From The Podcast Episode
Dr. LeRoy Hill, Jr. speaks wisdom on how The Noble Man Prioritizes Relationships this week on podcast. Dr. Hill is the Senior Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Portsmouth, VA, established in 1865.
2 Timothy 2:1-3 launches our discussion. These verses have been a prominent theme at Noble Warriors lately, and they just so happen to be Dr. Hill’s defining verse. “I encourage all men to find themselves in a verse.”
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
Becoming a “good soldier of Christ,” or you might say a Noble Warrior, involves teaching others who can teach others. In order to follow Paul’s command here we must have relationships with other guys. Listen to Dr. Hill’s own experience here on the ways he’s implemented this idea throughout his life and ministry.
Tips:
- Go deep. We’re 300 miles wide but only 1 inch deep.
- Create “bubbles,” a covenant relationship with 3 or 4 men who have “refrigerator rights” – the right to know my business and ask me anything.
- Every Paul needs a Timothy, and every Timothy needs a Paul.
- Selection is the method tap God uses to tap men. We need to model that – powered by prayer.
- Humility, time, and intentionality are key.
- If you’re going to have a friend, you have to learn to be a friend. Jesus modeled that.
- Men need men.
- Stop all the branding and be biblical.
- Masculinity is not toxic, but sin is.
- Men have a responsibility that holds the family, community, and church in balance.
- Don’t underestimate the power of bringing your wives together.
- Pastors can’t be the entire church’s best friend.
- We need to have some friends that don’t look like us and have the same stories that we do.
Resources:
Barna Journal – Five Essentials to Engage Today’s Men
Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger
