Principles for an Effective Small Group
© 2005 by Top Gun Men's Ministries. This content may not be reproduced for profit.

1. Keep Your Focus
Make sure from the start you have decided as a group what your purpose is, and stick to it. It will be easy to slide into other things and activities if you do not remind each other of why you are meeting. Is it to study, to pray, be accountable, a combination, etc.?

2. Start and Finish on Time
One person in the group should have the responsibility to start the group on time and let everyone know when the time you committed to is up.

3. Focus on People, Not Programs
It will be easy to discuss lots of great subjects and to debate theological issues and never get to the matters of the heart. Start your group with plenty of time for the group members to get to know one another. Maybe schedule a night to go out and do something socially just to get to know one another.

4. Move Slowly
Men do not like to reveal the hurts, pains and frustrations of their lives. It takes time, so move slowly. For vulnerability to happen in your group, start by developing an environment of love and acceptance, not of judgment. In order for accountability to take place, honesty and trust must be in place first.

5. Take the Lead
Vulnerability is caught, not taught. If you are frustrated because no one is sharing, take the initiative yourself and share what is going on in your life. Most men will not share their fears, failures, or feelings because they don’t know how and have never been in a safe environment to do so. Take the lead by example.

6. Body Life
Some of the greatest ministry will take place outside your sessions, when specific needs arise in the lives of the men in your group. Make yourselves available to help in those times of need and feel free to call the others in your group for help.

7. Bible Discussion
When discussing a chapter in a book or a section of Scripture, there are three simple guidelines: wait your turn, stay on the topic, and keep it brief.

8. Small Group Prayer
The ABC’s of small group prayer are: Audible, so all can hear; Brief, so that you do not take everyone else’s time; and Christ-centered, so as not to spend all your time praying about Aunt Jane’s ingrown toenail. If someone does not feel comfortable praying aloud, make sure he knows he does not have to.

9. Known Killers of Small Groups
There are at least six ways to kill your group: aimlessness, poor leadership, the wrong mix of men, shallowness, individualism, and competition. Beware!

10. Include Your Wives
Keep your wives informed of what you are studying. You might want to plan a social event with the wives.