes that do not come easily to us—having  merciful and pure hearts.For Further Prayerful Thought:What insights about mercy can help you be more patient with others, and tolerant of the way THEIR deficiencies make YOUR life more difficult?Do you agree that in parenting mercy requires both FIRMNESS and EMPATHY? How would you explain the importance of this balance to another?If spiritual maturity is more about what our hearts love than about what our hands do, what does this mean for your heart loves?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 WeaponsUsing the Spiritual Weapon Satan Most Fears Season 2 Episode #9 1/3/21How Jesus Wants Us to Fight Through Prayer Season 2 Episode #10 1/10/21Knowing How NOT to Promote Biblical Truth Season 2 Episode #11 1/17/21Understanding the Breastplate of Righteousness S 2 Episode #12 1/24/21Myths That Make Us Fear Sharing Our Faith Season 2 Episode #13 1/31/21Becoming More Contagious Christians Season 2 Episode #14 2/6/21 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: The dark evil background of what is happening in Ukraine serves to illuminate by contrast, two brilliant diamonds of Christ-like character in today’s episode: A) Self-controlled might that serves described in the third beatitude by the Greek word PRAUTES vs Russian selfish might that destroys. B) Godly ambition to see the kingdom of righteousness spread described in the fourth beatitude vs Putin’s ruthless ambition to advance his rule over Ukraine.For Further Prayerful Thought: Worry and anger are two emotions that signal that we have not fully transferred our personal rights to God. Which rights are the toughest for you to trust God with?Since “righteousness” could be defined as the path of life, why might Jesus compare craving righteousness to a starving man craving food or parched man longing for water?What if any new insights stood out to you about our responsibility to hunger for social righteousness. What questions do you still have? Resource Mentioned In This Episode:Christian Counter-Culture, John StottMinistries of Mercy, Tim Keller 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:  Examining God’s Design of the Heart Passions That Drive MenThe Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Approval: A King to Honor  S1  E #41  8/16/20The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Impact: A Sphere to Impact  S1 E #42  8/23/20Called to Be Fierce Protectors and Warriors: A Battle to Fight  S1 Episode #43  8/30/20God’s Design for Fulfilling Romance: A Beauty to Love  S1 Episode # 44  9/6/2Building a Strategic Friendship: A Brother to Labor and Fight Beside  S1 E #45  9/13/20A Hunger for Impact that Outlives Them: A Heritage to Pass On  S1 E #46  9/20/20How Christians Should Not and Should Respond to Toxic Masculinity S1 E #47 9/27/20For 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. Being a Christian is not just trusting Jesus to forgive our sins; it is enlisting in his cause, pursuing his mission—the spread of his kingdom of righteousness over earth. This episode looks at Jesus’ challenge, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and what kingdom attitudes look like in the hearts of men.For Further Prayerful Thought: Why is accepting Jesus’ challenge to BECOME LIKE HIM so hard?Which characteristic of the poor in spirit do you most need to focus upon?Contrast the attitude of hostility towards non-believers whose values are corrupting American culture with Jesus’ example of weeping over Jerusalem’s rejection of him as the Messiah. Resource Mentioned In This Episode: Got Your Back: Helping Christian Men Forge the Brotherhood Connections They Need. Available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats. 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:  Examining God’s Design of the Heart Passions That Drive MenThe Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Approval: A King to Honor  S1  E #41  8/16/20The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Impact: A Sphere to Impact  S1 E #42  8/23/20Called to Be Fierce Protectors and Warriors: A Battle to Fight  S1 Episode #43  8/30/20God’s Design for Fulfilling Romance: A Beauty to Love  S1 Episode # 44  9/6/20Building a Strategic Friendship: A Brother to Labor and Fight Beside  S1 E #45  9/13/20A Hunger for Impact that Outlives Them: A Heritage to Pass On  S1 E #46  9/20/20How Christians Should Not and Should Respond to Toxic Masculinity S1 E #47 9/27/20For 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. Thirty-five years ago, a psychologist from USC’s School of Medicine, named James Dobson, was concerned about husbands not understanding their wife’s emotional needs. His research led him to write a book entitled, What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women. He then wrote, “If I could write a prescription for the women of the world, I would provide each of them with a healthy dose of self-esteem and personal worth (taken three times a day until the symptoms disappear). I have no doubt this is their greatest need.” If you google, Depression Among Woman, more current research suggests that this low self-esteem in wives has not changed since then. Scripture teaches that husbands have a major role in building their wife’s inner sense of self-worth and are even to devote themselves to cultivating their wife’s inner beauty. This episode explains this dual responsibility of husbands.For Further Prayerful Thought:If you were asked to explain to another husband why it is their job to cultivate the inner spiritual beauty of their wife’s character, what would you say?What stood out to you about the specific feminine virtues that Scripture tells us are beautiful in the eyes of God?When you see godly character exhibited by your wife, what are the strongest reasons for telling her so?Resources Used for This Episode:Loving Our Wives Well: Understanding Four Needs of a Wife That Only Her Husband Can Meet, by Dr. Gary YagelWhat Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women, Dr. James DobsonFeedback 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:  How Your Leadership Can Have Impact—At Home & ElsewhereLeading So We Impact Others For Christ S1 Episode #37 7/19/20Maximizing Our Impact In Leading Others S1 Episode #38 7/25/20The Most Neglected Step of Leadership S1 Episode #39 8/2/20For 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. In this episode we explore two biblical texts that help identify what a wife needs in a spiritual leader. We also identify the way the biblical covenantal view of marriage is so much richer than the consumer view of marriage that is becoming more common today. This vital understanding might be helpful to pass on to the rising generation. It will definitely help you meet your wife’s heart security, if you are the spiritual leader she needs.For Further Prayerful Thought:In your own words, how would you explain to a friend what the difference is in viewing marriage as a consumer relationship or covenantal relationship.In what secular environments might you winsomely try to show how much more sense the biblical view of marriage is than any other.Are there some burdens related to your home life that you need to help your wife carry?  Are there some questions you need to ask to better see what she is seeing on the home front or better know how to share her feeling of responsibility for her home? Resources Used for This Episode: The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Marriage with the Wisdom of God, by Timothy and Kathy KellerIntimacy: God’s Design for Marriage: Three Conversational Dates to Rediscover Intimacy in Your Marriage, by Gary and Sandy YagelFeedback 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:  How Your Leadership Can Have Impact—At Home & ElsewhereLeading So We Impact Others For Christ S1 Episode #37 7/19/20Maximizing Our Impact In Leading Others S1 Episode #38 7/25/20The Most Neglected Step of Leadership S1 Episode #39 8/2/20 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. How does a husband romance his wife the way God designed her to be romanced? Scripture provides powerful answers. Today’s episode looks at a wife’s need for romance. Now, it’s just a guess, but I suspect you find trying to meet this need very pleasurable. But be warned. No husband and wife walk down their wedding aisle expecting their romance to fall apart, but 50% of Christian marriages fail, bringing enormous emotional devastation to spouses and children. These broken-hearted victims will tell you, “Romance isn’t easy. It is not a sprint. It is a 26K marathon.”For Further Prayerful Thought: If a husband’s sex drive is stronger than his wife’s what do you see as the challenges of helping her accept his masculine sexual hardwiring as God-created?Why does it make sense to advise husbands, “First work on meeting your wife’s need for emotional intimacy and learning to romance her well. Then try to help her see the biblical explanation of how to handle your differences in sexual desire?Which romancing insights most stood out to you? Resources Used for This Episode: Intimacy: God’s Design for Marriage: Three Conversational Dates to Rediscover Intimacy in Your Marriage, by Gary and Sandy YagelSimply Romantic Nights: Discover Intimacy in a New Light, Family Life  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:  RULING OVER OUR SEXUALITY FOR GOD’S GLORYUnderstanding Our Sex Drive Helps Us Fight for Purity S1 E #12 1/26/20Sharpening Our Understanding of Sin’s Corruption of Sex S1 E#13 2/2/20Directing Our Heart Passions to Defeat Lust S1 E #14 2/9/20Protecting Our Heart From the Enticement of Sexual Sin S1 E#15 2/16/20For 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. How would you summarize these statements made by women as to why they were divorcing their husbands?My husband is no longer my friend.The only time he pays attention to me is when he wants sex.He is never there for me, emotionally, when I need him most.I hurt all the time because I feel alone and abandoned.We’re like ships passing in the night—he goes his way and I go mine.My husband has become a stranger to me. I don’t even know who he is anymore.What these wives were starving for was emotional intimacy—being connected to their husbands at the level of the heart. Scripture makes it clear in addressing husbands that this is a primary need of a wife. No wonder these marriages failed. This episode examines the need of the heart of a wife to feel connected to her best friend and lover.  For Further Prayerful Thought: How would you explain to a husband that for his wife emotional intimacy is so important that if she isn’t feeling emotionally connected to his heart if would be like you never getting to have sex?Describe what emotional intimacy is to a wife?What are the most practical things you learned about building emotional intimacy into your relationship with your wife? Resources Used for This Episode: To Understand Each Other, Paul TournierThe Five Love Languages of Men and Women, Gary and Barbara RosbergIntimacy, Douglas Weiss 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: RULING OVER OUR SEXUALITY FOR GOD’S GLORYUnderstanding Our Sex Drive Helps Us Fight for Purity S1 E #12 1/26/20Sharpening Our Understanding of Sin’s Corruption of Sex S1 E#13 2/2/20Directing Our Heart Passions to Defeat Lust S1 E #14 2/9/20Protecting Our Heart From the Enticement of Sexual Sin S1 E#15 2/16/20For 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