Reflections on Guys' Night

 Just a little reflection on our Guys’ Nights. Ever since we have lived in Beijing, we have hosted Guys’ Nights. Some years we held it once a month, some years (like this year) every other week. Mark teaches and disciples young men, mostly single, during this time. Some topics Mark created on his own; some we pulled from established resources. For example, Mark has taught a few subjects on systematic theology, biblical friendships, and sins particular to men. Last year the guys watched the DVD series produced by FamilyLife called Stepping Up:  A Call to Courageous Freedom. Most of this year they watched a DVD series of John Piper teaching a conference on his book Future Grace. After finishing Future Grace, the guys are now discussing Christian virtues, beginning with wisdom and humility.

The guys come for dinner then move to the living area for discussion. I make dinner and clean up while Mark or one of the other guys leads the time of prayer, teaching, and discussion. This past Monday we hosted the largest group in a while – 8 guys + us = 10. We squeezed everyone around our 6-person dining table and when one person finished, a latecomer arrived so all had a place to sit. On days like this, the crockpot is my best friend. Days like this remind me that God can use little things for His purpose. God uses a small kitchen, two burners, a crockpot, and a toaster oven to feed several hungry men. If Jesus can feed 5,000 men plus women and children with five small loaves of bread and two fish, then He can feed a few hungry men with a pot of soup and a French baguette or two.

I rejoice to see how each of these men grow in their understanding and application of grace. Although I don’t hear much of the discussion, the fact that most of them return and then begin developing consistency in attending worship services indicates steps of growth in grace. I see some of them increase in their love for God, for others, and in serving the body. Consistent with ex-pat life here, some guys come while they live in Beijing then leave after a few months, a semester, or a year. Like in the parable of the soils, some guys come once and we never see them again. We pray that the seeds God plants in their lives remain and take root as they return to their home countries.

March 7, 2016 Guys' Night

Clockwise beginning on the left: Connor - USA, afternoon/weekend English tutor; Alan - CBA, formerly with a music company; Alexander - Ukraine, university student; Justin - USA, university student; Fernando - Brazil, university student; Phil - USA, visitor; Mark; Samuel - Malaysia, businessman; Daniel - USA, math teacher

Some of the guys that have attended a Guys’ Night over the past 2 ½ years:

Daniel – USA

Fernando – Brazil

Emmanuel – Ghana

Ray – Zimbabwe

Alexander – Ukraine

Manuel – Mexico

Harry – Philippines

Ricky – Indonesia

Rudy – France/Cameroon

Bernard – Australia

Josiah – USA

John – UK

Connor – USA

Danny – USA

Kraig – USA

Alan – CBA

Andrew – USA

Matt – USA

David – New Zealand

Barnabas – Hungary

Simon – UK

Jeremiah – USA

Jake – USA

Samuel – Malaysia

Phil – USA