Mission Focused Men for Christ

Episode Summary. This episode seeks to examine what the church’s commitment to the poor of our cities should look like. We examine 5 serious flaws in the progressive view of social justice, an ideology which is captivating many young adults leading them to abandon Christianity. Finally, we examine how only the church can bring about the restoration require to solve the problems of our urban poor but raise the question, “Will middle class Christians care enough to do it?”   
Questions for Guiding the Rising Generation to think about this material. 
What is the biblical case for Christians being very engaged with alleviating the poverty and other suffering in our cities?
What would you say to a church leader who said Jesus’ mission for us is to preach the gospel not feed the hungry?
What flaws of progressive ideology’s approach to poverty most stood out to you?
How would you make the case that the true causes of poverty—the breaking of harmony between us and ourselves, each other, God, and creation can best be achieved by the church? 
Recommended Resources 
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.
Before Your Lose Your Faith, Edited by Ivan Mesa
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Episode Summary. The intent of this episode is to strengthen, not weaken, our concern for the plight of the poor. But deeply rooted in our commitment to love the poor must be a commitment to helping the poor and doing so in the right, God-ordained way. This episode seeks to call us to care for the poor, to shun passivity, but to understand the biblical guidance God gives for HOW to help, and not harm, them.
For Further Prayerful Thought.
What rationalizations among Christians have you seen for allowing American consumerism to shape us too much to care significantly about sacrificing to help the poor?
Which instances of compassion without biblical wisdom stood out to you.
Why do you think that selling the dream of utopia to the masses by Lenin in the Soviet Union, Mao in China and other communist dictators worked to cause them to overthrow the government allowing them to seize dictatorial control?
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.
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Episode Summary. We look carefully at the claim made by many social justice advocates that Christians are hypocrites for not standing up for the poor and embracing ECONOMIC EQUALITY for everyone as Jesus would have. Is this claim true? How do we respond to our kids returning from college who are “deconverting” from Christianity because of the failure of today’s church to embrace such equality? Should Christians help the poor by pursuing economic equality? These are the questions this episode seeks to answer.
Resources Used for Today’s Podcast
Institute for Faith, Work and Economics website (excellent, biblical, scholarly articles on the biblical view of economics, helping the poor, etc.)
What Would You Say Colson Center  (Excellent short videos on how to promote a biblical view of economics).
For Further Prayerful Thought.
How would you respond to the average Christian dad who says, “understanding economics is not part of my calling. I can’t answer my kid’s accusations that Christianity is hypocritical and that they can’t embrace a religion that favors American consumerism instead of ECONOMIC EQUALITY as Jesus would have?”
What most stood out to you about current ideologues who have replace the content of the word EQUALITY as equal justice under the law with the concept of the same treatment?
Why does the biblical view that justice is not everyone having the same abilities, assets, and opportunities but that from those who are given much, much is required better match reality than the concept that everyone God creates should be EQUAL in every opportunity, ability, and asset?
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For a summary of topics addressed by podcast series, click here.
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Episode Summary:  In the coming months, secularists and progressives will be seeking to undermine the celebration of America’s spiritual and biblical roots. For us and our families to respond winsomely and persuasively, we must know the facts and not just react with Christian spin, that we are a Christian nation. This episode seeks to equip us to think truthfully, i.e. with historic accuracy and the perspective of God’s Word as we examine the complex issue: Is America a Christian nation?  
For Further Prayerful Thought. 
Why might a black Christian who loves America find it difficult to hear a brother in Christ argue that America was founded as a Christian nation?
What did you find most helpful about the religious beliefs of the five men who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
If America was not founded by Christians as a Christian nation, why does it matter that we are rooted in a belief in God, recognition that human rights derive from God, and dependence upon him?
How would you respond to a progressive friend who says that Christians who want to stop abortion are guilty of violating the constitutional principle of “the separation of church and state.”
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Episode Summary 
Perseverance is a requirement for reaching any worthwhile goal and a quality that God constantly seeks to build into his children. As we come to the closing chapter in our study of Nehemiah, we continue to see an inspiring leader at work, in this case a leader who persevered, a leader who confronted sin when it needed to be dealt with, and a leader who finished his race well.
For Further Prayerful Thought
What is your reaction to the direct match in chapter 10 (what the inhabitants of Judah vowed), with chapter 13, (the vows they had broken)?
What have you discovered to be the hardest part of confrontation?
Have you made commitments during a spiritual high that you found tough to keep when you were spiritually low? What have you discovered about keeping your spiritual passion high? What have you discovered about watching over your heart?
What do you find most encouraging about Jeremiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant that Hebrews 8 tells us has come to pass in Christ?
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)