Small Group Study

I heard a pastor say once that 9 our of 10 men over the age of 50 don't have another man that they can say knows who they truly are--someone that they could go to in a moment of need and know that they will be supported and loved and not judged.

That scared me... a lot. One of my biggest fears is being alone. Ironically, I would consider myself an introvert in the sense that I recharge by being along and thinking and reading; however, I know that I thrive on sharing my life with others. I really enjoy investing in others and seeing them grow and I also know that the more I invest in others, the more I grow.

These life-long relationships that go well beyond the surface don't just happen. The individual that wants them has to have a plan on how to get and cultivate them. I believe that men's small groups are a great way to do that. I would encourage you to use this material as a study within a small group. If you are married, it would be even better to do it with your spouse or as a group of couples.

The purpose of the small group:

• You adults are in crazy phase of life where they are building families and careers and it’s hard to have balance. One of the key aspects of this study is life balance in the areas of work, personal, family, finance and spiritual. We are creating habits that will determine where our marriages end up and who our children turn in to. This is a short biblically based study to give us time to pause and thoughtfully and prayerfully consider what God wants for us and how we get there. By the end of the study you will have a written plan that help guide your future.
• To build relationships among men and couples in a relatively small geographical area. It’s hard to have time to build relationships in this phase of life but it’s also important that Christians not be an island and that Christian men be available to support each other.
  

Who group is for:

• People who are already believers, want to grow and improve, and desire to live a life of significance.
• Live in and around a certain area. The goal is not to be exclusive here but to be convenience so that travel isn't a hindrance (given the time of the meeting). The goals is also to build community within a geographic area where it will be more easily sustainable.
• People who desire to be open, authentic and transparent. There will be an accountability aspect to the study.