Session Outline and



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TLG Session Outline

Habits of Spiritually Content Men

*some material from Pat Morley Chairman/Founder Man in the Mirror Ministries

Basil Marotta Jericho Ministries

Session Outline: As Christian men we are called to “abide in Christ.” There are some habits that spiritually happy men follow. Their lives are peaceful, orderly and reflect Jesus. They are content!

Webster…habit…an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

Habit #1: Spiritually content men read the Bible regularly.…They love God's word, and want to regularly read and meditate on the Bible. I've never known a single man whose life has changed in any significant way apart from the regular study of God's Word.

(Josh 1:8 NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Habit #2: Spiritually content men pray with their wives….Praying with your wife symbolizes a depth of relationship with God and each other. Do not just pray with her, but pray for her and she for you.

(1 Pet 3:7 NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Habit #3: Spiritually content men are in a small group…we need each other….

(Eccl 4:9-12 NIV) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: {10} If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! {11} Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? {12} Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Habit #4: Spiritually content men are active in a church.

(Heb 10:24-25 NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. {25} Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Habit #5: Spiritually content men tithe…are givers

(Mal 3:10 NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

(2 Cor 9:7 NIV) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Habit #6: Spiritually content men are serving the Lord…. Once a man has been in the real presence of Jesus, he will never be happy until he finds a way to express his gratitude through love and good deeds.

(James 2:14a NIV) What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? (James 2:17 NIV) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

(Eph 2:10 NIV) For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Life Implication: These habits do nothing to “improve” a man’s record with Christ, and should not be used to “judge” a man’s walk with Jesus. That would be dangerous and improper. They are, however, indicators of a deeper commitment to live by faith and make a difference in our world. These habits listed are not exhaustive. But are represent those that those of us who are leaders would be well to follow and encourage other men to practice.

Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

For Discussion: Have you developed these habits? Which do you need to work on? Any other habits you would add to this list?

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