Building Relational Capital with John Thomas

Family Men's Roundtable Mrt Priorities Relational Capital

Building Relational Capital with John Thomas

Chris Rivers

In season one, episode four, Chris Rivers and John Thomas, a member of Grace Church’s Taylors campus, discuss core principles from the teaching, Building Relational Capital. They explore the ways these concepts impacted John’s life and his relationship with his family. This teaching can be found in the Men’s Roundtable study, “Leadership Values.”

Download Episode 4 Study Questions and then share, listen, and discuss in a one on one conversation or with a group of men.

APPLICATION

  • Where do you find it most challenging to lead? In the workplace? At home?
  • What specific obstacles deter you from leading and from building relational capital with those entrusted to you? Fear? Distraction? Busyness? Laziness?
  • As John recognized areas of passivity, he made changes such as leaving his job and making a conscious effort to be present with his children. Are there tangible steps you need to take to lead in an area of your life?
  • Are you willing to be open about your struggles and the insights you are learning in an effort to move others towards Christ? Is there someone you are currently discipling or pouring your life into?

KEY POINTS

  • As men, we are called to work and to lead. Often, our drive to work and to present ourselves as leaders in the workplace can tempt us to neglect our responsibilities in the home.
  • John came to a place in his life where he realized his work had taken priority over his family. He was working 70+ hours a week in his job as a golf pro, and he was in a pattern of being on-the-go all day and then crashing at the end of the day. He was not present for his wife and children, and his wife was shouldering all of the responsibilities at home. As John became aware of how these patterns were affecting his family, he and his wife made the decision to move to Greenville and for John to leave his current position.
  • As John began to restructure his priorities, he worked hard to rebuild relational capital with his wife and children. He started helping more around the house, engaging his wife in meaningful conversation, taking his kids to practices, and spending time with them on a regular basis. He saw the difference this made in his family and the trust he was able to build in these relationships. His participation in the “Leadership Values” study reinforced the principles he was applying in his home and allowed him to recognize areas where he was exhibiting passivity.
  • The challenge presented in this podcast is to examine our lives and look for ways to take responsibility and to move as men and leaders. As we learn new principles and see God work in our own lives, we can lead others around us and help them move towards Christ.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

His son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. But his father said to the servants, “Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.” Luke 15:21-24

RESOURCES

Leadership Values and Authentic Manhood: These teachings can be found at: gracechurchsc.org/mrt

Join a Men’s Roundtable study by finding a campus near you and register for Authentic Manhood at: gracechurchsc.org/mrt

If you know a man who would benefit from hearing this episode, share it with him. Having intentional conversations around these principles is a great way to disciple and help others move towards Christ.

Have questions or want us to discuss a topic? Email us at: menatgrace@gracechurchsc.org.