Father's Day: Marks of a godly Man

Recap:

We looked at the principle of male leadership (Genesis 2:18-23), examples of male leadership (Phil. 2:20-30), and an explanation of how we arrive at that kind of male leadership (Phil.2:21).

Questions:

1-Read Gen 2:18-23 and discuss the implication this has on gender roles and male headship specifically. 

          *Woman is made for man and from man. Woman is brought to man, and woman is named by man. These are clear marks of God's design for male headship (leadership).

2-Discuss some of the negative effects of men failing to lead. What toll does it take on mom and kids when dad is disengaged spiritually?

          *Kids become underdeveloped when dad is willing to throw a ball with them, but is unwilling to dial into their hearts. When dad doesn't engage spiritual it send a message to the rest of the family it isn't really that important.

3-When have you seen spiritual leadership done well? 

4-Let's rehearse the qualities associated with spiritual leadership. Read verse 20. How is being genuinely concerned more helpful than being incredibly qualified? 

          *People who are genuinely concerned work hard and get results. People who fancy themselves knowledgeable just regurgitate their knowledge with little concern as to whether or not it is helpful to you. Their goal is to sound smart, not be edifying. 

5-Read verse 22. Why is spiritual consistency so important for our children (or those over whom we have influence)?

          *More often than not, our consistencies become our children's consistencies. If you have a consistent relationship with Jesus it will be a gift to your children.

6-Read verse 25. How does a competitive nature derail spiritual leadership? 

          *Our natural competition is borne out of selfish ambition. Self-ambition is antithetically to good leadership because good leadership is not about you rising to the top, it is about you helping others rise.  

7-Read 26-30. What does it communicate to our families when we elevate Jesus' mission over personal comfort and gain?

          *It is saying with our lives, "Jesus is really worth it!" Mom and Dad gave up that?! This Jesus must really be something to be desired....You never communicate the worth of Christ more clearly than when you sacrifice for Him.

Application:

What conclusion did we reach regarding the how of becoming these kinds of men? 

          *If you're struggling to be concerned for other, or elevate Jesus' mission, etc...you don't become those things by trying to become those things, rather you become invested in those because you love Jesus and He is invested in those things.

The Short Bus

Understanding God’s Word

Read Job 1:1-22

• In a sentence or two, how would you describe the message of this scripture?

Example: Everything I have comes from God. So whether He gives or takes away, I will always praise and worship Him.

• What does this passage tell us about who God is?

• What does this passage reveal to us about ourselves?

Living and Applying God’s Word

                

Job 1:1-5 (summary) Job was generous in giving to God while God was generous to Him.

Would it be easy or hard for you to be more generous if God gave you more? Studies show that the wealthiest Americans donate 1.3% of their income, and the poorest donate 3.2%. Why do you think that is?

Job 1:6-12 (summary) God brags on Job’s faithfulness and gives Satan permission to test Him.

God knew Job’s faithful generosity came from his heart, not from his wealth. Is generosity determined by how much you give? (No. Generosity is determined by your heart’s condition. God was not bragging on how much Job gave, but on his heart in giving.)

How has God been generous to you? How have you been generous to God?

Job 1:13-19 (summary) God allows Satan to take everything from Job.

Has there been times in your life when you feel like God allowed you to struggle financially? What do you think God’s purpose was?

Discuss whether or not you think God cares if you’re poor or rich (materialistically/financially). Does He want you to be one or the other? Use scripture to back up your point.

Job 1:20-22 (summary) Job still worships God, even when he lost EVERYTHING.

Discuss whether or not God is the one who gives you everything (money, jobs, talents, spouses, kids, friends, success, etc.) Who owns those things? Do your responses/actions to those things reflect your beliefs about who owns them?

Why is it so hard to give money away? (Notice how people answer in a perspective that it’s THEIR money.)

Why is it easy to give God’s money away? (Notice how a change in perspective of ownership makes people more generous.)

Read verse 22 from your perspective: “Everything I have comes from God. So whether He gives or takes away, I will always praise and worship Him.”

Turn to God

To learn to give when giving is costly, we must first look to Jesus. The loving generosity of our Savior will inspire our imitation.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son…” (John 3:16)

“The Son of God…loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“He (Jesus) laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16)

Ask the Holy Spirit to help the love and generosity you’ve received from Christ overflow to others more and more. (Philippians 1:9-11)

What’s in the way of your obedience? Confess and turn to God for delivery of that sin.

The Struggle Bus

Read Job 1-2:10


Warming Up

What does Satan ask God regarding his faithful servant, Job?

Is it possible to love God for God's sake, and not merely for the benefits of being faithful, even when there are benefits?

How would you respond to someone who accuses that God is only for those who can't make it on their own? (Satan thought Job was faithful to God because God had blessed him.)


Discovering the Word

What indications are there that Job's righteousness was not directly related to his being blessed with material prosperity? (1:1-8)

Why would God agree to a contest that would affect Job and his family so painfully? Are there any good reasons for this?

How does Job react to the first test? (1:20-22)

Why do you think God agreed to the second test? (2:1-6)

Why would the suggestion Job's wife made be especially dangerous to Job's faith? (2:9-10)


Applying the Word

Suffering is a mystery. What have you learned about accepting trouble from God? (2:10)

What difference will this make to your own attitude toward hard times?


Turn to God

This passage may have raised some difficult questions and feelings for you. Talk openly with God about your response to what you have read.