Satan’s Strategy to Destroy the Family | Point Man #1
There are three main strategies that Satan has to take down men - and the entire family with him.
Talking Points:
- Strategy #1: To sever a husband’s relationship with his wife. Some men look past their wives to their jobs, kids, or sports. But God calls men to love their wives like Christ loves the church. Ephesians 5:25
- Strategy #2: To sever a father’s relationship with his kids. Men need to spend intentional time with their kids, transferring values to them through intentional mentoring. If men don’t lead spiritually, it won’t happen like God wants. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Strategy #3: To sever a man’s relationship with Jesus. Develop the habits of praying, reading scripture, and mentoring others to strengthen your connection with God. Proverbs 27:17
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How connected was your dad to your mom? To his kids? To God? What effect did it have on the family or his leadership of it?
- Read Ephesians 5:25. What are some ways in which your relationship with your wife has weakened in the past few years? How did it happen? What can you do about it?
- Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9. How often do you (or did you) talk to your kids about meaningful things? What are some topics you wish you could cover? What makes it difficult to have such meaningful conversations?
- “If men don’t lead spiritually, it won’t happen.” Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
- On a scale of 1-10, rate your prayer life. What about your time with God in the Bible? How do you think better habits in these areas might change your leadership at home?
- Read Proverbs 27:17. Who has sharpened you and made you a better man? How did they do it?
- Have you ever considered mentoring someone else (besides your kids)? Who could you mentor? What topics would you cover? How would that experience shape your own spiritual growth?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
This topic is adapted from Point Man by Steve Farrar.
2 Ways to Be There for Your Kids | Point Man #2
The Industrial Revolution completely changed the way fathers engage with their kids, but these two tips will get us back on track.
Talking Points:
- Dads need to be there physically for their kids. Fatherhood is more than paying for their food and activities, it’s about physically being there. Proverbs 22:6
- Dads need to be there emotionally for their kids. We have to deliberately be more intentional about our parenting, paying more attention to our kids’ emotional states. engaging them and asking questions about their feelings. Psalm 127:3-5
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- On average, how much time did your dad spend with you every week? What kinds of things did you do together? What do you wish he did more?
- On average, how much time do you spend with your kids? What kinds of things do you do together? What do you wish you could do more?
- Read Proverbs 22:6. How does being there for your kids physically and emotionally help you to train them in the direction you want them to go?
- Read Psalm 127:3-5. Kids are a gift from God. What are some things you appreciate about each of your kids? How do you try to connect emotionally with each of them? Explain.
- What are some of the “boundaries” you should maintain with your kids? Why?
- Make a list of the activities that demand the majority of your time. Are there ways you could reduce/eliminate some of these? Are any of these activities more important than time with your children?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Warning Signs on the Edge of an Affair | Point Man #3
Workplace affairs can sneak up on any good man, and they destroy marriages and families. Ask these three questions if you’re on the edge of an affair.
Talking Points:
- Workplace affairs can sneak up on any good man, and they destroy marriages and families. Use these three questions and ask yourself before it’s too late. Proverbs 5:7-9
- Do I look forward to my appointments with another woman?
- Do I seek to meet her in a more casual environment?
- Do I prefer that others don’t know about my meetings with her?
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share a time you saw a workplace affair destroy another man’s marriage. Did you see it coming? Did you do anything about it?
- Identify the women at work, church, or elsewhere who are attractive to you? Have you ever told anyone about it? When does an innocent attraction turn into something dangerous?
- Have you ever looked forward to an appointment with an attractive woman at work or elsewhere? Are you currently in that situation? What can you do about it to keep it from becoming a problem?
- Have you ever sought to meet a woman in a more casual environment outside of work or church? Did you know in your heart that you were playing with fire? What happened in the end?
- Have you ever met secretly with a woman? What happened?
- Read Proverbs 5:7-9 and 2 Timothy 2:22. What do these verses say we should do in response to temptation? What action steps do you need to take this week in order to be a man of honor?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
A “One Woman” Kind of Man | Point Man #4
These three essential commitments will help you make an “all-in” covenant to one woman for your entire life.
Talking Points:
- Make an all in commitment with your eyes. When an attractive woman appears on television, at the gym, in a movie, or merely walking down the street, simply look away. Job 31:1-4
- Make an all in commitment with your mind. Once we have a thought, if left unchecked it can eventually penetrate into our hearts where it can ultimately lead to action that is not God-honoring. 2 Corinthians 10:5
- Make an all in commitment with your feet. Sometimes as men we just need to flee; to simply run away from sin and temptation. Genesis 39:11-12
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Give the name of a “one woman” kind of man that you look up to. How long has he been married? What do you most admire about him?
- Read Job 31:1-4. Why is it important as men who honor God to not lust after attractive women? Does it surprise you that Job spells this out so clearly? What advice would you give a guy who was struggling with this?
- Read 2 Corinthians 10:5 and James 1:14-15. How does a temptation lead to sin if left unchecked in our minds? What are some practical thought control methods to keep from dwelling on sinful thoughts?
- Read Genesis 39:11-12. Discuss some practical examples of fleeing from sin. When was the last time you did it? When was the last time you should have done it?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Feed on Scripture Every Day | Point Man #5
Spiritually anorexic men are weak leaders, and the antidote is simple. Start feeding on the Bible every day.
Talking Points:
- If you read the Bible from beginning to end, you’ll start recognizing one united story from Genesis to Revelation. Story after story, every verse points back to the simple message that God is in charge and wants to give you purpose through Jesus Christ.
- Conviction develops when something that’s true moves from your head to your heart. Intelligence is head knowledge; conviction is heart knowledge. The more you develop the habit of reading God’s Word on a regular basis – even for just 5 minutes a day – God’s truth will move from your head to your heart. 2 Timothy 3:16
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- On average, how often do you read the Bible in your life? How would you have answered that question last year? 5 or 10 years ago?
- Share a story from the Bible that proves God is in charge. What story from your own life proves that point?
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16. List 3 lies or half-truths that the world feeds men today. What does the Bible say about those things?
- How is a “conviction” different from a simple piece of information? What are some of your personal convictions? How did you form those convictions?
- Are you willing to commit to reading the entire New Testament? If so, start a Bible Reading Plan.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
This topic is adapted from Chapter 5 of Steve Farrar’s book Point Man.
5 Tips for a Manly Prayer Habit | Point Man #6
Spiritual leadership in the home requires men to step up and develop the habit of reading the Bible daily.
Talking Points:
- Step #1: Plan a time. If you don’t put it on your schedule and plan a time to pray, it’s not going to happen.
- Step #2: Plan a place. Some Christians call this your “prayer closet”. It can be a physical location like your office or family room, or maybe it’s a walk, or in the car during the commute.
- Step #3: Make a list. Pray for people, pray for situations, and then go even further. Try the P-R-A-Y method of prayer, where you regularly praise, repent, ask, and yield to God.
- Step #4: Begin with scripture. If you’re struggling with how to talk to God, try praying the Psalms out loud.
- Step #5: Make yourself accountable. Talk about prayer with your wife, your mentor, or your men’s group. Invite others to spur you on in your prayer life.
[Related: Prayer – What? Why? When? Where? Who?]
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- On a scale of 1-10, how is your prayer life right now?
- When is the best time for you to prayer during the day? Where is the best place to do it?
- Start making a list of some of the things you’d like to regularly pray for. Be sure to include more than petitions.
- Read Psalm 86:1-17, a prayer of David. What are some of the elements in his prayer? How can you convert this into a prayer of your own?
- Who can hold you accountable to growing in prayer? Commit to praying every day for 5, 15, or 30 minutes.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
This topic is based on the book Point Man by Steve Farrar
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