Description:

Our purpose in this study is to identify the difference between a heart dedicated to God and one dedicated to self. Based on the Word of God, we all start out as sinful. As David said in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Message from Marsh: “May your personal walk with the Lord lead you to be transformed, renewed, and blessed.”

Marsh

Founder/President

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Men and Matters of the Heart – Part I

IntroDUCTION

(www.mensgroup.org – “Original Study”)

PRAY: A suggested opening prayer for small group members or individuals to invite God to connect as we seek Him in His Word. Feel free to add your own words, “in prayer.”

Dear Lord, help us to identify the difference between a heart dedicated to God and one dedicated to self. Help us change our hearts for the better by understanding and accepting the seriousness of our sins and accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.


INTRODUCTION

Dorothy Gale was stranded after a tornado dropped her Kansas home into Munchkinland. She desperately wanted to return home to Uncle Harry and Aunt Em. She discussed her desire with the good witch, Glinda, who appeared at the crash site. Glinda could think of only one person, the Wizard of Oz, who might be able to help Dorothy. She was directed to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. So, with Toto in hand, she skipped off to the chorus of “we’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

On her way, she encountered three friends who joined her on the journey to Emerald City. They all desired something special from the Wizard. The lion wanted courage, the scarecrow a brain, and the tin man dreamed of having a heart. When they finally stood before the Wizard, they received tokens that symbolized they already had the qualities they sought. But Dorothy was still without a way home. The Wizard sought to help her, but he ended up floating away in his hot-air balloon without her on board. Glinda came to the rescue helping Dorothy to understand that she too already had in her possession the red slippers that would transport her home at the click of her heels and the wish of her voice.

Men, focus yourself on the desire of the tin man, a heart. Many men are heartless, maybe even called tin men. But most keep their hearts hidden, ignoring its use, and opting instead to rely on their intellect or gut feelings. What is the state of your heart? Is it alive and well or does it need improvement?

The Scriptures mention the physical heart, but primarily identify the heart as the center of the soul and spirit—influenced by the mind, emotion, and will. Dorothy’s three friends illustrated this trinity: a mind for the scarecrow, courage for the lion, and emotion for the tin man.

The heart is the place where moral and spiritual battles are fought. It is the place of regeneration and the abiding place of the Holy Spirit who comes and provides for us a new mind, emotion, and will so that we can connect with God. Additionally, we know that God can see into our hearts. He sees into every corner, and He alone is the One who can provide the best heart we could ever have.

In this study, we will address descriptive words in the Bible that broaden our understanding of our hearts. These words help us recognize our present state, whether lacking or abundant with them, and show us how to continue to develop a heart dedicated to God.


PURPOSE:

Our purpose in this study is to identify the difference between a heart dedicated to God and one dedicated to self. Based on the Word of God, we all start out as sinful. David said, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5)

Our mind and emotions have great influence over what kind of heart we’ll have. The only way we can change our heart is to personally understand and accept the seriousness of our sin and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Join me on this journey deep into your heart. I promise you will understand it better and grow it in numerous and very positive ways.

Note: All verses used are from the 2011 New International Version (NIV) of the Bible unless otherwise indicated.

The 12 Lessons included in this “Extended Study” are:

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