MISSIONAL COMMUNITY QUESTIONS 

1. Reread Ephesians 5:22-33. If possible, listen to the sermon again.

What does this passage teach or reveal about God? 
What does this passage teach or reveal about human beings and the world? What does this passage teach or reveal about Jesus & the gospel? 
What does this passage teach or reveal about the hope Christ gives now – and the restoration promised in the future? 

 2. In looking over your notes from this weeks sermon what was the most important truth from God's Word? Was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? Any questions?

3. For men to clearly understand the gospel they must understand their nature (Legacy of First Adam).  Read over the list of effects of sin on manhood.  Men, what areas do you see yourself bent toward?  Husbands (initiate a conversation with your wife) Singles (initiate a conversation with a man) and answer this question.  What area(s) do you see me drifting toward?  Ladies, where do you find yourself like a dripping faucet on your husband?  Be willing to share with your MC these tendencies. and why?  

• Work has become frustrating 
• Loneliness 
• Absent Father Wound 
• Passivity (Examples:  Jesus is not a daily priority, isolation, fantasy, silence when they should speak, fear of rejection, lack of organization, boredom, laziness, addiction, blame-shift, insecurity, immature) 
• Aggression (Examples: Anger, Sex, Mr. Law but never Mr. Grace, Speaks when he should be silent, glory-hound, withholds affection)

 4.  In contrast to the question above, we learned men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Legacy of the Second Adam: Jesus).  We saw from scripture examples of how Jesus loved the church.  (We would encourage you to look up scriptures of how Jesus illustrated each one) 

• Loved through leading (headship)
• Loved through sacrificial service
• Loved through pastoring 
• Loved through provision 
• Loved through protection
• Loved through pursuit 

Men, where do you see grace given you strength to illustrate these in your own marriage/life?  Where do you struggle most and need grace to empower you? 

5.  Read 1 Peter 3:7. How does this passage compliment women and not degrade them as culture would try to have you believe?

What are some practical ways we can understand our wives? Show honor? (Men and women please answer so we can compare)

 6. Culture would try to tell you that men and women are the same. The Bible makes clear distinctions while simultaneously affirming that they have equal value and dignity. First Corinthians 16:13 says ‘Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

Men, we want to encourage you all to truly find a sound Biblical definition of manhood.  One that can be passed down to the next generation. Culture is begging for real men. We see Biblically and historically that society tends to work better and more smoothly when men are men…not because women are incapable but because God has simply ordained creation to function thusly. Men, get together with some other Godly men and really flesh out what it means to ‘act like men.’ May we lean on and strive to be like the truest of all men, Jesus.

Below are some resources on the subject:

A Guide to Biblical Manhood by Randy Stinson

Tender Warrior by Stu Weber

50 Crucial Questions on Manhood and Womanhood by John Piper and Wayne Grudem

The Dudes Guide to Manhood by Darrin Patrick

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney

Marriage and the Mystery of the Gospel by Ray Ortlund