Has the amount of rain this week affected your routine? If so, how?
Lord, touch each member of the group.
1 Timothy 6:11–12 NLT: “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.
The world promotes many types of men as being worthy of admiration. For example, sports figures and celebrities fascinate us. The Bible, however, gives us better guidelines as to what constitutes a true man of God. Let’s look today at the admirable traits that a man of God possesses.
A man of God is a man under authority. He is submitted to God and submitted to the spiritual authorities in his life. He is in touch with God, talking to and hearing from the Lord. His goal is to become like God and emulate His behavior. As a man of God, he must fight against some things and hold on to others. In particular, he pushes away worldly things; Elijah’s camel hair clothing and leather belt were enough for him.
Discussion
Who was a man of God you learned from? Share with the group.
A man of God runs from evil. Even though our sinful nature is drawn like a moth to a flame, to sin and sinful lusts, the man of God does not stay in dangerous situations. In prideful and greedy scenarios, he will turn from evil. Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife; in similar fashion, a man of God flees evil lusts, including online temptations. Some things a man of must run from and some things he must run to, and a man of God does both.
Discussion
Running from sinful temptations is a battle everyone fights. It is easier to do this with a support group. Do you have someone who speaks into your life in this regard, or do you feel alone? Share with the group.
A man of God runs after God and His ways. Elijah ran across a desert to hear the still, small voice of God, but it took him 40 days and nights just to get quiet enough. We need to unplug more in our lives to hear from the Lord.
Men of God also sprint after righteousness, a godly life, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Even Paul said he had not achieved these things fully: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:14 NLT). Like him, we must press on to finish our race in Christ.
You can recognize a man of God by what he is pursuing.
Discussion
Obviously, none of us have achieved everything yet, but do you feel like you are diligently pursuing God in your life? Share with the group.
Discussion
As a man of God, what is one thing that you have pushed away? Share with the group.
We are not serving a weak Jesus. We are serving a warrior king, a lion, a martyr. In the Old Testament, Elijah stood up to 450 prophets and called down fire. As men of God in this twenty-first-century world, we must learn what to run from and what to run towards.
You inspire other men when you pursue God and flee from the things of the world. Make it a point this month to prioritize what matters most to you. Don’t be a man of the world, but be a man of God.