COURAGEOUS Men's Ministry Journal

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

During his session titled “Biblical Men: God’s Spiritual Spearhead,” Pastor Matt Jones presented a list of 10 items men should use to combat Satan’s war against Biblical men:

1. Sunday worship: Anticipate and attend worship services.

2. Give sacrificially: Give consistently in proportion to income.

3. Join a small group: Attend for accountability and fellowship.

4. Serve in church: Serve in a ministry at church.

5. Share love and intercession: Love and fight for unity, and pray for others at church.

6. Stand on sound doctrine: Declare and defend this.

7. Study scripture and theology: Read the Bible and study its teachings.

8. Be sanctified at home: Make home a reflection of church and Christ as its head.

9. Spread the gospel: Share it verbally with the lost.

10: Submit to leadership: Biblically follow church leadership biblically.

“God created man and woman equally in his image and likeness but differently to fulfill complementary roles. The more we blur, or worse totally ignore these distinctions, the more we do so to our own demise. Men play a unique, irreplaceable role in what Christ is doing in the church. Therefore, it is critically important that men identify their roles and responsibilities and hold themselves accountable to faithfully fulfill them.”

--Pastor Bobby Scott “Mission-Minded Men”

What does it mean to be a good Churchman ?

Community of Faith Bible Church

Men’s Ministry quarterly fellowship calendar began March16 in the chapel at CFBC. Pastor Bobby Scott and Pastor Matt Jones (Del Rey Church) were the featured speakers.

Men’s small groups create space for Christ-centered discipleship

Elder Reaver Bingham is one of the elders who leads a small group that gathers regularly.

As the third full year of this ministry gets underway, Brother Reaver explained his desire to keep men engaged in fellowship and maturing in their walk with God.

Talk about your own heart for this ministry and why you’ve been involved in getting it going.

In several roles in which I have had the privilege to serve, I have seen the brokenness in men. I have

seen good men--myself included- with many challenges who could use someone to come alongside them and encourage them in the Lord. I take 2 Timothy 2:1-2 seriously, and desire to be instrumental in helping to bring this to fruition at CFBC. I love the brothers at the church as do all our elders and I just wanted to serve them in a very strategic way by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Why the small-group structure? Why do you see this format as beneficial for this ministry?

Small groups allow for more intimate relationships and create a forum in which men may

be more willing to share life’s challenges and successes. Small groups also allow for group leaders to more effectively pour their life into those within the group. It also allows for the development of additional small group leaders. This pattern is good for discipleship because it follows the model set forth by our Savior and Lord, Jesus

the Christ. Why should men participate in this ministry?

What are some things men might get out of this ministry and how might they be able to best serve others in this ministry?

Men should participate in this ministry not only for what they can get out of it, but also for what they can give.

Men will get the opportunity to participate in service events, get to know other brothers they may not naturally gravitate towards, study the Bible in a more systematic manner, discuss specific

topics that interest men, be involved in a system of accountability, gain opportunities for leadership development, become more effective church men, minister their Spiritual gifts, and so much more.

As the ministry enters its third year, how can the church be praying for our brothers?

Pray for greater participation by men who have not committed or who have not been consistent, that we will gain momentum and come to fruition, and that God will be honored.

Brother Marcus Ferguson leads the group in singing during the first quarterly Men’s Fellowship, March 16, in the CFBC chapel.

Elder Reaver Bingham (third from left) is with his men’s ministry small group in 2022. The group that meets twice a month.

A Plea to Men

By Pastor Bobby Scott

Have you ever seriously tried to figure out where Adam went wrong? It’s an important question because just as Abraham is the father of believers, and therefore, is the prototypical believer, Adam is the father of all sinners and is, therefore, the prototypical sinner. Where Adam went wrong, all men since him have gone wrong. So when Christian men are tempted like Adam, we need to respond like the last Adam, Christ, and not the first. That requires knowing well what Adam did wrong and what Jesus did right.

Be Like the Last Adam and not the First

Let’s consider precisely that: “What did God expect of Adam? And how did he fail? And what does God expect of Christian men today, and how can we succeed? The Bible offers straightforward answers to these questions. What did God expect from Adam? God expected Adam to be and do what He made Him to be and do. God created Adam in His image and likeness so that he would reflect His glory more than anything else in creation. In making Adam like Himself, God made man so that man could represent him and rule his creation.

Genesis 1:26 should be translated with a purpose clause—God created humans . . . so that we would rule. The word rule in 1:26 and 1:28 refers to humans having dominion, and

So what does God want Christian men to do today? He wants men to love him with everything they have and above everything else in their lives.

it casts man and woman as a king and queen over the earth and not mere farmers entrusted to keep the creation orderly. In the heatedly debated relationship between Genesis 1 and 2, Genesis 2 reveals that as the sovereign ruler, God created man to be his vice-regent entrusted to rule creation on God’s behalf. The man did just that in naming the animals. God also defined the woman’s role as the co-image bearer of God (Gen 1:26-28), given to man as his indispensable helper (Gen 2:20-22).

Furthermore, just as Genesis 2 clarifies man’s duty to rule, it

also explains whom God made to be responsible to subdue creation (Gen 1:28; 2:15). The idea of subduing throughout the Torah and historical books of the OT conveys bringing something under subjection or control, by force if necessary. Again, there is no hint in the text that God calls man to an agrarian task. Joshua and David subdued the enemies of the Promised Land so that they could rule over it (Joshua 18:1; 2 Sam 8:1, 11). Additionally, before God created Eve, He gave man the responsibility to work and guard the garden Gen 2:15), a sacred

place because God met man there (Gen 3:8). The immediate context indicates that man’s task to guard the garden was akin to subduing any future hostile forces (Gen 3:24). God placed cherubim with a flaming sword at its entrance, calling the angel to do what the man failed to do— guard (not cultivate). God also gave man the spiritual responsibility to keep death out of creation by not eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man was, therefore, responsible for keeping the sacred space “very good.”

Man failed by choosing not to trust God (Gen 3:17). In rebelling, man brought death and evil into creation and ruined it.

So what does God want Christian men to do today? He wants men to trust and love Him with everything we have and above everything else in our lives (Matt 22:37-38; Eph 2:8-9). He wants us to depend upon his Spirit and strength (Eph 5:18; 6:10), and trust that he can mold us into responsible leaders who reflect His glory. How can we do that? By trusting in Christ, we can apply all the blessings and grace Christ has secured for us (Eph 1–3). Then we, like new creations (Eph 2:10), can hear and heed His voice through His word and act like our Lord when He was attacked by Satan (Matt 4:1-11), and not fail like the first Adam.

How Jesus Saved Me

By Chass Glaspie

From what I can remember I just wanted to play football. One day, I

saw my big brother come over to the car after practice with his gear on, and I was in

awe. I remember telling myself that I want that. I started playing and became good at it, then the perks came, then the girls came, then drugs, then gambling, then lying, stealing, abusing and using others around me. Before coming to Christ, we always hear of walking in darkness. Well, I wasn’t just walking; I was dancing in it, having a good old time, not thinking twice of how I was walking and where my life was headed, physically or spiritually. Everything around me was moving accordingly, and it was the norm. So I filled my heart with these things and I lived for myself.

Eventually, my life came to a pivotal point. Football didn’t go as planned, friends and

family started dying left and right. On a random day, one of my closest friends, Kache, called me and I could tell there was something really weighing on his heart. He started to tell me how much he loved me and how he cared about my spirit. I’m like, boy, what are you talking about? He told me that this guy named Chris Phillips [former CFBC member] shared the gospel with him and would meet with us if we had any questions. My boy asked me to come with him to a small discipleship meeting at Chris’s job. So I went, and this brother was so patient and loving with us, I had never seen anything like it. I went in feeling skeptical, but Chris continued to meet with us week

after week, flipping through the word of God and revealing to me who Jesus Christ is.

Now, up to this point I had visited some churches and heard a few scriptures. I just assumed I would be in heaven because I wasn’t as bad as other people. God revealed to me that I was dead and I deserved what was coming to me. This fear struck me and then Chris told us that Jesus died for us and the only way to heaven is through Him. I remember feeling for the first time unconditional love, and what I had been longing for is right here. So, on my car ride home, I started crying out for the Lord to save me, and I confessed and repented of my sins. I believe

through Him alone that I can change, and turn away from my sins, and that’s faith.

That same faith I’m walking with is what gets me through every day, trusting Jesus with every part of my life. I might stumble and get off track, but God is faithful and that’s why he blessed me here at CFBC, amongst this body of Christ, people who will walk alongside me disciple me. This doesn’t mean everything will be perfect and easy now, but I’m following the right Person and on the right track now. I’m no longer living for myself but for Christ, finding ways to serve and be more like Him so that His light will shine through me, and so that the end result is God being glorified!

Chass Glaspie delivers his personal testimony before being baptized at CFBC in 2022.

Q & A: Small group reflects on first two years together

by William Kelly

What follows is an interiew with group leader William Kelly, whose small group began meeting monthly at CFBC. Due to some recent scheduling challenges, the group shifted recently to meeting via Zoom.

Q: What has been the best thing about meeting with the men in your group?

The best thing for our group has been the transparent fellowship we share with each other. The brothers are genuine and honest.

Q: What do you think are some strengths about your small group?

Some of the strengths in our group have been our true hunger for Christ to make us more like himself. We’ve had a genuine desire to learn more from our past experiences whether they

were good or bad. We just wanted to establish a judgment-free zone. No Pharisees allowed; none of us know it all. And finally, just to be real men as defined by Christ’s grace and not some cultural standards that none of us could ever satisfy.

Q: It’s always a challenge to maintain consistency. Speak to how your group has managed to maintain some regularity. What are some of the sacrifices you’ve made to keep meeting consistently?

Our small group’s consistency is based upon my commitment to be the pointman for the group. Pastor Harvey is very busy, so I try to do my best to relieve him of any unnecessary concerns by keeping our guys aware of our subsequent meetings and reading assignments. The brothers have responded very well.

Q: Describe the dy-

namics in your small group. How do you blend the different personalities and character styles of the brothers?

Scripture says one plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. Our group just tries to maintain a judgment free zone, and we find that God is just blending us together. We just bring honesty and vulnerability to each other, and we trust that we will respect the private discussions that we have with each other. We are seeing that friendships can genuinely be fostered from this environment.

Q: What were some highlights about reading through and discussing the first book, Manhood Restored (Mason)?

We thoroughly went through the assigned book, Manhood Restored by Dr. Eric Mason. We found many places that stimulated

A Godly Man Is Sensible

With Titus

1:1-9 and

1 Timothy

3 in view, Pastor Anthony Kidd set forth a few qualities to help men grasp the importance of being sensible in their walk in pursuit of godliness so that they can better glorify Christ and serve His church.

To be sensible means to be sound of mind, or prudent. It means to be sound in judgment and discernment. It stems

from how we act and think. To be sensible is when the mind chooses to think God’s thoughts after Him rather than give in to one’s own sinful appetites and passions. It is self-mastery of the body based on gospel mastery of the mind. Being sensible, quite literally, is the opposite of being a fool. It is sense put into the mind by God’s grace, and it is God’s word that produces wisdom. If you want to grow in having your

questions and concerns. Since the author lives in Philadelphia, some of his references did not really relate to our group. We enjoyed his gospel references and his heart to equip men to navigate through this life. He talked about several areas that challenge men like sex, pornography, and the feminization of men. The book was wonderfully worded. However, we felt that practical biblical solutions were lacking. But overall, it was a good book and it stimulated lots of lively conversation.

Q: What are some things you look forward to with your group this year?

This year we’re all just looking forward to hanging out either at someone’s home or at a sporting event. Simplicity works best with guys, and we simply just wanna hang out, and always be mindful of God’s kindness.

mind expanded, in terms of being sensible, it cannot happen apart from a regular, constant diet of the word of God.

As a word of encouragement: Men can grow in being wise and self-controlled, because this is what the bible produces in our lives.

Pastor Anthony Kidd addresses men at Los Angeles Bible Training School’s annual mens conference at Fairview Heights Baptist Church. To access the entire session, click the QR code on the left.

From Youtube/Fairview Heights Baptist Church