Men’s Ministry News – February 2013
Men of RBC,
The Men’s Ministry would like to invite you to some upcoming activities that have been designed to positively and encouragingly impact your walk with the Lord and in turn your spheres of influence.
WEEKLY DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES
Men’s Ministry weekly discipleship classes are a great way to get connected and increase your knowledge of the word and provide you with some mid-week encouragement. No previous experience or Bible knowledge is required; all you need is a willingness to grow and be challenged. For a course listing and full details, please visit www.restonbible.org/men.
- FUEL—Men of Action: The Role of Authentic Men in the Next Generation Church. Join us on this journey to Authentic Manhood. Tuesdays 6:25-7:30 AM – Sr. High Bldg.
- Training Faithful Men-Great Doctrines of the Faith. No registration required. For questions, call or email Ray Shoaff (703-625-5595, ray@shoaff.com). Wednesday 6:00-7:00 AM – Sr. High Bldg.
- Exemplary Husband – Wednesday 7:00-9:00 PM- New class starts 3/13, Room 250. For questions, call Brad Hummel at 703-489-6028.
FAITH & REASONING 101
When: Monday, February 18, 2013, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Where: RBC, Room 238
Topic: “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up! False Christs in a Pluralistic World” – The Jesus of the Couch Potato
Speaker: Pete Lackey
RSVP: wgaines@firstphc.com
MINISTRY IN THE WORKPLACE COURSE
An 11 Week Journey to Connect Faith and Work
When: February 25-May13, 2013 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Youth Building, Senior High Rm.
Sign-up: https://www.restonbible.org/
Does your work have significance? Join us for a first-of-its-kind, collaborative program to help you see your job—and company—in a whole new way. Whether you have a desk job, you work in the field, you’re a manager, or you’re the CEO, this course will be an 11-week journey, designed with you in mind. It’s packed with deep content and challenging insights to connect faith and business. RBC has a large community of men and women in the workforce. Our heart is to help you connect and learn with others what it means to really live out your faith—ALL WEEK LONG!
Please Register Now. Our first session is free and will set the tone for the entire series. We’ll explore the topic, “Why Work?” it will challenge the way you view your job and your career!!! If you have any questions, contact Brad Hill at 703-517-9941. You can register on line for the free session or for the entire 11 sessions of $55. Scholarships available.
Sunday Rewind | 2.10.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Awesome is the Lord Most High (Psalm 47:1-2) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Original Arrangement
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – For the Honor by Elevation Worship
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) – Burning Lights by Chris Tomlin
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 5
PART 5: WISDOM AT WAR – In James chapter 3, we find there are two types of wisdom – worldly and heavenly. Worldly wisdom works on the false premise that man can solve his own problems independent from God. But when the problem tries to solve the problem – that’s a problem.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL EVALUATION FROM PASTOR MIKE
- Does the wake of your life tend to leave a trail of conflict? Are you the common denominator?
- If you are married, is there a pattern of unnecessary conflict between you and your spouse? Why?
- What would it look like for you to repent of those areas of conflict and move toward humility?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this message you hope to discuss as a group?
- How would you define wisdom? Who is someone you consider to be wise, and why?
- Read and discuss James 3:13 – 4:10. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they tell us about God?
- What are the two types of wisdom in the verses above? What are the characteristics of each? Why is it important that we be able to distinguish between the two?
- Why do we tend to believe we can solve our own problems apart from God? How do you see this play out in culture and society? How do you see it play out in your own life?
- What is the relationship between true wisdom and humility? How does true wisdom lead to humility?
- How does the gospel allow us to consider others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)?
- How can we grow in humility? How can we grow in heavenly wisdom?
- Can you discern an area of your life where God is leading you humble yourself before Him (James 4:10)? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
FROM THE FIELD: New Missionaries in Zambia
Give thanks to God with us for Mark and Esther, who are the newest members of the RBC-supported missionary family. They minister in their native country of Zambia.
Mark was born in a religious and church-going family, but they did not know the Lord as their Savior. He indulged in sinful habits and was tormented by evil spirits. He was taken to witch doctors for treatment, but it was all futile. His mother eventually accepted Jesus as Lord, and through the influence of her changed life, Mark accepted the Lord in 1980 and was freed from the torment of the evil spirits. Since that time, he has become a strong witness for Christ.
Mark joined AFCI (Ambassadors for Christ International) in 1986 as a team evangelist. After receiving further studies at a Bible Institute and developing the ministry, he has since become the Country Director. Mark and Esther are involved in organizing and conducting evangelistic gospel crusades, Christian leadership seminars and revival meetings in both rural and urban areas of Zambia.
People in Zambia are very open to the Gospel. Zambia is a very poor country with 86% of the population living below the poverty level. About 40% of the people do not have access to clean water and 50% of the children are malnourished. The AIDS crisis overwhelms the health services and the economy. Most of the children who are orphaned due to AIDS. Almost 75% of Zambian households care for a relative orphaned by AIDS. Illiteracy in rural areas is close to 90%. Christianity is widely accepted even in the public institutions, and freedom of all religions is practiced. Zambia is landlocked country and is relatively stable and peaceful but is surrounded by countries rocked by war and strife.
One out of every four children in Zambia in an orphan. Abandoned by his father at an early age and growing up in a broken home, Mark developed a great compassion for the vulnerable children in Zambia. Part of his ministry today involves helping orphans, especially in helping meet their educational needs. Mark has also formed and developed a group of 26 leaders a cross the country that meets periodically for mutual encouragement and growth.
Mark and Esther also have an ongoing pre-marital counseling program and conduct regular Family Life Enhancement Seminars for married couples. They seek to train others who can offer the same type of training and counseling as solid families are the real key to the future of Zambia.
Please pray for Mark and Esther and their three children (ages 15,13 and 11) as they boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus in Zambia.
Sunday Rewind | 2.3.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
All Creatures of Our God and King (Psalm 148:13) – Original Arrangement
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 4
PART 4: KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT – We are in constant struggle between the war of two kingdoms – the Kingdom of Darkness, or the world system, and the Kingdom of Light. We must see this conflict through the eyes of Scripture in order to engage as children of the Kingdom of Light.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were to give a one-sentence version of this message, what would it be?
- Read and discuss 1 John 5:18-21. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they tell us about God?
- What is “spiritual sight”? Why is it important? How do we get it?
- What is the Kingdom of Darkness? What is the Kingdom of Light?
- What strategies, devices & tactics does the Kingdom of Darkness use to blind our minds and neutralize us? How does Scripture answer these?
- What strategies, devices and tactics does the Kingdom of Light employ? What role does the church play in this?
- “Wherever a child of the kingdom goes, they bring the kingdom with them.” Where might God be calling you to bring the kingdom? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Event Update: Jr. High Epic Fun Night
With each of our Jr. High Friday Night Lives, we strive to create fun, safe environments where our students and their friends can have a great time & also hear about what Christ has done for us. On January 18th, the Jr. Highers had a blast at our Epic Fun Night. A series of Epic Fun activities were spread throughout the youth building so teens could compete in RC car racing, basketball, dodgeball, sculpting, Mario Cart, foosball, Super Smash Brothers, and more. The video below gives you a glimpse of all the excitement. It was a great time for our volunteers to hang out and build relationships with our students and over 40 of their friends that came.
In the middle of the epicness, we paused to watch some epic near-death experiences. In lots of epic movies it always seems when certain death and failure is imminent, at just the right moment salvation comes. The same was true for us in our spiritual lives. As Romans 5:6 says, “While we were still helpless, at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.” While we faced certain judgment and eternal punishment, Christ came in God’s perfect timing to die for us. This makes us some of the luckiest and most blessed people ever.
Praise the Lord for His salvation and for the 12 students who indicated they trusted in what Christ has done for them & began a relationship with God that evening.
If you have a Jr. Higher or know one you want to reach out to, go to www.restonbible.org/breakthru and check out our latest calendar to find our details for our next Friday Night Live.
Sunday Rewind | 1.27.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)
Take My Life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 3
PART 3: ATTACKING THE MIND – Shame is one of the most subversive and powerful forces in our lives. Our enemy works diligently to set up strongholds of shame, keeping us captive in hopelessness. The key to breaking the chains of shame is to bring every thought and imagination under obedience to Christ.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Was there one thing you most agreed or disagreed with from this message? What was it and why?
- Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about the nature of Christ and His gospel?
- What is a stronghold? Why is it difficult to recognize strongholds in our own life?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3:6-10. What are the implications of shame entering human history at the fall?
- Why is shame such a powerful force in our lives? How does shame create strongholds?
- In what ways does our culture capitalize on shame?
- How does the Gospel address shame?
- Are you able to identify and share an area of shame in your life? What would it look like for you to “despise the shame” in that area (Hebrews 12:2)? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
VIDEO: Baby Quest Nursery at RBC
Baby Quest, the nursery program at Reston Bible Church, has traditionally run as a parent co-op. We are changing that to an all volunteer system to better serve our kids and parents. This video explains why.
You can get more information and fill out a volunteer form at www.restonbible.org/nursery
The Green Room Sessions: Forever Reign
Here’s the latest installment of The Green Room Sessions, introducing the song Forever Reign, from Hillsong. We’ll be introducing this during worship services on Sunday, January 27. Enjoy!
Sunday Rewind | 1.20.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4) – Beautiful News by Matt Redman
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 2
PART 2: THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND – The lies of the enemy constantly attack our minds, leading us away from the pure truth of the Word of God. His tactics follow the same pattern nearly every time; a combination of doubt, direct contradictions of the Word of God, and half-truths.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL EVALUATION FROM PASTOR MIKE
- Are you now habitually watching, reading, going to places or doing things that five or ten years ago would have brought conviction to your moral conscience?
- Do you now own something that you believed, before you got it that it, would totally satisfy you?
- How are these indicative that the enemy may have staked a claim in the battlefield of your heart and mind?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you think back on this sermon, what one principle, insight or example stands out as being particularly interesting, helpful, difficult or confusing?
- In what ways is the mind a battlefield for spiritual warfare? How have you experienced this?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 2:1-7. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about the nature of Christ and His gospel?
- Last week’s sermon included a discussion of Ephesians 6:10-20. What parallels do you note between these verses and Ephesians 2:1-7?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3:1-7. Satan creates doubt, follows it with a blatant lie, then throws out a half-truth. Have you ever seen this pattern at work in your own life?
- What are some common lies we all tend to believe and struggle with?
- Are you able to identify and share a specific lie that you are currently believing? What would it look like for you to believe the truth in this area of your life? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
VIDEO: Oh How I Need You
Since so many of you requested a copy of the special song performed in our January 6 worship services, we put this little video together for you. Here is Erik, Jesse and Melody performing Oh How I Need You by All Sons & Daughters. Enjoy!
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12