1. What is one bad habit you have had in the past, or are still struggling with now? What is one of the many good habits you have at present?
2. What is the one habit you wish you could go back and tell younger you to do, or not do?
3. Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16. What are some ideas that Paul shares with Timothy that can help us stay disciplined at knowing Jesus and following Jesus?
4. Summer is coming. Time for a break.  But Paul just said, “train yourself to be Godly.”  Each of you share one way/habit that you plan to keep doing or start doing that will help you be better trained for God’s mission?
5. Pray over each other to help support one another on our journeys with Jesus. To do so, each guy share what they need prayer for.

1. Tell about a time or place when you felt like you were standing on Holy Ground. What made it feel that way?
2. Paul tells us in Titus 1:8 to live a holy life. How holy is your life?  Does it help us to know that our being holy is completely dependent upon God and His grace?
3. God loved you while you still sinned.(Romans 5:6-8) God paid the price for your sins to save you.(Romans 3:22-25)  God continues to save you from sinning towards a better (Holy)life.(Romans 12:1-2)   How do we feel about what God does for us? 
4. Why do many people want to do something to make themselves acceptable to God? Or, why do we try to have our works save us instead of having faith in God and His grace?
5. Read John 14:15-31. As you read, notice and talk about what Jesus says the Holy Spirit will do for us to help us on our journey of becoming more holy.  What are some ways you are collaborating with the Holy Spirt on your journey of holiness?

1. Do you think its fair and just that the Chiefs won the Super Bowl?
2. How do you feel about God being fair and just? In what situations do you struggle with this?  Read 1 John 1:5-10.  How is God being fair and just in regards to who he forgives and who can find salvation?  How might we struggle with this?
3. What experiences have you had or observed where people have been treated unjustly? How could things have been handled differently?
4. Can you think of relationships where either you would like to be treated more fairly, or where you would like to be more just and fair in your dealings with others?
5. Read Matthew 5:43-47. What does Jesus say “perfect” is all about?  How do we feel about this?  What are some specific ways we can better live this out?   

1. Name a place that you would consider to be a “good” place to eat. What makes it good?
2. Why is it often difficult for us as Christian men to love what is good? (God decides what is good)
3. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-4. Pick one of the attributes Paul lists herein, and share how you could see it keeping someone from loving God/the good.  If you struggle with one of the things on the list, tell the guys about it.
4. The two greatest commands are Love God, Love People. What are some practical ways living out those two commands make life better?
5. What aspects of your life would you like to change, or have God change for you, in order to be able to love God wholeheartedly and love the good more? What is one step you will take?

1. Who is one of your favorite characters in a tv show or movie that plays a husband or father? Why do you appreciate them?
2. Tell about a time or a way when you mismanaged your household. How did it affect you?  Others? 
3. Tell about a time or a way when you managed your household well. How did it affect you? Others?
4. What do you believe are the most significant areas most men need to consider to be better husbands and fathers and grandfathers?
5. A passage I have used many times at weddings in preparation for a marriage/family is Colossians 3:12-17. Pick apart each verse or each principal.  Share different ideas how you can practically apply each principle into “managing your household well.” 
6. What is a step you plan to take to be a better husband/father/grandfather?

1. If you won a BIG lottery of some kind, what 1 thing you would like to do with it?
2. How has the “love of money” caused problems for you in the past? In what ways has it hurt you and/or your relationships with others?
3. Read the story in 2 Kings 5:13-27. How did the “love of money” show up in this story?  How was a heart of generosity part of Elisha’s life?
4. Why is generosity an important attribute to learn as a Christian? How does it affect us?  How does it affect others?
5. Hebrews 13:1-6. Read through each verse one at a time.  How does each action have to do with a heart of generosity? 
6. What is one step you hope to take to move from a “love of money” issue towards a more generous way of life?

1. We are talking about Peace, so what would be your favorite piece of pie?
2. Can you describe a relationship that is difficult because of contentiousness?
3. When is a time, or where is a place/relationship where you might be the one to cause some dissention or contentiousness? What tends to trigger this?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:8-12. How do each of the things we are called to do in verses 8-9 lead towards peace in our relationships?  What happens if we don’t practice them?   
5. Notice how in verse 10 it says ““If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days”, then follows in verse 11 with “Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” Tell about a time you didn’t enjoy life because peace was not on your mind.  Now tell about a time God led you to “search and work” for peace and were blessed because of it.
6. Bonus: Read John 17:20-26. What is Jesus praying that His followers will be?  What is his purpose for us being unified?(verse 23)  When/how do you see that working?

1. Have you ever been given a 2^nd chance when you didn’t deserve it? If so, tell the story.
2. What are some relationships in your life in which you have difficulty being fair-minded, considerate and gentle in handling people? If you knew their entire story, how might it change your attitude?
3. Talk through the story of Jonah in the Bible to make sure everyone knows the gist of it. What can we learn from Jonah as far as this attribute goes throughout the story, even after his “fish” experience? How does God deal with the different characters in the story?   Who are you more like in the story, Jonah or God?
4. What are some ways to know when we need to hold someone accountable, and when we need to be gentle and/or share grace?
5. Which Jesus story can help us learn this attribute better?

1. Name one of your favorite John Wayne movies, or Super Hero movies, or war movies. What made it good?   What is more important to us in these movies…action, violence, good guys winning, ______________?
2. Have you ever observed or experienced verbal or physical abuse of some kind? Why did it happen?  How did it affect you and what have you or can you or are you doing to overcome it?
3. Why do you think hurt/abused people frequently grow up and hurt/abuse others? What are some ways these patterns of behavior can be broken and changed?
4. Read Galatians 6:1-6. What does Paul share that can help us as Christian men find ways that can help solve these problems in culture?
5. Do any of you have a pattern of hurting others? How can your LG Brothers be praying?  How can forgiveness play out moving forward? 

1. Which one of these angers you more? Dealing with idiots involving driving, shopping, sports, or politics?  Why is that the case?
2. What experiences can you share in which you have seen in you or in others, anger and/or a quick temper out of control?
3. What have you discovered about the causes of your quick temper and/or anger?
4. Read Ephesians 4:26. What practical principals does Paul share?  Now, let’s see what is behind these principals.  Read Eph 4:17-24.   What is at the heart of a quick-tempered person?  What does Paul share that can help us grow out of this struggle?
5. Bonus: Read James 1:19-21. What does James share that can practically help us with our anger/quick temper? (Everyone check out Reading Plans on the Bible App for Anger)

1. What is your favorite part of the week of Thanksgiving? What are you most thankful for at this time in your life?
2. Without being specific, can you describe men you know who are self-willed/self-centered? How do these men affect you and others they associate with closely?  If others were asked this question about you, how might they answer?
3. What is one part of your life in which you tend to be selfish/self-centered/self-willed? What turmoil or destruction happens when your selfish tendencies show up?
4. Read Philippians 2:1-4. What principals does Paul present that can help with our self-centeredness?  If we specifically apply those principals to our struggles in Question 3, how could it help?  
5. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. Verses 1-3 tell of great things being accomplished, but with self-centeredness.  Come up with some present-day examples of this.  Now look over verses 4-7, discuss how each “Love is…” counters selfishness.  What is one step you will take to move away from selfishness this week?

1. What is a food that is very easy for you to over-indulge? Or, tell about a time when you ate more than you should have and paid the consequences for it.
2. Read Ephesians 5:15-20. What is at the heart of this section, and what does practically living it out help us accomplish for the Kingdom?  Could we replace “Don’t be drunk with wine” with any other excessive behaviors and apply the principal?  (Food, fantasy football, video games, porn, etc) Explain.
3. How can Christians avoid rationalizing engaging in behaviors that may indeed be sinful?
4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23-24. Paul was speaking about sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols, but how can this principal be applied to excessive drinking, or other excessive behaviors? How can Christians avoid using their Christian liberty/freedom in ways that cause others to stumble and fall into sin?

1. Tell about a good teacher/mentor in your past. What qualities made that person a good teacher/mentor?
2. What is one thing you feel comfortable teaching others about? What is the scariest part of you being the one to communicate/teach/mentor others about Jesus?
3. Tell about a communication/teaching/mentoring experience you had that was challenging or threatening? What was the outcome? How do the other character traits we already discussed in earlier chapters help us?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:8-18 one verse at a time. Each verse has at least 1 principal and/or thought that could help you to teach/mentor/communicate with others. 
5. What is one way you plan to get better at presenting/communicating so that you can better share that you know Jesus with the people around you?

1. What is the best meal YOU(not your wife) could/would make if someone came to your house for a meal?
2. Tell about a time when you were blessed by someone else’s hospitality. Besides the food/drink, what made it a blessing?
3. Read Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-35 to see a glimpse of hospitality and generosity in the early church. What are some of the attributes of hospitality/generosity we see?  In what ways is the present Church comparable?  In what ways have we changed? 
4. Read Romans 12:9-13. What barriers do you/we face and have to overcome in applying what Paul says into our lives, especially practicing hospitality?
5. What are some ways you and/or your family are hospitable? Can you think of something you’d like to do immediately to begin to develop this Spiritual quality in your life?

1. Other than looks, what attribute in others do you find most attractive? What attribute in others do you find to be the most unattractive?
2. What area of your life outside the church building do you find the most difficulty in living out your Christian walk? Why is that? 
3. Read Ephesians 5:1-2. What is an attribute of God that you would love Him to help you “imitate?”
4. To understand what Paul means by “imitating God”, read Ephesians 4:25-32 and/or Ephesians 5:3-8. If God changed us in any of these areas, how would that make us more “Respectable” to other people?   If you perfectly lived out these verses, what one attribute of yours would it change in your life?  What’s stopping you?

1. Tell about something in life that you had to learn the hard way.
2. Who is someone that you would consider to be prudent(living wisely)? What is it that makes you think that?  Do you feel anyone looks at you that way? Why or why not?
3. What is an area of life in which you could use some practical life wisdom? Do you believe that God could/would help?  Read James 1:5-8.  3:13-18  What message does James share with us about God’s wisdom?  What does it look like?  If we grow in it, in what ways will it bless us?
4. Read Proverbs 2 in small sections. Verses 1-4(what we are called to do) ; 5-8; 9-11; 12-15; 16-19; 20-22; In each section: What does it tell us about God?  What are the benefits of us gaining Godly wisdom?  
5. Each person share what step(s) they are taking/will take to grow in God’s practical life wisdom.

1. What are some things that can get you worked up? Why do they? (Politics? Driving? Sports? Home life? Others?)
2. Why would Paul tell Timothy that being “Temperate” is an important quality for a mature Christian? What benefits could it bring into your daily life?
3. Read Philippians 4:4-9; What are some practical ideas or principals that Paul shares that can help us to be more temperate in life?
4. Gene Getz, out of 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, shares that to grow in the attribute of being temperate, we need to grow in faith, hope and love. (Faith – Trusting God in how to live. Hope – a perspective that life on earth is short compared to eternal life.  Love – Sacrificing self for others.)  Which one of these needs to grow more in your life to help temperance grow?  What step(s) will you take to help that growth?  

1. If “Moral Purity” is only having “one wife”, how old were you when you started to struggle with this one? In other words, at what age did you begin to notice and want to connect with girls?  In what ways have you struggled over the years? (TV, magazines, online images, relationships, etc…)
2. Last week we talked about a good reputation; why do you think Paul followed up that attribute with “one wife” or moral purity? Why is this attribute so important? 
3. If you are married, how is the communication with your wife in regards to your struggle with moral, sexual purity? How can we be honest with our wives without them feeling threatened?
4. Read 1 Tim 6:11-16. Practically speaking, how could Paul’s suggestions work in this area of life?  What are some things that have worked for you in maintaining moral purity?  What are some things that have NOT worked for you?
5. Why do you think some men have more difficulty maintaining moral purity? What can your Life Group do to walk alongside those men in your group moving forward?

1. If we asked 5 people who went to High School with you, what would they say you were known for? What was your reputation?
2. What about if we asked that same question to people who are in your present circle(s)? Including immediate family?  People at work?  In your Life Group?  In the community?
3. What are some things for which Jesus had a reputation? Come up with a list.  Read Matthew 9:9-13  Was this a good thing, or a bad thing for his reputation?
4. Thinking back to questions 1 and 2. Do you have the reputation of being a Christian, or follower, or imitator of Jesus?  Why or why not?
5. Read 1 Peter 2:11-17. What does Peter say to Christians about our reputations?  What are some ways we can apply those suggestions to our lives?

1. What are the 3 most important qualities when choosing a restaurant? A hotel?
2. If you were hiring a new person for a business, other than the skills to do the job, what are the 3 most important qualities you would look for in that person?
3. What does being a Godly man, a man of faith, or a faithful man mean? Are they sinless?(no)  What are some characteristics?
4. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-10. Titus 1:6-9.  Is this only a list for Pastors and Church Boards, or should this be a list we all strive for in life?  Why, or why not?

The List of Attributes:

• Becoming Faithful
• Good reputation
• Eyes only for your wife
• Temperate
• Prudent
• Respectable
• Hospitable
• Able to teach/mentor
• Not addicted to wine
• Not self-centered
• Not quick-tempered
• Not pugnacious
• Gentle
• Peaceable
• Free from the love of money
• Manages household well
• Loves what is good
• Just
• Devout
• Self-controlled

5. Which things on the list are strengths for you? Why?  What are the biggest growth areas?  What factors are holding back growth in those areas?

1. If you have children, tell about a time when they disobeyed you, or a time when they broke your heart.
2. Read Hosea 3. God calls Hosea to chase after his wife who has left him for another man.  How would you feel if your wife became a prostitute?  What are some idols we chase after? Talk about how God feels when we chase after idols or worldly things in our lives? 
3. God loves us unconditionally. Now, discuss the emotions we face when we consider that God loves us even when we prostitute ourselves with other idols?  Notice in Ch 3, Hosea paid to get Gomer back.  Reflect on what the cross means to us.
4. Read Hosea 14. After God shares the pain of our sin throughout the middle chapters of Hosea, what suggestions do we find in 14?  What blessings come our way if we walk with God?

1. What are your 3 favorite hobbies?
2. In comparison to those hobbies, where does reading the Bible rank?
3. How often do you read the Bible? What is your purpose in reading it?  How does it affect your life?
4. Read 2 Kings 23:1-7; 24-25. What are the effects of God’s Word on Josiah and those around him?  If you chose to respond to God’s Word as Josiah did, what would potentially happen?
5. Turn to Psalm 119. Choose several of the 8 verse sections. (there are 22 of them)  Read a section and answer these questions: What does the writer think about God and His Word? What can the Word do for the reader?  What does the writer ask of God?  What does the writer say he will do?
6. IF you need more to discuss: Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17.  What 3 principals does Paul share with Timothy in regards to God’s Word?

1. What is something that you helped to fix, or to make better than it was?
2. Tell about a person who you helped with something that was broken or hurting in their lives.
3. Read or skim Genesis 37:12-28. In what ways are Judah and his brothers looking out for themselves?  What pain did it cause both to others and to themselves?  (The Tamar story from the podcast is between these two stories) 
4. Read or skim Genesis 44:10-20; 30-34. What changes do we see in Judah?  How does this change affect the story and the people in the story?
5. Who has something in their life that is not where God would want it to be? How is it hurting you? Others?  What step(s) can be taken towards God’s path?

1. “I would have to see IT to believe IT.” What would “IT” be for you?
2. What is the most amazing thing you ever witnessed? How was God part of that thing?
3. In the Elisha story Paul talked about in 2 Kings 6, which of these was harder to believe? The vision his servant was able to see?  The army being blinded, then unblinded?  Or the willingness of the Israelites to love the enemies with a banquet?  Why?
4. Read 2 Kings 5:1-16; Who and when are the different characters living from faith, and from God’s point of view?  Who and when are they not?
5. What is something that your faith in God has helped you with in life?
6. What is something that you struggle with in life that a better heavenly, eternal, faith in God perspective would help? What are you doing to help gain that perspective? 

1. What things or people come to mind when you hear the word “Unwavering?” What are the attributes?
2. Read 1 Kings 18:20-21. If someone knows the Mt Carmel story, give a quick overview.  If not, Read/skim verses 22-38.  Share thoughts.  Now read 18:40.  Are the people “unwavering” now?  Why do you think?  How does someone become unwavering in their faith?
3. Read 1 Kings 19:1-9. Is Elijah un/wavering?  How does God meet us in moments like this?
4. Tell about someone who has mentored you in some way? Why did you trust them?  Who are the faith mentors you are trusting right now? 
5. Who are you mentoring? What does that look like?
6. Read 2 Kings 2:1-14. What’s going on in Elisha’s heart through this part of the story? The “double portion” is simply saying, I want to carry on God’s work.  What are some memories of God’s work that you want to carry on for the Kingdom?

1. Have each guy tell the others in your group 2 truths and 1 lie, and see if the others can guess which is the lie.
2. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-13 which is following David’s sin with Bathsheba. If you were Nathan, how hard was it to walk into David’s court to share the truth? What can we learn from the story he shared about sharing truth with others?  What can we learn from David about receiving hard truth? What kind of relationship did these two have that helped these hard moments?
3. Who are the people, and what are the truths that are not always easy to tell?
4. When is a time when you had to share God’s truth with someone that was not easy, but would bless them following? What Godly wisdom did you learn from that story?
5. Read Matthew 18:15-20. What is the goal in sharing truth?  What principals does Jesus share that are valuable for us in sharing truth with others? 

1. Tell a story of a time when you were asked to do something which you felt super underqualified to do. How did it go?
2. Gideon’s story is eventually one of being a mighty warrior and leader of the Israelites. But he first needed some steps of faith.  Read each of these parts of the story to see the steps of faith. How does God help assure Gideon that HE can be trusted with each step?  

• Judges 6:25-32 (Notice when and why G carried out God’s orders)
• Judges 6:36-40 (Notice what G was trying to figure out)
• Judges 7:7-15 (Notice in verse 10 how G is feeling)

3. What are some of God’s attributes that shine through in this story? In what ways can those attributes encourage your faith journey?
4. What is a step of faith that you know you should take, but are needing some encouragement from God? What is a way God could encourage you?
5. Bonus material: Skim the first part of Hebrews 11. Read 11:32-40.  How could these people’s faith stories encourage us in ours?  Now read Hebrews 12:1-3.  What is encouraging in this passage?

1. If we asked your family, what is something(anything) that they would tell us that you do faithfully?
2. Read Genesis 6:9-13. Put yourself in Noah’s place. What does it feel like to faithfully follow God even though everyone around you is heading in the opposite direction? 
3. Noah was asked to build the ark even though the world had not seen a flood at that point.   How do you think his family was feeling about this journey?  Explain
4. What is something God encourages us to live out that is hard to do? What would happen if we did it?  What if we didn’t?
5. Read 1 Peter 4:1-5; 12-19. What hope does Peter share for those suffering for their faith?
6. Who here has faced suffering of some level, of some kind for being a Christian? What did that look like for you?  What good came out of that situation?

1. Name a person, or an activity, or a thing, that if they/it all of a sudden disappeared from the earth, your life would be drastically affected. Why?
2. Tell about one of the greatest moments of worship you experienced. What made it great?
3. Read Genesis 4:1-12. What possible daily thoughts and habits in Abel’s life as a shepherd led him to the amazing time of worship?  What about Cain’s life, the gardener/farmer?  
4. Read Mark 12:28-34. In verse 33, what does this man know that Cain didn’t?
5. In the Mark text, Jesus says we are to “Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength.” In you normal day/week, how could or does this play out?  (Possibly break it down through those 4 words)  How is it an act of worship?
6. IF loving God and loving others is an act of worship in each moment of the day, how worshipful is your average week? Are you showing up on Sunday mornings after a good week of worship?

1. What is the most romantic thing you have ever done?
2. If the guys have not read the story, Read Ruth 2-4.
3. Discuss the characteristics of Boaz. If you had to guess, what makes him the man he is in the story?  OR…What can we believe to be some of his habits?
4. In the podcast, Paul pointed out several of Boaz’s attributes. (Noticed Ruth.  Protected her.    Praying for her.  Doing the honorable/righteous thing.)  Why would each of those attributes be attractive to a woman?  Which of those attributes would be most attractive to a woman, and why?
5. Read Romans 12:9-18. Paul gives several suggestions to help with relationships.  Which one of Paul’s suggestions will bless your wife/girlfriend/daughter, etc the most?  Which one of Paul’s suggestions is most challenging for you?  Why? 
6. What is one thing Boaz is encouraging you to live out this week?

1. Tell a recent story about a conversation where you should have gotten a pat on the back due to how good you communicated. Now tell a recent story about a conversation where you should have gotten a kick in the *** due to how bad you communicated.  What led up to those different conversations? 
2. Paul in the podcast shared several ways our silence keeps us from a better life. (Not confessing sin to God; Not letting someone else know that they hurt you; dealing with conflict by bottling or stuffing it;  Not sharing the Gospel with someone;  Not speaking up when others are being hurt)  Which of those silent treatments are a struggle for you?  Why? 
3. Read Colossians 4:2-6 Paul looked at verses 5 & 6 during the podcast.  In verses 2-4, what does Paul say is vital to us having grace filled, salty conversations with others?  What are some of the ways in which prayer can be so vital to our conversations?  With whom will you be having a conversation with that grace and salty will help that moment?  Why?
4. The topics of this semester: Divisive, argumentative, complaining, retaliating, hasty, boasting, flattering, manipulative, belittling, cynical, know-it-all, self-absorbed, harsh, tactless, rude, discouraging, doubting, judgmental, self-deprecating, silence. Which one or two of these is still your nemesis?  Take turns laying hands on and praying over each man in your group and the communication struggle each has that God will help them do better.

1. If you could add one trait/attribute/ability to your life, what would it be and why? (no super hero traits.) If you could remove one trait/attribute/ability from your life, what would it be and why?
2. Read Psalm 139:13-18. When you consider these words, what does God think of you and what does he think of others?  How does God feel when we talk poorly about his amazing creations, whether it’s ourselves, or others?
3. Based upon your upbringing, socialization, and life experiences, what are some of the groups of people, or traits of people you could potentially judge negatively? When this happens, what does it do to you?  To the person you are judging and your relationship with them? 
4. Have you ever made a judgement about someone, only to discover you were wrong in your assessment because you didn’t know all the facts?
5. Read Matthew 7:1-5. What are some of the practical principals of Jesus’ words?  What does the plank in our eye do to us if we keep it there?  What happens if we allow God to remove it?
6. If you have the tendency to be either judgmental or self-deprecating, what is one step you will try next week to allow God to move in your relationships?

1. What person has been your biggest cheerleader in life? Describe how she/he has impacted your life?
2. Have you ever abandoned a dream or a course of action because of someone’s discouraging words, or their doubt, and later regretted your decision to do so?
3. Read Joshua 1:1-9. If you were Joshua, would you feel encouraged or discouraged?  Why?  Would you feel doubt, or confidence moving forward?  Why?  What are some of the key words of encouragement and hope which God shares with Joshua?  In general, what words of encouragement does God share with each of us?
4. With whom do you sometimes share doubt and discouragement? What leads you to share it with them?  How do you feel, and how do they feel when you do it?  Each man share one person who they will intentionally encourage this week, and how you might do it.  How will they respond? 
5. Read Matthew 17:14-20. How big was God for the disciples?  Or their faith in God?  What is a “mountain” that God has helped you move because of your faith?  (Forgiving someone you didn’t want to forgive;  tithing;  serving in the church; leaving a job; asking a certain girl out, etc)  What is a “mountain” that you would love God to help you move, but at present you doubt it could happen?  

1. What is the harshest, rudest, tactless thing you can remember being said to you? What’s the worst one you can remember saying to someone else?
2. Where are the places, what is the context, or who are the people around you, when you have the tendency to be rude, tactless or harsh with your communication?
3. Read 1 Samuel 25:1-13. Nabal was harsh, rude, and tactless.  Why?  What are some of the things that can cause us to be this way towards others?  What are your thoughts on how David reacts? 
4. Now read 1 Samuel 25:14-17;20-28. What does Abigail teach us? How should we respond to someone like Nabal?  Read Proverbs 25:21-22.  The enemy is the one who is rude or harsh to you.  What’s the lesson?  What does this tell me if I am the “enemy” or the one who is rude or harsh to someone?
5. Read Matthew 7:12. How important is this thought from Jesus?  How does being rude, tactless, and harsh agree/disagree with this command?  IF we apply it, how does it affect our lives, and other people’s lives in those moments we are sometimes rude, harsh or tactless?  How does if affect us when others are nasty to us?

1. If you were on Jeopardy, what is one category of questions you would do well with? A category you would crash and burn?  How does it feel to be smart/wise about a topic of conversation?  How does it feel to NOT be?
2. Where are the places, or who are the people where you could potentially demonstrate self-absorbed or know-it-all tendencies? How do people respond to you in those moments?  When you are with someone else who shows those tendencies, what is your reaction?
3. Read each of these Proverbs. What consequences come to those with these pride issues?  What happens to those who are humble?  Proverbs 12:23; 13:18; 15:32; 18:1; 29:23.  How do you see this play out in life?
4. If you must interact with a know-it-all, what are some things you could do, and some things you probably shouldn’t do? What if it is a self-absorbed person?
5. Read Romans 12:3-5.  What foundational principals can be found in this passage to help us with these communication problems if/when we have them?  Now read Romans 12:9-16.  Paul shares many suggestions for us.  How do each of his suggestions practically help us to be more humble and less prideful and selfish?  How would each action build better relationships?

Belittling people, cynical people

Life Group Discussion Questions:

1. Everyone tell at least One thing good (positive) about your wife (or family member). One good thing about Wyoming.  One good thing about our present federal government.
2. Is it easier for you to think and talk about negative, or positive things? Why?  What areas of life are more negative?  More positive?
3. Read Psalm 1. Those who belittle others, and those who are cynical(mockers) find themselves in verse 1.  What comes to those who are cynical and belittling?  What blessings are promised throughout the Psalm to those who resist cynicism and belittling (among other sins)?  How does meditating on God and his Word change us?
4. Tell about a time when you were belittled or a time when you belittled someone else. How did it affect you?  The other person?  How did it affect the relationship?
5. Read Ephesians 4:29 – 5:5 The heart of this passage is in 5:1 “Imitate God” or “Follow God’s example.”  As you read the rest of these verses, what are some of the many ways Paul talks about our communication?  What blessings follow imitating God?  What if we don’t?
6. What would it look like if you shared a positive comment with everyone you encountered for the next 3 days? With whom would you struggle to do that?  How might it change a rough relationship?

1. What is your greatest pickup line that you used to use.
2. Where/when are the times when you use flattery or manipulation? What are some of the outcomes?
3. Is using flattery or manipulation ever a good thing?   What about lies in general; is there ever a right/good time to use them?  Read John 8:44; from where do lies come?
4. Read Luke 20:20-26. What was the intention of the spies?  What are the flattering/manipulating tactics the spies tried to utilize?   What pain did it bring to the relationships?  How did Jesus respond?
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6. What did Paul want to make sure the people knew he and his friends were NOT doing?  Who was Paul wanting to honor with his words and life?(verse 4)  Go back to answers to question 2;  How could Paul’s mindset change how we talk to others?
6. Read 1 Thess 2:7-12. How did Paul and his friends live in front of the Thessalonians?  Now read 2:13.  What was the outcome of Paul’s truth filled, God honoring, sharing blessings with others life?

1. Tell a story (funny or sad) of a time when you stuck your foot in your mouth. A time when you wish you could push the rewind button on what you said.  What consequences came out of it?
2. Read Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 29:20. What are the conditions in the moments when you seem to speak in haste?  If you are aware of those moments, what could you do differently?
3. Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-2. Have you ever made hasty promises to God?  How did that go?
4. When is boasting in accomplishments a good thing? When is it not?
5. Read Judges 7:1-8; Why did God want to send home the majority of the army? Why do you think God wanted to keep them from boasting in themselves?  What are some negative effects of us boasting in our own accomplishments?
6. Read Luke 14:7-11; In what ways can this parable/teaching of Jesus practically change our habits/ways of communication?  What could the benefits be?  How does simply loving others help to keep from boasting?

1. Who are some of the enemies in your life? Who are those people who hurt/frustrate/anger you the most, and why? How do you normally respond to those people?
2. If we choose to complain or retaliate in response to our enemy’s words or actions, are there any good outcomes? What would be some of the bad outcomes?
3. Read Luke 6:27-28. What are the 4 things Jesus said we must do for an enemy instead of retaliating?  Have you ever tried one of these things?  If yes, how did it go?  What could/would each one of those things do for us?  What could/would it do for the enemy?  Which of the 4 is the hardest for you to consider?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:9. Share some examples of what the blessings could look like if we chose to follow Peter’s wisdom.
5. What is the one thing you are tempted to complain about the most? To whom do you complain?  Does the complaining fix the issue?
6. Read Philippians 2:14-15. IF we followed what Paul says, how could it change the situation we are in?  What could we choose to do instead of complaining?  What if we did what Paul says in Philippians 4:8?

1. Tell a funny or rough story of a time when your communication caused problems.
2. With whom do you communicate well? With whom do you struggle?  What are some of the ways you tend to get into trouble with your communication?
3. Read Psalm 19:1-4a. God’s creation tells us about God.  What message has God’s creation shared with you about God?  Read Psalm 19:12-14.  Thinking back to some of your communication struggle areas (Question 2), how could this prayer help those parts of your life? 
4. Who loves a good argument? Why?  Who here, like Pastor Paul, stirs up arguments just for the fun of it? (even though it’s not fun for others) 
5. Read Jude 1:17-21. What does Jude say is/are the underlying reason(s) that a person stirs up arguments and division?  On the flip side, what are 4 things he suggests Christians do to go against being argumentative and divisive?  How can each of the 4 help us to fight against divisive moments?  (Build each other up; pray in the power of the HS; realize God’s mercy; keep in God’s love)
6. If time…read 2 Timothy 2:23-25. What does Paul share with Timothy about arguing?  What should we do instead of it?

1. What was the scariest movie you remember watching? What did the presence of evil look like in that movie?
2. What about Satan and his cohorts do you believe? What don’t you believe?  How does this belief or nonbelief lead you to live?
3. Which of the pieces of armor as Paul describes in Ephesians 6:14-18 do you feel is strongest in your present journey?   Which piece is a little weak?  Explain
4. Read Ephesians 6:10-13. Then read Matthew 7:24-27.  Discuss the similarities of what Paul and Jesus say.  When was a time in your life when your choices caused your world to be a soft foundation?  Now tell a time when Jesus and His Spirit helped you to stand firm.
5. Read Matthew 4:1-11. Discuss the different parts of armor as Paul shared in Ephesians 6 that Jesus utilized in his battle with the devil.   Go around the room and come up with some possible battles we may have with Satan, and a possible Scripture verse we could utilize to fight back.

1. The world is too messed up to bring children into.
2. I’m measured by how I compare with other men.
3. With everything going on in my life, it’s really not possible to live with integrity.
4. Being a Christian is supposed to be cool.
5. My death will be the end of my story.

Discussion Questions:

1. Name some movie/tv characters who were two-faced. Like Robert the Bruce in Braveheart.  What did their back and forth way of living cause in the story?
2. Would your closest friends say that you are a man of integrity, and mean it? Read Matthew 22:37-40. What does the “greatest command(s)” call us to with integrity? (hint: the word “all”)  Read James 1:5-8.   What does James say are the benefits of integrity, and the results of a lack of integrity?  What is an area in life where you need to grow in integrity?
3. Have you ever considered that you might be the only “Jesus” that some people will ever see in life? Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-20.  What does Paul call us to?  Where are the places you connect with people who don’t know Jesus?  What are some of the ways you demonstrate that you follow Jesus when you are with them?  What are some ways you could share Jesus more?
4. Read John 14:1-7 What is your favorite part of this passage?  If you died in a car accident on the way home today, what will happen?

1. I have the right to be angry when things don’t go my way.
2. Pain and suffering are always bad.
3. The world is rigged against me.
4. I can’t help how I react to certain people or circumstances.
5. I can run away from God.

Discussion Questions:

1. Tell about one of the best moments/days of your life? Now, one of the worst moments/days.
2. How do you typically respond to life’s problems and frustrations?   Read Lamentations 3:1-6;13-18.  How is this guy’s day/year going?  What are his emotions?  Now read 3:19-33.  What are some of the truths that help him cope with his bad day?   How might you respond differently to your bad day if you believed in these truths?
3. Describe a time when you tried to run from the presence, the call to act a certain way, or conviction of God in your life. How did He pursue you?  How did you respond?
4. Read Matthew 18:21-35. When someone wrongs us, what does Jesus suggest?  Why?  When is forgiving easy?  When is it not?  If we forgive, what does it do for us?  If we don’t, what pain does it cause us?

Lies Discussed:

1. Making more money will make me happier.
2. I’m not responsible to be the provider for my wife and family.
3. I can’t afford to give more money away.

Discussion Questions:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a sour puss, and a 10 being happy as a clam (whatever that means) how happy are you in your present financial situation? What would it take to move up a number or two?  What could cause you to go lower?
2. Read 1 Chronicles 29:10-16. What principles does David share that are foundational to us honoring God with our finances?  What are some ways these principles can practically play out in our lives?
3. So, you work hard all day. You receive a paycheck.  You buy things.  But it all belongs to God.  Does that make sense?  Do you agree?   IF we truly believed that everything we have is God’s, how might it change how we utilize our finances and our stuff?   
4. Would you consider yourself being a generous man? Would others agree?  Where does this show up?  Is generosity just a financial thing? 
5. Read Acts 20:33-35. Words of wisdom from Paul/Jesus.  Have you seen this to be true or false in your life?  How is a person more blessed when he gives rather than when he receives?  Does one have to see the results of what was given to be blessed?  What is one practical way you will live out this week what Paul/Jesus says?

Lies Discussed:

1. How I spend my time is my business.
2. I’m not responsible to be the provider for my wife and family.
3. My faith and my work are unrelated.

Discussion Questions: 

1. How much “free time” do we each have during the week? Do a quick and dirty time audit/budget.  With 168 hours per week, what does an average week look like for you?  Which parts of your week do you enjoy the most?  Which parts do you not?  Which parts bring glory to God the most?  The least?
2. Turn to Ecclesiastes 3. Skim verses 1-8.  Then read 9-15.  What wisdom does Solomon share in regards to how we look at the time God has given us?  Does he feel God wants us to loath the hours of each day, or enjoy the hours?  What does he suggest should be foundational to how we live each hour or activity of the day IF we want to enjoy life? 
3. Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does Paul suggest as a foundation to living each hour or activity of the day?  How can the thoughts of these two wise men, change how we work?  How we live at home?  How we live out our “free time?” 
4. When you hear that you are to provide for your family, what comes to mind? Is providing for your family, only about money? Who is someone in your past who you saw as a good “provider?”  What did they do that made you think that?    What are a few of the ways you are “providing” for your family?  What is one way you can do better?
5. Read James 2:14-20. How would James feel about the lie “My faith and my work are unrelated”?   What is one way your faith in Christ will play out in your workplace this week?  Your family time?  Your free time?

Lies Discussed:

1. Love doesn’t require spoken words.
2. My wife is supposed to make me happy.
3. I don’t have what it takes to be the CEO of my home. I can leave that role to my wife.
4. I don’t have to grow up.
5. If I discipline my kids, they’ll rebel.

Discussion Questions:

1. From back in the days of dating, does anyone remember one of their good pick-up lines? Or does anyone remember one of the nicest things you ever said to your wife or another girl? 
2. If you are married, or if you were married previously, how often do/did the words “I love you” get used in that relationship? If you are married, text the words to your wife right now.  Will she be surprised?
3. What are/were some of your favorite parts of being married? Read John 3:16-17; If a husband/dad knows he is loved by God, and his purpose, fulfillment in life, and his joy comes from that relationship, how will that understanding make him a better husband and dad?  What is one specific way you will seek to grow in that understanding this week?
4. Read John 13:1-17.  How does this story of Jesus and his example teach us as husbands and dads to be better leaders of our homes?  How would you describe “servant leadership?”  What are some specific

1. Ok, guys…be honest. Can you remember back when you first looked at something with some nudity?  How old were you?  How did it happen?  What emotions showed up?
2. On what level have you, or someone you know, struggled looking at porn? In what ways was it, or is it harmful?  If you presently have a habit of looking, can you think of any good reason why you should not stop looking right now?
3. Read Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:1-7 What does Paul have to say about what we look at on our TVs computers and phones?  What are some ways you men can work together to “put to death”(as Paul says) some of these struggles?
4. If you are presently married, are you hiding something from your wife, or have there been things in the past in which you have kept hidden from her? What harm is there in doing this?  What benefit is there in being transparent with her?  What would it look like to take that step of transparency?  If you are presently single, how important is it to your future wife for you to set up proper boundaries in regards to what you are presently looking at on your devices?
5. If you are a married man, do you think your wife enjoys sex with you? Do you care?  How would it go for you, if you asked her that question?  And, how would it go if you asked her what could make this part of your relationship better? Read Philippians 2:1-5  How does what Paul says here play out in our marriage sex life?  If both your wife and yourself lived out this passage within your sex life, how might it get better?

• If I mean well, that’s good enough.
• I can hide my secret sin since it only hurts me.
• Holiness is boring.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the rules/laws in life that get “bent”? Tell of a time when you “bent” a law, but didn’t break it, from your point of view. 
2. Like stripes on a football field, how/when are rules in life a good idea? How/when are they NOT a good idea?  If bending certain rules/laws is ok, who gets to decide how far it can be bent?
3. Why are God’s rules/laws for life so important? Read Ephesians 4:17-5:2  Why does God provide us these guides for life?   How could each of these individual rules/laws in this passage bless us?  IF we ignore them, how could that hurt us?  Could it be that God loves us with these rules/laws/guides?
4. Read Jonah 1. How did Jonah’s sin impact others in the story?  What are some ways your sins (even secret sins) have impacted, or could impact other people?
5. What does the word “holiness” mean? Read 1 Peter 1:14-17.  Can you think of reasons why personal holiness matters?  Can Christians still have fun, and be holy at the same time?  Why, or why not?

1. Confession time… Who is willing to tell about a sin they either did, or didn’t do in the past? How did this sin affect you?  Your relationships with others?  Your relationship with God?
2. A couple of weeks ago, you were to define “grace.” Remind each other what grace is.  Why is this an important concept to understand in your relationships and in your walk with Jesus?  Does anyone have a Scripture passage that helps them to better understand grace or God’s unconditional love?
3. What is something you like to compare or compete with others? (trucks, jobs, clothes, homes, sports teams) When is it fun to compare/compete? When is it not?  If we are comparing sin with others, what can it do in our faith walk?  What if we compare our sin to Jesus? 
4. Have you ever felt like you were separated from God’s love?   Read Romans 8:31-39.  What part of the passage is meaningful to you?  Why?  
5. Why is our forgiveness for our sin important? In the context of God forgiving you, why is it important to forgive others?  Possibly read Matthew 18:21-35
6. Again, the three lies discussed in the podcast were: Who others think I am matters more than who I really am. My sin isn’t really that bad.  God could never forgive me for what I’ve done.   As you ponder those 3 lies, how does the phrase we close worship with each week speak truth into each of those lies?  “Jesus loves you unconditionally, and he died to give you new life.”  How important is it for us to keep saying it every week?!

1. If you could perfectly design your life, what would that look like? Location?  Career/job?  Family make-up?  House?  Toys?  Etc?
2. If God could perfectly design your life, what would that look like?
3. Read Luke 12:13-21. What are some of the lies Satan has fed this man that causes him to ask Jesus the question?  What are some of the truths that Jesus shares herein that could potentially lead us to a better life?  What are some of the habits that could help us put these truths into place?
4. What do you think would literally be worth dying for? How could your answer to that question play out in how you then live?
5. How would you define the word “submission”? What parts of your life are easy to submit to Jesus?  What parts are hard to submit?
6. Read James 4:13-17 How does James guide us towards living life within God’s truth?  He doesn’t say goals in life are bad.  What does he say?  In what ways can you align your life, and your daily, monthly, yearly goals to be more in line with Jesus?  What is stopping you?