ABOUT the
program
This is a 10-12 week session and as such it will end. We all need to have other men in our lives that understand what we go through and have the integrity to walk alongside of us. We will discuss next steps and relationships will take shape as we go through the sessions.
The sessions are enriched by continued communication throughout our weeks. We will discuss vehicles of communication and the group will determine the frequency. We are men that are determined to walk with and care about other men. Our spiritual well-being is as important as physical, mental, and emotional well-being but is often neglected. We believe the bible is the inspired word of God and that prayer works in our circumstances.
Over the next 11 weeks we’ll dive into some of the common things guys most deal with.
Our hope is that you will be both encouraged and challenged to be the man you are destined to be.
We are so glad you are here!
We ask that each of you be committed to attend these sessions understanding that we are there to contribute as well as receive from others.
Confidentiality is a must. We will develop trust as we walk through life together during these sessions. Protect what is shared. Be open to share.
11 WEEK SESSION
WEEK 1 • Meet and Greet
A simple way to meet other men that are focused on their spiritual well being. Understanding that we are not alone in this difficult world.
We devote 90 minutes a week focusing outside of ourselves. “Iron sharpens Iron”. You will get out of this exercise what you invest in it.
WEEK 2 • Roles and Relationships
As men, we are raised to conform to certain expectations. We are strong, we are decisive, and we are tough. Some would say that we should be independent, never show weakness or insecurity, and keep our emotions in check. Real men, they say, don’t need close guy friends… If you have relationships with other guys…it should be to drink, work, hunt, watch sports, and do “guy stuff”. Guys are portrayed as generally silly and often inept husbands or boyfriends on television. After all, “boys will always just be boys” – right?
WEEK 3 • Guys Live on Islands
Men today are very much like islands. We like to live in isolation. We are selective on who and when we will interact with others. We decide whom we will allow or not allow onto our island. If we choose to be alone or aloof it is okay because it is within our sphere of control. Allowing someone on our island creates a vulnerability that we may not be comfortable with. Ultimately, we do life by ourselves because we don’t trust others.
WEEK 4 • Every Interaction Matters
How we view our lives is dependent upon how we view our purpose in life. We need to understand that it is not always about us. In conversation, we listen minimally and eagerly await an opportunity to share our own experience and our own opinion on the topic. Each interaction we have with others around us, from co-workers, cashiers, to wait staff at a restaurant, is often driven by our own mood, thoughts and desires of the moment. This world is a scary place and it is very obvious when we encounter someone who is walking it out alone. Our interaction with them can leave them feeling encouraged and better about themselves. Our own role or socio-economic stature should mean nothing in our daily interactions with people. Don’t allow your role in life or position of authority at work to keep
you from humbling yourself to go arm and arm with whoever crosses your path.
WEEK 5 • Purpose
The purpose of life. The Holy Grail. The “Just One Thing” that matters and the age old question as to why are we here. Is there a meaning to life? We all inherently recognize that we are uniquely gifted with specific talents and abilities. No two people are alike, and we all feel drawn or attracted to help others or contribute to society in different ways. Therefore, there may not be a single answer that will immediately make sense to everyone. Our perception of purpose in life will differ depending on our background, faith, and maturity. It might even change over time. What is universal is that we all have a calling on our life. We have unique abilities, gifts to contribute, and the means (time, money, energy) by which to accomplish it. The intersection of these three is often where our purpose can be found.
WEEK 6 • Time Flies
Our earthly life experiences are unique and different - different roles, different jobs, different incomes and different material resources. One constant and unbiased factor for each of us is our time. Time doesn’t care who you are, what color you are, your gender, income or geography. We are all living by the same clock, the same calendar, and the same uncertain time left to walk this earth and fulfill the purpose God has given us. Perhaps the greatest opportunity we have to influence and impact the quality of our own lives, one that is within our control at least, is how we use our time. Everyone wants more time, and society wants us to focus on doing more without
giving up what we have.
WEEK 7 • Shiny Objects
As men, the greatest enemy we have to enjoying life, making a difference, and fulfilling our life purpose is DISTRACTION. Excuses about lack of time, lack of resources, lack of money, or lack of background or heritage are just that - excuses. The reality is that we have plenty of resources and ability to accomplish what we are called to do. DISTRACTION is what keeps us from achieving what really matters.
All men struggle with distractions that keep them from focusing on what matters in life. The key is to recognize, address, and control distractions to keep them from becoming obstacles or impediments. There is nothing that can’t be achieved when we are focused and relentless in the pursuit of a noble goal!
WEEK 8 • Money Matters
More money is never the answer to money problems. Money is one of the most sought after things in this world. We work for it, plan on how to spend it, save it, and use it to satisfy both our needs and our wants. The truth is, money matters. It can be a great tool and a useful resource. However, a wrong view of money and an overemphasis on it can have a devastating impact on your life. This is such an important topic that there are more than 2,000 verses in the Bible that deal with money - saving, debt, borrowing, and investing, just to
name a few. Managing money well will help you fulfill your purpose while not managing money well may keep you from it.
WEEK 9 • Pride
There are two types of pride that we encounter in life, good pride that allows us to experience accomplishment or achievement, and the not so good pride that fills us with self and builds ego. We may recognize these forms of pride in our lives in different ways and at different times. We may also have a distorted view of their definitions. When we are full of pride, we may feel entitlement, we may be easily insulted, and justified in anger when things don’t go our way. It is much healthier to be humble and recognize the efforts of others that enabled your success.
WEEK 10 • Armor of God & Prayer
We live in both a physical, as well as a spiritual world. It doesn’t matter your religion or beliefs, you know intuitively that there is both good and bad in the world. There are good and bad people, and good and bad influences on us. In any given moment, and in any given situation, we are operating in a world with both good and evil. Recognizing and accepting this as truth, has a huge and fundamental impact on how we live our lives. Most people will gladly endorse the idea of “goodness” and will express how it has positively
impacted their life.
WEEK 11 • Faith and the Endless Journey
We discussed the fact that our world is both physical and spiritual and there is a need to put on God’s Armor through prayer and relationship with Him. Finally, we defined faith as trust and we discussed how important it is to have a solid relationship with our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
Doing life with other brothers and committing to be there for each other is an amazing thing.