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Table of Contents April/May/June 2011
Featured Articles
q First Things First by Dr. Patrick Morley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 q The Next Generation of Leaders by David Delk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 q MIM Training on Demand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 q —The Blog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 q Help Wanted: Field Trainers Making an Impact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Resource Tools
q Equipping Your Men’s Small Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 q How to Use This Devotional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 q Resource Catalog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Devotions
q April 2011 Devotions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 q May 2011 Devotions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 q June 2011 Devotions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Be sure to check out special devotions adapted from Pastor Mark Batterson’s book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, that start on page 27. Learn more about Pastor Batterson’s church and ministry at www.theaterchurch.com. To purchase In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, please go to www.booksbythebox.org. Follow the One-Year Bible reading plan by reading the daily Scripture at the end of each devotion. To see the complete reading plan, go to www.oneyearbibleonline.com. At the end of many of the devotionals you will find an abbreviation for a resource that expands on the devotional material. For more information about the Man in the Mirror Bible Study (MIMBS) go to www.maninthemirror.org/archives/categories. :MIMBS 1— A Man’s Guide To the Bible :MIMBS 2— Show Men How To Handle Temptation :MIMBS 3— A Clean Heart :MIMBS 4— Where Did Jesus Come From? :MIMBS 5— MIM REMIX Desire to Be Independent :MIMBS 6— Discipling Men’s Hearts
:MIMBS 7— How Do You Make Disciples :MIMBS 8— Soul’s Search for Rest :MIMBS 9— Journey As Long as It Takes :MIMBS 10— MIM REMX Integrity :MIMBS 11— Show Men How To Worship :MIMBS 12— A Christian Worldview
Equipping the Man in the Mirror: April/May/June 2011, Vol. 6, No. 2 Publisher: Man in the Mirror, Inc. • CEO: Patrick Morley • Executive Editors: David Delk and Brett Clemmer Publication Manager: Lucy Blair • Art Director: Cathleen Kwas • Writers: Lucy Blair, Ruth Ford, Stephanie Lopez Office: 180 Wilshire Blvd., Casselberry, Florida 32707 Phone: 800-929-2536 • Fax: 407-331-7839 • Web site: www.maninthemirror.org
Copyright © 2011 by Patrick Morley and Man in the Mirror, Inc. All rights reserved. Subscription Information: One year—$25. Two years—$43. For reprint requests or bulk subscriptions call 407-472-2100 or send an email to EQMIM@maninthemirror.org and ask for reprint permissions. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked the message are taken from the The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked nlt are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
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The need for men’s discipleship is greater than ever. Man in the Mirror Seminars Change Men’s Lives Don’t let a fear of finances keep you from hosting a men’s event for your men’s ministry.
First Things First
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by Dr. Patrick Morley As 2010 ended here at Man in the Mirror, God was faithful as many of you stepped up with year-end donations to help us end the year in the black. We are awed and humbled by God’s provision year after year. 2011 is off to a quick start with Fuel: the Man in the Mirror Annual Summit. About 150 leaders from as far away as Singapore and Brazil, and denominations representing 50,000+ churches, converged here in January. We celebrated 25 years of ministry, the roll-out of the No Man Left Behind Courseware, and the brand new website. Workshops inspired and equipped men for another year of service. The Journey to Biblical Manhood is our new focus. We’ve spent 25 years and millions of dollars assembling what has become a robust source of leadership training, discipleship resources, seminars, videos and articles for and about men. The Journey to Biblical Manhood is a strategy to roll all that up into a complete yet flexible plan to disciple all the men in a church. You’ll see much more about this in the months ahead. In the next three months there are three major events in every Christian man’s life: Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Here are some quick thoughts on each of these days. Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. On Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, His sacrifice and His power, His justice and His love. People all around us are living lukewarm, often defeated lives. Many are stuck in the idea that they have to deserve grace. They have not grasped this simple truth: Christ has already paid for their sins. So remind them! And invite them to accept this gift from a personal, loving and almighty God. Of course, we should honor ours and our kids’ mothers every day, but Mother’s Day gives us a chance to do so publicly. Here are three things to think about right now to be ready for May 8: (1) If you have kids, get them to write Mom a poem or make a collage of pictures. Even if you and their mom are not together, you can still encourage them to follow the admonishment of Scripture to honor their mother. (2) As appropriate, write your mother, your mother-in-law and your kid’s mom each a letter to thank them for the gift of life. (3) Plan ahead! Reserve that table NOW for the Mother’s Day brunch at her favorite restaurant.
All our events are designed to allow you to break even. We provide the strategy and tools to make this happen.
Finally, Father’s Day comes in June. If you are a dad, embrace the silly gifts. Yes, you need another ugly tie! But perhaps this year you can take some time to contemplate your Heavenly Father’s impact in your life. What are some memories that you have built together with Him? If very little comes to mind, perhaps you can focus this year on building some memories — time spent alone with Him, time serving Him, time sharing Him with others. For the glory of God and no other reason,
For more information on how to host an event that breaks even and a free copy of “Six Essentials for a Successful Event,” contact Pam Adkins at (800) 929-2536, ext. 110 or pamadkins@maninthemirror.org
For more ideas, go to the new www.maninthemirror.org and enter “Easter”, “Mother’s Day” or “Father’s Day” in the search box.
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The Next Generation of Leaders by David Delk, President, Man in the Mirror
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. Titus 2:6-7
It seems that all across the country churches are filled with “seasoned” men. Thank God for these men—they often form a solid foundation. But if we don’t figure out how to raise up young men, in 30 years a lot more churches will have been sold and turned into night clubs and bowling alleys. Last summer I experimented with a simple idea that turned out amazingly well. It ended up being one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, so I wanted to share it with you. While this idea doesn’t pretend to be a comprehensive solution to the problem of raising up young leaders, it could be a great start for you and your church.
The Idea My son was returning home from his freshman year at college for a summer job. I had been praying and thinking about ways for us to connect while he was home. I knew he would be very busy between catching up with old friends, our vacation schedule, a few trips he had planned, and his work. So I wanted to be intentional but also simple. I believe the Lord gave me an idea: try to schedule six or eight breakfasts with committed Christian men. The three of us would meet for a one-hour breakfast and they could share their story and a few key principles they found helpful in living out their faith. I knew it was the right time in my son’s life—it wouldn’t have been the same while he was still in high school, and it probably would not have been as effective if we waited until he was 25. I sent each man an email and then followed-up with a phone call. The men were a diverse group from different industries, educational backgrounds, and ages. I wanted my son to hear from many different voices, believing that God would use them to enlarge his perspective and strengthen his faith. As we drove to our first breakfast meeting, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. We were meeting a dynamic young leader who serves Christ in a very active way. But what would my son think as he sat with his dad and listened to this man’s story of life and faith? All my prayers and hopes were answered in a way far beyond what I could have expected. As we left the breakfast that morning, my son was beaming from ear to ear talking about how incredible the time
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was. He couldn’t wait for our next meeting, and before heading off to work, turned and said, “This is a great idea, and you’re the best dad ever.” I headed to my car, wiped the tears from my eyes, and thanked God. Over the summer we ended up having breakfast with eight different men. Each of them shared a different perspective and set of insights. And after each breakfast, my son seemed to be more enthusiastic about the idea, profusely thanking me for my efforts.
The Lessons Here are some of the specific lessons we learned:
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If we don’t figure out how to raise up young men, in thirty years a lot more churches will [be] turned into night clubs and bowling alleys.
Reliance on Scripture—Several men talked about how vital it was for them to read and study God’s Word regularly. One man told the story of being involved with Pat Morley’s Bible Study in college. His quote: “I got a business education from school, but I got an education in biblical manhood from the Bible Study.”
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God is in control—We heard story after story of how God moved. One man eventually came to Christ in his 30s through a friend who had been sharing with him since high school. God blocked the path of another man to keep him from something that seemed like a perfect deal, only to lead him in a direction that turned out so much greater. Integrity and doing the right thing—Several men shared about temptations they’d faced to cut corners or work with those who were. One man talked about having to stand up to a very influential leader in the community who wanted to do a deal that wasn’t completely ethical. Several others shared how their bad experiences with others who didn’t stand by their word helped them strive for absolute integrity in their life. Practical business and life lessons—Several men mentioned that one of the easiest ways to stand out today is simply to work diligently and with excellence. Another talked about the importance of going the extra mile. One leader shared about the value of follow-up, including written thank you notes. Here’s the cool thing—I had already told my son he should send written notes to the men we’d already had breakfast with. The notes went out the next day. How to use influence, success and wealth for God’s glory—These men all demonstrated how to use their lives for the glory of God. My son got to see firsthand that these are men who are more committed to serving God than they are their own desires.
I think all of these men were grateful to have an opportunity to speak into a young man’s life and share what they have learned. But I was even more grateful for how God used their words to make a difference in my son’s life. They truly did “set him an example” and “show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:7). continued on page 60
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Training on Demand
No Man Left Behind
The No Man Left Behind Courseware
A Proven Strategy for Discipling Men
What is the biggest obstacle to getting leaders trained? Time. This year we released the No Man Left Behind Courseware, or Self-Paced Training. This DVD-based training addresses some common problems: 44Because everyone can’t make a weekend training conference, no one
from the team attends. 44Part of a leadership team comes to the conference, but they don’t know
how to communicate what they’ve learned effectively to those who couldn’t make it or to new leaders. 44The team leaves the training focused on a few of the concepts, but needs a refresher as their ministry grows and matures. The Courseware comes in two 8-session courses: Foundations and Methods & Tactics. Each course includes a facilitator’s guide, participant’s workbook, textbook (No Man Left Behind for Foundations, Pastoring Men for Methods & Tactics) and video training sessions. Each session includes discussion questions, a video lesson, application exercises, and often, a homework assignment. Course One: Foundations introduces the No Man Left Behind Model and provides an in-depth examination of the principles successful churches are using to disciple men. Sessions include: 44The Five Types of Men and How to Reach Them 44A Man’s Spiritual Journey — The Wide-Deep
The No Man Left Behind Model: Key Concepts Here are just a few of the components that make up the Model:
Your Man Code—Just like people discover your dress code by what they see, they learn your “man code” from the atmosphere of your church. Make sure to send the message that men are important and can make a real contribution.
All-Inclusive Ministry to Men—Retire the phrase “men’s ministry.” It’s not just about what happens when men are off by themselves. Instead, disciple your men right where they are—in co-ed Bible studies, on the worship team, coaching kid’s basketball, etc. Every interaction your church has with any man is ministry to men. Make all of them an intentional part of your discipleship process.
The Wide-Deep Continuum—Build a process to reach men where they’re at spiritually. Cast a wide net for men early, then seamlessly lead them deep. Engage the five types of men: men who need to know Christ, cultural Christians, biblical Christians, leaders, and hurting men (see 1 Corinthians 9:22–23).
Capture Momentum—Give men believable followup opportunities right where you create value. Make sure it’s something a man could actually do. “What’s the right next step for every man?”
Continuum
Wide
44All-Inclusive Ministry to Men 44The Three Strands of Leadership and more!
All-Inclusive Ministry to Men
Course Two: Methods & Tactics takes your leaders to the next level with specific implementation strategies. Your team will learn and apply concrete action steps to build a sustainable ministry. Sessions include: 44Casting the Vision 44Create Momentum by Providing Value 44Capture Momentum with the Right Next Step 44Reaching Men at the Heart Level and more!
Every church that is serious about discipling men should have this courseware in their library. It is a critical tool to help leaders stay on course, bring new leaders up to speed, and recruit allies to the importance of men’s discipleship. Get more details and download a free session at www.maninthemirror.org/ courseware. For more information or to order, call Jim or Pam at 800-929-2536.
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The Leadership Training Center at Man in the Mirror has conducted 260 training opportunities over the last eight years, reaching over 10,000 leaders from about 3,000 churches with the No Man Left Behind model. Does it work? In a recent survey, churches that had somewhat or very intentionally applied the principles reported an 84% average increase in the number of men being discipled in their church after 2 ½ years, and church growth of 58 men over the same period. Yeah, it works!
Deep
Create Value Sustain Change
Vision
Capture Momentum
Three Strands = Leadership Your Man Code = Environment The Portal Priority = Discipleship
Four Ways to Learn More about the Model…
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Study the book No Man Left Behind. Attend a training event with your leadership team, offered as the 2 ½ day No Man Left Behind Conference or the 1 ½ day No Man Left Behind Essentials. Find an event at www.maninthemirror.org.
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Take your team through the No Man Left Behind Courseware—comprehensive training with teaching DVDs, a Participant’s Guide, Facilitator’s Guide, and textbooks. Consult an expert. Call Man in the Mirror at 800.929.2536 or 407.472.2100.
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: The Blog
John Waller leads worship in front of the finished portrait Kennis Pledger shares the impact of the MIM Bible Study in his life
The story of the 2011 Annual Summit in blog form
The Load-In
by A Staff Member
Wow, I work with great people! It was all hands on deck today as we set up the Westin Hotel for the Summit. I can’t believe all the boxes and equipment we just carried in. Everyone was in a pretty good mood. Well, Al was a little crazy, but after all, he IS in charge of the logistics. The young guys from Faith Assembly in Orlando brought in so much video and lighting equipment. Hope we get it all set up in time! Posted: Thursday, January 27 at 10:37 a.m.
What? We Already Started?
by A Staff Member
Just noticed two of the workshop doors were closed. Stuck my head in the first one and saw a whole bunch of leaders from around the country. Scanning their name tags was like a “Who’s Who” of denominational men’s ministry! Brett told me it’s the Denominational Men’s Ministry Network of North America taking advantage of the Summit to hold Some of our Field Trainers, their annual meeting. Second year in a row! Dave Wertheim from California Went in the second room and saw our field and Bill Pasierb from New York trainers having a training session as well. Nice to see these guys from all over the country (even California!) connecting and recharging. Lots of great success stories about conducting seminars and consulting opportunities. We’re so blessed to have these guys! Posted: Thursday, January 27 at 1:15 p.m.
Registration Going Full Tilt!
by A Staff Member
I can’t believe all the people here. I counted leaders from 25 states, plus Canada, South America and Asia! They’re enjoying a nice reception. Dinner and the program start in about an hour. Posted: Thursday, January 27 at 5:42 p.m.
What an Opening Night! by A Staff Member Worship, Stories and Vision
The Splat experience begins
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Now that was a great beginning! After dinner, the session started with The Splat Experience. It really set the tone for the weekend! A beautiful picture of Jesus to keep us focused for the rest of the weekend. Then great worship with John Waller. Larry Malone was recognized for 13 years of service to
United Methodist Men, as well as long-time board member Chuck Green. Next Pat brought up four guys who had been impacted by the ministry. Each story was amazing. Seeing these guys whose lives are so devoted to following Christ remind me why we do what we do. Twenty-five years of ministry here. Can you believe it? Posted: Thursday, January 27 at 9:38 p.m.
Gospel-Centered Discipleship
by A Summitt Attendee
What a morning! We started at the Man in the Mirror Bible Study early this morning. 140 guys meeting every Friday morning. Very uplifting! Then we went back to the hotel for the first session of the day. More great worship and an incredible story of changed lives across the state of Montana from Harrison Fagg. That guy is 79 years old and is one of the most passionate men I’ve ever seen! Then Jonathan Dodson spoke on discipleship. He reminded us it’s not about right action (morality), or right thinking (doctrine) or right community (church), but it’s about the gospel: Jesus Christ is Lord. I was challenged to ask myself, Is my faith vital to the way I live my life? Wow.
Jonathan Dodson speaks Friday morning
Posted Friday, January 28 at 10:05 a.m.
What a Great Set of Guys!
by A Workshop Leader
The spirit of humility is incredible. I’m “teaching” guys that are so experienced in ministry they should be teaching me! They are so eager to see men discipled that it is really humbling. After my workshop this morning and lunch, I stuck my head in a couple of other workshops. Pat has the guys giving him ideas for his new book Seven. He’s not too ambitious; he only wants to get a million men reading During breaks, attendees compared the Bible regularly! Howard Dayton taught a session on notes and visited the sponsor exhibits discipling the affluent and David and Ruthie Delk offered one on The Marriage Prayer; Ruthie did another one just for the wives…and one guy. There’s always one! Johnnie Wilson also did a workshop on reaching younger men and there were others too. There’s a buzz in the hallways as everyone is comparing notes on the workshops they attended. Posted Friday, January 28 at 2:25 p.m.
continued on page 58
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Man in the Mirror would like to thank all the sponsors of:
Equipping Your Men’s Small Group
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Get all your men engaged in the regular study of God’s Word by using this magazine as a small group tool. At the end of each week’s devotions, you’ll see a box containing discussion questions and exercises. These can form the basis of your time together. These pages supplement those questions with additional steps. If you use this magazine with your men this quarter you will have:
Scripture favorite passage of ur yo ad re d an ✔✔Looked up Bible. t versions of the in three differen urch or your small or colleague to ch nd ie fr a d te vi In ✔✔ group. open to God. ts to be real and ar he ur yo r fo ed ✔✔Pray ther. participate in toge to y it un rt po op y ✔✔Chosen a ministr d to get to know an to read together ok bo a ed ct le ✔✔Se er. worship God bett tated on it 4:14-15 and medi s me Ja ed iz or ✔✔Mem eek. throughout the w r in your e or disciple-make ipl sc di a r fo ily ✔✔Prayed da life. rmine how sessment and dete As s ift G al itu ir ✔✔Taken a Sp e Kingdom. you might serve th the hunger for ers of satisfying ng da e th ed lor xp ✔✔E orld. h things of the w righteousness wit for carrying you God thanking Him to er tt le a en tt ✔✔Wri circumstances. through difficult integrity. life who personify ur yo in e os th d ✔✔Observe clude church about worship to in ng ki in th ur yo d ✔✔Expande r daily events. services and othe Continued on page 12
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q 5/16-5/22: These devotions teach you about the vital need for the disci-
Small Group Guide continued from page 11
pleship of men. SAS: Have each person write down the name of a man that discipled him or the name of a man he has discipled. Divide into groups of 2 or 3 and share that discipleship experience with one another. Throughout this next week, pray for that man and his family each day.
q 4/1-4/10: This week’s devotions give insight into the impact of
God’s Word in your lives. Suggested Application Step (SAS): Have each man look up their favorite verse or passage of Scripture in three different translations or versions of the Bible. Ask God to give new or fresh insights into that passage of His Word.
q 4/11-4/17: This week you will read about the importance of God’s faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to Him. SAS: Make a list of guys in the church, at work or in your neighborhood that could benefit from being in God’s Word and being in a small group. Spend a few minutes in prayer for those men. Commit to inviting one of those guys to your church or group. Come back next week, ready to share your responses.
q 5/23-5/28: This week your men will look at God’s great
plan of using the spiritual gifts of all believers to complete His plan. SAS: Have each man take a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. (There are several good ones online.) Share the results in the group. Have each man share his gift(s), how this affects his current ministry involvement, and how it might change his focus in the future.
q 5/30-6/4: This week’s devotionals address the issue of man’s
hunger for righteousness. SAS: List some things that might be classified as the “sugary things” of life. Pray for each other that you would reject the sugary things and hunger for authentic righteousness. Remember to discuss the book you chose to read together several weeks ago.
q 4/18-4/24: In this week of devotions you’ll learn about the value God
places on the condition of your heart. SAS: On a large piece of paper or whiteboard, make a list of ways our outward appearance might fool people and then a list of ways our hearts reflect our true character that only God can see. Spend a few moments in silent prayer to God about the condition of your own heart. From last week, share your responses to the invitations.
q 4/25-5/1: Our devotional theme this week is about the faith to believe God’s plan from the Old Testament and creation to the New Testament and salvation. SAS: Discuss some of the reasons that people need to know about God’s entire plan. What are some ways your church does this? Choose one of these ways and commit to participate in it as a group.
q 6/5-6/11: These devotions remind that God kept His promises to the people of Israel and that He will do the same for us. SAS: Reflect for a few minutes about the times God has carried you through difficult circumstances. What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself? Write a letter to God – perhaps in your journal – thanking Him for carrying you through a particularly difficult time.
q 6/12-6/18: This week you’ll see that integrity has a direct correlation to the condition of your heart. SAS: Throughout this next week, take notice of people in your life or in our world that have integrity. How would you describe them? Do they have something specific in common? Next week, we’ll share those observations.
q 5/2-5/8: This week your men will gain spiritual
insights regarding true worship. SAS: Do you know God well enough to worship Him? In your group, share some books you’ve read in addition to the Bible that have helped you understand who God is better. Pick one book to read as a group, set a deadline (e.g., four weeks), and take a few minutes each week to share you insights from the book.
q 5/9-5/15: In this week’s devotions you’ll focus in on the difference between being dependent and independent. SAS: Memorize this verse and meditate on it throughout the week. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’” James 4:14-15 NLT
q 6/19-6/25: These devotions help you focus on the fact that worship
takes place throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings. SAS: Write down ways worship happens outside of the four walls of church. Have you ever thought about those events as opportunity for worship? Will your attitude about those events change now that you see them as an opportunity for worship? Share your observations from last week.
Use Equipping the Man in the Mirror for Your Small Group
•• Start with the group discussion questions at the end of each week of devotions. •• Use these two pages (12 and 13) to dig deeper with your small group. •• For more small group resources, look on page 32 for great books to read and study.
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How to Use This Devotional
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By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see. Hebrew 11:3 The Message
To make the most of Equipping the Man in the Mirror, we have dissected a devotional so you don’t miss any aspect of the magazine (see below).
Completion checkbox
Source material
Correlating Scripture
One-year Bible daily reading
Discussion/journal questions
q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—April 1, 2, 3 • Hiding His Word I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 We often take the Bible for granted. But stop for a moment and consider its impact. Billions of Bibles have been bought, sold and given away. Thousands of soldiers have carried them into war. Hotel nightstands hold countless Gideon Bibles. For many generations, a family Bible was one of the most important parts of an inheritance. The Bible has been the focus of debates, lectures, sermons, books, and movies. With its academic, scientific and critical scrutiny, this book has been under more microscopes, by more people, than any other piece of literature in existence. The Scriptures have been an encouragement, a comfort, a challenge and a prayer to throngs of believers. Passages have been memorized and preached. Passages of the Bible are read at weddings, graduations, inaugurations and funerals. The Bible has been described as a sword, the Good Book, the Gospel, a light, and the Word of God. Like the Psalmist, we are to hide God’s Word in our heart. When Scriptures become ingrained in our hearts and minds, we can recall them during times of pain, stress, triumph, sorrow and celebration. His Word can break our hearts and heal our hearts. Most importantly the Bible allows us to know more about our Father and His love for us. MIMBS 1 Are you regularly hiding God’s Word in your heart? Take a moment and jot down the reference or a few words from verses you have memorized. When would each of those verses be a help to you? Find a verse you can memorize in the next week. Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 18:1-25:19, Luke 9:28-10:37, Psalm 73:1-75:10, Proverbs 12:10-14
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Monday—April 4 • God’s Words for You
The Bible is the autobiography of God and the story of His Creation. It includes the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Daniel and the lions, Moses and the Red Sea, David and Goliath, and more. In the New Testament, you can read about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both the Christmas and Easter stories originate in the Bible. God wanted us to know how the world was created, that we are all sinners, that He came to save us from our sins because He loves us, and so much more. He shared His miracles, His sermons and His prayers. He used men of God to write His inspired words, letters, parables and lessons.
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We would all cherish the opportunity to sit at God’s feet and hear Him speak directly to us. That is exactly what the Bible is— it is God’s voice speaking to you and me. Spend time in His Word and get to know Him and let Him show you His great love. MIMBS 1 What does the Bible mean to you? Does the amount of time you spend reading it correlate with what you say you believe? Why or why not? Share that with a brother or your small group. Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, Proverbs 12:15-17
Tuesday —April 5 • Hear Him and Know Him
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. Hebrews 4:12 The Message I have great admiration for C.S. Lewis, so I’ve spent some time looking for a video of him. Unfortunately, the lack of technology during his lifetime has made that impossible. I did find one audio of him reading his book The Four Loves. I have listened to that and heard Lewis’ voice; what a thrill! Think of the times that you’ve seen or heard speeches from historical figures—King, Kennedy, Roosevelt, and others. What an impact to hear words like, “I have a dream,” or “Ask not what you can do for your country,” or “A date that will live in infamy!”
Imagine what it would be like to have video or audio of Jesus! God knew that decades and centuries after Christ’s life, death and resurrection, people would need to know Him and read His words. The Bible is a flawless record of exactly what God wanted to say, exactly the way He wanted to say it. MIMBS 1 Do you believe that the Bible says exactly what God wanted us to hear? What are some “famous” phrases from Jesus? Why are they so memorable to you? Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, Proverbs 12:18
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Wednesday—April 6 • Eyewitness Accounts
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So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 2 Peter 3:14–15 The Old Testament scriptures were the basis of Judaism in Jesus’ day. As Christianity began to explode in the Roman Empire and Europe, people realized they would need to share Jesus through the written word. So witnesses wrote down the things they had heard and seen. Picture yourself being one of the eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life in the stable in Bethlehem. At the wedding as water was turned into wine. At the temple where He turned over the tables. Beside Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Tearfully watching the crucifixion. Or stunned by the stone being rolled away from
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His tomb. What would it have been like to see Peter as he walked on the water? Or Zaccheus up in the tree? Or the blind man healed? Or Lazarus raised from the dead? Those recorded events give us the true, rich, miraculous history of our Lord. But it is more than a history lesson. It shows us God’s love, mercy, grace and, most importantly, His plan of salvation! MIMBS 1 Which biblical event would you most like to be an eyewitness to? Take a moment to read through that event in the Bible. What lesson does God have for you today from that event? Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20
Thursday—April 7 • The Power of His Word But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22 nlt
In the Old Testament there are many passages that tell us that the Lord spoke directly to someone: “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”—Genesis 6:22. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction’” —Exodus 24:12. “So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the Lord had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on the scroll.”—Jeremiah 36:4 God gave His words to those men and others as a source of power and authority. When God told Moses the Ten
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Commandments, He was empowering Moses to proclaim and deliver those words to His people. When Noah was told to build an ark, He knew the power of God’s words and tried to get others to join him. God’s Word has that same power and authority today. Is there any area of a man’s life that is not addressed by Scripture in some way? MIMBS 1
Friday, Saturday, Sunday—April 8, 9, 10 • Words of Faith The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1–2 The Message
Tom, a nervous flyer, often traveled for business and would always take his Bible with him for comfort. On one rough flight, Tom pulled out his Bible and began reading. The guy next to him looked over and smirked. A few minutes later the turbulence got worse and the man asked Tom, “You don’t really believe any of that, do you?” “As a matter of fact, I do,” Tom replied. The guy said, “What about the part where the whale swallowed that guy?” Tom answered, “Jonah? Yes, I believe that.” The man said, “Come on, a fish swallows a man? How does a man survive that?” Tom answered, “Good question, when I get to heaven I will ask him.” “What if he’s not in heaven?” the man inquired. “Well, then you can ask him,” Tom replied. The stories of Jonah, Noah and the Flood,
the parting of the Red Sea, Abraham and Isaac, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and the journeys of the disciples are all stories of faith. The willingness to believe that God is who He is and does what He says He will do. It did not make sense to those that were involved. People made fun of them. They were scoffed at and ridiculed. Yet, they were willing to risk that in order to follow God. God asks the same of you and me. He asks us to read His Word, get to know Him, converse with Him through prayer, hang out with others who know Him, and follow Him. The road will be narrow, rough and sometimes lonely. Not everyone will follow or understand. He asks you to trust Him, trust His Word and live a life of faith—faith in Him. MIMBS 1 What does faith mean to you? How have you recently demonstrated your faith in a tangible way? How would you explain your actions to someone else? Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 32:28-Joshua 2:24, Luke 12:35-14:6, Psalm 78:56-79:13, Proverbs 12:24-26
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For April 1–10: Have a few men to share some of their favorite Scripture verses with the group. As they share them, ask them these questions:
Do you believe Scripture is actually God’s voice speaking to specific areas of your life? Why or why not? Why is this foundation so important in a man’s life? Share your ideas with your group.
•• What makes that verse special to you?
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27 Luke 12:8-34, Psalm 78:32-55, Proverbs 12:21-23
•• Is there someone in your life who may need to hear that verse and what it means to you?
•• What types of situations does this verse speak to in your life? When does it come to mind?
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Monday—April 11 • Rats in the Attic
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You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.” Proverbs 5:12–14 Several years ago, I learned an expensive lesson: it’s hard to get rid of rats in your attic. The exterminator charged $300 to seal up every hole he could find. He said the rats would die, and no more would get in. That worked for a while, and then the rats were back. The exterminator explained that my trees were too close to the house. That allowed rats to climb on the roof and in through the air vents, which cannot be sealed. So I called an arborist, and paid another $300 to trim the branches. Then the exterminator came back and put down poison. Within the week, I wasn’t hearing anymore rat
noises from the attic. It occurred to me that temptations are a lot like rats. Once they take up residence in your mind, it may take longer than you expected to get rid of them. You “seal up” one way in, and they find another. Better to be proactive—look for the ways your mind is susceptible and do the preventive work now. MIMBS 2 Look at today’s verse from Proverbs. Have you ever spurned discipline or correction only to pay a higher price later on? Is there an area of your life now that needs to be sealed up before the “rats” get in? Daily Reading: Joshua 3:1-4:24, Luke 14:7-35, Psalm 80:1-19, Proverbs 12:27-28
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14–15 If you’ve ever been fishing, you have all the wisdom needed to understand James 1:14– 15. You bait your hook and drop it in the water and wait. You see a huge fish swim toward you. Will he be enticed by the bait so you can drag him away? Well, my experience tells me it probably depends on whether or not he is hungry. The same is true of any temptation. If you allow yourself to be enticed and dragged away, it’s probably because you were hungry for something. The best way to avoid being enticed is to stay full. Paul wrote, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise, but as wise …
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Tuesday—April 12 • Don’t Trade the Truth for a Lie
Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters … We should not commit sexual immorality as some of them did … We should not test Christ, as some of them did … And do not grumble, as some of them did … These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. 1 Corinthians 10:6–11 Romans 1:25 talks about people who “exchanged the truth about God for a lie.” That is always the starting place when someone falls into temptation. No one intends to believe a lie. Nevertheless, all men either live by the truth of God’s Word, or they accept a counterfeit. We have all, at some point, traded in the truth of God’s Word and accepted a lie in its place. This actually makes us idolaters, for it means we choose to worship something other than the true God. Usually, of course, other negative behaviors follow. We
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commit sexual immorality, we grumble, we test the Lord, and we set our hearts on evil things, even when we think we are doing right. The first step to defeating temptation is to return to God’s Word and cling to the truth of who He is. MIMBS 2 Can you think of a time when you traded in the truth of God’s word for a lie? What did it cost you? How did you realize it? Share your story with a brother. Daily Reading: Joshua 5:1-7:15, Luke 15:1-32, Psalm 81:1-16, Proverbs 13:1
Wednesday—April 13 • Don’t Take the Bait
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:15, 18). You can avoid the hunger that leads to debauchery if you stay filled with God’s Spirit. When we fail to do that, we are susceptible to the lie that we can fill ourselves with things that never will really satisfy our hunger. MIMBS 2 If your heart had a gauge on it, like your gas tank does, how full would it show your heart to be right now? How will that affect you the next time you are tempted? Daily Reading: Joshua 7:16-9:2, Luke 16:1-18, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3
Thursday—April 14 • God is Faithful No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Ask any group of Christian men, “Do you believe God is faithful?” All of them will likely say yes. Yet, when faced with temptation, many don’t seem to really believe that God’s faithfulness will help them resist. They cry out to God, “Help me deal with this temptation!” They know that God wants them to be victorious, and that He’s promised to provide a way out. Yet in the end, they succumb to the sin. So is this Scripture really true? Frankly, if it were not true, the whole world would be in chaos, because no one would resist temptation. But if you’re already nibbling at the bait, it’s pretty hard to pay attention when God opens a way of escape.
Let me assure you, this promise is absolutely true. To the extent that men rely on God’s faithfulness when they are tempted, this Scripture always works. When it fails, it’s not because God is unfaithful. It’s because we are more attracted to the bait of temptation than we are to God’s faithfulness. MIMBS 2 Describe a time when you relied on God’s faithfulness, and He provided a way out when you were tempted to do something you knew was wrong. Daily Reading: Joshua 9:3-10:43, Luke 16:1917:10, Psalm 83:1-18, Proverbs 13:4
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q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—April 15, 16, 17 •
Firm in the Faith
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8–9 Temptation happens to everyone. It even happened to Jesus, though He never yielded to it. The Bible says we have an enemy who actively attempts to lure us toward our own destruction. With God’s help, we must stay self-controlled and alert, so the devil doesn’t take us by surprise. That implies that we can take some specific steps to prepare ourselves to resist and stand firm in our faith. Men sometimes ask me, “How can I live out my Christianity successfully?” My answer? First of all, you need to read your Bible on a regular basis. Clearly, filling your mind and heart with God’s truth makes you a lot less hungry for the counterfeit offerings of Satan. Secondly, find a small group of men where, over time, you can allow yourself to be vulnerable regarding your weaknesses. Obviously, you don’t want to confess your sins to just anybody. Find a group of Christian men who will hold you accountable
for your choices and your behavior. Perhaps you struggle with that level of self-disclosure. You may think no one else knows what you’re going through, but today’s passage reminds us that men all over the world are going through the same kinds of sufferings. You may want to protect your reputation, but hidden sin has a way of being exposed anyway, often with drastic results. Protecting your character is the best way to safeguard your reputation. God’s Word reminds us, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). If a man reads his Bible regularly, and if he shares honestly with some other brothers, he is better prepared to master temptation. MIMBS 2 How well have you prepared yourself to resist the devil and stand firm in times of temptation? What’s one step you should take this week? Daily Reading: Joshua 11:115:63, Luke 17:11-18:43, Psalm 84:1-86:17, Proverbs 13:5-10
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For April 11–17: What are the suggestions for successful Christian living offered in the devotional on this page, “Firm in the Faith.” •• Ask someone to share how reading the Word of God on a regular basis has impacted their life. •• What are some of the benefits of being in a small group and sharing your life with other men? •• Are there other men in our church that need an invitation to join this group or start a new group?
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Monday—April 18 • The Pivot Point And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14
Paul makes it clear that all of history hinges on one question – did Jesus Christ actually rise from the dead? Despite all the modern theories to the contrary, the New Testament writers knew that Christianity was a useless religion if Christ was not raised. By being raised from the dead, Christ proved His power over sin’s ultimate curse– “you shall surely die.” He demonstrated that He has the power to “bring many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). Whatever your sin, suffering, or shame, Christ’s resurrection power is available when you trust in Him by faith. As we prepare for Easter Sunday, remember that we worship a God who is alive,
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active, and at work in the world. His Holy Spirit speaks powerfully to the hearts and minds of men. His gospel of grace changes lives. His kingdom is breaking into this world. Our God is Lord of all, even death. Questions: Take a few moments to write down three reasons why Easter is important to you. If you’re married or a dad, make sure to make this Easter as meaningful as possible for your family, perhaps by sharing your thoughts. Share these ideas with some other men as well. Daily Reading: Joshua 16:1-18:28, Luke 19:127, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 13:11
Tuesday—April 19 • Behavior or Belief ? As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19
In the 1500’s, a movement began in the Catholic Church known as the Reformation. There are three great figures in the Reformation—John Calvin, Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. All were great leaders, but Zwingli focused part of his energy on reforming morals—how people behaved. It seems that Calvin and Luther were more interested in starting with changing what people believed. History tells us that Luther’s theological reformation is what really captured the world. Those differences still exist in theological circles today. Should we be attacking the behavior problems of people or should we be looking at what people believe? Both are important, but Scripture repeatedly reminds us of the significance God places on the heart. Romans 10:10 says, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth
that you profess your faith and are saved.” And Acts 15:8: “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.” MIMBS 3 Why do you think Luther’s focus on reforming people’s beliefs had a greater impact than Zwingli’s focus on morality? Is your faith community more focused on heart issues or behavior issues? What about in your own life? Daily Reading: Joshua 19:1-20:9, Luke 19:2848, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 13:12-14
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Wednesday—April 20 • A Clean Heart
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If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21 nlt When our daughter was very young, we prayed for her every day. We prayed for protection, health, friends, and for her to love God. We also prayed for the young man that she would one day marry. It was impossible to know who that young man would be, what he would look like or what he would do for a living. Truthfully, those things didn’t matter to me. The one thing I prayed for was that our daughter would marry a man with a clean or pure heart. What does it mean to have a clean heart? What does that look like? A well-groomed, educated man may or may not have a clean
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heart. A king or a president may have an impure heart. A garbage man, a fisherman or tax collector may have a pure heart. Why would I pray that prayer? She’s my daughter, that’s why we prayed that way. It wasn’t her husband’s wealth or earthly status that concerned me—it was, and is, his standing with God. MIMBS 3 What does a pure heart or clean heart mean to you? In what ways is your heart clean? In what ways is it unclean? Daily Reading: Joshua 21:1-22:20, Luke 20:126, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 13:15-16
Thursday—April 21 • Heart-to-Heart But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The Message When Israel needed a new king, Samuel looked at all of Jesse’s sons for the successor to Saul. God reminded Samuel not to concentrate on what the king would look like. Appearances can be deceiving. A strong, rugged-looking man might have looked like a great king, but that’s not the king God needed. God could see the heart of the man who would rule His people. The man God chose to be the king of Israel
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was David, “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). Was David perfect or without sin? We know that David sinned and had great failures in his life. He committed adultery and murder. But in Psalm 16:2 we see that David was well-aware of his need for God when he wrote, “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ ” God isn’t looking for perfect people. He is looking for people who constantly recognize their need for Him. MIMBS 3 Have you ever known someone who looked like they had it all together, but their life ended up being a big mess? Could you see it coming? Why? Daily Reading: Joshua 22:21-23:16, Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 13:17-19
Leaders who know their business and care, keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap, For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest? Proverbs 20:8–9 The Message I’ve taught a men’s Bible study in Orlando for 25 years. Week after week we look at Scripture, we pray and we fellowship together. We have seen men’s lives changed as they have turned their hearts over to God. Marriages have been saved and relationships restored. God has worked in the lives of young men and old. We’ve prayed with many through sickness, financial crisis, loss of a spouse, wayward children and much more. While we have seen some tremendous victories, we have seen equally great defeats. Some of our guys have been to jail. Others have cheated on their business partner or their taxes, or left their wives for other women. How do you think that happens? How do you study and listen to God’s Word and then participate in sin? Richard Baxter, author of The Reformed Pastor, says there are four groups of Christians: •• Those who are young and weak—they may have been Christians for a long time, but they have not grown and their faith is weak.
•• Those who need special help because they labor under some particular corruption or addiction which makes them a trouble to others and a burden to themselves. •• Those who demand help because they have fallen into some scandalous sin and/ or have lost their former love for God. •• Those who are strong and need our assistance to preserve the grace they have, to make further progress and to improve their strength in the service of Christ. Each of those groups has a heart issue. Everyone needs to allow God to continually search his heart and ask Him to meet those needs. We can study and learn Scripture, but unless we allow God to have full access to our heart, we are in danger. MIMBS 3 Which group of Christians are you in today? Is there a part of your life or a piece of your heart that you’ve held back from God? Are you willing to let Him search your whole heart today? Daily Reading: Joshua 24:1-Judges 3:31, Luke 21:1-22:34, Psalm 89:38-93:5, Proverbs 13:2014:2
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For April 18–24: Share some ways that God has been changing or purifying your heart. •• Are those changes something that someone would notice or not? •• What has been the most difficult part of those changes? What kept those changes from happening before now? •• What are some changes you are still praying for God to make? How can your brothers support you?
Spiritual Disciplines allow God to continue His work in your life. Learn more about these disciplines in Pat’s book on page 31.
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Monday—April 25 • Our Creator God
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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1–2 Have you seen some of the incredible satellite pictures of the earth as a beautiful blue ball on a black background? How about photos of the moon with its shadows and craters? In recent years, the Hubble Telescope has given us incredible images of nebulae that are hundreds of millions of light years away. Yet thousands of years ago, long before technology made images available, mankind was amazed at the beauty and complexity of the earth and the sky. The intricacies of our universe invite the question of origin.
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Where did it all come from? Well, let’s say you walked into your kitchen and found a cake on the counter. You wouldn’t assume it just appeared there. You would assume that someone took the time to mix and bake it, and they left it for your enjoyment. In a similar way, when we look at the universe, intuition leads us to conclude it must have a source. And Genesis names the source—the Creator—as God. MIMBS 4 This devotional says, “Let’s say you walked into your kitchen and found a cake on the counter. You wouldn’t assume it just appeared there.” Do you see the hand of God in the universe? Why or why not? Share your ideas with another man. Daily Reading: Judges 4:1-5:31, Luke 22:35-53, Psalm 94:1-23, Proverbs 14:3-4
Tuesday—April 26 • A Sky-Blue Sphere God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean. God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:10 The Message
“Suddenly, from behind the rim of the moon, in long, slow-motion moments of immense majesty, there emerges a sparkling blue and white jewel, a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white, rising gradually like a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery. It takes more than a moment to fully realize this is Earth . . . home. My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity.”—Astronaut Edgar Mitchell, USA It must be a wonderful and stunning sight to see God’s handiwork from space. To see oceans, mountains and land formed by His hand and held in space by the force of gravity. Some have said that it is hard to deny the existence of God after traveling in
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space. Many of us feel the same way after we have visited the Rocky Mountains or the Grand Canyon. If you have been scuba diving in the Caribbean or river rafting down the Colorado River, you’ve seen the great works of God. God’s creation is all around us as a daily reminder of His love, His plan and His handiwork. MIMBS 4 Take some time this week to go on a walk in a park, ride a mountain path, hike a trail in the woods or swim in the ocean. Allow yourself to take in all that God has made and give Him praise for His creation. Daily Reading: Judges 6:1-40, Luke 22:5423:12, Psalm 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 14:5-6
Wednesday—April 27 • By Faith By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see. Hebrews 11:3 The Message
A writer once said, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” God’s plan for us is vast. It began with creation. He formed the world, the oceans, the land, created light and dark, the animals, man and woman. The Old Testament tells us of the great faithfulness of Moses, Abraham, Joshua and others. In the New Testament, we learn of God’s design to send Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins, that He would die on the cross in our place. Those Old Testament pillars of faith had to believe in something that had not yet happened and in someone who had not yet been born. Today our faith asks us to trust in the past and the future. We need faith to believe in all that the Bible tells us. And we need faith to trust in the return of our Lord one day.
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Just like the patriarchs, faith continues to ask us to believe in what we have not seen. MIMBS 4 What other things in life do you trust in without seeing? How does this compare to faith in God?
Daily Reading: Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalm 97:1-98:9, Proverbs 14:7-8
Thursday—April 28 • Jesus’ Divine Identity
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … Through him all things were made …The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:1, 3, 14 Genesis starts “in the beginning,” describing an unseen God creating a visible, tangible universe. John’s Gospel opens with that same phrase, identifying Jesus as that Creator. “In the beginning,” John explains, when the world was created, “the Word” was already there. He was with God, and He was God. And He made everything. And then, that Word “became flesh.” In writing that, John identifies Jesus as the invisible One who started everything, yet became visible and came to live in the midst of His creation. He came as a man, yet He also was God. Some people don’t believe Jesus was both
fully man and fully God. The apostle Paul wrote about a veil that covers people’s spiritual eyes so they cannot see Jesus as He is (2 Corinthians 3:14). Those people live with a dim understanding, and Paul notes that only Jesus can remove the veil. If you have difficulty accepting Jesus as fully man and fully God, then I challenge you to ask Him to remove the veil so you clearly see and identify Him. MIMBS 4 Do you have trouble accepting Jesus as fully man and fully God? Why or why not? Daily Reading: Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:4424:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday—April 29, 30, May 1 Fully God and Fully Man Therefore, since we have a great high priest … Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16
“Christology” refers to the study of the nature and person of Jesus Christ. Christology deals with the idea that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. That debate can sound fairly esoteric, but it really does have implications for everyday life. Today’s scripture identifies Jesus as the son of God. Yet it notes that, because He came into our world as a human being, He can identify with our temptations and our weaknesses and our challenges. Coming to terms with Jesus’ unique identity strengthens our confidence in two ways: 1) Because Jesus lived as a man, we know He understands the difficult situations we face. 2) Because Jesus is fully divine, we know He has the power and the ability to move on our behalf when we face life’s many challenges. In fact, today’s scripture says that, because Jesus is both God and man, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Regardless of your need,
Jesus understands your situation, and He can and will do something about it. Why not pray this prayer today? “Lord Jesus, I confess and acknowledge that You are the God of Creation. Yet I know You identify with my struggles because You came into this world and lived as a man. Grow my confidence, Lord, so that I can bring my need to You, receiving Your grace to help me on a daily basis. Help me trust You, in both my victories and my challenges, so I can rest in You and in the knowledge of Your mercy. Amen.” MIMBS 4 In your own words, explain how Jesus’ unique identity as fully God and fully man can strengthen your confidence to seek His help in difficult situations. Share this with another man. Daily Reading: Judges 9:22-14:20, Luke 24:13– John 1:51, Psalm 100:1-102:28, Proverbs 14:11-16
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For April 25–May 1: Ask someone to read aloud the devotional, “By Faith” from Wednesday, April 27. •• What are some of your favorite Bible Stories from the Old Testament? What do those stories teach you? •• What are some things from the Bible you have heard friends or family members struggle with? •• Why does it take faith to believe everything the Bible has to teach us?
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Ignite your men’s group with a personal and practical passion for the lost. See page 30 for more about The Great Commission.
Monday—May 2 • Refocus Your Perspective But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed. 2 Timothy 4:17
In Letters to Malcolm, C.S. Lewis said, “If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where would I be now?” Lewis went so far as to say that someday we’ll be more grateful for our prayers that didn’t get answered than the ones that did. The reason for this is simple: Many of our prayers are misguided. We pray for comfort instead of character. We pray for an easy way out instead of the strength to make it through. We pray that God will keep us out of pits and away from lions. But if God answered our prayer, it would rob us of our greatest opportunities. Maybe we should stop asking God to get us out of difficult circumstances and start asking Him what He wants us to get out of those difficult circumstances.
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Most of us blame our circumstances when things aren’t going well, just like we blame the ref when a game isn’t going well. We look for some external scapegoat. But maybe our problem isn’t our circumstances. Maybe our problem is our perspective. —Adapted from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson Are you asking God to get you out of difficult circumstances or are you asking Him how you can learn from them? Think of a situation you have been through. Discuss with a few other men what you believe God wanted you to get out of it. Daily Reading: Judges 15:1-16:31, John 2:1-25, Psalm 103:1-22, Proverbs 14:17-19
Tuesday—May 3 • How to Renew Your Perspective About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25
If I’m Paul or Silas, I’m physically, emotionally, and spiritually spent. My back is still bleeding from the beating, and I’m in a maximum-security cell block. I’m not just ticked off at the mob; I’m also peeved that God didn’t keep me out of this mess. Circumstances can’t get much worse than this. That is why Paul and Silas’ reaction is so remarkable. If I had been in their place, the verse would probably read: “Around midnight, Mark was complaining about his circumstances.” But not Paul and Silas. They were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. When I get into a spiritual or emotional slump, it’s usually because I’ve zoomed in on a problem. I’m fixating on something I don’t like about myself or someone else or
my circumstances. And nine times out of ten, the solution is for me to zoom out so I can get some perspective. So how do we zoom out? The one-word answer is worship. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. —Adapted from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson Are you fixating on something in your life that you need perspective on? How does focusing on what is right with God reframe your problem and refresh your mind? Daily Reading: Judges 17:1-18:31, John 3:1-21, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21
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Wednesday—May 4 • Give Praise I will extol the LORD at all times: his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1
Worship is zooming out and refocusing on the big picture. It’s refocusing on the fact that two thousand years ago, Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. It’s refocusing on the fact that God unconditionally loves me when I least expect it and least deserve it. It’s refocusing on the fact that I have eternity with God to look forward to in a place where there is no mourning or sorrow or pain. Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what’s right with God. It’s like hitting the refresh key on your computer. It restores the joy of your salvation. It recalibrates your spirit. It renews your mind. And it enables you to find something good to praise God about even when
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everything seems to be going wrong. Is it easy? Absolutely not. Nothing is more difficult than praising God when nothing seems to be going right. But one of the purest forms of worship is praising God even when you don’t feel like it, because it proves that your worship isn’t circumstantial. —Adapted from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson Take a few minutes to pray and worship the Lord. Then list the things in your life you can praise God for. Share your list with others in your group. Did you find it easier to praise God after you worshiped? Daily Reading: Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:224:3, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 14:22-24
Thursday—May 5 • Refresh Your Outlook
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. Act 16:25–26 When you worship it produces shock waves. In one of the most amazing conversion stories recorded in Scripture, the jailer who is about to kill himself puts his faith in Christ, and his entire family is baptized in the middle of the night. You can’t script these kinds of stories! But when you worship God in the worst of circumstances, you never know what is going to happen next. Here’s a thought: The circumstances you complain about become chains that imprison you. And worship is the way
out. Worship reframes our problems and refocuses our lives. It helps us get through the bad days by reminding us of how good God is. And when you are worshipful, your eyes are more open to notice the miracles that are happening all around you all the time. One way or the other, your focus determines your reality. The outcome of your life will be determined by your outlook on life. —Adapted from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson What is your focus? Are you living a “worshipful” life and attitude? What other ways can you reframe your problems and refocus on your life? Daily Reading: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22, John 4:4-42, Psalm 105:1-15, Proverbs 14:25
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Help Wanted: Field Trainers Making an Impact
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For 25 years, Man in the Mirror has developed a myriad of Bible study resources, seminars for men, leadership training and other tools—all focused on discipling men to love and follow Christ. For some time we have felt God calling us away from being a headquarters to a field-based organization. Today, over 30 men in the U.S., Brazil and Bermuda are field trainers for Man in the Mirror. These men are passionate about the vision to see every church disciple every man. All have been through a spirit-led application process and reference check and have completed training to equip them to reach their community of churches. Field Trainers are often involved with other ministries (e.g., Iron Sharpens Iron; Men at the Cross) which strengthens their position in the community and provides them with new relationships. Man in the Mirror field trainers can: 44Work with Man in the Mirror staff to bring faculty-led No Man Left Behind
training to their area. 44Provide pastors and leaders with an overview of the No Man Left Behind
model through Reaching Every Man, a 4-hour training event. 44Train pastors and leaders on the No Man Left Behind model using the
video-based courseware: No Man Left Behind Foundations and No Man Left Behind Methods & Tactics 44Provide church leaders with consultative services ministering to their
men. 44Provide men with 6-hour seminar events. Historically, these seminars lead
to 1/3 of the men committing or recommitting their life to Christ, and 2/3 joining a short-term small group experience. 44Offer church leaders Books! by the Box selections 44Access a variety of resources for men and leaders of men. 44Realize a modest revenue stream to support their ministerial efforts.
The need is great. There are 113 million men in America 15 years of age or older. 69 million of these men make no profession of faith in Christ. Only 6 million are involved in discipleship or spiritual formation. That’s 1 in 18. It’s no wonder that divorce, pornography and fatherlessness continue to grip our nation. Jesus said to the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2). Join us in praying for more workers. Ask God if you might be one of those workers and if this might be the field where He wants you to work. If you feel called to serve, then contact Al Lenio at allenio@maninthemirror.org. He’d love to hear from you and talk about your ministry and how we might partner to reap the great harvest Christ has in store for us.
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Man in the Mirror Featured Resources
Equip Men for... Mission and Service Personalizing the Great Commission Have your men sharing their faith with confidence in 12 weeks! Personalizing the Great Commission is a 12-week study by ______________________ AD Patrick Morley that will ignite your men’s group with a personal and practical passion for the lost. The study is designed for 8 participants, but additional workbooks may be purchased. Your men will pray for “[This study] helped our group dig 3 men to come to Christ. They will learn to give deeper… and gave each of us a a 3-minute testimony and tell the Gospel story. mission outside of our group.” Through this study they will find out it’s easier —Rex T., West Virginia than they think. $99 (less than $1 per person per week!)
New Lower Price
A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines Do you long to be close to God? To walk in His ways? To capture His joy and excitement for your life? Someone once said, “Life is in the details.” This certainly holds true when it comes to our spiritual walks.
$15 each
ADand DVD Combo A Man’s Guide to______________________ the Spiritual Disciplines Book With each combo you’ll receive a copy of the book; a free DVD with 2-3 minute segments from Pat Morley’s teaching that can be used to kick off a weekly small group meeting; free accountability cards to promote vulnerability and open discussion; and a free sample issue of Equipping the Man in the Mirror (one for each book ordered). Also check out our website for discounts on 5, 10, 15 , 20, 36 books! $55 per set All I can say is that new and old Christians alike owe it to themselves to read this material. Rather than just tell you what habits you should be forming (or pointing out what you’re doing wrong), it gives practical advice for forming those habits in your daily life. —Matthew Burton, MI
Drive Time for the Spiritual Disciplines
Work A Man’s Guide to Work The color of your collar doesn’t matter. This book lays out a “theology of work” to help you turn your working life into a spiritual adventure. Your job can be fully satisfying…a career that pleases the Lord.
$15 each; 5 for $65; 10 for $114
For more information, call (800) 929-2536, or go to www.maninthemirror.org/store.
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Spiritual Growth
1-800-929-2536 • www.maninthemirror.org/store
Do you have ears and a car stereo? Do you lead a small group? This Drive Time CD Series can meet your needs. It addresses many of the issues and details of a Christian’s walk with God such as prayer, worship, the Sabbath, fellowship, counsel, fasting, stewardship, service, spiritual warfare, and evangelism. The series includes Prayer and the Man in the Mirror (3 CDs), God and the Man in the Mirror (3 CDs), and Spiritual Disciplines (12 CDs). This series includes 18 Audio/Video CDs plus a CD visor case for your car. All CDs include: 30-minute message from Pat Morley’s Bible Study; group discussion questions; and message transcript.
18 Audio/Video CD Series—$59
1-800-929-2536 • www.maninthemirror.org/store
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Books by the Box
q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—May 6, 7, 8 • Change Your Response
For Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Special Books for Dads... R.C. Sproul probes into the depths and riches of The Holiness of God with great reverence, respect, and honor. His theology is sound and his illustrations are excellent. Not only does Sproul portray the true character of God but he also describes what that means to us as Christians. 12 for $28 or 48 for $80
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 A fascinating study, done by Professor Vicki Medvec, reveals the relative importance of subjective attitudes over and above objective circumstances. Medvec studied Olympic medalists and discovered that bronze medalists were quantifiably happier than silver medalists. Here’s why:
In He Chose the Nails, Max Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ’s crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross (“I will speak to you in your language”) to the burial clothing (“I can turn your tragedy into triumph”), he speaks of each symbol as a “gift of grace” that reveals God’s love for mankind. 12 for $28 or 48 for $78 Back by popular demand! Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, Wild at Heart is a guide to understanding Christian manhood. John Eldredge gives women a look inside the heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be—-passionate, alive, and free. 12 for $28 or 48 for $82 In his book, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day, Pastor and author Mark Batterson says your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn’t chase: risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path. Unleash the lion-chaser within! 12 for $28 or 48 for $78
Special Books for Moms... Get Off Your Knees and Pray is a woman’s guide to real prayer— a perfect blend of practical advice, personal stories, and biblical truth to help you achieve greater intimacy with God through prayer. Prayer is not just a few sentences to God while on our knees. It is living out our ongoing, every-moment commitment to God. 12 for $28 or 48 for $78 They were ordinary, common, and in some cases shockingly low-caste, yet each was made extraordinary by her life-changing encounter with God. Twelve Extraordinary Women is a poignant and personal look into the lives of some of the Bible’s most faithful women. Their struggles and temptations are the same trials faced by believers today. 12 for $28 or 48 for $78
Silver medalists tended to focus on how close they came to winning gold, so they weren’t satisfied with silver; bronze medalists tended to focus on how close they came to not winning a medal at all, so they were just happy to be on the medal stand. How we feel isn’t determined by objective circumstances. If that were the case, silver medalists would always be happier than bronze medalists because of objectively better results. But how we feel isn’t
circumstantial. It is perceptual. Our feelings are determined by our subjective focus. Every once in a while, one of our kids will get in a funk because they get focused on whatever’s making them unhappy, so I pull a Star Wars. I’ll say, “Kids, remember what Qui-gon said to Anakin: ‘Your focus determines your reality.’” At first, my kids were somewhat stupefied. But I explained to them that how they feel is a result of what they focus on. It never ceases to amaze me how the same adversity can affect two people so differently—what poisons one person to death sweetens the other person’s spirit. One person develops a critical soul and shrivels up spiritually while the other person leverages the experience as a spiritual catalyst. —Adapted from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson What circumstances are you in that are difficult to deal with right now? How do you feel about them? Are they causing your spirit to be poisoned or sweetened? Why? Daily Reading: Ruth 2:1-1 Samuel 4:22, John 4:43-5:47, Psalm 105:16-106:12, Proverbs 14:26-31
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For May 2–8: Have everyone think of a worship experience that was especially meaningful or powerful. •• What was special about the experience? Was it in church? In nature? With your family? •• Was the experience you had planned or spontaneous? How did that affect your worship? •• How did you participate in that experience? How did it impact your life?
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1-800-929-2536 • www.booksbythebox.org
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Monday—May 9 • Dependent or Independent
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But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 There are two kinds of men: independent and dependent. Here are definitions for those two words: Independent—to not be influenced or controlled by others, in matters of opinion or conduct. The independent man thinks he is the master of his fate. He believes he is in charge and doesn’t need to rely on God. He tries to make a plan for himself and works hard to carry out. Dependent—to rely on or trust in someone or something for support, favor etc. This man is relying on God and looking for His favor. He is not irresponsible but rather trusts God for his work, marriage, children
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and life. He asks God for direction in his life and trusts that God will lead Him. He believes God’s plan is best for him. The world tells men that we are supposed to be independent, self-sufficient and autonomous. The Bible tells us that we are to be subjects of a most High, most Good, most Powerful God. Which one makes sense in the long run? MIMBS 5 How would a friend or colleague describe your life—dependent or independent? Why? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 14:32-33
Tuesday—May 10 • All by Himself
Wednesday —May 11 • Got Roots? They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7
Tim lived in New Orleans and went through Hurricane Katrina. He and his family huddled together and waited for the storm to pass. After the storm, he checked out his house and property for damage. In his backyard, there were two big trees—an oak tree and a hackberry tree. Tim found the big hackberry knocked over the fence. With the entire tree out of the ground, he could see that there were no roots to the tree. But the oak tree was still standing, majestic. It withstood this 50-year storm. The root system of this hardy oak was deep and strong. On the outside, independent and dependent men can both look strong and healthy.
But the independent man doesn’t have any roots while the dependent man has the roots that go deep. The independent man tries to stand alone, but the dependent man holds on to God and his friends for support. And when the storms come—and they always do—we can see what a man is holding on to. MIMBS 5 How have you weathered life’s storms such as illness, financial crisis, death or others? Were you dependent or independent? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 10:111:15, John 6:43-71, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5 I went to lunch with a man to talk about the work of Man in the Mirror. He lived in Orlando when Disney started in the 1970s. He was involved in real estate and it made him a very wealthy man. He no longer needed to work. I asked him, “What do you do with your time?” He looked at me and said, “Pat, I pretty much do whatever I want to do.”
A few years later, he died suddenly while sitting in his recliner. It was a place where he sat for many hours over the last few years of life. He spent his days in front of the television all alone. I don’t think that’s how he wanted to live life or spend his time. But that’s what he ended up doing. He was an independent man—an independent, Christian man. He trusted in himself and in his money. That determined everything about his life—even how he died. MIMBS 5 Why do you think a man would choose this way to spend his life and his money? What would you say to a man like that if you had the chance? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27, John 6:2242, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 14:34-35
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Thursday—May 12 • Words of Faith How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14–15 nlt
Christian men struggle with independency. We create a plan and then hope God will bless it. We may try to make the Bible fit our way of thinking. The dependent man is holding the Bible lightly in his hands, praying and seeking God’s will, allowing God to lead him. He doesn’t do it perfectly and God doesn’t always work things out like he would hope, so he makes adjustments along the way, but continues to trust in the Lord. He understands that he will be like a tree planted by waters and sends out roots to the stream.
Drought and heat will come, but he does not fear and he never fails to bear fruit. It’s all about who is in charge—trusting in man or trusting in the Lord. The dependent man understands that he lives, serves, worships and is blessed at the pleasure of God. MIMBS 5 Is there one area of your life that’s particularly difficult to entrust to the Lord? Share your thoughts with another man. Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23, John 7:130, Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 15:4
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q Friday, Saturday, Sunday— May 13, 14, 15 • Your Way or His Way? For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Colossians 1:16 The Message Johnny Cash grew up a poor, young country boy in Arkansas. He served in the military and when he returned home, he married and sold appliances for a living. He worked nights playing the guitar and eventually signed a record deal. When he hit stardom, he hit trouble. The more records he sold, the worse his personal life became. Johnny became a drug addict and once was arrested with over 1000 pills on his person. Along the way, he lost his wife, friends and business associates. On May 9, 1971, Johnny Cash sat in a small church in his hometown and listened to the preacher. At the end of the sermon, the preacher invited all to come forward and make things right with God. Johnny got out of his seat, went forward, took a deep breath and put his faith in Jesus Christ. In the midst of reaching tremendous success and fame, he found a lot of pain and made a terrible mess of his life. He was rich and famous and miserable. He had tried to be
independent. He had made extreme choices and he hit bottom. His salvation experience and new dependency on God made an outward, dramatic, visible change in his life. Our lives may not be as exciting or extreme. But we’ve all tried to be independent and make things happen our way. When life is not going our way, we work harder, earn more money, change jobs, divorce, remarry and make other changes in life. We hope those alterations will make a difference, but those changes don’t transform our hearts. As Johnny Cash found out, God is the only change that matters. Only He can transform our hearts and lives. MIMBS 5 Are you trying to live life your way or His way? Have you come to the same place that Johnny came to on that Sunday morning in church? How are you able to live that out every day? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 14:1-18:4, John 7:31-8:30, Psalm 109:1-111:10, Proverbs 15:5-11
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For May 9–15: Ask someone to read aloud the definitions of independent and dependent from the top of page 34. •• Share some of the ways you have tried to be independent. Were there consequences to those choices? •• What does it look like for you to be dependent on God? •• Spend a few minutes in prayer as we ask God to continually show us our need for full dependency on Him.
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Monday— May 16 • It’s Worth It Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:12
Why is it so hard to make disciples? One reason is that very rarely do you find a group of people trying to accomplish a common goal in the same way. Often in the church, you find one group making missionaries, one group making tithers, another group making worshippers, etc. They lose their focus. That is why it’s so difficult. Jesus never said it would be easy. He just said it would be worth it. There really is no possibility of reaching the world unless we reach the church. We can’t make the world right because the church is not right. We can’t make the church right because
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families are not right. We can’t make families right because marriages are not right. We can’t make marriages right because men are not right, and men are not right because they’re not disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Making men into disciples is worth the effort because to reach the world for Jesus we need to reach men. That’s the importance of making disciples. And yes, it is worth the effort. MIMBS 6 Have you ever wondered if making disciples was really worth it? Discuss with your group. Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 15:12-14
Tuesday — May 17 • Becoming a Disciple They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Everything and anything that moves you toward Christian maturity is discipleship. Some of the most often noted means for making disciples include preaching, teaching, Bible study, and prayer. There are many ways to become a disciple, but here are my top three picks: First to become a disciple be actively involved in a disciple-making church. A disciple-making church will have a plan to immerse you in the gospel at your own pace. Second, set aside 10 to 60 minutes a day to read, study, and apply God’s Word for yourself. Every year since 1988 I have read The One Year
Bible. I memorize meaningful verses, meditate and pray. I have never known a single man whose life has changed in any significant way apart from the regular study of God’s Word. Third, become part of a small group, preferably men only, and do life together. A small group is a dynamic way to become a disciple. Most meaningful change takes place in the context of small group relationships. MIMBS 6 How are you becoming a disciple? What else can you add to this list? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 20:121:15, John 9:1-41, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 15:15-17
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Wednesday— May 18 • Leading Others I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. Isaiah 42:16a
As the stories began to emerge from the survivors of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11, several referred to a mysterious, young man who wore a red bandana around his mouth and nose. He came to one group of people on the 78th floor and said, “I’ve found the stairs, follow me.” He carried one woman down 15 flights of stairs on his back, put her down, and encouraged the group to keep going. Then he went back up. It’s been determined he made three trips up and down the stairs and at least 18 people have documented that they were personally saved by this guy in the red bandana. Upstairs a badly injured woman was waiting for help when the
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man in the red bandana over his face, said, “Follow me, I know the way out.” Then he led her, and several other survivors, over to a stairwell. This young man was ready and willing to face death to lead others to safety. He was ready to lose his life for the sake of others. MIMBS 6 Are you ready to help others save their spiritual lives? Are you confident enough in your own belief to show others the way? In what ways do you need to be more prepared? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 15:18-19
Thursday— May 19 • Willing to Face Danger? I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16b
(If you missed yesterday, read that devotion first.) On March 19, 2002, the body of the man in the red bandana was discovered, alongside firefighters in the makeshift command center in the lobby of the second tower under the rubble. The young man’s name was Wells Crowther. He had attended Boston College where he was on the lacrosse team. He could always been seen carrying his trademark red bandana; his father had carried a blue one. Wells was the kind of kid on his high school hockey team who would always send the puck to the lowest-scoring player so the kid would be able to score his first goal. He carried change in his pocket at all times so he could give it to street people. Wells worked on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center for O’Neal Sandler and Partners, but his dream had always been to be a firefighter, a public servant. When his mom and dad went through his apartment,
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they found an application to the New York Fire Department. His life ambition was to be a public servant and a firefighter. On September 11th, he became both and a hero. He was a man who was found willing to go up while everyone else was coming down. MIMBS 6 Are you willing to go against popular trends to lead others in the truth? What would it look like for you to lay down your own life for the sake of others this week? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 15:20-21
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday— May 20, 21, 22 Why Such Little Power?
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Why do men commit, perform, fail and fall away? Why is there such little power to stay committed? Because men are tapped into a different system than God offers. God sent Paul, me, you and others to “turn them [men] from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). Paul did not send us to teach men how to be moral—how not to drink beer and smoke cigarettes, or how to read the Bible every day for 15 minutes and pray for 15 minutes. Paul said, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified or made holy by faith in me” (Acts 26:17b–18). A man is always going to revert back to that which he already knows. When a man comes to Christ, in the absence of any
spiritual training he will revert to what he already knows. And he knows how to perform; because in our culture, if you don’t perform, you lose your job, you get cut from the team, or you don’t get the sale. Men commit, perform, fail, and fall away because we are immersed in a performancebased culture, without the training to live power-filled lives as Paul instructs us. Men bring that mind-set with them into the Kingdom of God until they are discipled. They have to let their hearts be transformed by the power of the gospel. You and I have a responsibility to show these men what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. MIMBS 6 Was there a time in your life when you were caught in the commit-perform-fail cycle? What did you do about it? How can you help other men receive God’s power in their lives to break out of that cycle? Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-2 Samuel 2:11, John 11:1-12:50, Psalm 117:1-118:29, Proverbs 15:22-28
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For May 16–22: Spend a few minutes discussing why discipleship is so important to individuals and to the church as a whole. •• How did the Lord disciple those that followed Him? What does His example teach us? •• How can our group disciple one another? •• How can we disciple the teenagers or young men in our church?
Look at the great resources for your Small Group offered on page 32.
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Monday— May 23 • More Like Jesus
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You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 The Gospel of Jesus is the only pathway for making disciples. Daily faith and repentance are the keys to true manhood and true dependence. The Gospel of Jesus calls us to respond in faith. To paraphrase Paul, “I preach that they should repent and turn to God, then demonstrate that they have this faith and repentance by deeds.” Justification is our being accepted by God. Justification means being declared acceptable—accepted by Jesus and accepted by God. Sanctification is being made holy. It is the process by which we are
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changed and become more Christlike. We become justified in an instant the moment we sincerely and earnestly repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus. We are saved. Then for the rest of our lives we work out that salvation. And the power of the gospel works in us helping us to become more and more like Jesus. MIMBS 7 Define in your own words “justification” and “sanctification.” What does “working out your salvation” mean to you? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 15:29-30
Tuesday— May 24 • Models of Christianity Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Basically, there are two models of Christianity. One is behavior modification: you follow a set of rules, and if you are a good boy and obey, that is evidence that you are a good Christian. The other is heart transformation. Our job is to repent, have faith in Jesus, and out of that overflow will come justification and sanctification. Jesus said in Hebrews 12, Jesus is the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” You don’t have to perfect your faith. He does that in you. He’s the one who gives you the desire through His spirit, so you don’t have to
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perfect yourself. In fact, you cannot get a man to do the right thing by trying to get him to do the right thing. The only way you can get a man to do the right thing is to bring him to a place where he worships God, sees his need to repent of his sins, then puts his faith in Jesus. That’s the gospel. MIMBS 7 Are you “doing your job” in repenting and having faith in Jesus? Do you see the overflow of sanctification in your life? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23, John 13:3114:14, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 15:31-32
Wednesday— May 25 • Good and Bad I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! Galatians 2:21
Why do so many people who receive Christ fall away? Perhaps because they’ve never really understood their sinfulness. At some point we should all be overwhelmed with what is called godly sorrow. It is an error to under-emphasize what God has done for us. You end up with cheap grace: a faith in a loving God that didn’t really have to do much to overcome our sin. But we also have to be careful what we focus on. If you overemphasize doing good works, you end up with a performance mind-set. If you overemphasize sinfulness, you can end up with men who can’t believe that God really loves and forgives them. So,
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to over- or under-emphasize any of these things can corrupt a person’s understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. So what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? It means to daily embrace the Gospel of Jesus. To remind yourself daily that faith and repentance equals justification and sanctification. MIMBS 7 Have you known someone who didn’t really acknowledge their own sinfulness? Did this have an impact on the depth or durability of their faith? How? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:1531, Psalm 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33
Thursday— May 26 • Grasping the Gospel Search me, God, and know my heart. Psalm 139:23
If you’re a leader, help your men grasp the Gospel of Jesus. How simple! How profound! If you want to change the world, teach men the Gospel of Jesus. Many men have little power in their lives because they do not grasp the simple gospel of repentance and faith. Every day ask the Lord to examine your heart, confess your sins, repent and put your faith in Christ. Stop saying, “I have to read my Bible for 15 minutes, then pray for 15 minutes.” Make your first priority, “Lord, search my heart, Oh God, know my sin, point out any sinful way in me, lead me in your everlasting way.”
Whether you have been a Christian for a long time, or are just starting to know the Lord, make it your priority to talk to the Lord and ask Him to search your heart and lead you in His paths. MIMBS 7 In your life, are you emphasizing a rigid Bible study schedule more than personal one-on-one time with God? Are you focusing on changing your behavior or letting God change your heart? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:127, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday— May 27, 28, 29 Gifted and Fully Equipped
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. Ephesians 4:11–12 Ephesians 4:11 says, “He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastorteacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ (The Message). Why does He give different gifts to different people? It is so that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for Him building up the church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity. That’s what the Lord is trying to accomplish by
raising up diverse pastors, teachers, evangelists and apostles. If the world was filled with evangelists, we might have a great amount of Christians, but they could remain immature because of a lack of teaching. People with that gift have a heart and passion for reaching people, but may want to leave the training and teaching to those who have those gifts. If we only had saints gifted in teaching, unbelievers might not hear the Word in a way that touches their heart and demonstrates God’s loving plan of salvation. God’s great plan for His church was perfectly balanced to meet the needs of seekers, new believers, mature believers, children, the sick and the needy. He uses the gifts of every believer for His good and to complete His plan. By raising up these leaders, He is equipping the church to go and make disciples. MIMBS 7 How is your church making disciples? Give specific examples. Share with your group specific ways that you have been discipled or are discipling another person. Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-15:22, John 16:1-18:24, Psalm 119:65-112, Proverbs 16:4-9
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For May 23–29: Ask each man to write down what they believe their spiritual gifts might be. •• How do you know that those are your spiritual gifts? •• How has God used your gifts to complete His plan? How has He used the spiritual gifts of others in your life? •• Have you been satisfied with your gifts or envied the gifts that others have? Why?
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Check out the Drive Time CD Series on page 31. It addresses many of the issues and details of a Christian’s walk with God.
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Monday—May 30 • Why Am I Still Restless? My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2
Many men say to me, “I’ve known Christ for a number of years. I’m successful in my career. I’ve got the woman I want, the children I want. I thought I’d be happy at this point. Why am I so restless?” In the visible world, men search for a sense of worth in three primary ways: wife, work, and wealth. Unfortunately, though, as a man progresses through life, he finds that finding meaning in his wife, his work and his wealth leave him weary. He faces a great irony. He has everything he thought he
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wanted, and instead of finding satisfaction, he finds that he is restless. That’s not just a contemporary issue. Many centuries ago, St. Augustine wrote in his autobiography called Confessions, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.” Even the best earthly things will never satisfy a divine hunger. MIMBS 8 Have you ever felt restless? Do you feel that way now? How might you find your rest in God? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11
Tuesday—May 31 • Hungry for Righteousness Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
The human heart is hungry for a sense of completion—a hunger that a person may try to satisfy with success, money, career, sex, or even real earthly love. But every man has a spiritual hunger, and if he tries to fill up on earthly stuff, he will find that it is all “junk food” and “cheap calories.” He may get a quick rush, but in the long-term, his hunger will not be satisfied. Many years ago, tennis superstar Andre Agassi told a Sports Illustrated writer, “Without the cake, the icing sucks.” I don’t mean to offend by repeating his language, but his words do point to an important issue we all need to understand. Every
man has a hunger that will not be satisfied by the sugary parts of life. You need some protein—some spiritual food that penetrates down into the deep part of your soul and fills that empty place with God’s grace. MIMBS 8 How have you seen men around you try to satisfy their “hunger” with the icing alone? Have you looked for satisfaction in places apart from God? Share your thoughts with another man. Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13
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Wednesday—June 1 • Do You Live in Egypt?
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Then a new king … came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous, and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor. Exodus 1:8–11 The Old Testament offers stories that become metaphors for every man’s search for a sense of rest and well-being. In Exodus, the Israelites were held as slaves in Egypt. God heard their cry for deliverance. He met Moses and said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt… So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:7–8). God empowered and sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Egypt is a metaphor for ruthless oppression and bondage. You may feel like you are
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living there right now. Perhaps your soul is tormented, and you are restless. People are coming at you ruthlessly, and you feel far away from God. You need to know that, when you cry out to God, He hears you. At exactly the right time, He will come and deliver you. MIMBS 8 Have you ever “lived in Egypt?” Do you feel like you’re living there right now? Share your experiences with a brother and pray together for deliverance. Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:131, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15
Thursday—June 2 • Stay or Return?
He [Moses] was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Acts 7:38–39 The Israelites left Egypt under Moses’ leadership. En route to the Promised Land, they spent time in the wilderness of transition, where God proved Himself as their provider and protector. Yet in their hearts, they rejected God’s leadership through Moses, and “their hearts turned back to Egypt.” Imagine Egypt as representing the anxiety and oppression of life without Christ. Why do people stay in Egypt? Some were born there, and they just never left—they’ve never entered into relationship with their deliverer, Jesus Christ. Others returned because, in a difficult time in their transition to the Promised Land, their hearts turned back to the way things used to be. Still others are like Moses—they’ve returned to Egypt so they can rescue others.
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If you feel restless and pressed, ask yourself why you’re in Egypt. It could be that you never really left. It could be that your heart has returned. Or it could be that God sent you back to rescue others. No matter what your reason, Jesus is only the way to find rest. MIMBS 8
Friday, Saturday, Sunday—June 3, 4, 5 • Jesus Offers Rest Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30
Moses led the Hebrew people out of their place of oppression in Egypt. Their eventual destination was the Promised Land, described in Scripture as a land of milk and honey—a place of contentment, fulfillment and rest. In a similar way, Jesus offers a place of rest to those who will accept His invitation to live in relationship with Him. Hebrews 4:1 tells us, “…the promise of entering his rest still stands.” That promise stands in stark contrast to the world around us. Most of us live and work in a hostile environment—a cruel, harsh, competitive place that chews men up and spits them out. It’s a painful place that overwhelms us, because we never seem to “measure up” to the expected standard. Because of that, we can identify with today’s featured Scripture passage, written to those who are “weary and burdened.” That term originally applied to an overloaded ship that sank too low in the water, making it unsafe. Jesus says, “If you’re
straining and carrying too much cargo, then come to Me, and I’ll give you rest.” Jesus invites us to release our burdens in His presence, trusting Him to bear the heavy part of the load. Our ability to respond to Jesus’ invitation will depend heavily on our ability to believe that He can and will honor His promise. Hebrews 4:2 tells us the promise of rest “was of no value” to the Hebrew people who followed Moses, “because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” The promise hasn’t changed—it’s still valid. So if you’re still laboring to the point that you feel weary and oppressed, perhaps you need to review what you know about Jesus. He’s willing and able to make good on His promise, if you will have the faith. MIMBS 8 Through the prophet Isaiah, God challenged His people saying, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” (Isaiah 30:15). If you are not living in a place of contentment and rest, what is one major factor that stands in the way of your accepting Jesus’ promise? Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 20:14-24:25, Acts 1:13:26, Psalm 121:1-123:4, Proverbs 16:18-23
Have you ever found yourself dropping back into old habits that don’t really represent your new reality in Christ? How can you keep your eyes focused on the “promised land” of what God has in store for you?
Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13, John 21:1-25, Psalm 120:1-7, Proverbs 16:16-17
•• Do you have a hunger for righteousness? How do you know that?
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For May 30–June 4: Read aloud the devotional, “Hunger for Righteousness” found on page 43.
•• Have you tried to satisfy that hunger with the “sugary things” of life? •• In what ways has that hunger for righteousness been truly satisfied?
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Monday—June 6 • How Long Does it Take?
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But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people?” Exodus 17:3–4 Adlai Stevenson was an American statesman known for his skill in debate and oratory. When he was campaigning and running for president in the middle of the 20th century, a woman cried out, “Senator, every thinking person will vote for you.” Stevenson replied, “Madam, that is not enough! I need a majority.” I’m sure that statement summarizes what Moses felt as he tried to lead the Israelites away from Egypt. The vast majority of the Israelites resisted Moses’ leadership, so that the trip from oppression to promise involved years of wandering in the wilderness. For us, Egypt can symbolize men’s efforts to find satisfaction by pursuing comfort or trying to rest in worldly ways. If you’ve
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turned your back on that and you’re walking toward God’s promise of rest, you might miss the things of the world that promise comfort. And you might wonder, “How long will it take to reach my place of rest?” Your journey probably will take longer than you expect, but God uses the journey to prepare us for what He has promised. MIMBS 9 Do you feel like you’ve been on the journey to the “promised land” for a long time? Looking at the journey, what are the most important lessons you’ve learned along the way? Share your top two or three with another man. Daily Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53, Acts 4:1-37, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 16:24
Tuesday—June 7 • The Purpose of the Wilderness
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. Exodus 13:17–18 Pharaoh had repeatedly refused to accept God’s ultimatum, but after 10 massive plagues, he succumbed and allowed the Israelites to leave. Scripture tells us they were “marching out boldly” (Exodus 14:8). Why? Because of renewed confidence in the God who defeated their enemies. If they took the shortest route, they’d be in the Promised Land in about 11 days. But then God led them on a desert road. The Israelites were on a journey to a Promised Land ruled by a God they didn’t really know. They had a hazy understanding of the God they followed, like when you
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see a figure far away in the twilight. But the time in the wilderness would teach them to know God deeply and to trust Him with their lives, their futures, their families. Our relationship with God is similar. When we accept Christ as Savior, we usually have a general idea about who He is. But when we find Him faithful in the wilderness, that’s when we learn to trust Him. MIMBS 9 Describe a time when God proved Himself faithful in a difficult situation. Daily Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2, Acts 5:1-42, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 16:25
Wednesday—June 8 • The Red Sea Experience Moses answered the people,“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13–14
On leaving Egypt, God immediately led the Israelites into the desert and toward the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them and eventually “trapped” them as they camped on the shoreline. In spite of everything God had already done to rescue these people, they were understandably terrified. Scripture says they “cried out to the Lord” (Exodus 14:10). They didn’t know God very well yet, but they did know enough to cry out to Him when they were in trouble. And God answered. Probably you know that He held back the Egyptian army with a pillar of fire, and He split the Red Sea so the Israelites walked
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through on dry ground. Then He allowed the Egyptians to be drowned when they pursued the Israelites into the Sea. You and I often break our promises, but God never does. He allows calamity, and then He delivers us to prove that He will do what He promises. In your wilderness experiences, you will face a crucial faith question: Do you really trust God to take care of you? MIMBS 9 Are you completely sure that God will take care of you, no matter what? Why or why not? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34, Acts 6:1-15, Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 16:26-27
Thursday—June 9 • Trusting God Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. … The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.” Exodus 15:1–3
Today’s scripture is from the song the Israelites sang after God split the Red Sea so they could avoid their Egyptian pursuers. You may want to read the whole song, recorded in Exodus 15; it’s pretty amazing. Look at the attributes assigned to God just in these brief verses. He is their strength, defense, salvation. He’s the ultimate warrior. Frankly, the Israelites would not have known God that way if they had not been trapped with no natural way of escape. Their Red Sea experience planted faith in them for the future. If you’re in the wilderness now,
somewhere between Egypt and the Promised Land, let me encourage you. God reveals Himself in the desert. The Lord takes us through hard places, so He can be our strength, our defense, our salvation. He wants us to trust Him for everything. MIMBS 9 Describe a hard time that God used to teach you something that you have applied to other parts of your life. Daily Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38, Acts 7:1-29, Psalm 127:1-5, Proverbs 16:28-30
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday—June 10, 11, 12 • Ultimate Rest
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.…Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Psalm 116:7–9, 15 Several years ago, my accountant and friend David had just returned from a 10-day trip to Europe. He got up on a Tuesday morning and asked his wife if she’d like to go to breakfast. She declined, because she had scheduled a busy day. He played racketball at noon, even though he wasn’t feeling so great. He walked off the court and had a massive heart attack, passing away at the age of 53. David had entered his ultimate rest, and his death was “precious in the sight of the Lord.” Even though this was a tragedy for those left behind, I saw God work in remarkable ways. When God invades the difficult moments of our lives and infuses them with His presence and His grace, little by little we learn to trust Him. Each time, we get a glimpse of the rest available to us on a daily basis. Psalm 91 promises that the person who chooses to stay in the shelter provided by the Most High God will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Why? Because that person can say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1–2). God works through our circumstances to perfect us and make us complete. Sometimes in that process, we get discouraged. That doesn’t mean we’re weak. It just
means we don’t know enough about God yet. He has more lessons for us to learn. No matter how hard things get, our circumstances offer the opportunity to know God better and to love Him more. Whatever you’re going through today, you’re one step closer to the end of the journey, preparing you to believe that God will ultimately take care of your soul, even in death. MIMBS 9 Take some time to read and reflect on Psalm 116. The Psalmist says that God heard his cry for mercy, saved him from death, protected and delivered him. List some specific things God has done for you, and take some time to write your own psalm or prayer of thanksgiving. Daily Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-10:29, Acts 7:308:40, Psalm 128:1-130:8, Proverbs 16:31-17:3
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For June 5–11: From an easy-to-understand version of the Bible (New Living Translation, The Message, etc.), read Exodus 15:1–21. •• List some of the descriptions or characteristics of the Lord. •• How did the Lord take care of the Israelites? •• How does this relate to your life today?
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Monday—June 13 • Your Two Fathers And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11
Father’s Day is Sunday. Did you have a dad? For 40% of men born between 1958 and 1968, their dad either left or was never there. If you were born after 1968, it’s worse. And a 2003 article in The New York Times reported that nuclear families comprised just 23.5% of all households. In each generation we find more men raised without a father. If you didn’t have a dad, how do you learn what it means to be fathered? Or to be a good father? Pop culture? In most TV shows or movies, if the dad is even present, he usually relies on the mom for the
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majority of parenting. The gospels tell us the story of a heavenly Father who loves His Son dearly. Jesus starts His public ministry with these words from His Dad: “I love you. I am proud of you.” If you want to see what a good FatherSon relationship looks like, read the Bible. Read Romans 8:15. Meditate for a while on what it means that God adopted you as a son. How does that impact the way you love others? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19, Acts 9:1-25, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 17:4-5
Tuesday—June 14 • Faking Honesty? I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. Psalm 119:10
The great Hollywood funnyman George Burns once said the most important thing in acting is honesty. “If you can fake that,” he said, “you’ve got it made.” A lot of men would agree, not just in acting, but in real life, too. I remember sitting beside a guy in a plane and watching him order a bourbon and coke. The busy flight attendant told him, “I’ll come back later for your money.” She walked the aisle several times, obviously forgetting his payment. After a few minutes, he removed the money from his table
and put it back in his pocket. That man sold his integrity for less than five dollars. The dictionary says integrity is a quality or state of being undivided. If someone has integrity, he’s the same all the time. The opposite of integrity is hypocrisy, which comes from a Greek word meaning “play acting,” which takes us back to the concept of faking honesty. God says that when we seek Him with an undivided heart our behavior reflects true integrity. MIMBS 10 Scripture tells us a double-minded man is “unstable in all [he] does” (James 1:8). How have you witnessed that in your own life or in someone else’s? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34, Acts 9:26-43, Psalm 132:118, Proverbs 17:6
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Wednesday—June 15 • Integrity Tested by Suffering
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Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” Job 2:3 Job endured terrible suffering, including his wife actually asking him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). Despite the pressure, Scripture says Job didn’t even say a sinful thing. He proved that it’s possible to endure tremendous suffering without losing your integrity. I saw a contemporary example when my friend Scott was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
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He had about 30 tumors all over his body. Once, when I was presenting a seminar called Seven Seasons of a Man’s Life, and I was focusing on the season of suffering, I interviewed Scott in front of the audience. Even when tested by suffering, Scott praised God, speaking to groups about the wonderful lessons God was teaching him through his cancer. When you’re suffering, if you rely on your Bible as your source of truth and inspiration, your integrity will stay strong, no matter what. MIMBS 10 How have you (or someone you know) been tested by suffering? What are the different ways you have seen people react to suffering? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24, Acts 10:1-23, Psalm 133:1-3, Proverbs 17:7-8
Thursday—June 16 • Integrity Tested by Prosperity David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.… Wealth and honor come from you… In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:10–13
David was tempted to compromise his integrity as he was chased by King Saul for 13 years. And he also was tempted to compromise his integrity in times of prosperity after he became king of Israel. Once he became king, David’s strongest desire was to build a temple for God. And in this passage, you see his humility. He took credit for nothing, but passed the praise on to the Lord. David repeatedly says, “Yours, O Lord …” He doesn’t say ours. Any time you’re talking about glory and achievement, and you’re tempted to remove the Y from Yours and make it ours, you better check your
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motivation and your integrity. In this passage, David passed the praise on to God, even saying, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chronicles 29:14). In this instance, prosperity tested and proved his integrity. MIMBS 10 How have you (or someone you know) been tested by prosperity? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24, Acts 10:2448, Psalm 134:1-3, Proverbs 17:9-11
Friday, Saturday, Sunday—June 17, 18, 19 • A Full Heart No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:43–45
I’ve said that true integrity is comprised of a one-to-one-to-one relationship between my Bible, my belief and my behavior. In keeping with the language in today’s scripture, you also could say the Bible is the root, the belief is the branch, and the behavior is the fruit. Behavior is important, because it reflects what is happening inside of a person. But Christianity is about heart transformation more than behavior modification. I confess that I do occasionally enjoy a good handmade cigar, especially a Cuban cigar. But they are illegal in the U.S. Returning from Israel in the late ‘90s, I decided to bring four Cuban cigars back with me. As soon as I was buckled into my seat, I began trying to rationalize my decision. I would read my Bible for a few minutes, then put the bookmark back in. I’d try to pray. Feeling agitated, I would open the Bible again, take out the bookmark, and read a few more passages. Then my eye was drawn to the bookmark itself. A gift from my children, it said “It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father.” I knew I couldn’t hold on to illegal cigars.
The rest of the trip, those cigars were at the top of my backpack, screaming to get out. Yet at every checkpoint, security guards and customs agents ignored the contraband. Finally, after I got home, I attended a men’s meeting, where I confessed what had happened and cut up the cigars in front of everyone. When it comes to integrity, little things matter. Or as Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10). MIMBS 10 How does a man’s behavior reveal what he really believes in his heart? Daily Reading: 1 Kings 18:1-21:29, Acts 11:113:15, Psalm 135:1-137:9, Proverbs 17:12-16
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For June 12–18: Read this definition to the group – integrity: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. •• Was there someone in your life that taught you about integrity? How did you learn those lessons from that person? •• How can integrity best be taught to others? •• Which character(s) from the Bible most and least exemplified integrity?
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Monday—June 20 • “Worship Weenies”
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Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:11–12 A lot of people define worship in terms of what happens on Sunday morning at their local church. It’s the corporate singing, reading and praying. It’s “Amazing Grace” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Yes, that is worship—but it’s not the total package. It’s not the end of our expression of devotion to God. Rather, Sunday should be the beginning of our worship, launching us into a week of living out our loyalty to God as a daily sacrifice of praise. If you only worship at church, then you’re too tame. You’re what I call a “worship weenie” —a man with a divided heart. When you walk out of church, you check off “worship” from your “to do” list, and you don’t see that it has any impact on the rest of your life. Worship becomes a ritual obligation.
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But you can experience a much deeper, richer, rewarding worship experience when you train yourself to see God in everything. You can ask God to give you an undivided heart, so you can praise Him all the time, with all your heart. MIMBS 11 Have you gotten in the rut of thinking worship was just about Sunday morning services? How can all of life be worship? List some ways you can worship God throughout the week. Daily Reading: 1 Kings 22:1-53, Acts 13:16-41, Psalm 138:1-8, Proverbs 17:17-18
Tuesday—June 21 • Encountering God in All of Life Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:5–6
How do you get to a place where worship is more than just what happens at church? Start by establishing a mind-set to see every event as an encounter with the living God. You’ll see, as today’s passage reminds us, that God alone gives life to everything. Every part of life gives opportunity for an encounter with God, depending on how we approach it. Perhaps you remember the movie Chariots of Fire. It’s the story of two British track athletes competing at the 1924 Olympics. Harold Abrahams is an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice. Eric
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Liddell is a devout Christian who runs for God’s glory. The film shows Liddell explaining why running is so important to him. He says simply, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” This young man had learned how to worship God in church, and out of church. Because he knew the One Who gives life to everything, the end result was worship. MIMBS 11 Describe a time when you encountered God in an unexpected place or event. Daily Reading: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25, Acts 13:4214:7, Psalm 139:1-24, Proverbs 17:19-21
Wednesday—June 22 • Do it All in the Name of the Lord And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
I like driving racecars. There is a moment when I feel I am one with the vehicle. I feel a delight and a joy when I’m driving fast, and in that moment, I really do feel God’s pleasure. Racing can be a worship experience, because at this point in my spiritual pilgrimage, I believe that whatever I’m doing, I can do it in Jesus’ name, giving thanks to God. I believe that life is not compartmentalized into categories of sacred and secular. All of life is spiritual, unless we profane it through our own sin. Every experience carries the opportunity for worship or for irreverence, depending on how you handle it. A beautiful woman walking down the street can lead you to
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worship God. When the beauty of the created being causes you to marvel at the Creator, that’s worship. It can also lead you to the profane, if you choose to go that way. Set your mind and heart ahead of time with this statement: If it doesn’t lead to worship, then I’m not going there. MIMBS 11 Do you need to adjust your mind-set so that more experiences can lead you to worship? How might you go about doing this? Talk with some brothers about how this would work. Daily Reading: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17, Acts 14:8-28, Psalm 140:1-13, Proverbs 17:22
Thursday—June 23 • Recalibrating Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28
Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth gives guidelines for propriety in worship services. Among other issues, he discusses their handling of the Lord’s Supper. He says he has no praise for them, because they’ve been exhibiting selfish attitudes that lead to competition and division. In the midst of all that, Paul explains, “Everyone ought to examine themselves.” Church or Bible study is a place where we celebrate what God has done, and then we recalibrate ourselves,
reset our inner GPS, so we can see God in everything we experience during the week. We recalibrate ourselves so that, when we lift weights or run an extra mile or perform well on our jobs, we can experience God’s pleasure. We’re Christians all the time, not just on Sunday. But that time in church surely can give us the foundation for the rest of the week. MIMBS 11 How does church help you recalibrate yourself, enhancing your worship through the rest of the week? Daily Reading: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27, Acts 15:1-35, Psalm 141:1-10, Proverbs 17:23
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q Friday, Saturday, Sunday—June 24, 25, 26 • Christianity 24/7
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Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him! John 14:6–7 The Message
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:1–2 God calls us to a 24/7, 365-level of worship. Frankly, anything less than that is small and boring. I don’t want to be a part-time Christian. I want to be a 24/7, 365, born again, Bible-believing, fired-up Christian. I want to experience and demonstrate a passion for God, and that doesn’t come without being totally sold out to God’s purposes rather than my own. Work can be worship. Suppose you’re considering whether or not to schedule an appointment. What if you think about all of your appointments as coming from God? Then scheduling and completing appointments is an act of worship. What about driving to work in traffic? It’s an opportunity for worship, because you can say, “Lord, I’m stuck out here in traffic, because I am an honorable man, trying to earn an honest living for my family, and You have given me a job.” I remember when my wife had jury duty a few years ago. She was teaching a Bible study for middle school
girls, and she had to miss it for her jury duty. She explained the situation to the girls, and they said, “Nobody wants to do jury duty!” She had a chance to explain that God is the author of justice, and He’s the author of systems that produce justice, even when those systems are imperfect. She said, “God wants justice, and I have an opportunity to partner with Him in that process.” Jury duty was an act of worship. Sports, nature, education, reading books, watching TV or movies—all of these activities provide opportunities for worship or for irreverence. Let’s set our hearts and minds to be 24/7, 365 Christians who worship God on Sunday, and every other day as well. MIMBS 11
I have been working hard to keep myself at my college weight—184 pounds. Every morning I get on the scale and measure my weight and try to eat and exercise to stay right at 184. My wife had been telling me for awhile that the scale was wrong. I didn’t believe her. I wanted the scale to be right. After a recent visit to the doctor that included a weigh-in, she came home and announced the scale at home was off by nine pounds! I guess I’ve got some work to do. At the time of Christopher Columbus’ discovery many believed the world was flat. It wasn’t. In the 1950’s, school children were taught to “duck and cover” in case of nuclear attack. We’ve come to realize that
Today’s passage calls us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, because that’s a spiritual act of worship. How does that apply to being a 24/7, 365 Christian?
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Daily Reading: 2 Kings 6:1-10:31, Acts 15:36-17:34, Psalm 142:1-144:15, Proverbs 17:24-28
For Your Small Group
❏❏ For June 19–25: In your own words, explain what a “worship weenie” is. •• What has been your attitude toward worship? Has it been an obligation or an event to check off your “to do” list? •• Where does worship take place? When does worship take place? •• Look for ways, outside of the church service, to worship God this week.
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Monday—June 27 • Core Beliefs
practice won’t save anyone. We can go for years not realizing that our core assumptions about life are wrong. We can believe with our whole hearts that what we believe, how we act and what we say is correct. We need the continual fellowship of others, time in God’s Word, prayer and an open heart to God’s leading to discover the truth about the world, and about ourselves. MIMBS 12 Was there something that you believed as a kid, only to find out later in life that it wasn’t true? How did you find out the truth? Daily Reading: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21, Acts 18:122, Psalm 145:1-21, Proverbs 18:1
Tuesday—June 28 • Free From Bondage This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath? Luke 13:16, nlt
We all know people who are in bondage. They are bound to depression or illness, business or financial issues, pornography or dysfunctional relationships…the list could go on and on. There are a myriad of answers to why people are in bondage and even more possible solutions. Just take a look at all the offerings of “Self Help” at your local bookstore or library. Pharmaceutical companies have made fortunes on remedies for anxiety or depression. All those things can be helpful, but Jesus is the only true freedom from bondage. He alone can break those chains and set you free. Jesus broke the chains of arthritis or some debilitating condition for the woman at the synagogue. He set her free. He wants to the same for you. That freedom may mean no more pain or struggle or it may mean a
deeper dependency on Him. It may mean He gives financial success or a lesson on learning to live on less. Our bondage can only be broken by Him. He came to set captives free! MIMBS 12 Is there an area of your life where you need to experience freedom from bondage? Ask God to come in and set you free. Daily Reading: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalm 146:1-10, Proverbs 18:2-3
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Wednesday—June 29 • A Worldview Includes Jesus But Jesus shot back, “You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn’t it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years? Luke 13:15–16 The Message
Francis Schaeffer said, “Men tend to act ultimately with remarkable consistency to their presuppositions, their worldview.” Ron Nash, author of Worldviews in Conflict, says, “A worldview is a set of beliefs about the most important issues in life.” Both of these authors are saying that everything we do and say comes out of our hearts. The arthritic woman at the synagogue included Jesus in her worldview. She did not let the customs or beliefs of that time keep her from being healed. Jesus healed her on the Sabbath and that was viewed as wrong or unacceptable, but it was acceptable to her. She let go of what she perceived as truth and allowed Jesus to intervene.
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Religious leaders looked down on her and criticized Jesus for this miracle. Their worldview did not include Jesus and the way He chose to minister. Jesus’ radical actions were not well-received by everyone. We all have beliefs that can prevent us from receiving or experiencing God’s intervention. MIMBS 12 Have you ever found yourself holding on to a manmade belief or theory? Has God shaken up your belief system only to replace it with His own? How could Jesus work in a miraculous way in your life right now? Daily Reading: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20, Acts 19:1341, Psalm 147:1-20, Proverbs 18:4-5
Thursday—June 30 • By the Book By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. Psalm 119:105 The Message
There’s a story that the executive team from J. C. Penney Company paid a visit on the leaders of the Nordstrom’s department store. Nordstrom’s has a tremendous reputation for being an excellent retailer, maybe one of the best in the world. As they met, the executives from J. C. Penney said to the Nordstrom’s executive team, “You know, you have this incredible reputation for being one of the greatest retailers in the world. What’s the secret of your success? How do you do this?” The Nordstrom people were puzzled. One executive went into the other room and came back with a book and laid it down on the table. The book, now over 100 years old, was the original operating manual
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of the J. C. Penney Company. He said, “We do everything it says to do in that book.” We have our own book that tells us everything we need to know to be successful too. We just need to let that book shape our worldview. MIMBS 12 Pray this prayer with me: Lord, I pray that You would help each of us to not be conformed, but to renew ourselves to be transformed, so that with Your help we could say, “I will let Jesus be Jesus in my worldview and believe His Word.” Amen. Daily Reading: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12, Acts 20:138, Psalm 148:1-14, Proverbs 18:6-7
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FUEL Blog continued from page 9
Evaluations…What Will They Say?
The Posture of a Leader
There was a lot of audience participation’ during David’s talk!
by A Summitt Attendee Great workshops this afternoon. I learned a lot from Mike Griffin—from Singapore!—about leading men’s small groups, and Pastor Pete Alwinson on getting my pastor’s buy-in. Really cool. After the workshops, David Delk kept us riveted— tough to do when it’s the last session of the day. He talked about the “posture of a leader.” By the end of it, we were kneeling, reaching and smiling as he reminded us to keep reaching up for Christ and out to our brothers, serving them and remembering with joy all Christ has done for us.
by A Staff Member
Going through evaluations is nerve-wracking. You want to hear good things, but the bad things help too. As I go through them, though, I am encouraged and uplifted. Sure, we had a few technical problems and we could have stayed on schedule a little better. But here are some of the things people said: “[Fuel] will move us away from the typical men’s ministry toward a discipleshipbased ministry.” “Invited by [my husband]. Very uncertain as to how I would be involved as a woman…[My expectations were] exceeded greatly. Low expectation but high return. Sessions applied to my Christian walk as well as [helping me] appreciate the men’s ministry aspects.”
Posted Friday, January 28 at 5:25 p.m.
I Don’t Want it to End!
“The personal testimonies were infectious. The teaching was encouraging and enlightening.”
by A Summitt Attendee
We came in this morning and started right in on workshops. I really enjoyed Jeff “Coach K” Kisiah’s workshop on how he has completely implemented the No Man Left Behind model with his men at the church where he serves as associate pastor. Inspiring! Then Dave Wertheim gave some powerful insights on helping men deal with sexual temptation. A big issue for all men these days. I also heard good things about the Courseware and 1:1 Discipleship workshops Brett Clemmer did, plus Harrison Fagg’s on statewide discipleship. Only one more session left. I’ve met so many great guys this weekend, and my brain is getting filled up with ideas. Mostly though, I just feel so encouraged. So even though I don’t want it to end, I’m eager to get back and implement all I’ve learned!
“Very much exceeded [my expectations]…Workshops were excellent but the networking with other men like me was so valuable.” We asked all the attendees to list three words to describe the impact of the event. Here are some of the words they used to describe Fuel: Insightful, Focusing, Encouraging, Refueled, Renew, Inspire, Knowledge, Encouragement (said most often by far), Fellowship. Equip, Challenge, Lasting, Motivated, Balm to my soul, Learn, Share, Grow, Vision, Teaching, Passion, Revitalized, Reinvigorated, Renewed, Humbling, Motivated, Empowered, Transformation, Excited, Focus, Refueled, Gospel, Jesus.
Posted Saturday, January 29 at 10:40 a.m.
Re-Fueled!
Posted Friday, February 11 at 3:55 p.m.
by A Field Trainer
The summit was a highlight of my year so far!!! It was so good to see so many leaders who I have met over the years who are still in the trenches fighting “the good fight of faith.” What an encouragement it is to us newer men who have just begun in this critical ministry to men!! I can think of no other place I have been where so many denominational leaders, ministry leaders and local church leaders are gathered together for the same purpose and goal. And talk about “fuel”. I had a whole forest of wood put on my fire!
Posted Tuesday, February 1 at 1:52 p.m.
Reflections from a Summit “Regular”
by Another Field Trainer
I’ve been involved in ministry to men for over 17 years. Yet when I come together at the MIM Summit with men and ministries from across the country I ALWAYS find new and better ideas and resources. This is the single best investment of my time throughout the year as it refreshes me and my ministry. In fact during all of 2010 I used the ideas and resources that came from the Summit in virtually every ministry setting. The ideas that germinated from the 2011 Fuel event are already being applied!
FUEL… for LEADERS FUEL…for CHURCHES FUEL… for INNOVATION FUEL… for SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Posted Wednesday, February 2 at 10:23 a.m.
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The Next Generation of Leaders continued from page 5
How You Can Make This Happen Here’s a step-by-step plan for implementing this with your son, grandson, or a few young men in your community. (Based on my experience, I would limit it to at most three young men—that would be a breakfast of five people including you.) Pray about and decide which young man or men you’d like to invest your time in. Find out when they will be available. Based on this schedule, figure out how many slots for meetings you have. Limit them to one or two per week so they have more impact. Pray, and then make a list of men that you think would have an impact on the lives of the young men. Shoot for twice as many men on the list as you have slots for meetings, since some men won’t be available. Prioritize your list and approach the first few men, giving them their choice of available time slots. Email them first, then follow-up with a phone call a few days later. Here’s a sample of the email I sent... John—Hope you are doing well. My son just finished his freshman year at UF. This summer, I’m hoping to introduce him to some interesting Christian businessmen so that he can meet them and hear their stories. My prayer is that this input will help him determine where God might be leading him in the future. Would you be available to have breakfast with him and me sometime in the next week or two? Next Wednesday or Thursday morning are both open. We’ll be glad to meet you anywhere—we’d just need to be finished in time for him to get downtown by 8:45 for his work. T hanks, David 44Follow-up with a phone call to confirm the appointment and explain your purpose. 44At the breakfast, be prepared to ask questions about topics you want to make sure
are covered. I used questions like, “What have been the one or two most important lessons or ideas that have contributed to your success? What has been one of the most difficult situations you encountered? If you could tell a young person one thing as they got started in business and life, what would it be?” 44Don’t lose the momentum, keep scheduling breakfasts several weeks in advance to give men the opportunity to get them on their calendar.
Your Turn
The QUICKEST, EASIEST, and CHEAPEST way to begin Small Groups, Outreach Campaigns, Discipleship Programs, and a hundred other ways to reach men and women.
There you have it. A practical and simple way to make a difference in the lives of younger men. Invest 15 or 20 hours to help raise up a next generation leader, and God may just use it to change your life as well.
• David delk
David is President of Man in the Mirror. He is the author or co-author of five books, including The Marriage Prayer, The Dad in the Mirror, and No Man Left Behind. He lives in Orlando, FL with his wife, Ruthie, and three children.
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