The Man in the Mirror – Ch 5, Purpose: Why Do I Exist? (2/9/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 5 – Purpose: Why Do I Exist?

The Big Idea:  We will feel most alive, most useful,and most significant when we are doing what God created us to do.

Philippians 2:13, Acts 17:26, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11

1. We will feel most alive, most useful, and most significant when we are doing what God created us to do. AGREE/DISAGREE. What makes you feel most alive, most useful, and most significant?

2. According to today’s texts, who shapes our personal life purpose and how? What is our part according to
1Peter4:10?

3. Is there a single sentence or thought that captures the essence of your personal life purpose? If so, please share it. What might be some of the benefits to you from completing the How to Develop a Written Life Purpose Statement exercise?

PURPOSE OUTLINE

I. Eternal Purpose

God’s eternal purpose for us is eternal life.

II. Earthly Purpose

God’s earthly purpose for us is to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A. Universal Earthly Purpose

There is a sense in which all men are alike, and God gives all men the same universal purposes. The Bible reveals four universal purposes or, if you prefer, one purpose with four parts—two which relate to relationships and two which relate to tasks:

1. The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37): To love God

2. The Royal Commandment (John 13:34-35): To love one another

3. The Great Commission (Matthew 18:1-20): To build the kingdom

4. The Cultural Mandate (Genesis 1:28): To tend the culture

B. Personal Life Purpose

There is also a sense in which each of us is unique, and God gives each of us a different personal life purpose (Philippians 2:13, Acts 17:26, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 4:10-11). Like a fingerprint, our life purpose is a one-of-a-kind set of marching orders that combines the four universal purposes to which God calls all men. That unique combination draws from our spiritual gifts, natural abilities, acquired competencies, assigned times and places, roles, deeds, service, love, and the Spirit—all of which issue from Jesus Christ.

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 41 mins, 05 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!

The Man in the Mirror – Ch 4, Significance:The Search for Meaning and Purpose (2/9/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 4 – The Search for Meaning and Purpose

The Big Idea:  A Man’s most innate need is his need to be significant – to find meaning and purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:10-14; Acts 17:24-28; John 15:5, Ephesians 1:11-23

1.  How do you keep score? At the end of the day, how do you measure whether or not in has been a “significant” day?

2.  A man’s most innate need is his need to be significant—to find meaning and purpose. The difference in men is in how they go about satisfying their need to be significant. What is the biblical path to significance according to today’s verses (above)?

3.  Do you need to make any adjustments and, if so, what will you think and/or do differently?

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 35 mins, 55 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!

The Man in the Mirror – Ch 3, Biblical Christian or Cultural Christian? (1/26/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 3 – Biblical Christian or Cultural Christian?

The Big Idea: To be a Cultural Christian is to love this life more than the next life.

1 John 2:14-15, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Matthew 13:12-23, Revelation 2:2-5 & 3:15-20

1. Today the following picture of a cultural Christian was presented:

• He loves the world and the things of this world
• He is attached to things
• He produces limited fruit
• He has lost his first love
• He is lukewarm
• He reads his Bible for comfort, but his Forbes for direction
• He follows the God he underlines in his Bible
• He is a Christian on his own terms
• He seeks the God he wants

How prevalent do you think these characteristics are among Christian men you know personally?

2. How do men become cultural Christians?

3. Are you a biblical Christian or a cultural Christian, and why? If you have been a cultural Christian, did you pray the prayer constructed from Revelation 2:5 and 3:19,20?

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 40 mins, 54 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!

The Man in the Mirror – Ch 2, Leading an Unexamined Life (1/26/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 2 – Leading an Unexamined Life

The Big Idea: The unavoidable result of an unexamined life is to end up Christian in spirit but secular in practice.

Colossians 2:8, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 13:5

1. Most men have not carefully chiseled their worldview by a scrupulous search for truth and obedience to God.—an estimated 105 million of 113 million men in the U.S. alone. They have succumbed to the threat mentioned in Colossians 2:8. As a result, many men are Christian in spirit but secular in practice. How do you see this playing out in the circles where you run?

2. What does it mean to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” as mentioned in Romans12:2?

3. How well are you “synced” up with Christ? How often do you sync? Are you satisfied with the results? Is there anything you want to do differently?

Video Study:  Click here to see Patrick Morely teach this chapter (Running time 41 mins, 38 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org, where audio versions and downloads of these studies are available too!

Church Garage Sale – May 3, 2008

Garage Sale – Saturday May 3

The Women’s Ministry is sponsoring a church wide Yard Sale to raise money to donate to Break The Chains /Human Trafficking ministry. We are encouraging men to become involved in this project!  Chairperson Paulette Nuhfer (info coord. & resource person) carouselpdn@aol.comDate: Saturday May 3, 2008

Time: 9am-3pm

Location: Sawmill Baptist Church

Below are the 4 committees and the designated Leader/email address. We ask that men volunteer to assist in any of these areas, just email the particular leader of your interest area to serve. You can volunteer now by clicking on the email addresses.  Details will then follow from the leader.

1. ADVERTISING:

  Leader is Carol Armstrong   (Carol43235@yahoo.com)
 Volunteers thus far: Candi Tibbals & Barbe Crosier2. ORGANIZING-PRICING-SET-UP OF ITEMS ON TABLES:
 Leader is Amelia Tabor  (amelia_tabor@yahoo.com)
 Volunteers thus far: Connal Dorsey, Kathy Hess, & Grace Wilson  (several more are needed for this committee!)

3. CHECK-OUT-MONEY HANDLING:  

   Co-Leaders are Kathy Hess (kahes@sbcglobal.net) & Grace Wilson (gra_wil@MSN.com)
 Volunteers thus far: Trisha Seeger & Thea Cesner (probably only one or two more needed ; will probably work in pairs at say a few hr intervals)4. CLEAN -UP:  Leader is Trisha Seeger (trishaohio@aol.com)
  This committe basically returns the church to ‘Sunday Ready’ order, at least 4 volunteers needed!  This committee will probably meet via email.

Service Opportunities Jan-Mar 2008 “I can do that!”

I CAN DO THAT!

Sunday – January 20

At 10:30am (between Sunday School and Church) we need to set up tables and chairs in the multipurpose room + 2 long tables in the lobby for serving food for the Quarterly Ministry Update Gathering.  Just show up, Trish Seeger will supervise us, and with enough men we can all be in the church service by 10:45am. Please consider staying for tear down afterwards too…it goes even faster.

Movers and Shakers Team

We are forming a special group of men that we can notify by email for setup and tear down of events like this Sunday’s Gathering mentioned above. Please notify Roger Miller by replying to this email that you will say “I can do that!” to be put on the email list that will detail those opportunities in the future.

AWANA Grand Prix Pit Crew – Saturdays February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1  (9am-1pm)

We are forming a special group of men that love working with power tools, hand tools and kids to help Jeff Hines with the Grand Prix Workshops.  For those that don’t know, all the kids (pre-school thru 5th grade, and parents) in AWANA on Wednesday nights will be participating in the AWANA Grand Prix on March 5th.  This is just like the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby and requires the building of the cars prior to the event.  Jeff holds these classes to teach the kids, but needs assistance with helping them work the wood and tools.  If you can only do one Saturday, or just a couple hours it would be a great help!  Please see Jeff directly (he’s the guy in the multimedia booth in the back of the church).

Food Pantry Team

Tom Hess is leading this ministry of the Men of Iron that has already helped several church families.  Prayfully consider how you can assist in this life changing program for our own church family and friends.  Please see Tom for details, or to make monetary contributions.  Tom’s email:  itsme234@sbcglobal.net

Digital Camera and Photography Skills

Are you a shutter bug?  We are looking for someone to volunteer to act as church photographer, capturing pictures of our church family and friends for inclusion in the Church Directory.  These pictures would also be emailed to the families who could then have them printed at their favorite photo store as their current family portrait.  Please see Roger Miller or reply to this email.

Easter Sunday Pancake Breakfast – Sunday March 23

We are forming a service team to be called The Grub Guys that will volunteer to help with food preparation for church functions sponsored by the men’s ministry.  Please see Roger Miller or reply to this email to be put on the special email list.  This pancake breakfast will probably be our first event.

Super Bowl Party & Men’s Chili Cook-off – Feb 3, 2008 6:00pm

Chili Cook-off Rules

Join us Sunday Feb 3 starting at 6:00pm for our First Annual Super Bowl Party & Men’s Chili Cook-off (kickoff is 6:18pm).  Todd Jone’s home at 4142 Bryson Cove Circle, Dublin 43016.  All men and their families are welcome!  Bring friends!  Bring your best chili!  Watch Super Bowl XVII with great food and fellowship.  This event was expanded to include Youth (in their own adults-free zone) and for the football widows.

The Man in the Mirror – Ch 1, The Rat Race (1/12/2008)

The Man in the Mirror, Solving the 24 Problems Men Face: Chapter 1, the Rat Race

The Big Idea:  The rat race is the conflict between who I am created to be, and who I am tempted to be.

Galatians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 23:12, Hebrews 12:1-3

1.  Which rat trap tempts you the most, and why?

2.  In The Message, a paraphrased version of the Bible, Matthew 23:12b reads, “If you are content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” Is contentment hard or easy for you, and why? Do you worry that your life will count and, if so, how does this verse speak to you? Would memorizing it be helpful? If so, consider underlining it and put it where you will see it several times a day.

3.  Of the ways we can get out of the rat race mentioned today, which one most resonates with you. Explain your answer.

Video Study: Click here to see and hear Patrick Morley teach this chapter (Running time 41 mins, 34 secs)

- Courtesy of www.ManInTheMirror.org where audio versions and downloads on these studies are available too!

Men of Iron Leadership Meeting Dec 8, 2007

At 8am the Men of Iron Leadership Council will meet to decide on the study materials for the Men of Iron men’s grow group to launch in January 2008.

1.   Book:  “The Man in The Mirror”, by Patrick Morley. http://www.maninthemirror.org/ .  This web-site if full of potential resources.

2.   Book:    “The Measure of a Man” by Dr. Gene A. Getz, right now.  The book is designed to be used in a small group or as a personal study.  The book covers 20 qualities of a man based on 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-10.  I’ve just started the book, but our Men’s group may also consider this book.http://www.amazon.com/Measure-Man-Gene-Getz/dp/0830734953/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195085807&sr=1-23.  Book: “Why Men Hate Going to Church”, by David Murrow.  http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/0785260382/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195858037&sr=8-1

4.  Another option is to have single topics at each meeting.  Similar to the sample topics, from Turning Point Ministries.

Hello, Brothers in Christ!

Welcome to the Men of Iron Blog!  or newsletter, if you prefer.

This is your resource to not only learn about the activities and meetings for the Sawmill Baptist Church’s Men’s Ministry, but also for materials to assist you in your devotions with God and to help you grow spiritually. 

 Think of it as your inspiration between Sunday services.