“Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 1 Samuel 17:8b-9
I recently led a workshop on men’s discipleship titled, “Send out Your Champion.” This title is prompted by the fact that Noble Warriors is constantly looking for Champions for Men in the local church. Our goal is to identify, support, and encourage Champions for Men in every church. We want to find the guy (or guys) who constantly think about how to reach and build men of all ages through the local church.
We believe that there is at least one man (Hopefully the pastor!) in every church who thinks and prays about the fact that helping men walk with Christ transforms individuals, marriages, families, churches, and communities. We’re looking for those Champions! Are you a Champion for men in your church? If so, please let us know!!!
In my workshop presentation, I suggested that Champions for Men must prepare for battle like David did. David responded to Goliath’s taunts carrying his sling (a weapon) and five smooth stones (ammunition). David ran to the battle line and used his sling to take out the taunting giant.
Goliath called out to the army of Israel saying,
“Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 1 Samuel 17:8b-9
Discipling men through the local church is a Goliath of sorts. Very few churches move beyond calendar filling ministry events to strategic men’s discipleship. The Philistine Champion, Goliath, called for the Champion of Israel to meet him on the battlefield. Goliath assumed his 9-foot stature would give him the upper hand. It wouldn’t really be a fair fight. And he was correct. It wasn’t a fair fight because David came to him “in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.” Goliath didn’t have a chance.
David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48b
Champions for Men in the local church can and must run to the battle for men in the name of the Lord with a sling and some well-chosen stones. Prayer is the sling, the effective weapon. Tactical elements are the smooth stones.
To take on the giant, we must be skilled with the weapon of prayer. We must pray for men, about men, and with men.
Think about these questions. Do you have answers? (Champions for men do.)
- What man are you praying for?
- What man’s challenges are you praying about?
- What men are you praying with?
David selected five smooth stones that were ready for his sling. He only needed one to kill Goliath. Here are five pieces of ammunition that you must have ready to launch, with prayer, to take on the giant of men’s discipleship in your church.
- Excellent Execution – We must do things well when we want to reach men. God’s nature and character are excellent!
And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37
2. Strategic Intentionality – We must be thoughtful and strategic, not haphazard when we seek to disciple men. Success will not happen accidentally.
…looking to Jesus, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
3. Intergenerational Engagement – The young man needs the old man’s wisdom. The old man needs the young man’s strength.
Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Titus 2:2,6
4. Collaborative Teamwork – One man can’t reach every man by himself. If God calls you to lead, you must build a team.
And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. Mark 6:7
5. Practical Application – Every guy wants to win in life, at home, in marriage, at work. To reach and build men, we must give them practical help.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
Walk through this simple battle plan and ponder these questions.
- Am I praying with, for, and about men in my church? How is God guiding me to engage men?
- Are we representing Christ well in our execution of men’s discipleship? Do we start and end on time? Are we sloppy with any aspects of our efforts to reach and build men?
- Are we strategic with time and topics? It’s easy to make a ministry plan that fits your schedule. Are you strategic in your offerings such that you truly engage your target audience?
- Are we aware of the need to build men at every level? Men’s discipleship should start with the boys in your children’s ministry, include the teens in your student ministry, as well as young adults, married men and seniors.
- Who’s on your team? If you don’t have a team of guys to share this burden it will become too heavy. Who else in your church has a heart for men that God may have you recruit for your team?
- Are you truly helping men win? Guys will be more easily drawn to an opportunity to explore biblical manhood, godly marriage or effective fathering. Are you putting tools in their toolboxes?
Noble Warriors is recruiting and training Champions for Men in Local Churches. Let us know if you’d be interested in attending a training event or even hosting a regional training for your area, email me!