MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP 2026
2026 Men’s Check Ins:
Masculine Mandate
As men, we have been called to "work and keep" the garden God has placed us in. We fulfill this calling by spending time in God's Word and prayer, leading those God has entrusted to to our care, serving our family and church, and holding each other accountable. One tool to help us do these things is our mens monthly check ins.
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The purpose for these monthly meetings is for the men in each member group to check in, build up, and pray together. These meetings can take place anywhere and any time: an evening after work, a Saturday morning breakfast, even before or after church.
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This year, we will be reading portions of Scripture together that sync up with the book Masculine Mandate by Richard Philipps. If you want to purchase the book, you can do that here or here. Then choose the best option below that works for you and your group:
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1. Focused (and Great): Simply read the portion of Scripture and answer the questions that go with it. Pray for each other about what you've just read.
2. Intensive (and Awesome): Read the portion of Scripture and the chapter from Phillip's book. Then answer the questions. Pray for each other about what you've just read.
Here is a suggested meeting and reading plan:​
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January—Meeting 1: Genesis 2:5-17
Chapter 1: "Man in the Garden"
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1. Why is it tempting for men to prefer "adventure" over "responsibility"?
2. In what ways have you been looking for fulfillment in things that aren't part of your God-given "garden"?
3. God's mandate to men is to "work and keep." How has God called you to bear His image by working and keeping His earth this week?​
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February—Meeting 2: Genesis 2:15 & Psalm 121
Chapter 2: "The Masculine Mandate"
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1. The repeated word "keep" in Psalm 121 is the same word used for our calling as men in Genesis 2. How does God's example in this Psalm help you understand your role to guard or protect what has been placed under your care?
2. When men stop working and keeping, things around them crumble and decay. Where have you seen this happen in your own life?
3. What are the primary things in your life that you are currently called to "keep" (guard or protect)?
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March—Meeting 3: Genesis 2:15 & Colossians 3:22-24
Chapter 3: "Man's Sacred Calling to Work"
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1. How can "secular" work be used to serve God and others?
2. In our work, there is a danger in both idleness and workaholism. Which side do you lean toward? How can you avoid both?
3. If your work feels mundane, how does the masculine mandate provide it with purpose?
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April—Meeting 4: Genesis 1:26-31
Chapter 4: "Man as the Image of God"
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1. How does the "image of God" provide a better (and more masculine) foundation for masculinity than the "macho" stereotypes of culture?
2. What does it mean for a man to "represent" God's character in his home or workplace?
3. How does being an image-bearer affect the way you treat the women and children in your life?
4. How does Christ perfectly fulfill the image of God that we fail to represent?
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May—Meeting 5: Genesis 2:19-20 & Psalm 23
Chapter 5: "Man as Shepherd-Lord"
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1. Man is called to exercise both authority (lord) and care (shepherd). How do these two roles (authority and care) balance each other?
2. What happens to a family, organization, team when a man is a "Lord" but not a "Shepherd"?
3. What happens to a family, organization, team when a man is a "Shepherd" but not a "Lord"?
4. How can you practice "leading by serving" in your current stage of life?
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June—Meeting 6: Genesis 2:19-25
Chapter 6: "God's Astonishing Design For Marriage"
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1. Adam's wife is described as a "helper fit for him." How does this elevate the role of a wife?
2. If you're married, how does the mandate to "work and keep" apply specifically to the heart of your wife?
3. What are some "weeds" in your marriage that you have been neglecting?
4. If you're single, how does reading God's design for marriage prepare you for future leadership or service to others?​