23 Aug 2011 ... Band of Brothers' MVP (Men of Valor and Purpose) Bible Study. “The Man in the
Mirror” by Patrick Morley. Study & discussion questions: “The ...
Band of Brothers’ MVP (Men of Valor and Purpose) Bible Study “The Man in the Mirror” by Patrick Morley Study & discussion questions: “The Rat Race” ( Introduction and Chapter One) August 23, 2011 1. What is the one question virtually all of us asks someone, but the one question we really don’t want an answer to? Why?
2. Although most of us are financially better off than our parents, are we necessarily better off? Why or why not?
3. Describe your understanding of “more money, less family. More family, less money.” (p. 21) How does this apply to you?
4. Look up Ecclesiastes 2:11 and 1 Timothy 6:6, 10. What insights are gleaned from these passages?
5. Morley states that while our “material standard of living” has soared in the last generation, our “spiritual and moral standard of living” has shrunk. Materially, we are driving Mercedes, but spiritually we are driving Mercury Comets. To what extent does this describe you? Have you grown more materially or spiritually in the last year?
6. What are the hazards of the prevalent pursuit of “instant gratification”? What is sacrificed when we pursue this avenue?
7. Share your thoughts on the economic philosophy of “consumerism” and the hazards we face as we buy into the thought that “progressively greater consumption of goods is beneficial.” (p. 27)
8. Share one example of how “consumerism” influenced a purchasing decision for you or your family.
9. Morley’s working definition of Secular Humanism is worthy of noting: “the view that man establishes his own moral values apart from the influence of anyone, including God, and he determines his destiny—he is the ‘master of his own fate.’” Compare this with the biblical thought as expressed in Psalm 31:15a and Luke 12:4-5.
10. We can create a standard of living for ourselves in one of two ways: 1) Earn more; 2) Borrow more. What are the results of taking these routes?
11. The “Rat Race” is described as the intentional and passionate pursuit of the “beautiful, wrinkle-free”, “Madison Avenue” lifestyle. Is this race winnable? Why or why not? Do we naturally gravitate to competing in a race we know we cannot win? What are we trying to accomplish in the race if we know we cannot win?
12. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12 and Hebrews 12:1. What can we glean from these verses?
13. What does Morley tell men is the number one reason men fail when promoted to being a follower/disciple of Jesus Christ? (p. 34). Share your insights in this regard.
14. Madison Avenue works overtime defining us as “who” we are and “what” we are, but according to the world’s standards, not God’s. List three practical ways you can begin TODAY that will loosen yourself from the grips of “Beautiful, Wrinkle-Free Life” fallacy. Keep the following Scriptures in mind as you consider your answers: Proverbs 16:25; 23:4-5 Acts 26:18 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:7-11 Hebrews 12:1-3 From Simon and Garfunkel’s “Pattern”, referenced on p. 22. “From the moment of my birth To the instant of my death, There are patterns I must follow Just as I must breathe each breath. Like a rat in a maze The path before me lies, And the pattern never alters Until the rat dies.” Clues indicating you as a “Rat Race” participant: Fractured relationships, especially with wife and children You ask ‘how can I be so successful and so unfulfilled at the same time?’ When you are constantly expending more energy than you manufacture When words like ‘tired, pressured, weary’ apply to your spirit
Men—We Must Run a DIFFERENT Race!
