- Meet weekly on a scheduled time at a constant location.
- Each small group will have at least two leaders whose responsibilities are to direct, organize and facilitate group discussions.
- The group leaders will keep the Leadership Team apprised as to how the meetings are going and offer suggestions for future studies and events. Furthermore, they will keep the team advised of prayer concerns that are not confidential.
- Each group should consist of no fewer than 5 men and probably no more than 13 men.
- At the beginning stage of building the small groups a four week period of group hopping will be encouraged. There might be some men who feel they need to investigate other groups in order to see if they might feel more suitable for that particular group.
- The groups must be inclusive and not exclusive. There needs to always be room to involve other men who are not currently in a group.
- The idea number of a group is 13. Jesus and his 12 made 13. However, in some case it may become necessary to expand beyond 13. When the number of men attending reaches 13, the group then needs to seriously consider splitting and creating a new small group.
- Set a time to start the meeting and be consistent and on time.
- Set a time to conclude the meeting and be consistent. (At first this timetable might be an hour to an hour and half; however, as the group gets to know each other and becomes more intimate, the time to conclude will most likely get longer. Remember, this will be new for some men and they might not be ready for a two hour meeting.)
- Stay consistent with the schedule that the Leadership Team develops. It is vitally important each small group is discussing the same topics each week. What an awesome picture it will be when men of the church are discussing outside of our meetings the topics we are discussing in our meetings.
- The discussion time is to be an intentional time of being REAL. In the early stages of these small groups that realness must be displayed by the leaders. Remember, being real means being transparent!
- It is vitally important to be focused on helping men to become more intimate with Jesus. Intimacy with Jesus will create a greater love for the King and then a greater love for each other.
- Be sure to use the Scriptures as the main reference point. The first study will be from the book, “Disciplines of a Godly Man”. This book is enriched with the wisdom of man and commentaries of scripture. Always remember though, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s interpretation is to be our source of wisdom.
- Always begin your time with prayer. Prayer is to the soul as oxygen is to the human body. Many men are suffocating in doubt, un-forgiveness, fears, anger, and the sort. Prayer is the spiritual oxygen that rids us of those sins and emotions that prevent us from having intimacy with God and with each other. If there needs to be time where intercessory prayer is needed on the behalf of a brother present, take the time, lay hands on the brother and PRAY!