Holy Man Podcast

Life Group Questions: Tell a recent story about a conversation where you should have gotten a pat on the back due to how good you communicated. Now tell a recent story about a conversation where you should have gotten a kick in the *** due to how bad you communicated. What led up to those different conversations? Paul in the podcast shared several ways our silence keeps us from a better life. (Not confessing sin to God; Not letting someone else know that they hurt you; dealing with conflict by bottling or stuffing it; Not sharing the Gospel with someone; Not speaking up when others are being hurt) Which of those silent treatments are a struggle for you? Why? Read Colossians 4:2-6 Paul looked at verses 5 & 6 during the podcast. In verses 2-4, what does Paul say is vital to us having grace filled, salty conversations with others? What are some of the ways in which prayer can be so vital to our conversations? With whom will you be having a conversation with that grace and salty will help that moment? Why? The topics of this semester: Divisive, argumentative, complaining, retaliating, hasty, boasting, flattering, manipulative, belittling, cynical, know-it-all, self-absorbed, harsh, tactless, rude, discouraging, doubting, judgmental, self-deprecating, silence. Which one or two of these is still your nemesis? Take turns laying hands on and praying over each man in your group and the communication struggle each has that God will help them do better.

Life Group Questions: If you could add one trait/attribute/ability to your life, what would it be and why? (no super hero traits.) If you could remove one trait/attribute/ability from your life, what would it be and why? Read Psalm 139:13-18. When you consider these words, what does God think of you and what does he think of others? How does God feel when we talk poorly about his amazing creations, whether it’s ourselves, or others? Based upon your upbringing, socialization, and life experiences, what are some of the groups of people, or traits of people you could potentially judge negatively? When this happens, what does it do to you? To the person you are judging and your relationship with them? Have you ever made a judgement about someone, only to discover you were wrong in your assessment because you didn’t know all the facts? Read Matthew 7:1-5. What are some of the practical principals of Jesus’ words? What does the plank in our eye do to us if we keep it there? What happens if we allow God to remove it? If you have the tendency to be either judgmental or self-deprecating, what is one step you will try next week to allow God to move in your relationships?

Life Group Questions: What person has been your biggest cheerleader in life? Describe how she/he has impacted your life? Have you ever abandoned a dream or a course of action because of someone’s discouraging words, or their doubt, and later regretted your decision to do so? Read Joshua 1:1-9. If you were Joshua, would you feel encouraged or discouraged? Why? Would you feel doubt, or confidence moving forward? Why? What are some of the key words of encouragement and hope which God shares with Joshua? In general, what words of encouragement does God share with each of us? With whom do you sometimes share doubt and discouragement? What leads you to share it with them? How do you feel, and how do they feel when you do it? Each man share one person who they will intentionally encourage this week, and how you might do it. How will they respond? Read Matthew 17:14-20. How big was God for the disciples? Or their faith in God? What is a “mountain” that God has helped you move because of your faith? (Forgiving someone you didn’t want to forgive; tithing; serving in the church; leaving a job; asking a certain girl out, etc) What is a “mountain” that you would love God to help you move, but at present you doubt it could happen?

Life Group Questions: What is the harshest, rudest, tactless thing you can remember being said to you? What’s the worst one you can remember saying to someone else? Where are the places, what is the context, or who are the people around you, when you have the tendency to be rude, tactless or harsh with your communication? Read 1 Samuel 25:1-13. Nabal was harsh, rude, and tactless. Why? What are some of the things that can cause us to be this way towards others? What are your thoughts on how David reacts? Now read 1 Samuel 25:14-17;20-28. What does Abigail teach us? How should we respond to someone like Nabal? Read Proverbs 25:21-22. The enemy is the one who is rude or harsh to you. What’s the lesson? What does this tell me if I am the “enemy” or the one who is rude or harsh to someone? Read Matthew 7:12. How important is this thought from Jesus? How does being rude, tactless, and harsh agree/disagree with this command? IF we apply it, how does it affect our lives, and other people’s lives in those moments we are sometimes rude, harsh or tactless? How does if affect us when others are nasty to us?

Life Group Questions: If you were on Jeopardy, what is one category of questions you would do well with? A category you would crash and burn? How does it feel to be smart/wise about a topic of conversation? How does it feel to NOT be? Where are the places, or who are the people where you could potentially demonstrate self-absorbed or know-it-all tendencies? How do people respond to you in those moments? When you are with someone else who shows those tendencies, what is your reaction? Read each of these Proverbs. What consequences come to those with these pride issues? What happens to those who are humble? Proverbs 12:23; 13:18; 15:32; 18:1; 29:23. How do you see this play out in life? If you must interact with a know-it-all, what are some things you could do, and some things you probably shouldn’t do? What if it is a self-absorbed person? Read Romans 12:3-5. What foundational principals can be found in this passage to help us with these communication problems if/when we have them? Now read Romans 12:9-16. Paul shares many suggestions for us. How do each of his suggestions practically help us to be more humble and less prideful and selfish? How would each action build better relationships?

In this episode, Paul talks about the struggles we can get into if we regularly belittle others, or if we are cynical people. Negativity is part of both of these struggles. And being positive is definitely better for our relationships. Belittling people, cynical people Life Group Discussion Questions: Everyone tell at least One thing good (positive) about your wife (or family member). One good thing about Wyoming. One good thing about our present federal government. Is it easier for you to think and talk about negative, or positive things? Why? What areas of life are more negative? More positive? Read Psalm 1. Those who belittle others, and those who are cynical(mockers) find themselves in verse 1. What comes to those who are cynical and belittling? What blessings are promised throughout the Psalm to those who resist cynicism and belittling (among other sins)? How does meditating on God and his Word change us? Tell about a time when you were belittled or a time when you belittled someone else. How did it affect you? The other person? How did it affect the relationship? Read Ephesians 4:29 – 5:5 The heart of this passage is in 5:1 “Imitate God” or “Follow God’s example.” As you read the rest of these verses, what are some of the many ways Paul talks about our communication? What blessings follow imitating God? What if we don’t? What would it look like if you shared a positive comment with everyone you encountered for the next 3 days? With whom would you struggle to do that? How might it change a rough relationship?

Life Group Discussion Questions What is your greatest pickup line that you used to use. Where/when are the times when you use flattery or manipulation? What are some of the outcomes? Is using flattery or manipulation ever a good thing? What about lies in general; is there ever a right/good time to use them? Read John 8:44; from where do lies come? Read Luke 20:20-26. What was the intention of the spies? What are the flattering/manipulating tactics the spies tried to utilize? What pain did it bring to the relationships? How did Jesus respond? Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6. What did Paul want to make sure the people knew he and his friends were NOT doing? Who was Paul wanting to honor with his words and life?(verse 4) Go back to answers to question 2; How could Paul’s mindset change how we talk to others? Read 1 Thess 2:7-12. How did Paul and his friends live in front of the Thessalonians? Now read 2:13. What was the outcome of Paul’s truth filled, God honoring, sharing blessings with others life?

Life Group Discussion Questions Tell a story (funny or sad) of a time when you stuck your foot in your mouth. A time when you wish you could push the rewind button on what you said. What consequences came out of it? Read Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 29:20. What are the conditions in the moments when you seem to speak in haste? If you are aware of those moments, what could you do differently? Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-2. Have you ever made hasty promises to God? How did that go? When is boasting in accomplishments a good thing? When is it not? Read Judges 7:1-8; Why did God want to send home the majority of the army? Why do you think God wanted to keep them from boasting in themselves? What are some negative effects of us boasting in our own accomplishments? Read Luke 14:7-11; In what ways can this parable/teaching of Jesus practically change our habits/ways of communication? What could the benefits be? How does simply loving others help to keep from boasting?

Life Group Discussion Questions Who are some of the enemies in your life? Who are those people who hurt/frustrate/anger you the most, and why? How do you normally respond to those people? If we choose to complain or retaliate in response to our enemy’s words or actions, are there any good outcomes? What would be some of the bad outcomes? Read Luke 6:27-28. What are the 4 things Jesus said we must do for an enemy instead of retaliating? Have you ever tried one of these things? If yes, how did it go? What could/would each one of those things do for us? What could/would it do for the enemy? Which of the 4 is the hardest for you to consider? Read 1 Peter 3:9. Share some examples of what the blessings could look like if we chose to follow Peter’s wisdom. What is the one thing you are tempted to complain about the most? To whom do you complain? Does the complaining fix the issue? Read Philippians 2:14-15. IF we followed what Paul says, how could it change the situation we are in? What could we choose to do instead of complaining? What if we did what Paul says in Philippians 4:8?

Life Group Discussion: Tell a funny or rough story of a time when your communication caused problems. With whom do you communicate well? With whom do you struggle? What are some of the ways you tend to get into trouble with your communication? Read Psalm 19:1-4a. God’s creation tells us about God. What message has God’s creation shared with you about God? Read Psalm 19:12-14. Thinking back to some of your communication struggle areas (Question 2), how could this prayer help those parts of your life? Who loves a good argument? Why? Who here, like Pastor Paul, stirs up arguments just for the fun of it? (even though it’s not fun for others) Read Jude 1:17-21. What does Jude say is/are the underlying reason(s) that a person stirs up arguments and division? On the flip side, what are 4 things he suggests Christians do to go against being argumentative and divisive? How can each of the 4 help us to fight against divisive moments? (Build each other up; pray in the power of the HS; realize God’s mercy; keep in God’s love) If time…read 2 Timothy 2:23-25. What does Paul share with Timothy about arguing? What should we do instead of it?

LG Discussion Questions: What was the scariest movie you remember watching? What did the presence of evil look like in that movie? What about Satan and his cohorts do you believe? What don’t you believe? How does this belief or nonbelief lead you to live? Which of the pieces of armor as Paul describes in Ephesians 6:14-18 do you feel is strongest in your present journey? Which piece is a little weak? Explain Read Ephesians 6:10-13. Then read Matthew 7:24-27. Discuss the similarities of what Paul and Jesus say. When was a time in your life when your choices caused your world to be a soft foundation? Now tell a time when Jesus and His Spirit helped you to stand firm. Read Matthew 4:1-11. Discuss the different parts of armor as Paul shared in Ephesians 6 that Jesus utilized in his battle with the devil. Go around the room and come up with some possible battles we may have with Satan, and a possible Scripture verse we could utilize to fight back.

Lies Discussed: The world is too messed up to bring children into. I’m measured by how I compare with other men. With everything going on in my life, it’s really not possible to live with integrity. Being a Christian is supposed to be cool. My death will be the end of my story. Discussion Questions: Name some movie/tv characters who were two-faced. Like Robert the Bruce in Braveheart. What did their back and forth way of living cause in the story? Would your closest friends say that you are a man of integrity, and mean it? Read Matthew 22:37-40. What does the “greatest command(s)” call us to with integrity? (hint: the word “all”) Read James 1:5-8. What does James say are the benefits of integrity, and the results of a lack of integrity? What is an area in life where you need to grow in integrity? Have you ever considered that you might be the only “Jesus” that some people will ever see in life? Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-20. What does Paul call us to? Where are the places you connect with people who don’t know Jesus? What are some of the ways you demonstrate that you follow Jesus when you are with them? What are some ways you could share Jesus more? Read John 14:1-7 What is your favorite part of this passage? If you died in a car accident on the way home today, what will happen?

Lies Discussed: I have the right to be angry when things don’t go my way. Pain and suffering are always bad. The world is rigged against me. I can’t help how I react to certain people or circumstances. I can run away from God. Discussion Questions: Tell about one of the best moments/days of your life? Now, one of the worst moments/days. How do you typically respond to life’s problems and frustrations? Read Lamentations 3:1-6;13-18. How is this guy’s day/year going? What are his emotions? Now read 3:19-33. What are some of the truths that help him cope with his bad day? How might you respond differently to your bad day if you believed in these truths? Describe a time when you tried to run from the presence, the call to act a certain way, or conviction of God in your life. How did He pursue you? How did you respond? Read Matthew 18:21-35. When someone wrongs us, what does Jesus suggest? Why? When is forgiving easy? When is it not? If we forgive, what does it do for us? If we don’t, what pain does it cause us?

Life Group Discussion: Lies Discussed: Making more money will make me happier. I’m not responsible to be the provider for my wife and family. I can’t afford to give more money away. Discussion Questions: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a sour puss, and a 10 being happy as a clam (whatever that means) how happy are you in your present financial situation? What would it take to move up a number or two? What could cause you to go lower? Read 1 Chronicles 29:10-16. What principles does David share that are foundational to us honoring God with our finances? What are some ways these principles can practically play out in our lives? So, you work hard all day. You receive a paycheck. You buy things. But it all belongs to God. Does that make sense? Do you agree? IF we truly believed that everything we have is God’s, how might it change how we utilize our finances and our stuff? Would you consider yourself being a generous man? Would others agree? Where does this show up? Is generosity just a financial thing? Read Acts 20:33-35. Words of wisdom from Paul/Jesus. Have you seen this to be true or false in your life? How is a person more blessed when he gives rather than when he receives? Does one have to see the results of what was given to be blessed? What is one practical way you will live out this week what Paul/Jesus says?

Life Group Discussion: Lies Discussed: How I spend my time is my business. I’m not responsible to be the provider for my wife and family. My faith and my work are unrelated. Discussion Questions: How much “free time” do we each have during the week? Do a quick and dirty time audit/budget. With 168 hours per week, what does an average week look like for you? Which parts of your week do you enjoy the most? Which parts do you not? Which parts bring glory to God the most? The least? Turn to Ecclesiastes 3. Skim verses 1-8. Then read 9-15. What wisdom does Solomon share in regards to how we look at the time God has given us? Does he feel God wants us to loath the hours of each day, or enjoy the hours? What does he suggest should be foundational to how we live each hour or activity of the day IF we want to enjoy life? Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does Paul suggest as a foundation to living each hour or activity of the day? How can the thoughts of these two wise men, change how we work? How we live at home? How we live out our “free time?” When you hear that you are to provide for your family, what comes to mind? Is providing for your family, only about money? Who is someone in your past who you saw as a good “provider?” What did they do that made you think that? What are a few of the ways you are “providing” for your family? What is one way you can do better? Read James 2:14-20. How would James feel about the lie “My faith and my work are unrelated”? What is one way your faith in Christ will play out in your workplace this week? Your family time? Your free time?

Life Group Discussion: Lies Discussed: Love doesn’t require spoken words. My wife is supposed to make me happy. I don’t have what it takes to be the CEO of my home. I can leave that role to my wife. I don’t have to grow up. If I discipline my kids, they’ll rebel. Discussion Questions: From back in the days of dating, does anyone remember one of their good pick-up lines? Or does anyone remember one of the nicest things you ever said to your wife or another girl? If you are married, or if you were married previously, how often do/did the words “I love you” get used in that relationship? If you are married, text the words to your wife right now. Will she be surprised? What are/were some of your favorite parts of being married? Read John 3:16-17; If a husband/dad knows he is loved by God, and his purpose, fulfillment in life, and his joy comes from that relationship, how will that understanding make him a better husband and dad? What is one specific way you will seek to grow in that understanding this week? Read John 13:1-17. How does this story of Jesus and his example teach us as husbands and dads to be better leaders of our homes? How would you describe “servant leadership?” What are some specific

Discussion Questions: Ok, guys…be honest. Can you remember back when you first looked at something with some nudity? How old were you? How did it happen? What emotions showed up? On what level have you, or someone you know, struggled looking at porn? In what ways was it, or is it harmful? If you presently have a habit of looking, can you think of any good reason why you should not stop looking right now? Read Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:1-7 What does Paul have to say about what we look at on our TVs computers and phones? What are some ways you men can work together to “put to death”(as Paul says) some of these struggles? If you are presently married, are you hiding something from your wife, or have there been things in the past in which you have kept hidden from her? What harm is there in doing this? What benefit is there in being transparent with her? What would it look like to take that step of transparency? If you are presently single, how important is it to your future wife for you to set up proper boundaries in regards to what you are presently looking at on your devices? If you are a married man, do you think your wife enjoys sex with you? Do you care? How would it go for you, if you asked her that question? And, how would it go if you asked her what could make this part of your relationship better? Read Philippians 2:1-5 How does what Paul says here play out in our marriage sex life? If both your wife and yourself lived out this passage within your sex life, how might it get better?

Lies Discussed: If I mean well, that’s good enough. I can hide my secret sin since it only hurts me. Holiness is boring. Discussion Questions: What are some of the rules/laws in life that get “bent”? Tell of a time when you “bent” a law, but didn’t break it, from your point of view. Like stripes on a football field, how/when are rules in life a good idea? How/when are they NOT a good idea? If bending certain rules/laws is ok, who gets to decide how far it can be bent? Why are God’s rules/laws for life so important? Read Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Why does God provide us these guides for life? How could each of these individual rules/laws in this passage bless us? IF we ignore them, how could that hurt us? Could it be that God loves us with these rules/laws/guides? Read Jonah 1. How did Jonah’s sin impact others in the story? What are some ways your sins (even secret sins) have impacted, or could impact other people? What does the word “holiness” mean? Read 1 Peter 1:14-17. Can you think of reasons why personal holiness matters? Can Christians still have fun, and be holy at the same time? Why, or why not?

Life Group Questions: Confession time… Who is willing to tell about a sin they either did, or didn’t do in the past? How did this sin affect you? Your relationships with others? Your relationship with God? A couple of weeks ago, you were to define “grace.” Remind each other what grace is. Why is this an important concept to understand in your relationships and in your walk with Jesus? Does anyone have a Scripture passage that helps them to better understand grace or God’s unconditional love? What is something you like to compare or compete with others? (trucks, jobs, clothes, homes, sports teams) When is it fun to compare/compete? When is it not? If we are comparing sin with others, what can it do in our faith walk? What if we compare our sin to Jesus? Have you ever felt like you were separated from God’s love? Read Romans 8:31-39. What part of the passage is meaningful to you? Why? Why is our forgiveness for our sin important? In the context of God forgiving you, why is it important to forgive others? Possibly read Matthew 18:21-35 Again, the three lies discussed in the podcast were: Who others think I am matters more than who I really am. My sin isn’t really that bad. God could never forgive me for what I’ve done. As you ponder those 3 lies, how does the phrase we close worship with each week speak truth into each of those lies? “Jesus loves you unconditionally, and he died to give you new life.” How important is it for us to keep saying it every week?!

Life Group Questions: If you could perfectly design your life, what would that look like? Location? Career/job? Family make-up? House? Toys? Etc? If God could perfectly design your life, what would that look like? Read Luke 12:13-21. What are some of the lies Satan has fed this man that causes him to ask Jesus the question? What are some of the truths that Jesus shares herein that could potentially lead us to a better life? What are some of the habits that could help us put these truths into place? What do you think would literally be worth dying for? How could your answer to that question play out in how you then live? How would you define the word “submission”? What parts of your life are easy to submit to Jesus? What parts are hard to submit? Read James 4:13-17 How does James guide us towards living life within God’s truth? He doesn’t say goals in life are bad. What does he say? In what ways can you align your life, and your daily, monthly, yearly goals to be more in line with Jesus? What is stopping you?

Life Group Discussion Questions: Who is your greatest living hero? If you walked into a room and they were in it, how would you react/respond? When you have moments when you realize you are in God’s presence, how do you react/respond? What are some things that set God apart from everything and everyone else? The word “love” is sometimes thrown around like cheap candy. What does God’s kind of love look like? Read Psalm 139:1-6; 7-12; 13-18. In each of those sections of verses, how does the writer see God’s love? When you hear the understanding that God wants to collaborate with each of us in writing the story of our lives, what does that mean to you? How are you allowing it to happen? What are you doing to hinder the collaboration? Define grace. (not the little prayer before a meal) What are some ways in which you have tried, or still do try to earn God’s favor? Why can it be so hard for us to realize that God already loves us, unconditionally? Thinking back to Psalm 139, what did the writer do to earn God’s love? If possible, share a few stories from the Bible that demonstrate God’s unconditional love that a person didn’t have to earn to receive it. Read John 14:5-7. How is what Jesus saying here an exclusive thing? When is the word “exclusive” an ugly word? Why is “exclusive” good news here? Why is the Christian faith “inclusive” as well? In the podcast, Richard told the story about the ember that was taken out of the fire and began to burn out. Tell about a time in your life when you were like that ember when you stepped away from God, or church life, and floundered in your walk with Christ. What are some ways an active church life has helped you to burn brighter with Christ?

Life Group Discussion Questions: Can you remember telling a lie that caused someone some level of pain? Tell about it. What about a time when someone lied to you about something? How did it affect you? What are some of the statements, messages, and beliefs that were fed into your life that have caused some hardships? Read through Genesis 3:1-13. What was the lie that Satan fed Adam and Eve? What could have Adam and Eve done to keep focused on the truth? What did they miss out on because they ate the lie that Satan fed them? Read John 10:7-10. If we allow Satan(the thief) to feed us lies that cause us to live his way, what does the thief bring us? On the flip side, if we see Jesus as the gate, shepherd, etc, as he presents here, what does HE offer? Going back to what was shared in the podcast; Read John 8:31-32. Why is truth important? What exactly does it mean that “the truth will set you free.”? Name one truth which you have learned from Jesus’ teaching that has helped you(set you free) to live a better life?

Life Group Questions: Share a story of when you first started noticing images of women. Like my stories of Charlie’s Angels and HBO at my friend’s home and SI Swimsuit magazines, how did it happen for you? Can you remember a moment in the past when, looking, at these images affected a relationship around you? (Wife, child, parent, friend…) How did that go for you and your heart? Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:27-30. Is noticing that a woman is beautiful a bad thing based upon this text? (NO) What is a definition of lust? (Google it) “your whole body to be thrown into hell” So often we read that phrase to mean in the end, after we die. But, if our lusting after other women (other than our wives) causes issues in our relationships, and issues in our walk with God, could that be considered hell on earth? Jesus shares a figurative image of gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand, two parts of the body utilized in the lusting process. Since we know that a handless man and a blind man could still lust after a woman, what is Jesus actually suggesting we do? What could that look like in our present age? Extra: Read Proverbs 7. It’s another wisdom chapter focused upon a “Warning about Immoral Women.” Contemporize this chapter. What are the warnings? What ideas for life does Solomon share?

Life Group Questions: What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions during your lifetime? Are you someone who looks at life as if the glass is half full, or half-empty? In other words, do you normally see life as good, or bad? Positive or Negative? Other than if/when you give thanks at mealtimes, how often do you intentionally give thanks to God? What does that look like for you? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Notice the extreme words for all three things we are called to do. How hard is it to carry out? What can it look like to do those three things in our lives? How might doing them change the dynamics of bad times in our lives? IF anyone is willing to admit it, share some of those moments when you acted like a butthead to your family because your plans got changed. Read Psalm 50:14-15, 23. How can stepping aside from life for a few moments so that we can intentionally give thanks to God to help us in those ugly moments? What if in this next week, every day each of you were willing to come up with a list of ten things for which you are thankful, and then share them when you get together the following week?

Life Group Questions Name a habit you do every day. What is a weekly non-negotiable activity for you? (tv show, hobby, etc) What about an annual event you never want to miss. (opening hunting season, Fantasy football draft, etc) What are some of the funniest/best reasons (excuses) you have used yourself, or heard someone else use for NOT going to Sunday morning worship? What about excuses for NOT reading the Bible? Share a habit or discipline in your life that is helping, or has the potential to help you know God better? Why do you think it is hard to start up good habits that can help us to draw near to God, and keep them going? For those who regularly spend time in the Bible, what are some tips you can share with those who struggle, that might help them to be more disciplined in Bible reading? What does your prayer life look like? What are some things you could do to make it better? (Trying a new place to pray, Listening more, Reading prayers in the Bible, reading a book about prayer) Will you try something new? What do you hope your relationship with God will look like five years from now? What changes will you do, habits will you try to start in this next month that will help your hope be realized?

Discussion Questions: How much do you know about, and how much are you involved in politics? Would you rather know more and be more involved, or know less and be involved less? Why or why not? How did you come to your political party and where you stand on the issues? Directly from your parents/family? News media? School? Faith? Combination? Is there a chance that you are not 100% correct with your stance on all of the political issues? If your answer is “no,” would God agree? If “yes,” are you ok with it? During the podcast, Mike mentioned Colossians 3 as a good passage that can help us in our process of letting our faith lead into our political positions. Read verses 1-3 and discuss how IF all Christians did this as part of their process in arriving at where they stand on politics, things would be better. Tell about a time when you had a great political conversation with someone who thought differently than you do. What made it great? IF you can’t remember a great, or even a good conversation like this, why do you think that is? If the Christian characteristics that Paul presents in Colossians 3:8-14(read it) were part of our political discussions, how could that help all of us find our way to a better God blessed position on the political issues of the day?

Sticks and Stones Study Question: To swear or not to swear, that is the question. Is it a big deal? For those who swear regularly, why do you? For those who don’t, why not? Do you think Jesus would have used 4 letter words? Would he have dropped any F-bombs? Why or why not? Tell about a lie that you told in your past that blew up in your face. Or tell a lie that someone else told you that blew up in their face. Read Proverbs 6:16-19. These are called the seven deadly sins. What do you notice about lies? Tell about a time when someone crushed your spirit with the words they shared with you. What is a normal way that you crush someone’s spirit with your words? (Sarcasm, passive aggression, criticism, nasty names, etc) Read James 3:1-12 Which image of the tongue sheds the most light on your mess-ups with your words? Bit in horses mouth, rudder on a ship, spark and fire? Who needs to be in the saddle, steering the ship, holding the match? Or, who do we need to depend upon to help our words bring life, instead of death to others? What is one thing you will do differently this week to allow the Holy Spirit better control your words? Who will benefit the most in your life, if you allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words in the week ahead? Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Anyone else remember that saying as a kid. I remember hearing and saying it as a kid. Wouldn’t it be great if that were true? Have you ever been hurt by something that someone else said to you? And have you ever hurt someone else with the words you said? Naturally, the obvious answer to both of those questions is Heck Yeah. We have experienced both. And that understanding is going to lead us into our next discussion of our theme of control verses influence. And so here is the thought process for today. We cannot control what other people say, and truthfully, we cant always control our own mouths, right. We know what words should come out of our mouths, and the words that shouldn’t because we have messed up in the past with our words, but we still cant control what comes out. But, can we allow the Holy Spirit to assist us to better influence a situation and a relationship by what comes out of our mouths. So, we are going to look at a few of the different areas of life where our mouths can bless others, or not bless others. And as we consider what the Holy Spirit might say to us in each of these areas, we are going to peak into some words of wisdom out of the book of Proverbs. And there are lots of nuggets in the book of proverbs that talk about our words. Lets think of some of the areas of life where our mouths can potentially bless someone, or not. Swearing Using colorful metaphors, or those famous 4 letter words. We won’t spend long on this one, because truthfully, I don’t find a lot in the bible that would speak specifically to swearing, but then again, the fact that we don’t find using those words in the Bible, maybe that is telling us something as well. People who know me know that I just don’t swear. And that’s not just because I am a pastor. It just hasn’t been me. And I have worked and hung out in places where swearing would be normal. I worked in a factory, in a warehouse, and in an engineering firm. I also spent time as a volunteer fireman and I have spent lots of time at hunting camps. So, I have been places where swearing would be normal. But it still wasn’t part of me, mostly, because I didn’t grow up around it. Parents didn’t. And my dad spent his life in factories, and as a fireman.

Family Bliss Study Question: What are some of the problems(fun and not so fun) that arise in your family relationships because you can’t control you wife, or kids, or other family members? What are some things(fun and not so fun) your wife, and kids, and other family member wish they could control of you because of the issues YOU cause in those relationships? Read Ephesians 5:21-6:4. It’s easy to read this passage and point to what OTHERS are supposed to do to make our lives better. What does this passage call us men to be about as we seek to INFLUENCE the family around us? Zack and I talked about a few possible practical things we can do to allow our faith to influence our family dynamics. What are some things that you have tried to influence your family? What are some other practical possibilities? How does Philippians 2:1-12 lend itself to you influencing your family if you allow it to guide your actions in this next week? If you could paint the picture of a God honoring family dynamic in your home and extended family, what would that picture look like? What practical steps in the next several weeks will you make to help influence your family towards that picture? We are in the third week of our Holy Man journey, and it has been fun to hear some of the conversations that have happened in your life groups as we all wrestle with the topics I have been bringing up. Can you imagine when all of us men who are looking for God to help us on this journey of becoming Holy Men, actually start to make progress on that journey?! God be the glory as that continues to happen. And I do apologize for the sound quality last week. We are still learning this podcast thing, and hopefully we will continue to get things better for you. This week I am bringing up another relevant topic for us men. And I say that because of the number of conversations I have had with many of you on this topic. And again, it’s a topic that plays right into the theme of these opening 8 weeks of the podcast I have titled Control versus Influence. We can’t control everything in our lives, but, how can our faith influence things around us for our betterment in life, and the betterment of those around us. Today, we will be looking into our family dynamics as we long for bliss within our families, no matter what your family looks like. We would love ongoing joy and peace within our families, but as we know, we cant control things within our families. If you are married, how good are you at controlling your wife? if you have kids, what about them? Parents? inlaws? Other extended family? You see where I am goin? We cant control our family members. But…can we influence them to help there to be more bliss within our homes, and within our families? That will be our conversation today. Also, to add some extra fun to the conversation, I also have brought in a special guest to help us to think things through a little. He is an expert on our subject for today. Zack Poitra is with me today, and Zack is on staff here at New Life leading our hospitality team, and also leading the Blessings in a Backpack ministry for the kids in the community. Zack, it is good to have you with me today. Zack, tell me about your family dynamics. Who is in your family? And for those who don’t know my family… Zack, our wives know what we are talking about today, so we will need to tread a little lightly and carefully or we might be on the couch this week. Zack, you know the premise of the theme of this podcast which is us as men, not being able to control life around us, the people, the circumstances of life, there is much we can’t control. We would like to, but we c

Costs vs Spending Study Question: Who is enjoying our present crazy financial world? What are you hearing about it in the news? How much did you pay for your most recent tank of gas? Do you struggle with control issues with the financial world? We all have something that stirs our desire to purchase it. What stirs you? New truck? Atv? Iphones? Guns? Tools? A Big Mac? Tell about a time when you gave into the impulse and bought something you really didn’t need. Tell about a time when you refrained. There is a balance between making the acquisition of money and possessions your focus and not doing enough to provide for yourself. Read Proverbs 30:7-9. How well do you maintain this balance? What might help you to stay in balance? Check out Proverbs 21:5. Do you have a plan for your finances? Share what your plan is? Is your plan working? Is your family aware and involved in working that plan? Do you feel God would approve your plan? Why/why not? What potential changes can you make to better influence your financial situation from God’s point of view? Thanksgiving? Prayer? Take a Financial Peace class? Hey there men, it is good to be with you in this second podcast of Holy Man. I heard a few good things about the first one I did last week both the content and the discussion that followed in your life groups, so that was good to hear. One thing I want to mention to everyone out there, as I had a question asked of me after last week’s podcast, is that I don’t want anyone to think that I have any of these topics that we will be considering each week as something I have all figured out. I am not perfect at any of them. Oh, there might be one or two of the topics that I do better than some of the other topics. But, every one of you listening could say the same thing. But, I look forward to the Holy Spirit’s continuing work on me and helping me, like you, to become more and more holy as God calls us to be in all of these areas. Here is the deal…I know that living a holy life, or a life like God would want me to live, will be better. I also know, that this crazy world that we live in makes that holy life hard. Sin is easy to fall into. So, thanks be to God for that gift of the Holy Spirit that can bless us if we are willing. So, here we are looking at another good topic for us men to ponder as we seek to become Holy Men and as we consider those areas of life in which we cannot control, but we potentially can influence in a God honoring way. I was just watching the news a little this morning to stay on top of whats going on around the world. I was intrigued by one of the stories I saw on Fox Business that was an interview of a guy who works in an appliance and electronics store. The store reminded me of a Best Buy type store. I think many of us know what that looks like. What was the headline of the story? Get your Christmas shopping done early this year. Yep, its October 11th, and they are saying, getter done in regards to Xmas. Why were they suggesting it? Well, unless you have had your head in a bucket the last couple months, they were saying this because of the computer chip shortage, and also, inflation. If you are wanting any electronic device, shop now, they said, because they don’t know what the supply will look like at Christmas, and they couldn’t guarantee what the prices will look like in a couple months. Possibly, they said, Black Friday sales on electronics this year may not be what they have been in the past due to supply and demand. That story plays right into what I want us to ponder this week in our jo

This podcast is titled “Holy Man: a Journey of Becoming Godly Men.” When you hear the word “holy” what comes to mind? Do you think of the guy sitting next to you? Do you think of yourself? Read 1 Peter 1:15-16. When you hear this call for us to be ‘holy men,’ what are you thinking? Possible? What are some of the things in life that we as men like to have under control? What are those things that frustrate us when they aren’t under control, or they are out of our control? Driving! Everyone share a moment of frustration or one of those pet peeves about the idiots out on the roads. What gets your blood boiling when driving? Is driving outside the law a sin? Is there any gray involved? What if there is no one near us for miles? Is 1 Peter 2:13-17 relevant to this conversation? What does holiness look like on the road? How can our driving, our attitude when we are driving, and our reactions to other drivers(even the bad drivers) influence the rest of our day, and the days of those around us(including the bad drivers)? Let’s consider the idiots out on the road as enemies. Read Matthew 5:43-48. How does this talk from Jesus help us with the idiots? What are some intentional steps you can make to allow your driving experiences be more holy this week? Maybe consider everyone going out to their vehicles and praying over the cars/trucks before you leave.