Images

Hopes/plans before the study begins

- That God will reveal to me areas of brokenness in my own life and show me ways to work through them and allow Him to shine in all areas

- To have a further understanding of the state of the world and see how the men of Grace Life are struggling with the same issues

- For opportunities to arise for our men to find real life change through the power of the Gospel

- For accountability and openness to increase among our men

Chapter 1: The Life and Death of Manhood

Initial thoughts:
It's easy to forget that Satan has it out for us.  He seeks to keep God's original design for man as messed up as possible, and it comes in many forms.  That struggle is not new, it's throughout the Bible, but it may look different today.  It's also easy to fall into the temptation of not viewing sin as seriously as God does.  The statement about how humanity grieved God to the point of Him wishing He hadn't made man. . . what choices do I make that are a part of that picture?  The three pieces of being an image bearer- responsibility, relationship, representation- holds some important keys that I have the feeling will be unlocked as the book goes on.

Key words/phrases/sentences:
- trademark (p. 5); that we have on use the stamp of being originated in God's likeness
- formed (p. 6); intentionally created, not just spoken into existence but carefully crafted
- image/likeness (p. 6-7); "Man was meant to function like a mirror- to reflect the image of God onto creation. . . to be an earthly representation of who God is)
- Representation (p. 7-8); "man represents God by virtue of being in His image.  . was to glory the god who created him
- Responsibility (p. 8); man was given the charge to bring creation under his power, to be the steward of what God has given him
- Relationship (p. 9-11); we are "designed with a unique capacity for relationship because it was His intent that this centerpiece of His creation, man and woman, would be relationally connect to Him for eternity."  Everything we do must be framed in this truth.  "The relationship is the most compelling factor driving what it means to be made in the image of God."
- sin (p. 12-16); choosing willful rebellion against God's law, and we often don't realize the full extent of the consequences.  "Man would struggle and replace what was meant to be reflected as a sign of his relationship with God with himself and creation [instead]."
- destruction of manhood (p. 17-18); Satan continually works against the restoration of manhood (Cain and Abel, the death of Hebrew boys in Exodus, the castration of men in captivity/exile)

Things to explore:
- How would I rate my stewardship of what God provides for me?

This has been a struggle for the past few months. I find that I have no problem being generous, but that sometimes goes too far the other way and I end up being looser with my finances than I ought. I am trying now to be more aware of how I spend my money on myself. I try my best to give whatever talents I have for the betterment of the church, and now I am learning to take that same approach in the individual relationships I have.

 - In the Venn circles, what pieces of either representation or responsibility do I view as connected directly to my relationship with God?  What am I withholding from Him, intentionally or not?

I definitely see my role at Grace Life as having come from these circles. The things that have happened and the way things are turning out, I know strongly that my relationship with God in this area is at the heart of it all. I think my biggest disconnect is in theater. I am wrestling with the idea that this has been a safe place full of acceptance and love. . . and that I turn to it for comfort rather than God. I am letting it have a greater influence on me than I am having a kingdom influence on it.

- What do I boast in?

Sometimes it is easy to give God glory, but too often I boast in my ability or my knowledge.

Important verses: Genesis 1:26-28; 1 Timothy 2:13; John 17:3; Romans 5:12; 1 Timothy 3

Chapter 2: The Impact of Daddy Deprivation

Initial thoughts:
I relate to the story from the beginning of the chapter where the guy felt guilty relating to others who physically did not have father's because he had one that was home but checked out.  I can point to a very specific period in my life where I was searching so desperately for someone to be my "daddy," failing to recognize that God was there wanting to take that role.  God desires intimacy with us, that as sons of His we have access to the ultimate caring, loving, present Father.  I am not surprised at the statistics and such and the ill effects of fatherlessness- I've seen it in the classroom and in the theater.  The relationship between the Spirit and us with regards to how we understand the Father is also important and something I haven't really thought of much.

Key words/phrases/sentences:
- Daddy deprivation (p. 19-22); fatherlessness, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or any combination
- replacement (p. 22-23); "everything He originally designed to be in our lives is essential. . . anything we try and use as replacement for God's original intention is dysfunctional."
- LGBTQ parenting (p. 24-25); the redefining of "family" as any unit with "love" between spouses; "LGBT is more than just a sexual issue, but it rails against gender clarity that facilitates men walking in their divine orientation according to God's created order."
- God's design for fatherhood (p. 27-30); built in since Genesis and the first marriage, that the union of two people has the expectation of passing on parenthood.  Fathers clarify our identity (Jacob and his sons' blessings as he died) and lead us spiritually (Proverbs father-> son relation).
- God as father (p. 31-34); the Spirit reveals God's fathership directly into our lives; Jesus provides a model to how He related to the Father
- emotional immaturity (p. 34-38); extended childhood, not being able to deal with problems and living in fantasy worlds (porn, drugs, video games); full of folly

Things to explore:
- How has daddy deprivation affected my life?

I understand that idea of having a dad who was physically present but emotionally unavailable. For a while I can remember that my dad would come home, immediately go onto the computer and play Freewill until dinner, and then we might all sit and eat dinner together? Or pretend to. And then he'd either turn on sports, or if there wasn't a game, then go back to Freewill. I know that I struggle with being accepted. I've black sheep syndrome and I know that I fight that tendency, the concept from Tender is the Night: "Most people think everybody feels about them much more violently than they actually do; they think other people's opinions of them swing through great arcs of approval or disapproval."

- In what ways do I understand God as father?  And where do I not?

I enjoy being able to talk to God whenever, about everything that's going on. I am depending on Him for provision and know He's looking out for me. I know that I don't immediately turn to God for advice. At least, not when the heat is on. If I have time to analyze and get into the Word, then great, but in immediate responses I do not go straight to prayer or trying to recall Scripture.

- Where am I emotionally immature?

If I let myself, I can write people off pretty quickly if they hurt me, whether via abandonment, ignorance, or willful choices. I also know that I am acutely unaware of my emotional states, and a lot of times I don't really deal with the emotional response to something until hours or days after it happens, which means I have to be careful that I don't spill that emotion onto a situation that it is not related to.

Important verses: Jeremiah 2:11-13; Romans 1:21-23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-12; Psalm 110:1; Romans 8:15-16; John 1:18

Chapter 3: The Restorer of Manhood

Initial thoughts: The already/not yet!!  So good and so true, to remember both sides of that balance in life as Christ has secured and restored us in God's sight and yet is still working on us to bring us to be more in His image.  Interesting thought that we have to start culturally to address a problem, and then socially, and then personally.  It sounds about right.  I also really liked the idea that Jesus always faces sin head-on, which is best illustrated by the fact that He took on humanity and came to attack it head on.

Key words/phrases/sentences:
- Restoration (p. 42-45); the act of returning something to its original state; biblically we also make a case for the restoration of God's intent for man, that although we individually have not been like Adam was, God wills that we would be that way.
- Reconciliation (p. 43-44); "a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to Him his full confidence and love."  It is already/not yet.
- prototype (p. 45); Jesus sets the mold for what we were supposed to be.  We see God's divine intent for humanity in Jesus' life.
- God became man (p. 49-52); the immense importance of understanding the full humanity of Jesus so that we can appreciate His ability to overcome temptation and His understanding of everything we experience (happiness, pain, grief, joy)
- The driven Jesus (p. 56-58); fully committed to the Father's plan and work, letting no obstacles come in His way and keeping consistent communion with God, he "must" be about His Father's work.
- The overcomer Jesus (p. 58-61); in no way did Jesus give into His temptations
- The sensitive Jesus (p. 61-64); completely understanding and empathetic to the human situation.
- The jealous Jesus (p. 65-67); the most important thing to Jesus was staying connected to the Father- His greatest temptation was to avoid the cross because it would cause that connection to sever, though temporarily.

Things to explore:
- How have I seen evidence of restoration and reconciliation in my life?

Familial relations continue to improve. I've found myself failing in some areas but yet God restores me, and sometimes to a better position than I was before. I find it harder to keep grudges, at least not without completely destroying my heart in the process.

- What parts of the prototype Jesus sets do I need help with?

All of it? Recognizing that Jesus, like us, is multi-faceted and really understands the entire human side of humanity. It doesn't make logical sense but the appeal of a God who intimately knows exactly what I am experiencing, not just because of omniscience but actual, real-life experience. . . that's pretty cool.

- Which aspect of Jesus highlighted appeals the most to me?  The least?

I like the driven Jesus, because it sounds a lot like me. When I have a goal in mind, I make it work, no matter what. It is easy for me to stay focused, even in the busiest times. Probably the hardest for me is the overcomer. It makes sense, but I have a hard time identifying because I know that I cannot do that. And I suppose maybe that is part of the point.

Important verses: 1 Corinthians 15; Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Titus 2:11-15; 1 John 3:1; Hebrews 4:15; Luke 9:58; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:13-17; Matthew 4:1-11; John 11:35; John 2:17

Chapter 4: Restored Worldview

Initial thoughts:  I know that I often seek to find a leader to step up in any organization that I work for, whether for only a couple weeks, a couple months, or long term.  And often I am disappointed, and sometimes even decide to step up even when it is not necessarily my job.  But the occasions where there is a compelling leader. . . those are the most exciting, where I do my best work, and the rewards are the greatest.  I found the idea of being both a disciple and a pilgrim an interesting image, the combination of on-the-spot training combined with a journey to an end goal.  I also thought the idea of either individualism or humanitarianism/legalism as the primary obstacles to growth interesting.  The idea that values, emotions, and will are all important parts of being transformed from the inside out is something I had not considered before.  Also I liked the idea that the knowledge side of a renewed mind must also be accompanied by choices, that we must weigh what we know against what the world is offering and choose to live in the new life.

Key words/phrases/sentences:
- Compelling leadership (p. 70); someone who produces in us a genuine desire to follow
- Disciple (p. 70-72); to follow, to learn from someone; "one who has renounced himself and pledged his life in a lifetime apprenticeship to the Lord"
- Pilgrim (p. 72-73); one who spends his life going somewhere specific
- Unhealthy individualism (p. 74); one who is so self-focused that the concept of self-denial proclaimed by Jesus is antithetical to their efforts; too isolated
- Unhealthy expectations of discipleship (p. 75); essentially legalism, one who expects to be filled through doing and does not rest in Jesus' finished work
- Transformation (p. 76-77); change from the inside out; "abide in Me"
- Biblical worldview (p. 79-80); " God becomes our point of reference and framework," to see the world through the grid of the Bible
- Expansion of new mind (p. 80-81); engagement of the Word via preaching, teaching, personal reading, and meditation
- Execution of new mind (p. 81-82); making choices to determine God's will in every situation

Things to explore:
- What is my primary obstacle to discipleship (individualism or unrealistic expectations)?

THIS FIRST

- Of values, emotions, or will, which do I focus most on?  Which do I need help in conforming to Jesus' image?

THIS SECOND

- Where do I need to improve the expansion of my new mind?  The execution?

THIS THIRD

Important verses: John 1:37; Matthew 10:39; Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; Philippians 2:1-4; John 15:1-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; James 1:21; Hebrews 5:14