This Study Guide is for the Self-Discipline article by Ken Boa. Read it first.
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 7
Leadership Qualities: Self-Discipline
God requires and empowers His men to be self-disciplined.
Read “Leadership Qualities: Self-Discipline” by Dr. Ken Boa and listen to his audio message online.
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The Apostle Paul teaches the church in Corinth that they must be strict in their training if they want to win the ultimate prize. He exhorts them to do as he does. He disciplines his body so that he can endure the rigors of being a follower of Christ. He doesn’t want to be disqualified.
Read Jeremiah 18:1-12, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 103:8, 2 Peter 3:8-9.
One of the central themes of the Old Testament is the rise and fall of God’s people as they vacillate between obedience and disobedience. Our lives so often reflect these same blessings and consequences, and His requirement for our obedience. But, God gives us ample time and patience to remold ourselves in true repentance.
Read 2 Timothy 1:7, Galatians 5:16-26.
God never gives us a task to do without equipping us first. He requires our repentance and our obedience if we are to enjoy eternal life with Him. No matter how hard it is to be transformed, God always gives us the means to be in His will.
(Proverbs 12:26, 18:24, 22:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:33) We are known by the company we keep. We are shaped by the people who influence and are in relationship with us. We need to surround ourselves only with righteous people, even if it is only one.
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.