WE ARE BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS!

Metaphor

- The building process -> planning -> foundation -> framing -> rough in -> etc.

Each of us are planning, digging & pouring a foundation, building a framework, in the construction of something bigger than ourselves.

Vision

- When we say we are building men we mean we are building disciples of Jesus. Matthew 4:19 is the mission. What is the cause of Christ? People! When we spend time with Jesus — when His Holy Spirit resides in us — we cannot help but care about what He cares about.”

• Following Christ (head). A disciple has surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord of his life. A disciple is one who says, “I know He is Lord and Savior and I accept Him as my authority.”
• Being changed by Jesus (heart). Jesus said we would know a tree by its fruit (see Matthew 7:17-20). He did not mean perfect fruit; He meant growing fruit. As we spend time following Jesus, He changes us internally — He changes who we are.
• Committed to Jesus’ mission - Making Disciples (hands). Jesus saved us for a purpose. Some believe we are given a “get out of jail free” card and are free to do what we want with our lives — not true. God’s mission is now our mission, and we recognize that we are responsible for our own slice of history. Our hands are for His service.

Foundation

- Jesus modeled the importance of relationship in the way He taught His disciples. Jesus relationship with His disciples was the conduit by which He could deliver all that they needed. Jesus was intentional with His disciples. He invested His life in the Twelve. He chose to be in relationship with His disciples because He understood that more is “caught” than taught.”

Discipleship requires real teaching and real learning. It requires conversation, modeling, encouragement, debriefing, and practice, all of which need to happen in the context of relationship.

Matthew 22:37-40 [Jesus] He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important[b] command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.

John 13:34-35 [Jesus] “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The men in this room must demonstrate this kind of love Christ talked about. True relationships with other disciples can give us the support and accountability we need to change and grow in our love for God and others.

True relationship gives nonbelievers a picture of what Jesus can do in and for them. Jesus really does offer us peace, and it is like water to a thirsty soul. Most men know they need love. It’s just that most men are looking in all the wrong places (drugs & alcohol addiction, sexual experiences, money, etc.).

When they see they can find in our church what they know they need, their hearts soften and doors are opened.

Foundation

- Discipleship requires real teaching and real learning. It requires conversation, modeling, encouragement, debriefing, and practice, all of which need to happen in the context of relationship.

Without relationship between believers, there is no model to follow, no authenticity, no accountability, no application, and no support for the journey. These things come through personal contact. And because that relational context for learning is lacking, life change is much rarer than it should be among Christians today.

Schedule:

6:30 - Early arrival time (ping pong, billiards, etc.)

6:40 - Large Group Time - (Phil, Sankie, Terry, etc.)

7:00 - Small Group Time

8:00 - “Sent!”

Guidelines for NBMen Group Time

We are creating an environment that is secure for authenticity, clarity, and growing closer in relationship with each other and with God.

In this room we have men fighting alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography addiction, marital problems, aloneness, financial failure, and a number of other problem too many to list.

• We are not going to allow our pasts to define us, or to direct our futures.
• We are not going to be satisfied with shallow, anonymous, slow/no spiritual growth.
• We are going to care enough to hear another man's story and respond with genuine spiritual support.