Introduction

Ask any man who his greatest heroes are, and you will probably get a plethora of answers. That list might include athletes, movie characters, or even politicians. Oddly enough, that list often only includes personalities in our lifetime.

Heroes are generally someone who has exemplified character traits or skills that are to be envied. Daydreams consist of placing oneself in the shoes of the hero, thwarting the bad guys, landing a crippled plane, saving hundreds of innocent lives, scoring the winning touchdown, or hitting the grand slam, all to the applause of adoring fans.

The Bible is full of mighty men of God whose accomplishments distinguished them as beyond ordinary. In this series, we will take a look at men of God who, through their examples of faith, have earned the right to be called HEROES.

“Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9)

Question: What was it about Noah’s “faith” that challenges us to be great heroes for God?

1. FAVOR

“Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8)

The world was upside-down in wickedness in Noah’s day. The earth was “corrupt in the sight of God and…filled with violence” (Gen. 6:11). Noah was the exception, a man who pursued a walk with God when everyone else was doing evil.

It takes courage in today’s world to not follow the crowd, the party, the gang. We will all stand individually before God, and we must serve Him individually. The world is pursuing favor with each other; Noah pursued favor with God.

Question: What is one area you have to continually watch that you are not walking in the way of the world system?

2. FAMILY

“You will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” (Gen. 6:18)

Eight people entered the ark, and they were all Noah’s family. A true hero for God is concerned for the eternal well-being of his family and will do anything necessary to preserve that.

Noah’s life was such an example to his family that all of his children and their wives got involved in building the ark. A family is like a church with the father as “pastor” and the family members as the “congregation.” Noah worked on the ark because he knew it was the only way his family could survive.

Question: What is your biggest challenge in getting your kids involved in the things of the Lord?

3. FAITH

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb. 11:7)

Building a boat in the middle of dry land required HUGE faith. He had to engage construction helpers and experts who could make the massive beams for a ship that was 450 ft. long, 75 ft. wide, 45 ft. high (The same relative dimensions for ships today.).

We suspect it took over 100 years for Noah to construct his ark. Patiently, consistently, meticulously, he “prepared an ark.”

Question: Noah built an ark. What is the work that you are presently involved in building the kingdom of God?

4. FRUITFUL

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 9:1)

From Noah’s three sons came all the people of the earth (Gen. 11). God blessed the end of Noah’s life by making him the first family of the earth again, just like Adam.

God wants to pour out His blessing upon our children and us and our children’s children. If we simply choose to walk in purity, put our families first, and get involved in the work of the Lord, the blessing of God will come upon us to touch the entire world.

Question: Noah and his family ended up blessing the entire world. What is the vision you have for your family being a blessing to everyone around the world?

Action Point: If you have not read Life 01, now would be a great time to learn more about Jesus, our greatest Hero, and what He did for you.

The Freedom Encounter: Many men have been exposed to, and even participated in, immoral practices and need a time of cleansing. The Freedom Encounter is a great place to receive healing and deliverance from your past. Ask your B-Group Leader about attending at the end of this semester. Do you have another man with whom you are accountable? If not, would you like one, or is that a future step for you?

Leader: Take a few minutes and ask if any men need specific prayer over a need they may be facing. As you speak with the men in your group, find out the next step for them in the Bethany Growth Track.