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Men's
Bible Study - The Power of God's Word
One
might wonder how a men's Bible study is any different from a woman's Bible
study, or for that matter, any kind of Bible study. After all, it would
seem that the Bible has the same message running throughout regardless of
the gender, age or race of the individual studying it.
Well, we know one thing for sure -- there is transformation in the heart
of anybody who chooses to study the word of God. The Bible says, For
the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,
and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and
marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart
(Hebrews 4:12). Could this really be true? Absolutely! This is a book with
paragraphs, sentences, words and letters that have the power to transform
a human's character and attitude. Therefore, a Bible study is a teaching
experience in which the Holy Spirit empowers us to understand and be
transformed by God's written Word!
Men's
Bible Study - Applying God's Word to the Uniqueness of Men
So,
why a men's Bible study? Can a men's Bible study give a man a better and
clearer understanding of the Bible than another type of Bible study? Does
a men's Bible study offer something different or special to a man which he
might not otherwise get in a group of women or children? The answer to
this question is a resounding 'YES'! Let us explain...
We know unequivocally that men, women and children all deal with different
issues. A child doesn't worry about paying the bills, a man doesn't worry
about getting pregnant, and a woman doesn't worry about making the high
school football team. Since we know each group has specialized thinking,
concerns and emotions, we need to take this understanding and apply it
when studying the Bible.
Men have their own set of fears, joys, emotions and issues. Wisdom tells
us to gather together with other men to study how the Bible applies
specifically to a man's heart and life. In particular, a big issue for men
is battling pride. Pride tells us to be a lone ranger. It gently reminds
us of our own self-worth and how isolation and self-teaching is far more
impressive and beneficial. Don't give into this false thinking!
Unfortunately, for many men, this is how they view the investment of
committing to a men's Bible study.
With a men's Bible study, one should expect a raw, under-engineered
atmosphere where the Bible teacher, leader, facilitator or author hammers
home God's truth dealing specifically with men's issues. There is a mass
amount of unapplied truth given directly from scripture that isn't being
lived out in men today. Guys are blending with the culture, rather that
battling for obedience as God's men. Men are allowing their eyes and minds
to wander into areas of lust and fantasizing. And, for many men, standing
for integrity in the workplace when everybody else is proudly walking on
the unethical road is a non-issue. Men need to chase truth and combat the
lie. In today's world, men are spending more time at work, on hobbies,
watching TV, and reading the paper than accepting their role and gift as a
father, husband and leader.
Men's
Bible Study - Make a Commitment to Connect
When it comes to Men's Bible Study, we
highly recommend that every man commit to two things:
- Get connected at
the local church into an interactive men's Bible study where the focus
is on the felt-need issues of a man -- issues such as lust, greed,
isolation, materialism, discontentment and strained or broken
relationships.
- Go to your local
bookstore and buy a set of bible studies. In our opinion, one of the
best Men's Bible Studies on the market today is part of the EveryMan
series published by Waterbrook
Press. If you'll take the risk, do the
hard thing, step into your discomfort and make a small investment of
time and money, we know you'll be pleased with the results!
Men, join us
each Wednesday morning 6:30 for our Men's Bible Study. If
once a month fits into your busy schedule, we meet on the First Saturday
of the month at 7 AM in the OSL Cafeteria. We
have a great time of fellowship as we learn how to be Godly men!
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