Mission Focused Men for Christ

Latest Episodes:

Parent’s Day Instead of Mother’s Day? May 08, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: In some school districts in America Mother’s Day has been targeted by the cancel culture crows. Some schools have decided to have a gender-neutral Parents’ Day or Family Day instead. We might laugh at this extreme or get angry, but this episode examines how the gender-neutral movement is harming the daughters of our homes, churches, and nation.

For Further Prayerful Thought

Why does the gender-neutral movement and devaluing of motherhood harm a teen girl today?
In the struggle of women to balance their call to use their gifts vocationally and use their gifts to nurture their children, how would you explain the role of the Industrial Revolution? How can this knowledge prevent us from the legalism that a woman should not work outside the home, or the worldly ide a that she must have a career outside the home to be fulfilled?
In your circles, how can you support women who are wrestling with both the calling to be at home with their kids and good stewards by using their gifts outside the home?
How might honoring mothers but also women who are not—for their incredibly precious nurturing hearts warm the hearts of single and childless women?

Feedback to the Host: Pease feel free to contact me at gyagel@forgingbonds.org with push back, questions about resources, other resources or additional ideas about how to help Christ’s men better be equipped for their mission.

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.

Gloriously Feminine May 01, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: The assault by God’s enemy upon God’s gender design of male and female, differently, to complete each other in a union of love, IMAGES the very nature of the Triune God. Make no mistake about it, the assault upon God’s gender design taking place at this cultural moment is an assault against God, Himself. Today’s episode launches a 5-week May series, asking the question, “what are we—the men of the Church of Jesus Christ going to do about it?” This episode examines five ways the rising generation of woman hear the biblical view of gender and gender roles being assaulted in today’s social media.

For Further Prayerful Thought

How do you think the glory of God’s design of femininity is being lost today?
What do you think it costs teen girls to reject God’s design of womanhood?
Why assaults upon what the Bible teaches about gender roles do you hear most often? Which do you find most difficult to refute?
What is God calling you to do to offset the idea that a wife’s calling to fully partner with her husband assigns her the lowly task of being a mere helper?

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.

Satan’s Strategy to Make Us Traitors Apr 24, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Have you ever heard the expression, “Keep your friends close to you and your enemies closer to you?” I don’t agree with that, but I do think that if I am devoted to loyalty to Jesus, giving some thought to how his enemy, Satan, tries to undermine our allegiance to Jesus makes sense. This episode identifies from Scripture some of the tactics Satan uses to get us to betray our Lord.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

Which of Satan’s names seems to you to most reveal his tactics and purpose?
What did you learn about how Satan tries to undermine our confidence in God’s goodness?
Which of Satan’s temptations to Jesus did you identify with most. How can you learn from how Jesus responded?

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:
Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons (cont’d)

Protecting Ourselves from Satan’s Fiery Darts S2 E #16 2/21/21
How the Helmet of Salvation Protects Us in Spiritual Battle S2 E#17 2/28/21
Using the Sword of the Spirit to Stay on the Path of Life S2 E#18 3/7/21
Why Prayer Releases Spiritual Power S2 E#19 3/14/21
Studying How Lust Defeated David S2 E#20 3/21/21
Serving King Jesus is Awesome S2 E#21 3/28/21

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.

A Headline That Changed the World Apr 17, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Throughout the history of the church, it has been easy, at any given cultural moment to feel like Christ and his church are losing. This cultural moment feels that way too. Sometimes we need a fresh blast of wind to blow away the clouds of doom and darkness—a fresh wind of FACTS. This episode seeks to be that wind by pointing to THE FACT OF THE WORLDWIDE IMPACT of the headline, “He is Risen.”

For Further Prayerful Thought:

What arguments against the resurrection have you heard? Which ones are the hardest to refute? What would you say to one who says the story of the resurrection was a legend made up by his followers?
What stands out to you about the way the mustard seek of Christ’s kingdom has grown geographically?
What stands out to you about the way that Christ’s kingdom of righteousness has spread over earth by his followers being salt, light, and leaven?

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Surrounding Our Loved Ones With the Belt of Truth

Kids and the SCIENCE DISPROVES GOD Argument S1 E #48 10/4/20
Answering HOW COULD A GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? S1 E #49 10/11/20
Answering THERE CAN’T BE JUST ONE TRUE RELIGION S1 E #50 10/18/20
Answering YOU CAN’T TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY S1 E #51 10/25/20
Shaping Culture In a World That Jesus Said Hates You S 1 E #52 11/1/20

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.

Understanding the Kingdom We Are to Seek Apr 10, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Jesus commanded us not to be preoccupied with what we will eat or drink or distracted by what we are going to wear. Rather, we are to seek first the kingdom of God. But how do you seek something you can’t describe and don’t know how to define? Modern Christians are not the only ones confused about what this means. Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus spent his last forty days on earth explaining this concept to his disciples, and they still got it wrong, asking “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” But Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom of God are puzzle pieces that do fit together and can make a huge difference in understanding our mission. This episode puts some of those pieces together and illustrates how Christ-followers have sought and prayed for the kingdom of God to advance over the earth.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

What is the most helpful thing you have ever learned about the term kingdom of God?
Do you agree or disagree with the argument that Christians fail to understand what it means to seek first the kingdom of God because they don’t go back to Adam and Eve’s original creation as rulers of kingdom earth and calling to spread shape culture FOR the High King?
How does understanding the ALREADY/NOT YET aspects of the kingdom help you understand it. What is still confusing to you?
What examples of kingdom discipleship stood out most to you?

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Surrounding Our Loved Ones With the Belt of Truth

Kids and the SCIENCE DISPROVES GOD Argument S1 E #48 10/4/20
Answering HOW COULD A GOOD GOD ALLOW SUFFERING? S1 E #49 10/11/20
Answering THERE CAN’T BE JUST ONE TRUE RELIGION S1 E #50 10/18/20
Answering YOU CAN’T TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY S1 E #51 10/25/20
Shaping Culture In a World That Jesus Said Hates You S 1 E #52 11/1/20

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.

A King Worthy of Peter’s Allegiance Apr 03, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Peter’s allegiance to his King, Jesus, was legendary. When HIS SOVEREIGN KING was about to wash HIS feet, Peter, seeing the utter indignity of the King of Kings washing his slave’s feet said to Jesus, “YOU shall never wash MY feet.” When Jesus answered, “if I do not wash you, you have no share with me,” Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but all of me.” I am ALL IN with you. When Jesus said he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter’s loyalty to his master bubbled to the surface and he said essentially, “No. I will never let this happen to you.” When a posse from the chief priest and Pharisees came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and slashed the ear off Jesus’ attacker. Though he did fail Jesus in denying him, Peter’s loyalty to Jesus was absolutely fierce. In this episode we will see Peter as a model for our allegiance to our sovereign lord—but more importantly try to see what it was about Jesus that summoned such intense devotion to him.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

What do you think of the argument that the kind of love we are to give God in the greatest commandment is more about loyalty than feelings? Does this argument matter? Why or why not?
What do you think were the strongest characteristics of Jesus’ kingship that summoned allegiance from the heart of Peter?
Which incidents from Peter’s life stood out most to you?
What ideas do you have about how to regularly stoke the fires of your own allegiance to God?

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Anchoring Our Kids to Biblical Truth About Gender

Christian Men, The Equality Act & the Resurrection S2 E #22 4/4/21
Wisely Protecting Your Child from Gender Confusion S2 E #23 4/11/21
2 Requirements for Steering Teens Towards Godly Sexuality S2 E #24 4/18/21
Help Loved Ones Celebrate God’s Design of Male & Female S2 E #25 4/25/21
Guide Your Teen to Embrace a Biblical Sexual Identity S2 E #26 5/2/21

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.

Godly Men Stand for What is Right Mar 27, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Most men get impatient with too much debating, analyzing, and risk aversion. They just want to do it! This comes out in our walk with the Lord. “Jesus, just tell me what to do, so I can do it. Give me the mountain to be taken, and it will be done by tomorrow.” This podcast can’t promise to make life simple; but we are committed to helping you have a concrete picture of what your mission from Jesus is. Today we look at our calling as agents of reconciliation, a phrase used by Paul and described by Jesus in the last two beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers—those devoted to restoring relationships broken by sin—and those who, in the process of restoring rightness, suffer because of taking a stand for such righteousness.”

For Further Prayerful Thought:

How is understanding our responsibility to be agents of reconciliation—peacemakers—enriched by understanding peace as SHALOM—the flourishing that results from harmony in all four foundational spheres of relationships—with God, self, others, and creation?
Which aspects of being a peacemaker are the hardest for you?
How can we overcome a desire to be liked by people that is stronger than a desire to stand for truth?

Anchoring Our Kids to Biblical Truth About Gender

Christian Men, The Equality Act & the Resurrection S2 E #22 4/4/21
Wisely Protecting Your Child from Gender Confusion S2 E #23 4/11/21
2 Requirements for Steering Teens Towards Godly Sexuality S2 E #24 4/18/21
Help Loved Ones Celebrate God’s Design of Male & Female S2 E #25 4/25/21
Guide Your Teen to Embrace a Biblical Sexual Identity S2 E #26 5/2/21

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.

Seeking the Right Kind of Greatness Mar 20, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: Jesus offered men a shot at greatness—the opportunity to walk across the stage in eternity, have Jesus place a crown on our heads and whisper in our ear, “Well done.” This podcast is for the men who live for that moment—men whose greatest desire is to accomplish the mission assigned to them by Jesus. At the core of this mission is becoming like Jesus, which is one reason our mission is so tough. Yet every ounce of energy and moment of time we devote to building Christ-like character matters—it honors Him eternally. Today we examine two heart attitudes that do not come easily to us—having merciful and pure hearts.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

What insights about mercy can help you be more patient with others, and tolerant of the way THEIR deficiencies make YOUR life more difficult?
Do you agree that in parenting mercy requires both FIRMNESS and EMPATHY? How would you explain the importance of this balance to another?
If spiritual maturity is more about what our hearts love than about what our hands do, what does this mean for your heart loves?

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons

Using the Spiritual Weapon Satan Most Fears Season 2 Episode #9 1/3/21
How Jesus Wants Us to Fight Through Prayer Season 2 Episode #10 1/10/21
Knowing How NOT to Promote Biblical Truth Season 2 Episode #11 1/17/21
Understanding the Breastplate of Righteousness S 2 Episode #12 1/24/21
Myths That Make Us Fear Sharing Our Faith Season 2 Episode #13 1/31/21
Becoming More Contagious Christians Season 2 Episode #14 2/6/21

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.

Give Up Your Small Ambitions Mar 13, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary: The dark evil background of what is happening in Ukraine serves to illuminate by contrast, two brilliant diamonds of Christ-like character in today’s episode: A) Self-controlled might that serves described in the third beatitude by the Greek word PRAUTES vs Russian selfish might that destroys. B) Godly ambition to see the kingdom of righteousness spread described in the fourth beatitude vs Putin’s ruthless ambition to advance his rule over Ukraine.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

Worry and anger are two emotions that signal that we have not fully transferred our personal rights to God. Which rights are the toughest for you to trust God with?
Since “righteousness” could be defined as the path of life, why might Jesus compare craving righteousness to a starving man craving food or parched man longing for water?
What if any new insights stood out to you about our responsibility to hunger for social righteousness. What questions do you still have?

Resource Mentioned In This Episode:

Christian Counter-Culture, John Stott
Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Examining God’s Design of the Heart Passions That Drive Men

The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Approval: A King to Honor S1E #41 8/16/20
The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Impact: A Sphere to ImpactS1 E #42 8/23/20
Called to Be Fierce Protectors and Warriors: A Battle to FightS1 Episode #43 8/30/20
God’s Design for Fulfilling Romance: A Beauty to LoveS1 Episode # 44 9/6/2
Building a Strategic Friendship: A Brother to Labor and Fight BesideS1 E #45 9/13/20
A Hunger for Impact that Outlives Them: A Heritage to Pass OnS1 E #46 9/20/20
How Christians Should Not and Should Respond to Toxic Masculinity S1 E #47 9/27/20

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.

Jesus’ Challenge—Become Like Me Mar 06, 2022

Show notes

Episode Summary. Being a Christian is not just trusting Jesus to forgive our sins; it is enlisting in his cause, pursuing his mission—the spread of his kingdom of righteousness over earth. This episode looks at Jesus’ challenge, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” and what kingdom attitudes look like in the hearts of men.

For Further Prayerful Thought:

Why is accepting Jesus’ challenge to BECOME LIKE HIM so hard?
Which characteristic of the poor in spirit do you most need to focus upon?
Contrast the attitude of hostility towards non-believers whose values are corrupting American culture with Jesus’ example of weeping over Jerusalem’s rejection of him as the Messiah.

Resource Mentioned In This Episode:

Got Your Back: Helping Christian Men Forge the Brotherhood Connections They Need. Available in print, e-book, and audiobook formats.

This Week’s Past Series Highlight:

Examining God’s Design of the Heart Passions That Drive Men

The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Approval: A King to Honor S1E #41 8/16/20
The Hunger of the Masculine Heart for Impact: A Sphere to ImpactS1 E #42 8/23/20
Called to Be Fierce Protectors and Warriors: A Battle to FightS1 Episode #43 8/30/20
God’s Design for Fulfilling Romance: A Beauty to LoveS1 Episode # 44 9/6/20
Building a Strategic Friendship: A Brother to Labor and Fight BesideS1 E #45 9/13/20
A Hunger for Impact that Outlives Them: A Heritage to Pass OnS1 E #46 9/20/20
How Christians Should Not and Should Respond to Toxic Masculinity S1 E #47 9/27/20