10. Values - Study Questions
This is the Study Guide for the Values article by Ken Boa. Read it first.
Appendix: Study Guide for
MEN7/52 Leadership Series
MEN 7/52 is a men's ministry of bible.org. Our desire is to see all men become true followers of Jesus Christ 7 days a week/52 weeks a year.
The Men’s Bible Study Leadership Series is presented by bible.org to help you build and fortify men in preparation for their roles as leaders in their families, churches, communities, and workplaces.
It is a leadership series because no matter what age or station in life a man finds himself, he is called to lead. Leadership hates a vacuum. If a man of God doesn’t stand up and lead, then someone else will and the consequences can be drastic for generations.
It is also a discipleship series because building men’s leadership requires ongoing personal relationships with someone who will shepherd and mentor them over the long term. Just as Christ lived in a community of relationship with His disciples, preparing them to lead, so too must we if we are to grow and be effective.
There are sixteen lessons that are designed to be conducted over a thirty-two week period. Your group should meet weekly at a specific time and place. First, participants should be expected to read all of the Scripture verses thoroughly, on a daily basis, and be encouraged to meditate on them. Second, they should read the article carefully and look for aspects of it that impact them personally. Third, they should complete the discussion questions thoughtfully, completely, and honestly, and diligently address personal applications. Finally, they should be prepared to share their answers during your group sessions.
The articles used in this series are written by Dr. Kenneth Boa. Dr. Boa is engaged in a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship, teaching, writing, and speaking. He holds a B.S. from Case Institute of Technology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. from New York University, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England.
By the time your group has finished this series, relationships and spiritual bonds should have formed. Authentic spiritual interdependence will be experienced, and men will know they are not alone in being who and what God wants them to be. It will be critical for the group to either stay together for the next series, or to stay in close touch weekly to continue the shepherding experience and forming true Christian brotherhood.
Lesson 12
Leadership Qualities: Values (Part 1)
A man’s values must reflect God’s righteousness, integrity, and holiness.
Read “Leadership Qualities: Values” by Dr. Ken Boa and listen to his audio message online.
1. Why are values essential to effective leadership?
2. What are the values that drive your behavior?
3. In what context is righteousness realized?
4. If there is no absolute standard of values, what is the explicit consequence?
5. In resolving the conflict between earthly values and God’s values, where the costs are high, what vital question must you ask?
Read Psalm 15:1-5, Habakkuk 1:13
Through David, God reveals the system of values we must have in order to enter His kingdom.
6. List all the value-driven behavior characteristics mentioned in Psalm 15.
7. With which ones do you struggle the most?
8. From where does truth have to be first spoken?
9. What commitments have you broken so you could avoid the pain of keeping them?
10. Who are we commanded to honor?
11. Who are we to despise?
12. Why do you think God allows wicked people to prosper (Habakkuk1:13)?
Read Exodus 20:1-11
God commands how we are to respect, honor, and revere Him. He demands exclusive worship of Him, and Him alone.
13. In what ways do we have other gods in our culture?
14. When you examine the time, talent, and treasure you spend, what other gods are in your life?
15. As you read verses 4 – 6, what thoughts, fears, concerns, and hope do you have regarding your family?
16. We often interpret verse 7 within the context of cursing. What are other ways in which we can use God’s name in vain?
17. How does your family’s observance of the Sabbath reflect the rest and holiness God requires?
18. What changes do you need to make make?
Read Exodus 20:12-17, Matthew 5:21-22
God commands how we are to treat people. He commands us to respect the life, property, reputation, purity, and honor of others, especially our parents and the sanctity of marriage.
19. Describe what it means to “honor” your father and mother? Be specific.
20. What do you do if your father or mother has been less than honorable to you?
21. How does God expect us to obey this commandment if our parents have been abusive?
22. Explain how you teach your children to honor you? How do you teach them to honor their mother?
23. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that murder is more than killing the body. What other ways can we commit murder?
24. Are there times when your anger toward someone violates this commandment?
25. Is there someone in your life toward whom you harbor such anger? If yes, what will you do to become obedient?
26. Stealing and cheating can be done with things, time, and money. What have you taken that doesn’t belong to you? How have you rationalized your behavior?
27. Have you said something about another person that was either not true, exaggerated, or based on insufficient evidence and knowledge? Please explain.
28. As you observe the social, economic, and professional status of other men, what are some of their possessions or positions that you covet or envy?
29. How has God uniquely blessed you in your social, economic, and professional position?
30. Please share with the group how you can use these blessings to uniquely minister to others.
Memory Verse: Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Lesson 13
Leadership Qualities: Values (Part 2)
God’s leaders serve Him exclusively and pray to Him daily.
Continue reading “Leadership Qualities: Values” by Ken Boa, and listen to his audio message online.
1. On what values did Jesus teach His disciples to focus?
2. What three questions are derived from Matthew 6:1?
3. How would you answer these questions?
4. Describe the difference between “terminal” values and “instrumental” values.
Read Matthew 6:1-10
Jesus warns us against seeking the praise and recognition of others, especially in our works of charity. He also teaches that our prayers are to be private and intimate – praising the Father, desiring His kingdom, and submitting to His will.
5. Describe circumstances in your life in which you seek the praise of others.
6. How important is that praise for you?
7. List some of the areas in your life where you experience success?
8. What are the symbols of that success?
9. Who gives you recognition for your successes?
10. What would it be like if your successes were unknown to others?
11. Where do you find your significance?
12. Why does Jesus want you to pray and fast in private?
13. How often do you pray privately?
14. How much time do you set aside each day that is dedicated to quite prayer?
Read Matthew 6:11-18
Our requests should be simple. Jesus tells us that we should ask for provision for today, protection from temptation, escape from Satan, and forgiveness of our sins. However, He teaches us that we must forgive others in the same way we want God to forgive us.
15. Jesus tells us to ask only for our “daily bread”. Why do you think He omitted asking for long range blessings?
16. What requests are on your daily prayer list?
17. In verses 12, 14, and 15, Jesus teaches that God’s forgiveness of us is a commensurate with our forgiveness of others. Describe, in your own words, how you want God to forgive you.
18. Is there anyone in your life, past or present, alive or dead, who you have not forgiven in this manner?
19. Write down the names of all those whom you have not forgiven in the manner in which you want God to forgive you.
20. What will you do to genuinely forgive them?
21. Verse 13 asks God not to lead us into temptation. How is it possible for God to lead you into temptation?
Read Matthew 6:19-34
Because we can only serve one master, our singular purpose is to pursue God’s kingdom and righteousness. As we do so, He will fulfill all of our needs. God values undivided loyalty to Him, and total trust in His providence.
22. What conflicts do you encounter in your pursuit of spiritual and financial goals?
23. Describe a circumstance in your life in which your pursuit of a career goal challenged your spiritual character.
24. How did you resolve it?
25. Take some time and conduct an inventory of your spending habits (both money and time). What percentage goes toward earthly treasures? What percentage goes toward Heavenly treasures?
26. What part of your heavenly treasures category is really earthly treasure? Be honest.
27. Why does Jesus warn us not to worry about our needs?
28. What does worry demonstrate that we lack?
29. What changes will you make so that you will exclusively pursue God’s kingdom.
Memory Verse: Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.