Holy Man Podcast Paul Baughman

Life Group Questions:

Tell about something in life that you had to learn the hard way.
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?
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?
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?  
Each person share what step(s) they are taking/will take to grow in God’s practical life wisdom.

Life Group Questions:

What are some things that can get you worked up? Why do they? (Politics? Driving? Sports? Home life? Others?)
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?
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?
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?  

Life Group Questions: Maintaining Moral Purity

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…)
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? 
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?
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?
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?

Life Group Questions: Building a Good Reputation

If we asked 5 people who went to High School with you, what would they say you were known for? What was your reputation?
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?
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?
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?
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?

Life Group Questions: Becoming a Faithful Man

What are the 3 most important qualities when choosing a restaurant? A hotel?
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?
What does being a Godly man, a man of faith, or a faithful man mean? Are they sinless?(no)  What are some characteristics?
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


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?

Life Group Questions – Hosea loves the unlovable

If you have children, tell about a time when they disobeyed you, or a time when they broke your heart.
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? 
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.
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?