New Men’s Ministry Study for Fall-Winter 2009/2010

Over the last eight years of our men’s ministry at Southside we have studied deeply from God’s Word. We have tackled books such as Romans, Nehemiah, and the Gospel of John, just to name a few. Great doctrines such as God’s holiness, God’s covenantal faithfulness, and those truths we find in the Apostles’ Creed have also been carefully considered. Additionally, we have reflected on what it means to be godly men who face temptation daily and who wrestle with issues of contentment. We have also learned what it means to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ in our roles as husbands, fathers, leaders, and employees or employers. As you can see, we have covered a great deal of ground.

I believe that much of what we have studied during the last eight years has prepared us for this year’s new study. Martin Luther has a wonderful quote that accurately introduces this year’s focus. Luther wrote…

“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that one point.”

This year we will add to our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ by looking at what it means to be a DEFENDER of our faith.

Luther said that a soldier proves his loyalty where the battle rages. In our day and in our culture the battle lines have been drawn around the unique Person and Work of Jesus Christ. The early Christians learned the hard way what the cost was of saying that God had uniquely revealed himself in and through the Person of Jesus Christ. They suffered greatly for declaring the truth of the Christian faith to the world.

Our day is no different than theirs. If you don’t believe me, just try telling people at your next party or family reunion that you believe Jesus is God’s only begotten Son, that he is the only way of salvation, etc. No doubt you will be indelibly marked with descriptions, such as, “closed-minded,” “intolerant,” or “fundamentalist.”

And yet we still have a wonderful message of truth and good news to declare to a world in desperate need of hearing and receiving it. Sadly, however, regardless of how winsomely it is delivered, our message is not always welcomed. Sometimes, it is even ridiculed, rejected, or denied. And when that’s the case, what do you do?

Do you know how to give an answer to someone who rejects or denies your good news about Jesus? Do you know how to respond to a person who tells you that Jesus is just one of many ways to God and that it doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you’re sincere? Would you be able to make a case to someone regarding why you believe Jesus was and is God Incarnate, why he died on the Cross, and that he rose from the dead on the third day?

Our new study will deal with these and other issues. Each week we will be educated, equipped, and encouraged to make a case for our faith in Christ.

I have discovered two awesome study guides that will direct our study through God’s Word and will help guide our conversations in ways that will aid us as we think through the major issues and implications of each week’s topic. I have also assembled some of today’s best and brightest Christian thinkers and communicators to teach us how to think, speak, and act Christianly about the issues we’ll be focusing upon. (see the schedule below)

If you have any questions about this new study, please do not hesitate to contact me at D.Tedder@southsidemethodist.org or 396-2676. You are cordially invited to come and be a part of our fellowship as well as this great new study.

Stand Firm,
Dale