Role of Men in the Church

Session 9 Study Questions - Man as Caretaker

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the Rivers, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

1. How would you define caretaking? One passage of scripture that, I believe, refers to man as a caretaker can be found in Genesis 2:9. Can you find others?
2. Many have suggested that caretaking is a traditional role for men in society. Can you think of some examples?
3. Some of these same commentators have suggested that it is much more difficult for men to fill the role of caretaker in the USA today. Do you agree? If so, list some reasons why caretaking has become a more difficult role for men to fill.
4. We have witnessed an increased emphasis in our congregations upon the role of our elders as caretakers (they are much more likely to be referred to as shepherds than in the past). Do we find a corresponding increased emphasis upon encouraging all the men in are congregations to be caretakers?
5. Is it more difficult for men in our churches to take the role of caretaker? If so, why?
6. Joshua is a great biblical example of a caretaker of his family (Joshua 24:15). Read Joshua, chapters 23-24. Find examples of Joshua as a caretaker of the children of Israel.
7. We read in Ephesians that the man is to "love" his wife. Can you list some ways that a man can love his wife through caretaking while at the same time affirming her value as an individual?
8. Given our current economy, how can we judge that a man is a good caretaker financially of his family?
9. In what ways might a man take up the traditional role of protector of his family in our modern world?
10. How do we teach men in the church to be better caretakers?