• My Account
Gannett Ministries
  • Rss
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Sermons
  • Devotions
  • Videos
  • About
  • Resources
    • Insights for Christian Living
    • Empowerment for Small Groups
    • Read the Bible with Us
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu

Empowerment for Small Groups

You are here: Home1 / Empowerment for Small Groups

  • Why Participate
  • How Empowerment Works
  • Journaling and the S.O.A.P. method
  • Leadership Roles
  • Leading a Group Session

Men tend to share a common fear of small group Bible studies.  So, how do you break through this attitude to help men jump in?  Empowerment has found a good answer that might help you or your church.  We have discovered a learning and group process that motivates men to participate and unleashes their desire to play a significant role in the lives of those they love.

If you look at the elements in our logo, you will be able to catch our vision:  Empowering Men for Christ.  The methods we use help fulfill this dream and are so easy that any man our group can use them.

Why Particpate

You will discover that the Empowerment approach removes your fears and places you on a path toward spiritual leadership.  Yes, we said “spiritual leadership.”  Deep in our hearts we realize that obligation for our marriages and families, but just don’t know where to begin.  No one ever trained in this lost art.  The simplicity of Empowerment will help change that for you.  Here are some life-changing outcomes you will discover:

  • Bible study

    Each week you will read and journal a chapter in the Bible with the other group members. The group setting provides accountability for the regular Bible reading you have wanted to do.

  • Journaling

    All the group members use the same journaling method so that you can learn from each other.  It is so easy anyone can participate.

  • Group Discussion

    You will participate in group interaction about the biblical passage under study. Most men do not have a place to discuss spiritual things with other men or ask their questions.

  • Example

    Your participation will capture the imaginations of those you love as they watch and listen to you talk about your journey. It will motivate them to follow the Lord more closely.

  • Outreach

    Don’t be surprised if you become so excited about Empowerment that you recruit other guys to join. You will wish this joy on others.

  • Legacy

    One day your family will cherish your journal and pour over the entries to see what you learned from the Lord that week. Your spiritual legacy will out last you!

How Empowerment Works

Empowerment uses a small group discussion model:

  1. The groups meet each week in a home, restaurant or generic meeting room. If the group meets in a home, it is good to rotate locations to share the responsibility and to discover each man’s surroundings.
  2. Group sizes may vary, but the optimal discussion size is 4-9 men. Some have grown larger since everyone may not be in attendance each week.  Once a group grows beyond twelve, it is suggested that they spilt.  After all, we want to make room for others to discover the joy.
  3. Before the group gathering, each man reads the assigned biblical passage. He then selects a verse that stands out or is meaningful to him and journals about it using the S.O.A.P. method.  This homework prepares each man to participate well in the group.
  4. During the group session, each man reads his journal to the others and shares his comments about what he discovered. This leads the men into a fuller discussion of the passage.  After each man’s contribution, the discussion leader gives the men the opportunity to share a “take-away” suggesting ways they plan to apply what they learned that day.
  5. Often, the group session will end with men sharing some prayer requests before the closing prayer.
  6. Then, we go out the door to practice what we learned.

Journaling and the SOAP method

Empowerment groups share a common method for journaling that provides familiarity and a comfort level to the participants.  Each week we get better at journaling as we learn from each other.  Our journaling uses the simple S.O.A.P. method…

S ~ Scripture:  After reading the assigned passage, you choose a verse that stands out or is meaningful to you.  You actually write the verse out after the letter “S.”  You will discover that this is more than a manual exercise; it guides your mind and heart into greater understanding.

O ~ Observation:  Then you record the factual observations you see in the verse.  The goal is to uncover the biblical truth from the actual words in the Bible.  You are simply recording what God is saying in the verse.  This process is not about opinions or suggestions, but just the facts.  Do you remember Dragnet?  “Just the facts, ma’am.”

A ~ Application:  If God has said what you observed in the verse, then what are the implications for your life.  How could or should you apply that truth.  Our desire is to put shoe leather to our faith so that it changes us.  This step is critical to reposition us as followers of the Lord.  The key is to be personal and practical.

P ~ Prayer:  You conclude by writing a brief prayer of commitment based on the truth in your verse.  Let the Lord know what you desire or plan to do as you walk out the door into your life.

Just as soap cleanses the body, our prayer is that this process will help us cleanse our lives as we seek to honor God and radiate his love to others.

Leadership Roles

Since nothing happens without leadership, key leadership roles are necessary to bring Empowerment to life?  Here are three critical roles in this ministry:

  1. Group Leader and Scribe: Each group has a leader to help them follow the Empowerment  He is responsible for the general welfare of the group, coordinating the schedule and sending out a weekly email to inform and motivate the group members.
  2. Session Guide: This person leads the weekly group session.  He does not take the role of a teacher; he is simply a guide.  Two questions foster good group discussion:  Question 1:  Who wants to go first?   This opens the door for each man to share his journal entry.  After this, the guide leads discussion to champion what each man shares.  Question 2:  What is your take-away?  Each man share what application stands out to him and how he would like to practice it in his life.  Rotating the role of session guide allows men to grow in their leadership and prevents the group process from becoming stale or routine.
  3. Host: He welcomes the group into his home and prepares the room setting and any refreshment.  It is best to separate the role of host from session guide so that the discussion is not interrupted by phone calls or hosting needs.  Again, it is best if this role rotates from man to man to foster freshness.

Leading a Group Session

The Welcome:  Help the group feel comfortable.

  • Anything special this week?
  • How did you enjoy the chapter?
  • Prayer

Empowerment Question #1:  Who wants to go first?

  • Allow men to read and explain their journal entry without interruption.

Champion each journal

  • Why choose the verse?
  • Why is it so important?
  • Think of more applications?
  • Special message for men?

Empowerment Question #2:  What is your personal take-away?

  • Ask every man to share a personal take-away.
  • Be specific, practical and personal.
  • What must change in me?

Closing:  Build the bond of oneness with prayer and planning.

Tips for Success

  1. Stick to the SOAP method. Sharing, not teaching, creates ownership.
  2. Focus discussion on the selected chapter.
  3. Champion/discuss each man’s journal presentation.
  4. Avoid being too silent or dominant – no lecturing.
  5. Stress applications: take-aways!
  6. Leave politics and church issues at home.
  7. Create a healthy learning environment.
  8. Honor confidences.
  9. Rotate three roles: host, discussion facilitator and scribe.
  10. Refresh your group with new men. Divide if too big.

SUBSCRIBE TO REGULAR UPDATES


Birmingham, AL 35236
United States
Burlington, Ontario
Canada L7T 1B1

Resources

  • Empowerment for Small Groups
  • Insights to Christian Living
  • Read the Bible with Us
Donate

Pages

  • Home
  • Sermons
  • Videos
  • Devotions
  • About Us
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
2017 Gannett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
Website By: Harvest Media Ministry
Scroll to top