Lies Men Believe | 1

[Pages:38]Lies Men Believe | 1

LET'S GET STARTED!

Truth is powerful. Jesus said it can literally "set [us] free." But, let's be real . . . most of us know way more spiritual truth than we're experiencing.

Lies Men Believe is filled with truth for men like you and me. Truth that will change us. Truth that will liberate us and our families. Truth that will plant our feet on solid ground and strengthen our spiritual muscles.

But only reading these truths will have little effect if we do not make adjustments along the way to align our daily life with what we're learning. This is why I'm joining my friend Robert Wolgemuth, so we can all walk through the experience together.

If your car is out of alignment, you can feel it, but still ignore the reality. The result will be worn-out tires, poor mileage, increased tension on the road, and a very bumpy ride! A wise man will take his car to a professional for an alignment when it's needed.

The purpose of this Discussion Guide is to help you align your daily life--practically and personally--with the truth. My hope is that you'll do this along with some friends.

Robert and I encourage you to "process" these truths together until they become a natural part of your walk with Christ, strengthening you to live according to the light.

If you do, the rewards will be fantastic . . . more peace, strengthened relationships, more confidence, and the supernatural favor of God. You will prove to others that God's truth really is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:2).

So, jump in! Whether you're studying this with a group of ten men or just another guy, be honest and intentional. Don't think you have to get through every question, but take time where you believe God is speaking. When you've made it through, my hope is that your life will be strengthened by learning to recognize and resist the Lies Men Believe!

For a truth-filled life,

Bill Elliff

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CHAPTER 1

CROSSING THE BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE

From the beginning, the "father of lies" has been tempting us to embrace what he says. Take time to assess together why we are falling for his lies. If you are able to recognize and resist them, your life and the lives of those you love will be greatly impacted!

STARTER QUESTION: Share about a time when you made a decision based on the thought, "Well, it's probably not right, but if there are consequences, we'll cross that bridge when we get there!" What was the result of this decision?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

You've probably read something recently about a man who did something very foolish. What did this guy do? Why do you think smart men do stupid things in spite of what they know to be true? Why do we do this? 1. Think for a moment about areas where you know what God requires but you choose

to disobey. What are the top three issues in your life where this seems to be true? (Be honest, write them down, and then share with the group). A. ___________________________________________________________________

B. ___________________________________________________________________

C. ___________________________________________________________________

2. Every man is moved to sin at times by the fear of man. When was the last time you made the wrong choice, just so you wouldn't "rock the boat" with someone else? What were the consequences of that choice?

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3. Share about a time when your mind was telling you to take a step (or not take a step), but your heart was not in line and you went ahead without a clear conscience. What happened?

4. As adults, we usually do what we really want to do. Our values (what's most important to us) drive our actions. And often our values are not in line with the truth. List your top three values (as illustrated by your choices) and what you think God might want them to be instead.

What my choices really value 1.

What God wants me to value 1.

2.

2.

3.

3.

5. The next chapters are going to challenge your thinking and your life. Knowing that God is perfect and He loves you with an everlasting love, are you willing to give God your "Yes" even before you know what He might ask of you? If so, pray this prayer and sign your name at the bottom. If you're in a group, why not read this aloud and sign it together?

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Dear heavenly Father and faithful Author of all truth, I know that I have believed a lot of lies in my life. Please open my eyes so can I can see the lies that are affecting me and those around me. Give me the humility to accept your view of what I'm thinking and the way I'm living. Show me the steps I need to take, by Your grace and the Spirit's power, to align my life with Your truth. Bring clear thinking to my mind, emotions, and will. Renew my mind, tame my emotions, and bend my will to match Yours. Take me, and all these guys with me, many steps further along the path to authentic, biblical manhood. Help us to not only know the truth but live it out in ways that the world can see the value of a truth-filled life. ______________________________ (Signature)

YOUR NEXT STEP...

This week, keep your eyes open for obvious lies around you. Jot down lies that you hear (either in your mind or hear from others around you) and be ready to share them next week.

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CHAPTER 2

LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT GOD

STARTER QUESTION: As you looked and listened this week, what obvious lies did you see or hear, either in your own head or in the world around you? One of the goals of this study is to help you become a "Lie-Detector"! Share with the group what you experienced this week. In chapter 2, Robert identifies five lies we believe about God.

LIE #1: GOD IS NOT A WHOLE LOT DIFFERENT FROM ME.

? Why do you think Satan would want us to believe this?

? In what ways is God different than us, and what would be changed if we really, honestly embraced God's holiness?

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LIE #2: GOD ISN'T ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN OR CONCERNED WITH THE DETAILS OF MY LIFE.

? If we believed that God cared about details in our lives, we would operate differently. Take a minute to evaluate your relationship with the questions below and then share with the group. Do you . . .

? Talk with God throughout the day? ? Consult Him about most decisions? ? Give Him thanks often? ? Recognize and acknowledge what He is doing daily? ? Take time to listen to Him daily by reading His Word? Which of these needs the greatest adjustment?

__ yes __ not really __ yes __ not really __ yes __ not really __ yes __ not really __ yes __ not really

LIE #3: I CAN EARN GOD'S FAVOR.

? Even if you have come to know Christ by faith, do you have a hard time believing that God accepts you and forgives you unconditionally? What do you feel like God's opinion is of you most of the time?

? What does the cross of Jesus say about you?

*If you have not yet come to see your sin and accept God's forgiveness by trusting Him as your personal Savior, then talk to someone after the group is finished. Ask them to help you take this most important step!

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LIE #4: THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO GOD.

? Why do you think people believe the lie that there are many ways to God? What do you think motivates men to hold on to this belief?

? Do you find yourself shying away from declaring the truth that Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6)? Why or why not? Does our silence help or hurt people?

LIE #5: CHURCH? I CAN TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

? What tempts you to not be regular about church attendance?

? How could getting involved in your church change your view of it?

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