Great Men Excel Still More

“Finallythen,brethren,werequestandexhortyouintheLordJesus,thatasyoureceivedfromusinstructionastohowyououghttowalkandpleaseGod

(justasyouactuallydowalk),thatyouexcelstillmore.”-1Thessalonians4:1

ClassGoals

• TostudyandbuildtheGodlycharacteristicsthathelpmenexcelduringeachstageoflife.• TosharpenoneanotherwithChrist-centeredfriendshipsandwisdom.• Tosparkagreaterdriveforsharingthegospelandengagingingooddeeds.

WeeklyLessons

1. GreatMenLearnToExcel

2. GreatMenCreateGreatHabits

3. GreatMenSharpenEachOther

4. GreatMenAreTough&Gentle

5. GreatMenLeadByExample

6. GreatMenPlaceGod&HisKingdomFirst

7. GreatMenUseTheirTalents

8. GreatMenServeWithIntegrity

9. GreatMenAreGrateful

10. GreatMenStewardTheirBlessings

11. GreatMenAddressTheirStress

12. GreatMenFinishStrong

1. Great Men Learn to Excel TheCallToExcellenceAccordingtothefollowingverses,whataresomeareasinwhichGodchargesustoexcelorabound? Matthew5:20 _______________________________________________

Luke12:15 _______________________________________________

1Corinthians15:58 _______________________________________________ 2Corinthians8:2,7 _______________________________________________

1Thessalonians3:12,4:1,4:10 _______________________________________________2Timothy1:7 _______________________________________________

ALifeWellLived&AJobWellDoneExamineGenesis1:26-31andGenesis2:15-25carefully.WhatdidGoddesignmentobeanddo?

SpiritualTraits: PersonalQualities:

AreasofAuthority: Relationships:Productivity:

Greatmenexcelnotonlyinwhattheydo,butinwhotheyare.WhatcanwelearnaboutboththecharacterandaccomplishmentsofgreatmeninEcclesiastes9:10,12:13? GreatMenExcelLikeJoshuaOverthecourseofhislife,JoshuagrewfromayoungmanlearningatMoses’side,toaboldwarriorleadingthepeople,andintoawisesageguidingbothhishouseholdandnation.Reviewthefirst6chaptersofthebookofJoshua.Ineachchapter,lookforonebigideathatcontributedtoJoshua’sdevelopmentandsuccess.

Chapter1:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.

Chapter2:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.

Chapter3:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.

Chapter4:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.

Chapter5:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.Chapter6:WewillexcellikeJoshuawhenwe__________________________________________.

2. Great Men Create Great Habits ThePowerofOurHabits“Everyactionyoutakeisavoteforthetypeofpersonyouwishtobecome.Nosingleinstancewilltransformyourbeliefs,butasthevotesbuildup,sodoestheevidenceofyournewidentity.”(AtomicHabitsbyJamesClear)Beforestudyingthehabitsinthislesson,stopandlist10habitsyouwouldliketopracticeasaChristian:1._______________ 2._______________ 3._______________ 4._______________5._______________ 6._______________ 7._______________ 8._______________ 9._______________10.______________ ConsiderColossians3:1-11.WhatisinvolvedinChristiansbreakingoldhabitsandstartingnew,Godlyones?Habit#1.GreatMenDon’tMakeExcusesWhatiswrongwiththeexcusesmadebyeachofthesemen?Genesis3:9-12 __________________________ Proverbs26:13_________________________Exodus4:1,10 __________________________ Luke14:16-24__________________________HowdoesMatthew5:37andMatthew21:28-32directustowardsahigherlevelofintegrity?

Habit#2.GreatMenMoveForwardWhatapproachhelpedPaulavoidbeinghinderedbytheprideofhispastandbytheregretsofhispast?PastAccomplishments: ______________________________________________(Philippians3:1-11)

PastMistakes: ______________________________________________(Philippians3:12-16)Habit#3.GreatMenDevelopTheDisciplineofPurityProverbs5,6,&7notonlywarnmenaboutthedangerofsexualsin,butalsoinstructusincriticalhabits.Identifythehabitstaughtin…5:8_________________________5:13,18________________________6:20,24_____________________6:27-29______________________6:32_________________________7:21-27_______________________Habit#4.GreatMenDoGoodWorksInSecretReadMatthew6:1-8.WhydoesGodfindjoyingoodworkscarriedoutwithhumility?Habit#5.GreatMenPracticeDiscernmentDiscernmentlooksforthemostsignificantfactorstohelpusmakewisedecisions.WhatdidSolomonhavetodiscernin1Kings3:16-28?Christiansmustbeabletodiscern____________from___________.(Hebrews5:14,1Thessalonians5:21)

3. Great Men Sharpen Each Other WhoCanITrust?Oneoflife’sgreatquestionsis,“WhocanItrust?”Whatqualitiesofatrust-worthyfriendarerevealedin:____________________________ _____________________________ _________________________

Proverbs13:20 Proverbs18:24 Proverbs22:24-25TheFriendsofJesusJesusbroughtPeter,James,andJohnintohisclosestcircleoffriendship.Whatdidthisinclude?(Matthew17:1,Mark5:37,Mark13:3,Mark14:33)Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsGospel-CenteredFriendshipsAreLikeFamilyRelationships(Colossians4:7-9,Philemon1:15-16,Mark3:34-35)

• LikeTychicus,howcanwebetterdemonstratebrotherlyrelationshipsinthebodyofChrist?Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsSuffer&BearOneAnother’sBurdens(Colossians4:10,Acts19:29,Acts27:2)

• LikeAristarchus,howcanwerecognizewhenabrotherneedsustostandwiththeminatrial?Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsRiseAboveSocialBarriers(Colossians4:9-15)

• Paulcountedontheyoung&old,theJew&Gentile.Howcanwebeintentionaltodevelopfriendshipswithabroadrangeofbrothers?

Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsEncouragePrayer(Colossians4:12-14)

• LikeEpaphras,whataresomeimportantthingsweshouldprayaboutforourbrothers?Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsEncourageTheStudyofScripture(Colossians4:16)

• LiketheLaodiceans,whatbenefitscomefromstudyingthescripturesalongsideagroupoffriends?Whencanyouworkthisintoyourschedule?

Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsSometimesDiscourageUs(Colossians4:10,14-16,2Timothy4:10,Rev.3:14-20)

• LikeMark,Demas,&theLaodiceans,Paulwasdiscouragedbythesinsofhisbrothers.Howshouldwerespondtosimilardisappointments?Howcanwecontinueinfaithfulnessafterthesehurts?

Gospel-CenteredFriendshipsEncourageUsToExcelInTheLord(Colossians4:17-18)

• LikeArchippus,whocanyoubuildupandencouragetotakethenextstepintheirworkfortheLord?BuildingGodlyFriendships

• Takeagenuineinterestinothers.Offerhelptoothers–nostringsattached.Mixupyourroutine.• Planorjoinasharedactivity.Reconnectwitholdacquaintances.Talktothenewpeopleyoumeet.

4. Great Men Are Tough & Gentle Rehoboam’sBigDecisionPleaseread1Kings12:1-16. Whatdidthepeoplerequest?(Vs.4)

WhydidRehoboamneedtimetorespond?(vs5)

WhattwogroupsdidRehoboamseekadvicefrom,andwhatdidtheyrecommend?(vs.6-11) WhowasRehoboamthinkingaboutthemostinhisfinaldecision?(vs.12-14)

Whatdidthisharshresponsecosthim?(vs.15-16)

UsingOurGod-GivenStrengthsGodcreateduswiththeabilitytobeverytoughwhenneeded,andtobeverygentlewhenneeded.Paulusedbothofthesequalitiestohelphimtakethegospelthroughouttheworld.

• GiveanexampleofatimewhenPaulwastough: ______________________________________

• GiveanexampleofatimewhenPaulwasgentle: ______________________________________Jesusistheperfectexampleofbeingtoughwhenitwasrightandhealthy,andbeinggentlewhenitwasrightandhealthy.InMatthew26:47-65wegetanexcellentcontrastbetweentherighteouschoicesofJesusandtheshort-sightedchoicesofPeter.Usethisreadingtoanswerthefollowingquestions. Howdidtheapproachingthreatappear?(26:47) HowmuchtimedidPetertaketorespond?(Luke22:49-50)HowdidPeterrespond?(26:51) WhydidJesusexerciserestraint?(26:52-54) WhatgentleactdidJesusperform?(Luke22:51-53)BasedonJesus’example,whatfactormostdetermineswhetherwerespondwithgentlenessortoughness?GettingItRightBeingtoughorgentleatthewrongtimecanhaveveryhighcosts.

• HowisJohntheBaptistanotherexampleofgettingthisdecisionright?(Matthew3:1-12,14:1-12)

• LikeRehoboam,whatdidgettingitwrongcostPharaoh?Whatcanitcostus?

• WhatinsightdoesJames3:13-16providetohelpusdeterminewhentobetoughorgentle?

5. Great Men Lead By Example ATimelessPrincipleIn1Peter5:1-11,eldersareinstructedtoleadbyexample.Then,Petermentionsfiveamazingattributesthatmakeourexamplesshine.Whatarethey?_______________________(vs5-6)________________________(vs7)________________________(vs8),_____________________________(vs.9),_________________________(vs.10-11)AnExampleWeCanClearlySeeLeadingbyexamplecanbemorechallengingthanleadingbyforce,butalsofarmorerewardingandenduring.

• Leadingbyexamplerequiresdoingtherightworkwiththeright________________.(John13:13-17)

• Leadingbyexamplerequiresdeterminingtherightdestinationandpursuingit_________________________________.(Joshua24:15)

• Leadingbyexamplerequiresinvitingotherstojoinyouinthepursuitofcommon_______________.(Acts16:3,2Timothy3:10-11)

• Leadingbyexamplerequiresfacetofacetimetogethersootherscan_______________________.

(Matthew15:12-14)

• Leadingbyexamplecreatesareputationthatinspires________________.(1Thess.1:6-8,2Cor.9:1-2)

LeadingByExampleIsEnhancedWithClearInstructionsTheBiblenotonlyincludesthelifestoriesofgreatheroesoffaith,italsoprovidesclearcommandments.Whenrebuildingthewall,Nehemiahusedhisauthority,hisexample,andhisspeechtofinishsuccessfully.HowwouldyoudescribeNehemiah’sexamplein5:14-19?Inspiteofhisgoodexample,whatproblemarosein5:1-8?WhatstepsdidNehemiahtaketobesurehisexamplewascloselyfollowedin5:9-13?TimelessExamplesThinkofthreeareaswhereyouwouldliketosetabetterexampleandlistaBiblicalherowhosetsanexcellentexampleforyoutofollowinthisarea.IwanttobeaGodlyexampleof__________________,soIamlearningfromtheexampleof______________.IwanttobeaGodlyexampleof__________________,soIamlearningfromtheexampleof______________.IwanttobeaGodlyexampleof__________________,soIamlearningfromtheexampleof______________.

6. Great Men Seek God & His Kingdom First TheDefiningDirectionofJesusInMatthew6:33Jesuselevatesourthinkingfarabovetrustinginorworryingaboutwealth.HehelpsustrustinandfocusonGod.Whatisthemeaningandsignificanceofeachkeywordinthisfamousverse?

• GreatMenDeterminetoSEEK

• GreatMenDetermineWhatWillBeFIRST

• GreatMenDetermineWhoIsReallyInCharge:HIS

• GreatMenDetermineWhichKINGDOMTheyAreLoyalTo

• GreatMenDetermineTheTrueStandardofRIGHTEOUSNESS

• GreatMenDetermineTheDivineSourceofALLTHESETHINGSGreatMenGiveGodTheHonorHeDeservesSometimesit’sthereligiouswhohavethemosttroubleputtingGodfirst.WhatproblemswerethepeopleofMalachi’sdayfacing,eventhoughtheyknewGod?_________________________________(1:6-14) _______________________________(2:3-9)_________________________________(2:13-17)_______________________________(3:5-10)Whatstepsdidtheytaketobreakoutoftheseevilbehaviors?(Malachi3:16-18)DevelopingTheGODFIRSTMindsetAccordingtoPsalm5:1-3howwasDavidbeginninghismorning?CanyoufindafewreferencestootherservantsofGodwhobegantheirdaythisway?WhatdidputtingGodfirstlooklikeinthelifeofNoah?(Hebrews11:7)WhatdidputtingGodfirstlooklikeinthelifeofEzra?(Ezra7:10)WhatdidputtingGod’skingdomfirstlooklikeinthelifeofPaul?(Philippians1:21-26)

7. Great Men Use Their Talents Resources+Time+Labor=ProfitInMatthew25:14-30andinLuke19:11-27JesusteachesthatwhenGodprovidesresourcesandtime,Heexpectsustocontributeour___________________________toproducea________________outcome.

• WhatqualitiesdoesGodexpectinourwork?

• Whatwillbegiventothefaithfulservants?(Luke19:17,26)GreatMenUseTheirTalentsAtWorkManypassagesaddresstheimportanceandpurposeofourwork.Whatdowelearninthesethree?_______________________ ________________________ ________________________ Colossians3:23-24 1Timothy5:8 Ephesians4:28Howdoyourco-workersrespondtotheworkethicdescribedinEphesians6:5-9inyourworkplace?Titus2:9-10describesourworkethicasadorning“thedoctrineofGodourSaviorineveryrespect.”Whendoesyourdailyworkfeelspirituallysignificant?Whendoesitfeelspirituallyirrelevant?GreatMenUseTheirTalentsInTheBodyofChristInHaggai1:4-9,GodchallengesHispeopleto“consideryourways.”Whatdidtheyneedtorecognizeabouttheuseoftheirtimeandtalents?Whatareasofkingdomworkareyoubestsuitedfor?(Romans12:4-8,1Corinthians12:18-31,1Peter4:7-11)GreatMenFindAHealthyRhythmofWork&RestGodcreatedpeopletoworkhardandtorestwell.UnderthelawofMoses,Heoutlinedarhythmofweeklyrest,annualrest,seven-yearrest,andevenajubileeofrest.AsChristianswhatshouldwelearnfromtheseOldTestamentexamples?HowdidJesusweaveworkandrestintoHisbusydays?

Mark1:35 _________________________Mark4:35-40 ________________________________Luke5:15-16_________________________ Luke6:12 ________________________________John4:31-38_________________________ John12:1-2 ________________________________

HowwouldyouliketomaximizeyourretirementyearsforGod’sglory?

8. Great Men Serve With Integrity ABiblicallyTrainedConscienceAwell-trainedconsciencecanbeourgreatestallyinbuildingandmaintainingintegrity.HowcanyoudevelopaChrist-centeredconscience?

• 2Corinthians1:12 ________________________________________________________________

• Romans14:19-23 ________________________________________________________________

• Acts24:16,1Tim.4:2________________________________________________________________

• 1Corinthians10:25-29________________________________________________________________TheLifeofJobJob31providesadetailedlookintothecharacterofamanGoddescribedas,“ablamelessanduprightman,fearingGodandturningawayfromevil.”(1:8)Whatcategoriesofintegritydoyourecognizeineachsection:____________________________ _____________________________ _________________________

Job31:1-4 Job31:5-8 Job31:9-15____________________________ _____________________________ _________________________

Job31:16-28 Job31:29-32 Job31:33-34____________________________ PersonalReflection:WhoisaChristianmanyoucanturntoand

Job31:35-40 confessfailuresintheseareas,andseekhishelptorebuildyour integrity?TheEnemiesofIntegritySatantargetstheintegrityofGodlymenwithfivecommon,butpowerfulattacks.HowdoestheBiblehelpusresisteach?Dosomecarefulstudytobringausefulpassageoneachtopictosharewiththeclass. APersonWhoFacedThisAttack APassageThatHelpsUsOvercomeItHypocrisy _________________________________ _______________________________________Anger _________________________________ _______________________________________Greed _________________________________ _______________________________________Lust _________________________________ _______________________________________Pride _________________________________ _______________________________________

9. Great Men Are Grateful SamsonHadItAll,AndLostIt.Inmanyways,Samson‘haditall.’ReviewhislifeinJudges13-16,thennoticetheblessingsrecordedinthefollowingverses.Howdidheendupwastingorabusingeachblessing?

• Samsonhad_____________________,buthe_______________________________(Judges13:3-5)

• Samsonhad_____________________,buthe_______________________________(Judges13:15-23)

• Samsonhad_____________________,buthe_______________________________(Judges14:1-4)

• Samsonhad_____________________,buthe_______________________________(Judges15:14-20)GreatMenHaveMuchToBeGratefulFor!PauloftenexpressedgratitudefortheblessingsofGod,andin1Thessalonians5:18hetaughtallChristianstobethankful.WhatblessingsdidPaulcommonlygivethanksfor?__________________________(Romans1:8) ___________________________(1Cor.15:57)__________________________(2Corinthians1:1-7) ___________________________(1Tim.1:12-24)GratitudeNeedsToShowUpGratitudethatisfelt,butneverexpressed,looksjustlikeingratitude.HowcangratitudetangiblyshowupinsomeoftheareasSamsonneglected:

• OurSpeech: _____________________________________________________(vs.)

• OurSelf-Control: _____________________________________________________(vs.)

• OurSacrifices: _____________________________________________________(vs.)

• OurParenting: _____________________________________________________(vs.)

• OurDiligence: _____________________________________________________(vs.)

DetermineToBeDifferentInLuke17:11-19,onlyoneleperreturnstothankJesusforbeinghealed.Howcanthefollowingstepshelpusstandoutingratitude?Whatvisualreminderscanincreaseourgratitude? HowcanthePsalmsincreaseourgratitude?Howcanwebegratefulindifficultcircumstances? Whendoyoumostnoticethegratitudeofothers?

10. Great Men Steward Their Blessings NineKeysofFinancialStewardshipHowwehandleourfinancesandhowweserveGodareinseparable.TheBiblecallsallofustobecomefaithfulmanagersofthelife,blessings,andfinancesGodentruststous.Ourmanagementistemporary,andwewillgiveanaccounttotheLord.GoodStewardsHonorGod.(Psalm24:1,Proverbs3:9-10,Matthew6:24)

• WhatdoesitmeantohonorGod,notonlyinofferings,butinourcareforallHeentruststous?GoodStewardsKeepWatch.(Proverbs27:23-24,Proverbs21:5)

• WhatstepsdoyoutaketokeeptrackofwhatGodhasgivenyou,howitisused,andwhatisonthehorizon?

GoodStewardsEmbraceGiving.(Luke12:33-34,2Corinthians9:5-11)

• InActs2:44-45,whatcompelledtheearlyChristianstogivegenerously?GoodStewardsSaveForWhatIsComing.(Genesis41:34-36,Proverbs30:24-25)

• Howcanweusewisdomtosaveforarainyday,butalsohonorMatthew6:34?GoodStewardsLivewithContentment.(Philippians4:11-13,1Timothy6:6-11)

• Whatarethedangersofadiscontentheart?

GoodStewardsEliminateDebt.(Proverbs22:7,26-27)• Debtisnotalwayssinful,butitisalwaysaburden.HowdoesProverbs6:1-5describetheurgencyof

eliminatingourdebts?

• WhatdoesGodthinkaboutrefusingtopayourdebtsinPsalm37:21?GoodStewardsAvoidWaste.(John6:12,Luke15:13)

• Whataretheareasofdailylifewherealittlebitofwastecanadduptoabigcostovertime?GoodStewardsInvestCarefully.(Proverbs31:16,Ecclesiastes11:2)

• WhatgoalsdoChristianshavefortheirinvestments?GoodStewardsGiveThanks&Rejoice.(1Timothy6:17-19)

• WhatcanyoulearnfromthewayAbraham,Job,andSolomonenjoyedtheirwealth?

• WhatallowsChristianstofindjoyinbeing“richingoodworks?”

11. Great Men Address Their Stress HighStressSeasonsFromthepoliticalbattlesfacedbyDaniel,tothereligiouspersecutionfacedbyPaul,theBibleisfullofgodlymenwhofacedhighstressseasonsoflife.Whatthreeareasofyourlifearethemoststressfultoday?

1. ______________________ 2.__________________________ 3._________________________Howdoyourespondtostress?Somemenstoptalking,somegetangry,someworkfuriously,somefeelhopelessandstopeverything.Whatdoyouusuallydo?Ifyouareunsure,askaclosefriend.In2Corinthians4:7-12,whatindicatorsofstressdoesPaulmention?In2Corinthians4:13-18,whatanchorsofhopedoesheholdonto?GreatMenBuildOnTheRockUntilourlifeisbuiltfirmlyonJesusChrist,thestormswefacewillalwaysendindisaster.Whatdoesalifewithafirmfoundationlooklikeinthefollowingverses?____________________________ ____________________________ ___________________________

Psalm127:1-2 Eph5:15-21 2Tim.4:16-18GreatMenImproveTheirApproachSometimestangiblechangestoourworkloadneedtobemade,butoften,itisourthinkingandourresponsesthatneedtobeadjusted.Whatdothefollowingpassagesteachustodointhemiddleofahigh-stresslife?Matthew6:34_____________________________ Isaiah40:28-31_________________________________Philippians2:14____________________________ Psalm46:1-3___________________________________Luke21:34-36____________________________________________________________________________GreatMenAvoidMakingMattersWorseInfertilityisaheart-wrenching,high-stresschallenge.It’snormalandreasonableforcouplestolookforoptionstoaddressthis.However,inGenesis16:1-16AbramandSaraimadeaplanthatmadethingsworse.ReadGenesis16:1-16andlookforideasweshouldkeepinmindwhennavigatingveryhigh-stressproblems. •____________________________(vs.1-4) •____________________________(vs.5-6) •____________________________(vs.7-9) •____________________________(vs.10-16)GreatMenCallForBackupPretendingthatnothingisbotheringusdoesn’twork.Sometimeswhatweneedmostisahelpinghand(evenifwehatetoadmitit.)HowdidJonathanhelpDavidduringhishigh-stresspathtothethrone?1Samuel19:1-7____________________________1Samuel23:15-18_____________________________

12. Great Men Finish Strong MenWhoFinishStrongTheBibleisfullofmenwithgreatbeginningsandterribleendings.

• WhatproblemsdisruptedkingAsa(2Chronicles16:12)andkingSolomon?(1Kings11:4)

• WhatkeptCaleboncourseforastrongfinish?(Joshua14:10-15) FinishStrong:CommitToANon-NegotiableVisionAstrongfinishisnotaboutwealthorprestige.Whatarethecorequalitiesyouaredeterminedtofinishwith?WhatmakesPaul’sfinishsoadmirable?(2Timothy1:12-14,and4:7-8)FinishStrong:Remember,APainfulSetbackIsNotTheEndofTheStoryDescribethechangesMosesfacedfromExodus1toExodus2.

• Work:Moseswentfroma_________________inEgypt,to______________________inMidian.

• Recognition:from____________________inEgypt,to__________________________inMidian.

• Relationships:from__________________inEgypt,to___________________________inMidian.InDeuteronomy34:1-8,howdoestheBibledescribetheendofMoses’life?FinishStrong:NeverBeStrippedofYourFaith&Character.Josephwasstrippedofhiscoat,hisfavoredposition,andhissurroundings,butnothisconvictionsorhiscourage.HowwouldyoudescribethefaithofJoseph?(Genesis37-47)FinishStrong:NeverTradeYourPurityForPosition.Josephwasconfrontedwithadangerouswoman.Herdesiresandherlieswerenothingbuttrouble.Howdidheovercome?(Genesis39:6-21)FinishStrong:NeverLetBetrayalBecomeBitterness.Josephwaspositionedtoinflictapainfulrevenge.WhatisJosephmoreinterestedinthanrevenge?(45:1-15)InEphesians4:31-32,whatinstructionsarewegivenaboutourfeelingsofbitterness?FinishStrong:NeverTakeYourEyesOffofGod’sApproval.WhatcanwelearnfromNehemiah’sconstantprayer?(Nehemiah5:19,13:14,13:22,13:31)