Mission Focused Men for Christ

Latest Episodes:

The Last of the Human Freedoms Apr 23, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary.

Holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl’s observation that the last of the human freedoms to be taken away from another man is his freedom to choose his attitude is biblical. It takes enormous spiritual power to choose the godly attitudes of Jesus, but that is precisely why the Holy Spirit was given to us! This episode examines the last two fruits of the Spirit, meekness and self-control.
For Further Prayerful Thought.

In what ways is the 8th fruit of the Spirit, translated meekness or gentleness, like a horse racing across the beach under the control of a rider who loves him?
What have you learned about giving up your rights to God?
What two insights about developing self-control stood out to you?
How does a parent’s approach to disciplining a child help a child stop being out of control themselves and attempting to control everyone around them?

Special Announcement for All those Near Schenectady/Albany, NEW YORK

I will be one of the two keynote speakers at the Iron Sharpens Iron Conference May 20, 2023. The conference is from 8:30-3:00 PM. It includes two main addresses, lunch, and your choice of 2 out of 16 seminars on topics relevant to men. Here is the link.
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Needed: A Few GOOD MEN Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. How do we become the kind of men who leave behind a good or even great legacy that matters? How can we stay focused on a destiny that will make the world a better place, bring great honor to Jesus, and great defeat to the Evil One? Scripture teaches that reaping a great destiny is the result of a process that, day-by- day builds character. This episode examines the character of true GOODNESS and FAITHFULNESS.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

In the chain of sowing and reaping, which ultimately produces a great destiny, what part of that sowing and reaping process do you find the hardest?
It seems obvious that true GOODNESS would mean that we always pursue what is best for another. But if that is the case, why aren’t Christians more intentional about pursing opportunities to share Christ with others?
Which approach to evangelism resonated most with you?
What would you say to someone who says the church should not get involved in politics?
In your own experience, what issues does today’s church need to be more bold in confronting?

Podcasts Series that Addresses Gender Theory

Reconstructing Manhood & Womanhood In Culture Where They Are Broken

The Origin of Gender Theory Which Fractures Personhood S4 E #6 2/5/23
Overcoming a Breakdown in Marriage Intimacy S4 E #7 2/12/23
Kids Who Are Confident in Their Created Gender Identity S4 E #8 2/19/23
Winsomely Promoting the Truth That Gender is Binary S4 E #9 2/26/23

Resource Used In the Podcast

Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels
The Practice of Godliness, Jerry Bridges

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Spirit-Produced Joy in a Culture That Produced Nashville Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. This episode examines how we can cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit to produce true spiritual joy and a radical commitment all through our life to restoring broken relationships fractured by sin—ones relationship to God, himself, other humans, and creation.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

Why would you say it is important to delight yourself in the Lord?
What obstacles get in the way of having a grateful heart?
Why do you think Paul might have deliberately linked rejoicing in the Lord, praying without ceasing, and in everything give thanks?
What do you think it means to be assigned the role by Jesus of being an agent of reconciliation. What prevents you from doing this more successfully?

Resource Used In the Podcast

Radical Gratitude, Ellen Vaughn
Restoring All Things, Warren Smith and John Stonestreet

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Men Wanted for Tough Assignment Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. Today, we begin a series entitled, Building the Mental Toughness of Jesus—a challenge more significant and tougher than traveling to the south pole. For, our opponent is not the outer elements of the physical world, but the inner Goliath of the SELF, whose many faces--self-centeredness, self-preoccupation, self-absorption, self-indulgence, self-exaltation--resist every effort to develop the mental toughness of Christ’s inner commitment to self-giving love. We closely examine ten characteristics of real love set forth by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

How would you explain to another man that only men who want who aspire to inner toughness ought to try to be like Jesus?
What insights about the nature of true, self-giving love most stood out to you?
Which of the ten facets of agape love do you feel like you are exhibiting best?
Which of the ten facets of agape love do you most need to work on?

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Overcoming Discouragement Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. YESTERDAY’S spiritual passion cannot be TODAY’S spiritual energy. This episode addresses the question, “How should Christ-followers deal with those days when we are unmotivated, down, discouraged, and our spiritual energy gone?”

For Further Prayerful Thought.

What life lessons do you see from the example of Elijah’s spiritual high being followed by an emotional low that plunged to the point of asking God to take his life?
How can the truth that nearly any objective that matters goes through the 3 steps of 1) beginning, 2) being resisted but persevered through, and then 3) success restore motivation when we are tired of the battle?
What have you learn about how to prevent failure from demotivating you and failing forward instead?
What would you say to a Christian who said, “the kingdom of darkness just keeps winning. It feels like there is just no point to trying to stop the inevitable slide of our country into evil?”

Resource Used In the Podcast

You Don’t Have to Quit, Ray and Anne Ortland
Restoring Your Spiritual Passion, Gordon MacDonald
The Success Journey, John Maxwell

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Battling Destructive Anger Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. This episode explores what Jesus taught about anger. What it is. The wrong places our anger can take us. And how to overcome it.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

What was the most helpful truth you discovered about anger?
In your experience which experience provokes the hottest anger, something that frustrates reaching your goals, injustice, or being disrespected? Are there other sources of pain you can think of that generate anger?
How can the thought that God never wastes pain hep you overcome anger?

Men's Bible Study on Anger
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For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Leading Our Homes Well Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. This episode is the second that examines the three functions of spiritual leadership at home, staying focused ourselves on our spiritual growth as Christ’s disciple, building a caring relationship with our followers, and equipping and assisting them to reach the goal of spiritual maturity as Christ-followers.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

In your own life, how have you seen the principle lived out that a leader’s influence with you is based on his care for you.
Which aspects of building a caring relationship with a leader’s followers seems the hardest for you.
What aspects of equipping or assisting your followers towards spiritual maturity stood out most to you? Why?

Resource Used In the Podcast

Focus Notebook: A Tool to Empower Christian Men to Accomplish Their Mission by Gary Yagel
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

What Is Spiritual Leadership at Home? Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. In the next two episodes, our goal is for you to come away with a concrete picture of the three components of spiritual leadership in the home and how they work together to maximize our leadership impact in our families.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

How would you answer the question, What does it mean to be the spiritual leader of a Christian home?
Why are all three arrows or lines of the spiritual leadership diagram necessary for good leadership?
What did you learn about the importance of staying focused on the objective of spiritual grow in your own life?

Resource Used In the Podcast

Focus Notebook: A Tool to Empower Christian Men to Accomplish Their MissionbyGary Yagel

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Promoting the Truth that Gender is Binary Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. Today we complete our short 4-week series, Reconstructing Manhood and Womanhood In a Culture Where They Are Broken This episode seeks to answer the question, “How do we let the light of God’s truth about gender shine in the darkened culture around us?”

For Further Prayerful Thought.

In refuting the premise that gender identity is NOT determined by your biological sex, which arguments seemed most cogent to you. What thoughts do you have about winsomely persuading others that gender is binary?
In refuting the premise that it is wrong to fail to AFFIRM one’s chosen gender identity BECAUSE IT VIOLATES THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS if you don’t, which arguments seemed most cogent to you? What do you think is the best way to persuade a coworker that transgender rights can’t violate women’s rights?
In refuting the premise that it is wrong to fail to AFFIRM one’s chosen gender identity BECAUSE THEY WILL COMMIT SUICIDE IF YOU DON’T, which arguments seemed the most cogent to you? What is the most persuasive way to convince others that affirming care is harmful to children?

Resources Used In the Podcast

What Is Woman: One Man’s Journey to Ask the Question of a Generation, Matt Walsh.
Anchoring Your Child to God’s Truth in a Gender-Confused Culture, Gary Yagel.
Our Daughters and the Transgender Craze: Responding with Grace and Truth, Gary Yagel.
Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, Abigail Shrier.
What Would You Say, Colson Center Short Video series.

For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)

Kids Who Are Confident In Their Created Gender Identity Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

Episode Summary. Christ-followers are chosen to be a blessing to the rest of the world. God’s special revelation, the Word of God reveals to us wisdom that is more valuable than gold, truth that is more precious than diamonds. God has gone to great length in Genesis 1 and 2 to show us how he created man and woman to have very different identities, callings, and roles in the family and church family. He has made us stewards of this great treasure—how male and female are designed to relate to one another. This episode examines this great treasure so that we can better share it with those whose view of gender is fractured.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

Egalitarians believe that since man and women are equal it is unfair for God to say that men only are to lead their homes and church homes. How does God’s description in Genesis 1 and 2 of his creation design of male and female to refute egalitarianism, (let alone the teaching of the New Testament)?
What stood out to you about God’s design of masculinity?
Are there some ways you can use your influence with boys or other men to steer them towards godly manhood?
What stood out to you about God’s design of femininity? How do you see false worldviews undermining God’s glorious design?
How can you affirm the godly femininity of the girls and women around you?

Resources Used In the Podcast

Anchoring Your Child to God’s Truth in a Gender-Confused Cultureby Gary Yagel

The Grand Design: Male and Female He Made Themby Owen Strachan amd Gavin Peacock.
For the printed version of this message click here.

For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.

For FREE downloadable studies on men’s issues click here.

To make an online contribution to enable others to hear about the podcast: (Click link and scroll down to bottom left)