Teacher/Leader Training Manual

I. INTRODUCTION PAGE

A. The Masters Men Ministry – Our Purpose, Goal and Methodology 1B. Our Definition of Success 3C. Broad Failure of Men’s Small Groups – Why? 4 D. Turning the Tide of Failure: A Men’s Team! 5

II. GETTING STARTED

A. The Leaders Vital Role 7 B. Leadership Qualification – a credible man (1 Tim 3) 8C. Beginning the Team – Key Components 8 Planning, Invitation, Environment, Appeal, Input (“Getting Together”)

III. ATTITUDES AND ATMOSPHERES

A. Dynamics of Leading a Team (Six Points) 11B. The Teaching Component (The 7 Laws of the Teacher) 12C. Eleven Leadership Principles for Leading Men’s Teams 14

IV. MOTIVATIONS AND METHODS

A. The Motivation 17B. Men are our Method (“The Master Plan of Evangelism”) 17

C. Seven Principles of Making Life Long Discipler’s 18(“The Training of the Twelve”)

V. TEACHING AND TRANSFERRING

A. Seven Universal Teaching Principles (Seven Laws of Teaching) 23 B. Learning from God’s Word (A Three Step Process) 25 C. Bible Study Tools 32

VII. OUTREACH FOR MEN

A. How to Begin 33B. How to Continue 34

C. Suggested Books to “Kick Start” A Men’s Team 34

VIII. APPENDIXES

A. Facilitating Dynamic Discussion 35B. Trouble Shooting Men’s Teams 39C. Qualifying Character 43

VIX. BIBLIOGRAPHY & RESOURCES 41

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Philosophy of Our Ministry

THE PURPOSE OF THE MASTER’S MEN

The Master’s Men ministry is organized to win in fulfilling The Great Commission. And we want to help men win in life. In other words, we help men “run to win” – to live God’s way, the way of true success.

Winning means to take the Christian life seriously. We invest every resource that God entrusts to us toward honoring God with our lives. We are not running for fun. We are running to please Christ.

In running to win we realize that progress comes step by step and that this race is a marathon. Yet every race has progress markers for the contestant’s information and motivation. That is why we place men into small groups for spiritual development and to provide encouragement. Small groups help men know and grow in Christ each step of the way as they race to win (I Corinthians 9:24).

GOAL OF THE MASTER’S MEN

As an evangelistic and discipleship ministry, the Master’s Men ministry focuses on leading men to Christ and discipling them toward maturity in Christ so that they may become responsible members of the body of Christ. Our ultimate goal is to “Build Noble Men,” meaning men distinguished by excellence in character in both ideals and behavior.”

We minister in three arenas. First, we reach men through engagement in the recreation they enjoy and the professions in which they are employed utilizing sports and business chaplains. Second, we assist men in developing spiritually through our men’s teams. And third we conduct outreach events at sports venues utilizing professional sport celebrities who share their testimonies. The fruit of these ministries are channeled into a “men’s team” where men are encouraged to grow in their faith and eventually mature to a point, spirituality, where they too share Christ and mentor others to grow in Christ.

By simplifying the discipleship process The Master’s Men ministry desires to enable more men to reach other men for Christ in their sphere of influence. By reaching out to men at every level of society, we invite them to become part of a growing team of men who find success, satisfaction and purpose through relationships with other men who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

As mentioned, our purpose is to build noble men (Isaiah 32:8) -- men of virtue, men of character which is founded on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Similar to our savior we seek to find men who are willing to gather together in community for camaraderie, personal growth and mutual accountability and encouragement. In Isaiah 32 the word “nobility” means someone who is ”willing hearted, liberal.” Therefore, a noble man is generous in his heart toward others with character that he naturally shares with all he meets. It further carries the idea of a man who is characterized by excellence in both ideals and behavior,” that is, in both what he believes and how he behaves! These are the kind of men we seek to build and we know this can only be accomplished as they begin to pattern their lives after the only perfect man: Jesus Christ.

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THE METHODOLOGY OF OUR MINISTRY

We follow an intentional strategy to develop the kid of community in which men will align. We work within men’s natural network of relationships as well as provide a felt need purpose for meeting. We seek to meet in an environment that is masculine and with which men will not be tempted to avoid as a result of negative preconceived notions. We suggest inviting men to places such as restaurants, hotel meeting rooms or perhaps a home or office meeting room where men typically feel comfortable and aren’t unnecessarily alarmed by any religious symbols. Further we seek to develop a small group format where men can come together for conversation, networking, perhaps food or a recreational social experience coupled by a values oriented discussion facilitated by a group leader.

We intentionally seek to develop relationships where men feel most comfortable that is, with men in their sphere of influence at their level of need and interest in order to develop trust, encouragement and accountability. Of necessity, these small groups must insure confidentiality if trust is to be built and life change is to take place with the participants. Typically, they also tend to be homogeneous, culturally. Therefore we follow certain rules in our small group sessions:

1) The promise of the host that he will interject either truth or encouragement into whatever topic is being covered by the group.

2) We will pray for each other’s personal requests privately.

3) What is shared in here stays in here.

4) No theological or political hobby horses.

5) No advertising of selling during the meeting.

6) No women.

7) Bring a guest - we want to grow, right!?

8) Come when you can, leave when you must; but come!

9) And ABSOLUTELY keep it simple, fun, information and guilt free.

Discuss:

• What are some of the “problems” that can deflate a group?

• What “rules” do you think are essential in order to insure a quality group discussion and fellowship?

• Ever been in a group where a group leader lost control of the group – what happened in your opinion?

• Ever seen an outsider come in and take over a group? How should this be dealt with?

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HOW WE VIEW SUCCESS

Success in the Master’s Men ministry is viewed as “Life Change”. Success is not group longevity. Although we would love to see groups continue indefinitely, many groups will have a specific time limit to their usefulness for the particular audience that initially begins it. Therefore whether a group lasts 15 weeks or 15 years, the point is - after it is all said and done; have the participants grown in their relationships - Christ, Family, Community, Colleagues and Friends? The ultimate end game of this process is a man who looks more like Jesus today, than when he started yesterday (Col. 1:28).

Answer the following questions:

In your experience, how have men’s groups succeeded or failed in the past?

What have you learned from those experiences that you will use to better guarantee success?

How do you define Christ-likeness?

What are the fundamental ingredients necessary for developing a man toward maturity in Christ? (Ephesians 4:13)

What have you learned personally that you will be able to transfer to other men?

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BROAD FAILURE OF MEN’S GROUPS - Why?

Did you know that eight out of ten men who have been a part of a men’s small group are no longer involved? Furthermore; most groups quit meeting in as little as three to four months. Leaders of national men’s ministries have confirmed this to be true. They said it was easier to get men to a large gathering – like Promise Keepers – than it was to get them into small groups. Dynamic men’s events like golf tourneys, NASCAR events, campouts and hunting & fishing outings can be easy invites, but to see men really connect (to real men and Christ) will take strong and intentional relationships with other men! In general men are isolated from the local church and authentic relationships with other men. These relationships will only develop with initiative and prayer and will not happen overnight!

The story is the same with so many men. They have a deep need within them (sometimes so deep it never surfaces for a variety of reasons) that tells them that they need much more than male acquaintances! Having casual acquaintances isn’t good enough – men need to bind themselves to a few other men who can help them become all God intends. This can be difficult. It’s often easier to just do “our own thing” without taking the time and energy to let another man get close. But like many things that are convenient, it’s also counterfeit. God uses real friendships to shape and mold us. Men’s need to move beyond acquaintances to authentic relationships is a great need and the reason that most men’s groups never make it! When relationships don’t develop authenticity within the group, the group is destined to failure.

It is no surprise that most men continue to have a number of excuses of why they cannot attend a small group meeting. If they have had any past experience with a men’s group they may have found it boring and less than valuable. The following is a brief outline of why men’s groups might fail.

1. The group became boring:• Needed to have more fun (just another bible study)• Needed more than just another routine (change up would have been nice)• To many superficial relationships (the leader did not risk authenticity)

2. The group lacked value:• Men felt that the group was not helping them become better men• Men wanted to become better husband, fathers, employers or employee

3. The group fell short in crisis situations:• During sickness, job loss, divorce and death men did not step up to the plate to help their

peers through a given situation.

4. The group lacked purpose:• Personal growth, service and outreach were not in the picture • When a group becomes ingrown with little attention to these areas it flounders

5. The group did not give proper attention to the necessity of the local church in a man’s life:

• A men’s group will never (nor should) replace the necessity of involvement in the local church

• Men’s groups that do not point men to the local church lack integrity -- Bible believing and teaching local churches are vital to the health of the Universal Church (the body of Christ)

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• Men, a statistical view (*Sources include: Barna Research and Man in the Mirror Ministries)

• There are 98 million men in America 18 years of age and older.• 63 million men make no profession of Christ• 90 million are not involved in any kind of men’s group/discipleship. Only 8 million men are

involved. Sadly that is only 1 out of 12 men. Can you imagine fielding a football team on which only one man knows how to play the game?

• Up to 70% of men seek out pornography and adultery• As many Christian men will divorce as non-Christian (34%, Barna)• 4 out 5 male students in evangelical churches will drop out of church by their senior year in

high school.• Men are addicted to everything from money to secret thought lives to the comfortable

secluded environments they work so hard to create.• Most men will give the best years of their lives to ideas that never had any possibility of

making them happy.• Most men have “success sickness” the disease of always wanting more and never being

happy when they get it.• Men are tired, restless, confused, lonely and empty.

TURNING THE TIDE OF FAILURE: WHY A MEN’S TEAM?

Statistics also bear out the fact that too many men are isolated from quality relationships that add value to their character development. Sure, lots of men have colleagues, friends and business buddies. But few men have a team of like minded, morally conscience men who share the same overall goals in life.

God uses friendships for our growth and to help us get successfully through the rough patches of life!! (1 Samuel 20)

If we will take full advantage of the benefits of men’s teams as described within these pages and what it offers to men we will be able to connect and relate to men in a way that keeps them functioning as successful men. A men’s team offers a natural affinity for men to connect and talk about those things that most interest him. Topics such as sex, adventure, respect and success will peak a man’s interest because these are a man’s key “needs.” It is unfortunate that for most men the topics they have heard most in “Christian circles” are anything but these. There are literally thousands of men in every neighborhood who remain isolated for any number of reasons. At first most men simply need a friend, secondly an invitation to take part in a discussion that would be of interest to them and third for you and other men who are already connected to your team to take the time to cultivate an authentic relationship with them!

Purposeful and successful men’s teams demonstrate two common elements. First, the team creates a hunger to know the truth (regardless of the topic), and second, members long for deeper, more meaningful relationships! That is, the team applies truth within the context of relationships – in the team, as well as at home, work and community.

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We are convinced that every man must be vitally connected to other men – no exceptions! Certainly this is not a felt need among every man; nevertheless it is a real and desperate need in the life of every man! As scripture states: “As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Biblically speaking, men who walk with God for a lifetime must have vital relationships with other men where trust and vulnerability have been cultivated. If those of us who are passionate about ministering to men will become liaisons and models for the disconnected male we will see a genuine reform in our generation. God will use us to help other men become the spiritual leaders for the family, workplace, community, church and the world!

Providing a purposeful men’s team that cultivates relationships among the men is one of the most important things you can do for the men in your sphere of influence and this even includes the non-Christian or un-churched man. This is precisely why Men’s Teams must remain simple, seeker friendly, fun and very practical. Read what Greg, one of our team leaders writes…

I lead a team in North Texas. In that team, which meets weekly, we spend a majority of time focusing on two areas …that of business application (practical) and one another (relationships) rather than on curriculum. The men that attend this meeting have learned that scripture has much to say about both of those two focuses. As a result I, “the team leader”, seek to direct the team member’s attention to what God has to say about the topic at hand. Interestingly, one of the most involved men in this specific group is a non-Christian. I might have thought that an attempt to wed scripture with practical business issues would be a turn off for a non-believer but I have found just the opposite. Therefore we make sure to have some questions prepared to ask in the group time because men interact through questions. I love this ministry – it is really effective.

By the way, if your’ Men’s Team is not practical then forget it …shallowness, pie in the sky and sharing “precious” verses will rarely help men change. Men need real answers for real issues. (II Timothy 2:14-17a)

It is in this context you will give men the opportunity to move from isolation and independence (where most men are) into camaraderie and freedom (what few men experience). Master’s Men Teams offer men the greatest potential for spiritual growth because the team member chooses to become a member of a “team” committed to mutual support, self disclosure, and honoring Jesus Christ in their relationships. We have found without exception that change most often takes place in the context of value oriented relationships. Yet, in our culture, this depth of relationship rarely develops. Furthermore, it has been our experience that those who become connected to a men’s team find that their wife becomes their biggest fan!

Our culture idolizes individualism. Remember the slogan, “an army of one”? However, what men desperately need is a Comraderic experience (a band of brothers if you will) who will lock arms in order to help each other fight the everyday battles that we face. As men stand with other men through the challenges of life they find themselves growing in Christ-like character, and standing firm in their faith (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14)! A purposeful men’s team will not only strengthen you and those men in your sphere of influence, but it will also encourage your family.

If used appropriately the information contained in this manual will help you create a dynamic men’s team that has the potential to set the stage for life change in a man’s life. When you put into practice what you learn from this manual we believe it will work wonders among the men who choose to take part in your team as you help them become noble men!

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GETTING STARTED

THE LEADERS VITAL ROLE

The group leader plays a critical role. He must be first and foremost a credible man- not a perfect man but one who has a good reputation within the community so that when he seeks to lead on matters of faith and values, his integrity will not be questioned. A lack of character in the group leader makes a farce of all that we are seeking to develop in others.

Furthermore, though he need not be a man who is theologically trained he must be a man who is familiar, comfortable and committed to the contents of the bible. Beyond that, as he seeks to exposit the word, or to bring enlightenment to the discussion by the explanation of the scriptures, he must be able to communicate in common language (which the group understands - their lingo in other words) and to do so in a manner that is relevant, contemporary and accurate to both culture and scripture. (The master’s men curriculum is specifically designed to provide the framework for such a presentation of God’s truth).

The facilitator must be just that; one who guides the discussion, not dictates nor dominates it. He must be a listener, seeking to understand what the men are saying, feeling and needing, using his words only to inform, clarify, provoke new ideas or to pose key questions. His attitude must be one of tolerance, grace and love with a measure of thick skin for those times when one of his men misunderstands and says something rude or painful.

An effective team leader is the captain of ship, steering a ship is done with a small rudder. In the course of the journey you must many small turns that keep the ship on course. Each turn seems so small at the time that it appears as though it had no effect, but without these turns the ship will veer off course.

The leader must be a good net worker himself, able to contact and connect with men as he invites men to the group. He should stay in touch with his men weekly in order to pursue pastoral ministry with them as well as maintain relationships, which will help, gel the group. He must be hospitable, someone who welcomes others and around whom they feel comfortable with his presence. Typically a group unites around the leaders personality. It is usually him whom the group most trusts and respects. Often he is the reason they come in the first place and often, at a shallow level, the only reason some men will continue to come at all. But knowing that will help the leader capitalize on his status in order to steer men to Christ and walk through life with them until they learn what he has, that Christ is the only one worth following and that it is a beneficial joy to do so.

Gut Check …can you really afford, (reputation wise), to lead a group?

• How will you keep your own ethical edge sharp?

• What disciplines do you currently employ for a growing understanding of God and His truth in application to life?

• Do you need to upgrade your bible study tools? Do you need help with this?

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• Do you need to change some of your spare time interests in order to better prepare yourself for leading other men?

• How are your social skills and personal networking habits?

• Will you be a leader in recruiting for your group or will you need to employ the help of a “team mate”?

LEADER QUALIFICATIONS - (I Timothy 3; Titus 1)

Leadership qualifications are similar to those who seek leadership within the local church - they are character based, showing a lifestyle of integrity. Beyond that we seek men who have demonstrated, previously and consistently, that they have meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ which is evident in the way they pursue life in general and in the way they conduct their affairs and relationships- “they have first been tested”. Therefore we seek leaders with a track record (cf. Getz’s work “The Measure of a Man”). See Qualifying Character of Leaders in appendix C of this Guide.

IMPORTANT: You must first qualify to be a Master’s Men Team Leader therefore refer to Appendix C and complete the request of having four other people help “judge” you character. You are also expected to complete the test found in Appendix D and return it to our Teams Director.

BEGINNING A TEAM

Prayer & Planning. The leader must take time to both pray and plan. PRAYER IS BOTH IMPORTANT AND ACCOMPLISHES MUCH! I Samuel 2:20-21; Luke 14:11; Philippians 4:4-7; James 5:16b

Planning could begin with answering the following questions.

• Where should the men meet?

• Who should be invited?

• Should we start with a recreational outreach event or simply start with an invitation to breakfast in the morning or dessert in the evening at home?

• What commonalties do the invitees have?

• What themes might they be interested in?

• Are there any invitees who could share my vision and join me in prayer for this ministry?

• How should I frame the specific invitation, what felt need should I appeal to - camaraderie, shooting the bull over guys stuff, a light bible study or a recreational or social action thrust?

Invitation. Next the leader should draft his list of names, write a statement describing his thrust or theme, decide on a place and date, then personally invite each man. Not all invitees will show

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the first time, so we recommend that the absentee invitees be regularly re-invited until it is obvious they are not interested.An invitation might go something like this…”John, I want to invite you to participate, with me, in a small team of men who get together weekly to enjoy a little fun and camaraderie as well as discuss men’s issues in the context of some of the challenges we face in life. We use contemporary literature and a biblical perspective to help us discover truth for success. We meet at, (place) at (time) o’clock. Will I see you there this week?”

Environment The place or environment is very important to group success; it needs to be totally comfortable to the men you have invited. Whatever they are used to and familiar with is the best scenario. Therefore we encourage you to meet with your team outside the walls of the local church …it is our desire that Master’s Men Teams reach the non-believer and disconnected, therefore we must purpose to make every attempt to make sure these men feel comfortable. It would be advisable to meet in a place conducive to open and honest conversation. Read any of the gospels and take note where Christ typically spent time with his men, how might that look in our culture?

Consider meeting in:• A country club restaurant or breakout room. • A boardroom or break room at an office or factory. • A neighborhood home (but make sure that the home is hospitable, inviting and

comfortable)

In addition, we find that hotel break-out rooms or small banquet rooms facilitate men’s meetings well, plus restaurants with larger side rooms that provide some measure of privacy work as well. Only use a restaurant that you can control interruptions. If your desire is to reach un-churched men then we would not recommend a church room because some men are typically threatened by a facility that symbolizes organized religion. Most important, where do you think your invitees will feel the most comfortable (not what is most convenient or comfortable to you)?

Meeting Time Make sure that whenever you choose to meet you have time for team members to interact. This is critical to long-term success of your group and as well as the ongoing involvement of each team member. It is appropriate for most teams to meet for a minimum of one hour to an hour and a half. The size of the team may dictate the length of the meeting. Rarely will an hour or less be enough time to see healthy group dynamics take place! Plan for at least an hour or more if you are serious about seeing your men’s team take off! If you are only meeting every other week or monthly, make the most of your time and plan to meet for at least two hours (weekly) and three hours (monthly). DO NOT rush your Team…if it is only a program it will not last! A Men’s Team must be about RELATIONSHIPS! Acts 2:42

Appeal Men normally don’t get together without a purpose. It seems we need a reason to meet. And that makes sense when we consider how busy we all are. So I suggest that you be prepared to have a reason for this meeting (as stated above).

Whatever you believe the issue is, that would appeal to your group, have it written out for yourself, sell your invitees on it, re-articulate it for the first couple of meetings until your group begins to feel comfortable with the fellowship that develops. Once they do they will be your biggest advertisers and will recruit their own relationships based on what they are getting out of the group and what they think their buddies felt needs are.

• What is your reason for meeting? • How does that touch the felt needs of the guys you are targeting?

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Input Remember that one of the dynamics of your group, that you will bring to bear, is the infusion of “truth or encouragement” each week, no matter what the topic of discussion is. Be prepared to share that pledge with your men, not as a product delivery promise but as a benefit for coming - that they can expect that whatever felt need issues surface, you will make every effort not to leave the discussion ambiguous or negative but will seek to bring informative and inspiring information to bear on the subject – in order to direct every ones attention God-ward. Any group of guys can get together for a gripe session, that isn’t the purpose of your Team, it is specifically designed to give answers to life’s stickiest questions as well as provide strategic advice to some of men’s thorniest challenges - all toward making the members of your team more successful, satisfied and purposeful with their lives. Your team is to provide that kind of forum and your format will be organized toward that end.

You should also be prepared to state that you will, unashamedly, be using the bible as your manual on life’s issues, trusting that it provides the best compass from which men can confidently re-calibrate their own moral perspective.

There certainly is a lot of literature that provides guidance for the many issues of life; moral, financial, relational and otherwise. But since the bible has weathered the test of time, you will be using it as your text for illuminating solutions and suggestions for dealing with the perplexing and challenging issues of men’s lives.

Can you confidently express biblical references of principles to inform our team given the general men’s topics that will arise?

If not, how can you be better prepared or at least provide your men the biblical guidance they will need?

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ATTITUDES AND ATMOSPHERE

DYNAMICS OF LEADING A MEN’S TEAM

Small groups are born of relationships and will stay together only so long as men feel comfortable in the group relationship setting. Therefore a few rules or reminders are in order. You can not treat a small team of men like you do other larger, less indigenous and less personable groups. So, remember……

1) It is all based on personal relationships, the foundation of which is trust. Break their trust and the group will suffer because intimacy will fracture.

2) Keep the environment and conversation positive, helpful, relevant and light. This is not a therapy group. It shouldn’t get heavy. Therapeutic intensity can scare people away. If you have to deal with something personally heavy, encourage them to meet with you in private. Personal discipleship, away from the team meeting would be the preferred ministry in this situation. Helping them while making everyone else’s’ skin crawl won’t help you solidify your men and could prevent you from developing ministry with the rest of the team in the future.

3) Let me caution you against too much church discussion, even if all of your team members are from the same church. There is a real danger with groups turning into a church compliant or fix-it committee if the center of discussion tends to center around church politics, policy, people, theology, doctrine, dogma etc. That is not the purpose of the Master’s Men ministry. And that is not the goal of evangelism and discipleship. Since most of our “teams” seek to reach men who are unfamiliar with the church or even cautious about them, we should keep the focus on men’s issues, the biblical text and our understanding of relevant application. We are seeking to reach men through Christ and help them grow in Him. That is a spiritual/relational purpose not an organizational one. Therefore, beware of too much talk that centers on church matters or denominationalism. Keep the focus on men and what Christ has to say to their everyday issues. Then encourage them to attend a church of their choice offering your assistance if they need it.

4) No expectations. You will ultimately get more spiritual mileage from totally accepting your men then by establishing behavioral and theological expectations for them. In fact you may find that many of the critical issues that you thought were universally sacred, aren’t. Some may even view your perspective as irrelevant for men as they grow in Christ likeness. And if not, that is if your religious fundamentals are really important to transfer then they will naturally be born out by scripture, supernaturally driven into each ones heart by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, leading the men to voluntary change. To halt legalism we must allow men to volitionally accept and experientially apply God’s truth to their lives, at their speed, so that they will begin to look more and more like Christ without a group leader trying to predetermine their walk. (consider Paul’s comments in Romans 14 for example)

5) Know men’s issues. What are men made of, what are they dealing with? What are there hopes and aspirations? What drives them to irresponsibility? These are the questions you must personally be familiar with and able to suggest plausible solutions to. So immerse yourself in a formal study of men’s issues. Though you can probably offer a certain amount of advice, naturally, on these subjects, you should still seek further information so that you might be more adept with the nuances of masculinity in our current culture. For a good start, there are several resources suggested in the bibliography at the resource section of this manual. Please avail yourself of them.

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6) Again, make sure that you schedule your meetings in a place that is conducive to male fellowship. If the guys are comfortable they will more readily open up. And when men open up, they are more receptive to truth. And, of course truth changes lives - or as Jesus put it, it sets you free!

Give thought to this:

• How do you feel about the focus of a men’s group as discussed above?

• In what areas do you strongly agree or disagree? Please explain your position and share a bit of your experience with us?

• To what degree should sanctification issues be imposed – if at all?

• How comfortable are you with the concept of “low or no expectations”? How much latitude are you willing to extend to others?

• What about the issue of trust – How important is it to the development of a good group?

THE TEACHING COMPONENT

It is at this point that most of our potential team leaders get nervous. Most do not envision themselves “teachers”. But we view teaching as facilitating the learning process – not lecturing on information that you are an expert! We strongly feel that, with a little preparation and a few basic pointers on leading a discussion (from developed curriculum), most genuinely committed men, can succeed. Facilitating a discussion, from ready made curriculum, is easier than you think – if you will abide by a few simple rules.

Those rules, along with some further teaching helps, are provided below. Furthermore, we recommend reading the book, Getting Together, by E.M. Griffin’s, -(a Guide for Good Groups, IVP, 1982). You will find it useful in providing an overview to the components of good groups.

Beyond that, if you are a “teacher” then you will especially enjoy the facilitative approach to learning that we subscribe to and suggest you utilize in your team – that way every man has a chance to participate and rather than one man dominating the discussion or being the expert – all can speak and all can learn. As one of our team leaders has discovered “the more men participate, the more they will stay involved”.

The following pointers will help… (this line is actually on page 12 of the students manuals)

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These pointers should help you:

• Don’t judge or preach• Don’t be a lecturer • Do prepare and plan for the discussion • Don’t be afraid to use humor, make the time fun • Don’t allow someone to dominate, seek balanced participation • Do ask open-ended questions – not those that demand only a yes, no • Don’t ignore someone’s question; respond even if it is way off base. • Do use the weird comments to turn the attention back where you want it. • Do let your men “express” themselves freely, allow whispering, laughing and interruptions

– believe it or not, it means they are engaged, they are learning! • Do listen, repeat a question to make sure you’ve got it. Ask deeper questions to flush out

the meaning a man intends.

(Beginning of page 13 in students guide)

We believe good groups contain these eleven factors

1. Purpose Driven2. Discipleship3. Association4. Transparent5. A Band of Brothers (trust is built)6. Confidential7. Evangelism8. Prayer9. Bible-Based Teaching10. Relationship-Based (Masculine Form)11. Commitment

A further discussion of the above “factors” can be found on pages 15 - 17; Eleven Leadership Principles for Effective Men’s Teams

Food for thought:

Which of the above suggestions strikes you as particularly important?

Were any of these a bit of a surprise to you and how so?

Which ones do you believe you are already doing well and how can you give us encouragement to succeed there too?

Which of these points out an area for improvement for you and how will you go about upgrading your ministry in this area?

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Eleven Leadership Principles for Effective Men’s Teams

PURPOSE DRIVEN (A cause greater than oneself)Have a purpose for why you meet. Why do your men need to meet with one another? What do you intend to do and how do you expect that to change your lives to be more like Christ? (Matthew 4:19b “…I will make you fishers of men”) Also, leading a men’s team involves the deliberate action of asking others to join you (John 1:43 “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” A leader must be intentional in the lives of the men his is leading. Defining your Team’s purpose and commitment level is crucial and should never be minimized. The purpose will drive the overall effectiveness of the team. Is this Team just another group and/or activity in a life that is already too busy or is it life-giving to the men involved? (II Timothy 4:1-5)

DISCIPLESHIP (Becoming more Christ-like)Leaders must encourage its team members to focus on Jesus in growing their faith. “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you in the water.” “Come,” he said.” Matthew 14:28-29a Men need to be challenged to take next steps in their relationship with Christ.

ASSOCIATION (Being part of an accountable community)Men need connection for encouragement as well as motivation. “And let us continue to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25. 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

TRANSPARENCY (Authentic, Humble)Vulnerability is caught not taught! Most men will not become vulnerable until someone else does. As a leader you must be that someone! Until men become vulnerable, life change will not happen. When appropriate, open up your life to them, show them you need God and them too (II Timothy 3:5). Leaders must also model genuine service to members of the team … “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:4, 5

Leaders must be open with their own shortcomings and failures. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do --- this I keep doing.” Romans 7:18,19

Men must be real with one another. Vulnerable, transparent, humble -- Authentic! “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

A leader must be a model of the life he is encouraging the other men to live. “Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” I Timothy 4:12

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A BAND OF BROTHERS (intimacy and trust - reliability)Those in a Master’s Men Team should develop trust; one with another and this characteristic should be exemplified by the leader and modeled by all.

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Ezekiel 3:20 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

In this world, you’re taking an incredible risk in “going it alone”. There are too many pitfalls and dangers along the road of life. By ourselves, we are no match for our adversary. Being in community with other Christian men provides the strength of numbers. It also gives us a “wing man” to watch our “backside”; a protection that every Christian man needs.

CONFIDENTIAL (a safe place)Every man needs a safe house…a refuge for sharing what’s on one’s mind without fear of retribution and a place where focused, personal issue oriented, prayer will take place. If we are going to develop the courage needed to open up so that we can “be healed” (see James 5:16) then confidentiality is an absolute necessity. And, as with the rest of these characteristics, the leader of the team is responsible to provide this environment.

EVANGELISM (Outreach)In obedience to Christ’s last command, “All authority has been given Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20), we mobilize the team to seek men for Christ. Our smaller team of men, our discipleship community, intentionally seeks ways to naturally intersect with the larger community, that we may engage men in conversation, relationship and ultimately a presentation of the gospel. And upon commitment, those new believers are integrated into our team. A Master’s Men Team must be seeker-sensitive and practical. “like new born babes, keep desiring the sincere milk of that word, that you may grow in respect to your salvation” 1 Peter 2:2

PRAYER (intimate conversation with God)Seek God through prayer and see to it that it becomes more than a parenthesis to a meeting. In the Master’s Men we purpose to end each team meeting with a one on one prayer time. That is, we have the men divide into two’s and share one personal request with their partner (and we only give them three minutes in order to keep it short – one minute per request and one for the prayer). “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7). One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12). Colossians 4:2, I Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 23:9-11 and I Samuel 2:2-3 “the Lord is a God who knows, and by Him deeds are weighed.” It is through prayer that all our major battles are won! (II Timothy 4:17-18)

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BIBLE-BASED TEACHING (God’s Word as the foundation)Christian men need to teach, admonish and encourage one another with God’s Word. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Master’s Men Teams are devoted to God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17).

RELATIONSHIP-BASED - FOR MEN ONLY (Testosterone - HooRah!!!)We are not prejudice – honest - it’s just that men will not develop the above skills in the context of heterogeneous relationship community (i.e. mixed gender company). Men need to feel safe before they’ll share. Therefore they won’t share if women or children are present. The team needs to be a masculine environment where men will feel comfortable and thereby let their guard down so that their hearts are open to truth and thrust.When men find their interaction with other men valuable, they will keep coming, learning and growing in Christ. Healthy men’s teams foster mutually beneficial relationships with other men.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 A Christian man sharpens his faith, and thereby his practical life, by interacting with other Christian men. Christian men need other Christian men to help them grind off the jagged edges of their faith and sharpen their walk with our Savior. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:10-13, 15; “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Master’s Men Teams help the teammates serve one another through trial enabling each on to endure tough circumstances and get successfully through difficult times.

COMMITMENT (stick-to-itiveness; consistency, persistence)Don’t allow “things” (distractions) to get in the way of your Men’s Team! The leader of a Men’s Team must show passion and commitment to meet with the men on the team regularly. “He is single-minded.” If the leader treats this time as “just another meeting” he will demonstrate to the men that they are not his first priority. When a leader of a Men’s Team allows “things” to get in the way, the men on the Team will see it as just another meeting. When this happens men tend to check out! “Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).

Action Steps:

• Because the leader must be committed to attaining goals and purpose of a men’s team, begin to think through what your specific purpose will be with your team

• Based on these 11 leadership principles which one(s) have been lacking in past groups you have either been a part or led? On a scale from one to ten, ten being high where would you place in terms of emphasis?

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MOTIVATIONS AND METHODS

THE MOTIVATION OF MASTER’S MEN MINISTRY

The following material has been adapted, without permission from Robert Coleman’s book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Fleming H. Revell, 1980. It is used to provide an overview to the biblical process Jesus used when He successfully trained His disciples to replicate his morals and methods and win the world evangelistically. That is how He made disciples. It is also meant as a stimulus to reading Coleman’s fine work.

MEN ARE THE METHOD! (1 Tim 2:8, 2 Tim 2:1,2, Col 1:28).

The discipleship method of Jesus was very simple. Men were His method. Christ’s men were developed by the use of the following seven classic principles.

“It all started with Jesus calling a few men to follow Him Luke 6:13. The initial objective of Jesus’ plan was to enlist men who could bear witness to His life and carry on His work after He returned to the Father. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes but with men whom the multitudes would follow”.

He chose teachable men and kept the group small enough to be able to work effectively with them. Jesus devoted most of His remaining time on earth to these few remaining disciples. He literally staked His whole ministry upon them. The world could be indifferent toward Him and yet still not defeat His strategy”.

Why did Jesus deliberately concentrate His life on so comparatively few people? Had He not come to save the world? The answer of this question focuses at once His whole purpose for evangelism. Jesus was not trying to impress a crowd but to usher in a Kingdom. This meant that He needed men who could lead the multitudes. Though He did what he could to help the multitudes He had to devote Himself primarily to a few men rather than the masses in order that the masses could at last be saved. This was the genius of His strategy”. Pg. 21-33

How about you?

Have you ever given serious thought to this issue? Have you ever wondered why Jesus spent so much time with so few people and in such a small geographical area?

What do you believe is the best overall strategy for world evangelization that an individual believer could employ?

How would you “package” your methodology today? What steps would you take and in what order?

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THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF MAKING LIFE-LONG DISCIPLER’S

1) Association – you must spend as much time as possible with those you seek to lead and influence for Christ. Life transfer takes time. It can not be done in absentia.

“Jesus did not insist upon His disciples adhering strictly to certain rituals and formulas. Jesus asked only that His disciples follow Him. Knowledge was not communicated by the Master in terms of laws and dogmas but in the living personality of One who walked among them”.

Frequently He would take them with Him on journeys away from the public. Even when He prayed alone His disciples were not far away. He actually spent more time with His disciples than with everybody in the world put together. He ate with them, slept by them, and talked with them for the most part of His entire active ministry. They walked together along the lonely roads, they visited together among the crowded cities, they sailed and fished together in the Sea of Galilee, they prayed together in the deserts and mountains, and they worshipped together in the synagogues and temples”.

When Jesus was ministering to others, the disciples were always there with Him. They were His spiritual children and the only way that a Father can properly raise a family is to be with them…Building men is not easy. It requires constant personal attention that is something no organization or class can ever do. It can only be done by persons staying right with those they seek to lead…There is simply no substitute with getting with people and it is ridiculous to imagine anything short of a miracle can develop strong Christian leadership”. Pg. 38-48

In this culture, at this time in world history, given the relational constraints we confront in the American society, how would you proceed in trying to associate with a few good men?

What would it take to spend more time with other men? How could you use that time effectively for discipleship – that is nurturing their faith and growth in Christ?

How much time would it take to produce disciplers that would reproduce themselves after your departure from their lives?

2) Impartation – by your actions not your words you will “tell” your men what is of most importance to you. If you really want to impart something important to them, something live changing, it must come for the reality of your own life.

“Jesus impressed upon His followers the deep conviction of His own soul of the love of God for a lost world. Everything he said and did was motivated by this consuming passion. His life was simply the revelation in time of God’s eternal purpose to save for Himself a people. Supremely this is what the disciples needed to learn not in theory but in practice.

His method of evangelism was not to be interpreted as a human undertaking but as a divine project, which had been going on from the beginning and would continue until God’s purpose would be fulfilled. It was all-together the Spirit’s work. All the disciples were asked to do was to ask the Spirit to have complete charge over their lives. The whole thing evolves around the person of the Master. We must have His life in us by the Spirit if we’re to do His work and practice His teaching. Any evangelist work without this is as lifeless as it is meaningless. We cannot give something away that we do not possess ourselves”. Pg.62-713)

Those are some pretty powerful quotes – don’t you think? So back to you (and me) what does this say about our need for legitimacy in the development of intimacy with God and adoration of Him in general?

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Don’t reveal where you think you are right now relative to this issue but meditate on the subject and consider this – what would it take to make the appropriate adjustment in your schedule and priorities in order to enhance your faith walk toward true imitate-able devotion to Christ?

3) Demonstration – And what ever you want your men to do, to become, you must show them. You can not expect your disciples to do what they do not see in your life. This is a classic example of teaching through action not words. Your life is a living lecture of that which you want them to know and to do.

“All the disciples had to teach them was a teacher who practiced with them what He expected them to learn. Evangelism was lived before them in spirit and technique. Watching Him they learned what it was all about. They observed how He drew people to Himself. How He won their confidence and inspired their faith. How He opened to them the way of salvation and called them to a decision in all types of situations and among all types of people. Rich and poor, healthy and sick, friend and foe alike, the disciples watched the master soul winner at work. It wasn’t outlined on the blackboard of a stuffy classroom nor written up in a do-it-yourself manual”.

His method was so real and practical that it just came naturally. The method of Jesus was more than a continuous sermon. It was an object lesson as well. This was the secret of His influence in teaching. He did not ask anyone to do or be anything which first He had not demonstrated In His own life. Thereby, not only proving its workability but also its relevance to His mission in life”. People are looking for a demonstration not an explanation. When it is all boiled down those of us who are seeking to train men must be prepared to have them follow us. Even as we follow Christ (1Cor. 11:1). We are the exhibit. Given time this type of leadership imparts our way of living to those who are with us”. Pg. 78-81

This subject is very similar to the one above it as it reminds us that real performance in the success of our ministry must begin with our identity – both who we are in Christ as well as who we are in action. Actions really do speak louder than words when it comes to communicating the contagion of genuine Christian discipleship – so how is your field experience to date? Are you a man or words or actions?

If men were to follow you around what would they see that would “instruct” them in the way of Christ – particularly those replicable principles that they could pass on?

Maybe it would be profitable to consider what strengths you do exhibit, experiences you do have to share and what ministerial attributes you do have as assets to invest in the lives of other men. Free yourself to major on those for now without guilt tripping yourself out of the ministry because you also have developmental areas that need improvement.

What do you think? In your case what would some of your assets be? What are your strengths, your transferable experiences? Also, on what could you use some improvement?

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4) Delegation – in order to transfer your spiritual life style you must integrate your men into your life. And when it comes to “making disciples” you must specifically integrate them into the work of discipling others. You must give them a piece of ministry responsibility and then increase their responsibilities as their faith and acumen grows. This is just the way Jesus did it and we must do it as He did if we are truly to be successful (Mk 7: 35-37; Jn 6:6).

“His method was to get the disciples into a vital experience with God and to show them how He worked before telling them they had to do it. On the other hand Jesus did not discourage their spontaneous reactions to express their faith. In fact, He seemed delighted that they wanted to”.

As Jesus began His final tour of ministry He realized that the time had come for His men to join Him more directly in the work. They had seen enough to at least get started. They needed now to put into practice what they had seen their Master do”.

It is significant too that Jesus reminded them of the decisive nature of the gospel invitation, which called people to repent of sin. Therefore what He preached was sure to be disturbing to others. Jesus never let His disciples under estimate the strength of the enemy nor the natural resistance of men to His redeeming gospel”.

Christian disciples are sent men. Sent out in the same work of world evangelism to which the Lord was sent and to which He gave His life. Evangelism in not an optional accessory to our life. It is the heartbeat of all we are called to be and do. But it is not enough to make this an ideal. It must be given tangible expression by those who are following the Savior. The best way to be sure that this is done is to give practical work assignments and expect them to be carried out. This gets men started and where they already have seen their work demonstrated in the life of their teacher, there’s no reason the assignment cannot be completed”. Pg.82-93

I cannot over emphasize the importance of this topic. Many a man, many a child for that matter, will watch another do the work, giving simple assistance as well as brief encouragement. But observation alone does not achieve transformation. In order for a person to be able to perform competently in the work they have seen demonstrated they must be given full responsibility in assignments that they are accountable to carry out.

In what ways were your discipleship experiences enhanced by being made to do your own work and in what ways was your progress retarded as a result of not being given something tangible to carry out?

What are some modern day examples of some “hands on” opportunities we can give to our disciples?

How would you describe the process in terms of how soon, how much etc? And how would you grade and provide feedback?

5) Supervision – The most successful teachers, coaches, parents and businessmen are the ones who inspect the work and do so by overseeing the workers. Supervision is a necessary aspect of any successful team. And it is no different in making disciples. We must oversee our men’s efforts so that we can approve or advise as each circumstance may dictate. This is the best way to help your men improve and mature as discipler’s.

“Supervision was part of the strategy of Jesus throughout His ministry. As He reviewed some experience, which the disciples had, He would bring out some practical application of it to their lives. Here was on the job training at its best. Jesus would let His followers have some experience or make some observation of their own and then He would use this as a starting point to teach a lesson on discipleship. His plan of teaching by example, assignment, and constant check-up was calculated to bring out the best that was in them”. Pg. 96-100

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The above quote partially answers the final question of the above section – the need for supervision, feedback, grading etc.

Grading disciples can be tricky business – they are often friends, they are certainly volunteers. How would you suggest approaching this delicate subject?

What, ultimately, do you believe a disciple is looking for in terms of a grade for the ministry he is pursuing and trying to learn?

6) Reproduction – The outcome of the discipling effort is the same as child rearing – to ultimately send mature “adults” out into their own life’s work. Responsible parents raise their children to be self supporting adults. And the expectation of every adult is that they will be productive (in life) and reproductive in regards to children. That is the first commission and it remains in force (Gen 1:28). The second great commission is like it (Mt 28: 18-20); that is to bear, to reproduce spiritual children. The outcome of good discipling is to turn out men who will be able to seek and disciple the next generation of men.

“Jesus intended for the disciples to produce His likeness in and through the church being gathered out of the world. Thus His ministry in the spirit would be duplicated many fold by His ministry in the lives in His disciples. Through them and others like them it would continue to expand and an ever enlarging circumference. By this strategy the conquest of the world was only a matter of time and their faithfulness to their plan. It did not matter how small the group was to start with. So long as they reproduced and taught their disciples to reproduce. This was the way His church was to win. He had no other plan”.

Our work likewise is never finished until it has assured its continuation in the lives of those redeemed by the Evangel. The test of any work of evangelism thus is not what is seen at the moment or in the conference report but in the effectiveness with which the work continues in the next generation. The work itself is done by men reaching other men for Christ. This is the new evangelism we need. It is not better methods but better men”. Pg. 102-113

This is it guys. This is the whole thrust of the Master’s Men ministry. We gage success by generational replication not present numbers. A crowd may look impressive but what does it accomplish in the long haul of the commission?

Every method we employ should be pursued only after we have asked and answered the question satisfactorily – what will this produce for the kingdom long range – in other words, will this effort and the fruit it brings, last?

Does your current ministry take this issue into consideration – or does your personal philosophy of ministry take this into its methodological consideration?

What should we do and not do – what rules should we set for ourselves – in order to better guarantee that our ministry is on target here and less likely to stray off course?

7) Establish A Plan (1st two lines on the next page are on this page of the student’s guide)

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8) Establishing a Plan – fulfilling God’s will, that is, fulfilling the great commission should be the fundamental plan of our lives. But to accomplish the plan w all need to have our own specific plan as to how we will do it in our sphere of influence.

“Our plan should be to invite men, impart Christ’s life to them and send them on to repeat the process.

What is the plan of your life? Everyone has to live by some plan. The plan is the organizing principle around which the aim of life is carried out. We may not be conscious of the plan in every action, or even know that we have a plan, but nonetheless our actions invariably unfold some kind of a pattern at the center of things.

The simplest thing to keep in mind is to start with few and stay with them. We should not expect a great number to begin with, nor should we desire it. But the ones that we do attract to ourselves we should seek to be together with them.

As Coleman says” in order to give a little stability to this system, however, it may be necessary to arrange special times when the group, or part of it, can meet together with us (a Master’s Men team!). During these informal gatherings we can study the bible, pray, and in general share with one another our deepest burdens and desires. It is not necessary to broadcast what is being done, or even at first to tell the group what our ultimate plan is, but just let the meetings grow out of the common need for fellowship. In turn the group can work out its own particular discipline within the framework of the church”. Pg. 115-117

Thinking of the men who are already in your life, how will you go about trying to coax them further along in this process we have discussed?

How will you use your current get together time to nudge them along in the process?

What additional time can you find in order to spend some special quality discipleship time with your primary disciples, your potential leaders? What will work given the realities of the society we live and work and coach soccer in?

Finally, when you consider this whole subject of replication and transferring – do you have an image of the man you’re trying to reproduce, trying to hone to Christ-likeness? Without this specific quantifiable target you will be less likely to succeed.

Therefore, you will first, of course, need to work on yourself – you need to “Be” like Christ yourself before you can transfer that image. But no one is perfect, we are all still in process so don’t let your current state of maturity stop you from proceeding. There are always others further down the ladder than you that you can still show the way up. Second, you need to “Do” what Christ Himself did if you want to transfer to others. Otherwise they may say “that what you do (or rather don’t do) speaks so loudly I can not hear what you say”! So remember the above discussion and the personal spiritual performance goals you have set for yourself and get moving on them.

Now imagine the kind of guys you want to turn out. Factoring in for personality differences, pursue your goal relentlessly. Adjust, as God gives you further revelation and directional change, but don’t back off because of difficulty. Satan doesn’t want success here and he will interfere with your efforts constantly. Therefore, never give up! Always associate with those who have interest and develop those who have desire and hone those you have tested. In the end you will have left behind an impressive fighting force for God, ministers of the gospel, whose service will extend well beyond your own and into generations you will have never envisioned.

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TEACHING AND TRANSFERING

Universal Teaching Principles

Good teaching always involves a few basic principles of transferring information for effective learning by the students. Two of the best books on the subject are John Milton Gregory’s, The Seven Laws of Teaching (Baker, 1884/1954) and Howard Hendricks’, The Seven Laws of the Teacher (Walk Thru The Bible, 1988).

Below is a brief outline complied form both Hendricks and Gregory. It is presented here to provide a study outline for the Master’s Men group leader for a self study of the issue of teaching and is meant to be a stimulus to further reading of these outstanding resources.

1) THE TEACHER must know what he would teach. What the teacher knows he must teach. (p28, Gregory).

Beware of the multiplication of Mediocrity? A teacher must know two things: his content and his constituents.

He must also hold to three basic insights. That is, The Law of Teaching, embraces a philosophy, requires an attitude and involves a relationship. (p4-9 Hendricks)

Therefore, know your material; know your students. Always apply the material to yourself first (Ezra 7:10) then help them to see the application.

2) THE LEARNER must attend with interest to the lesson. The mind must be directed to the object (p 39 Gregory)

Educate by providing a process, which excites and directs the self-activities of the pupil. The key to education is not what you do but what the student does (p 16 Hendricks)

3) THE LANGUAGE used as a medium between the teacher and learner must be common to both (p 54 Gregory). Communication is derived from the Latin word for common; communis. (p 40 Hendricks)

4) THE LESSON to be mastered must be explicable in the terms of truth already known by the learner. The unknown must be explained by the known. (p 19 Gregory)

5) TEACHING is arousing and uses the pupil’s mind to grasp the desired thought or to master the desired art. (p 19 Gregory)

Teaching with impact does not go from head to head but from heart to heart. It involves ethos, character, pathos, compassion and logos (divine content), --the following is on page 24 in the student guide-- in order to produce confidence, motivation and perception. (p 52-54 Hendricks)

Teaching should stimulate the students to gain knowledge, skill or changed behavior.

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6) LEARNING is thinking into ones own understanding a new idea or truth or working into habit a new art or skill. The student must become an investigator. The practical relationship of truth and the forces which lie behind all facts are never really understood until we apply our knowledge to some of the practical purposes of life and of thought. (p19,107,109 Gregory)

Learning is essentially producing change. It involves knowing, heart, feeling, actions and practice. All learning begins at the feelings level. (p 55 Hendricks)

7) THE TEST (or Law of Review and Application) is the proof of true teaching, or teaching done. It is the finishing and fastening process. There must be a reviewing, rethinking, re-knowing, reproducing and applying of the material that has been taught, the knowledge and ideals and arts that have been communicated. The completion, test and confirmation of the works of teaching must be made by review and application. (pgs 19, 116 Gregory)

Seeing the instruction exemplified in the life of the learner is the surest confirmation of the transfer of life and knowledge from teacher to pupil. Seeing replication of the teacher’s life and thoughts in the lives and thoughts of the second, third and fourth generations of learners are the best proof and highest praise of an effective learning system.

QUESTIONS:

Though teaching is an art, a fine art, on the other hand, teaching to make disciples can be accomplished by anyone willing to invest his life into the lives of others and share what he knows about developing a relationship with God. However, any effort you can put into honing your particular style of teaching and reinforcing your content and communication will be well used in your efforts. Therefore, which of the above principles do you see the need to particularly focus on?

How will you judge the success of your teaching now, that is different, than the way you evaluated your impact previously?

Will this knowledge change what you will be looking for in teachers for yourself?

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LEARNING FROM GOD’S WORDA Simple Three Step Process

When a man is simply told the truth, it remains external to him and he can quite easily forget it. When he is led to discover the truth himself it becomes an integral part of him and he never forgets." William Barclay, Daily Celebration

What keeps a person from studying the Bible on their own?

• Lack of interest• Wrong priorities in life• Never taught "how to study the Bible" • The attitude of "I don't really need to" • Takes work

Biblical Motivation: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Hebrews 4:12

Attitudes in Bible study:

• Prayerful • Expectation/Excitement• Open heart

HOW? By doing the following these step process:

• OBSERVATION • INTERPRETATION • APPLICATION

STEP ONE: OBSERVATION: Critical to correct interpretation!

READ ENTIRE BOOK AT ONE SITTING and then DO A BACKGROUND STUDY THE BOOK

Your first step is to gather some general information about the book/passage you will study: You will need to use reference books or a study Bible to answer most of these questions.

Author: • Family background, Age, Occupation, Jew or Gentile • Where was the author writing from? • Any unusual circumstances going on in the life of the author?• Why would it help me to know who wrote the book of Proverbs or Ecclesiastes?

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Purpose:• What is the stated or implied purpose of the book? Historical background

becomes very helpful.• What was the driving force behind this book of the Bible being written?• How does knowing the purpose of Proverbs help me (Proverbs 1:2-6)?

Receiver:• Who was the author writing to?

Date:• When was it written?• Why is this important?

Now you are ready to begin studying a selected passage or verse

ASK THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION QUESTIONS AND JOT DOWN A FEW NOTES.

Ask questions to learn more about the passage. The more questions you can think up to ask, the more you will learn and the easier the interpretation will become. Ask questions that the text answers. If you have a question the text does not answer, this type of question can be used in the interpretation step.

We will use Acts 1:8 to illustrate how to ask observation questions about a passage.

Who?

Who shall receive power? YouWho gives the power? Holy SpiritWho shall be a witness? YouWho shall we witness to? Those in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, remotest part of earth. Who's witness shall we be: Jesus'Who does not receive power? Those who do not have Holy SpiritWho should we not witness to? We should witness to everyone I

What?What did Jesus tell us to do? Be a witness What do we need first? Power/Holy Spirit

Where?Where should we witness? Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and remotest part of earth. Where does the power to witness come from? Holy SpiritWhere does the Holy Spirit live? In you

When?When do we receive our power? After Holy Spirit comes upon you

Why?Why should we witness? Jesus told us to

How?How shall we witness: In the power of Holy Spirit

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Write questions the text (you are presently studying) does not answer on a separate sheet of paper and Write "Interpretation Questions" on the top. These questions will be used later.

As an example:Who is the Holy Spirit?How (what technique) should we witness? How does Holy Spirit come upon you? What does a witness really do?What does the word "power" really mean?

Examples of Observations to Take You Deeper

Things Alike & Things DifferentMatthew 6:19-20Earth: TreasuresHeaven: TreasuresEarth: Rust destroys / thieves stealHeaven: Rust does not destroy / thieves do not steal

Cause and EffectActs 1:8 We receive power and then we become able to witness.

Things Repeated"Hypocrite" in Matthew 6:2, 6:5, 6:16, 6:42, 7:5 "Hypocrite" in Matthew 22:18, 23:13,14,15,23,25,27,29 "Immediately" occurs 40 times in the book of Mark

Question and AnswerMalachi 3:7 “How have we robbed Thee?”Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God?”Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you?”Mark 12:28 “What commandment is the foremost of all?”

Problem and SolutionMatthew 19:25 “Then who can be saved?”

Promises MadeProverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make

your paths straight.”

ContrastsMatthew 7:24-27 Wise man / Fool -- Rock / Sand

Connectives (but, therefore, and)Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words…”

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STEP TWO: INTERPRETATION: Poor interpretation leads to incorrect application

Pulling it all together: How can we take the above information we have learned and "interpret" what the author was really saying?

What did the author mean by the words he used?

What was his purpose or message for the people he was writing to?

Example: Romans 12:2

Author: Paul

Written: To believers in Rome.

Outline: Romans

I. Introduction/General Data (1:1-17)II. Righteousness - key to man's relationship to God (1:18 - 8:39)III. Israel and the Gentiles in the plan of God (9:1 - 11:36)IV. Attitude and conduct expected of Christians (12:1 - 15:13 )V. Items of personal interest.

STUDY THE CONTEXT OF PASSAGE

In interpretation: First step is to study the overall context. Many times the context of a passage will help clarify exactly what is being taught. Look at the immediate context, and then look at the context for the entire book. Lastly look at the entire Bible.

Illustration:In studying Genesis 7:1-4. the context is Genesis 6:1 - 8:22.

In studying Matthew 6:1. the context is Matthew 5:1 - 7:29.What precedes it?What follows it?In what context is it really being used.

Entire Bible

Old Testament / New Testament

CROSS REFERENCE THE PASSAGE

You can do cross references on a word to help you better understand/interpret the passage. “Let the Word of God explain the Word of God.”

Example:Word: World Verse Romans 12:2

Cross References:Matthew 13:22 and the worry of the world …choke the word/becomes

unfruitfulGalatians 1:4 out of this present evil ageI John 2:15 do not love the world, not the things in the world

You can also use a concordance or topical index to research words such as World

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James 4:4 Friendship toward the world is hostility toward GodA friend of world is an enemy of God

I John 4:1 The world has many false prophets.

DIG EVEN DEEPER FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION

Do word or character study for added meaning.

If studying a passage in Matthew, learn more about Matthew (the tax collector.)

If studying the gospels, learn more about who the scribes and Pharisees really were.

Use Bible and/or secular dictionary:

CONFORM: "To make the same or similar, to conform one's ideas to another, to bring into harmony or agreement, to be in accord or agreement, to behave in a conventiona1 way, accepting without question customs, traditions, prevailing opinion." (Webster's New World Dictionary)

Use Bible Encyclopedia

Use MapsIf studying the nation of Israel, determine how many miles they travel to get from Egypt to Jericho. (Remember they walked)

Read other translationsThis will help you gain added clarity.

Example: Romans 12:2NAS “And do not be conformed to this world…”NIV “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this worldKJV “And be not conformed to this world…”LIV “Don’t copy the behavior of this world, but be a new and different person With a fresh newness in all you do and think.”NKJ “An do not be conformed to this world…”

Summarize your interpretation/write out your conclusions:

The author: Paul was instructing the Christians at Rome,• NOT to be conformed (pressed/squeezed/molded)

to this world (which is passing away/is evil/is foolish/ & has satan as it's "god"

• BUT to be transformedby renewing their mind (using the Word of God)

• IN ORDER to do/prove the will of God!

FINALLY: Your last step in interpretation is to use commentaries. You should use a commentary to see how your interpretation is similar or different from someone else. This is a fine-tuning process for your thoughts. You are taking your interpretation and now seeing what others have said about the passage. Let commentaries fine-tune your thinking, not be your primary teacher or resource. (on previous page in student guide)

STEP THREE: APPLICATION is often overlooked by those who study God’s

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Word which is tragic because application is where life change happens!

Using Romans 12:1-2 -- How can I apply this passage in my life?

As a Christian, I

SHOULD NOT be conformed (pressed/squeezed/molded)to this world (which is passing away/is evil/is foolish/ & has satan as it's "god"

BUT, be transformed

BY - renewing my mind (using the Word of God)

IN ORDER to do/prove the will of God!

Write out in a concise sentence how you can apply this passage in your life. Be as specific as possible. Use the following questions to help develop application point(s).

• What is the most important aspect of this teaching? • How can I apply this passage in my daily life?• What is one practical thing I should do?

Example:

I should be careful not to be deceived by what the world teaches is important in life. I should be asking "what is important to God?" It appears the key to the application of this passage is "transforming my mind." Therefore, I would like to commit to memorizing one verse of Scripture each week.

How will this be accomplished? By writing one verse each week on a 3 X 5 card and carrying it with me. I will be able to review it when sitting at every red light.

--- NOTES ---

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RECOMMENDED BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

TOPICAL BIBLENave's Topical Bible (Moody Press)

BIBLE DICTIONARYThe New Bible Dictionary (Eerdmans)

GENERAL INFORMATION/FACTS/PURPOSE/BOOK OUTLINES Walk Thru The Bible (Nelson)Eerdmans Handbook To The Bible (Eerdmans)Halley's Bible Handbook (Zondervan)What The Bible Is All About (Regal)

COMMENTARIESThe Bible Knowledge Commentary (Victor Books) (2 Volumes) The New Bible Commentary (Eerdmans)The Expositors Bible Commentary (Zondervan)

ENCYCLOPEDIASThe Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (5 volumes)The Macmillan Bible Atlas (Macmillan)

CONCORDANCESNew American Standard (Holmon) King James (Strongs)

CUSTOMS OF THE BIBLEManners and Customs of the Bible (Logos)

TRANSLATIONSNew American Standard Bible New International VersionThe New King James BibleThe Authorized King James Bible J.B. Phillips BibleThe Living BibleNew Living TranslationNew Century Version

STUDY BIBLESMen’s Study Bible NIV (Zondervan)Life Application Bible NLT (Tyndale)Scofield Study System NASB (Oxford)The Ryrie Study Bible (Moody Press) Thompson Chain Reference Bible (Kirkbride)

THEOLOGYBasic Theology. Ryrie (Victor)

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE BOOKSGuide To Understanding Your Bible, Josh McDowell (Here's Life) The Joy of Discovery In Bible Study, Wald, (Augsburg) Methodical Bible Study. Robert Traina, (Zondervan)

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[M3] - OUTREACH FOR MEN

“Replace the corner sports bar for fellowship (with a) young men’s group”

If: Men are in trouble today in America Men need Christ Men aren’t going to church It takes another man to lead a man to Christ

If: Men have to have a purpose for meeting Men want activity that doesn’t involve vulnerability

Then small group outreach through athletic or activity venues is a good match to help men cross the bridge to Christ.

HOW TO BEGIN:

1. Pray as a group for the how, what, when and who.2. Begin to pray individually for your guest.3. Given the potential guest list and their interests, select a “double” event.

Suggestions: keep the expense, administration and organization as low as possible. Keep the group attendance low enough to manage, allow relationship building but large enough for an interesting diversity to emerge.

4. Meet at the event/venue – have all the costs picked up by the initiating group.5. Enjoy the event as an event without proselytizing during the contest.6. Then close the event with an invitation (this is the second event).

Suggestions: If the event allows for an expert, have him speak to the group at its conclusion.

Example: Meet at a suite at the stadium at Arlington, Watch the game. Then towards its conclusion, have an ex-pro or college player give a brief testimony extolling the benefits of knowing Christ and men’s small groups.

Finally invite all attendees to the small group (remember you’ve been praying for these men and so rely on God’s drawing and sovereign selection). Give them the time, place and other necessary information.

NOTES: For more, please reference your M3 guide to discipleship and evangelism.

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HOW TO CONTINUE:

1. Make sure the study is guest friendly as newcomers get up to speed. • Relationally, giving time for relationships to grow with other members.• Biblically, staying mindful that you may need to “tactfully help” others find

specific scriptures that you will be using. • Academically, as they begin using your curriculum they will need to get their

hands around the concept of “study.” • Verbally, as they deal with the concept of discussion looking for acceptance

and encouragement without correction or rebuke as they seek to contribute.2. The team should strive to have three or four social outreach events a year in

order to allow for slow movers to come along or those unable to attend the first event to come to a second or a third. Also the team itself will benefit from the spark of fun that it will provide to the continuing development of camaraderie with in the group.

I sincerely believe God created us with a sense of humor, a drive for competition and a desire for fun as part of our overall makeup. So why not take advantage of these “graces” and enjoy the companionship of other men all the while using the “buddy system” to develop more disciples?

Although we feel that the Bible is the best book when it comes to all men’s issues, we realize that some men are not yet ready to use God’s word to prepare for a team meeting. Therefore here are a few books that others have had great success in walking through with other men.

Suggested Books/Materials That Can Help “Kick Start” a Men’s Team:Man of Honor Jim Cote’ (IVP) What it takes to be a hero …a study of Boaz Man of Influence Jim Cote’ (IVP) What it looks like to live out our life in Christ practically and straightforward. Shortcuts Jim Cote’ (Washbasin Publications) Men Sidetracked from the Path to SuccessA Life Lived Well Tim Chastain (Washbasin Publications) Foundational Truths for Men (12 foundational truths in two parts)The Measure of a Man Gene Getz (Regal Books) A look at true masculinity through I Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-10

For those who desire to connect business colleagues who are un-churched through the use of practical business helps we suggest you use the following. Call us for more information concerning how to use these types of books.

Monday Morning Leadership David Cottrell Eight Mentoring chapters that cover the basis to good business managementEthics 4 Everyone Eric Harvey & Scott Airitam The reality is your reputation and job is at stakeBeyond Babel Gerald R. Chester, Ph.D.

An understanding of the timeless universal principles required to build excellent organizations

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Appendix A

Facilitating Dynamic Discussion

The key to facilitating dynamic discussions is generating the right kinds of questions and offering appropriate responses. Here are some guidelines for the kinds of questions and responses that would help your group engage in meaningful, challenging discussions.

Types of Questions

1. Opening Questions:Use an opening question to help the group warm up to each other, get to know one another better, and to let them hear their own voices. Opening questions are speculative and thought-engaging.

Examples:

A. "What do you look forward over the next five years?"B. "Who is a person who has made a positive impact in your life?"

Close-ended Questions vs. Open Questions

1. Close-ended questions are questions of fact!2. Close-ended questions can be answered yes or no.3. Close-ended questions are either right or wrong.4. Close-ended questions fish for correct answers and can make you feel

manipulated.

2. Launching QuestionsKnowing the goal of the discussion, the group leader prepares launching questions designed to generate group interaction and feedback. These questions are designed to answer the question, "What do I know, what do I feel, what should I do?"

Examples:

A. "What do we learn from seeing the obstacles Joseph faced and how we overcome them?!

B. "After our discussion, we probably all agree that we are somewhat 'stuck'. "What steps can we take to develop a greater trust in each other?"

C. "What do you think was going through Peter's mind at this time?"

Focused launching questions:

Some questions do not necessarily launch a question, but they do solicit responses and feedback. There are two kinds -- leading and limiting questions.

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Leading Questions usually produce a short answer. Such as:

A. "Would you be tempted in this situation?"B. "Do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

Limiting Questions: indicate that you have a specific answer in mind. Although they do not promote discovery they do help clarify facts.

Examples:

A. "What three commands do we find in this passage?" B. "What two things does Paul say we must do?"

3. Guiding Questions: Even the most prepared leader will need to spontaneously guide discussion at times.

Examples:

A. Rephrase the question: "You seem to be asking, 'How can we develop trust as a group?'"B. Personalize the question: “How would you respond to Jesus if had asked that question?"

4. Summarizing Questions: Allows the leader to acknowledge group members' contributions while maintaining biblical integrity and direction.

Examples:

A. An affirming comment can be made with good eye contact and a smile by saying, "Thanks for sharing that" or, "That's a good point" or, "OK, that is a response worth considering: are there other thoughts as well?"B. A summarizing response might say, "So what we see in this passage is. . ."

5. Applying Questions: Allows the leader to apply what they have learned by asking questionsThe goal of the small group study is not just information but transformation.

Examples:

A. "What will you do this week as a result of our discussion tonight?"B. "What difference does this make to you and me?"

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ACTIVE LISTENING

Involves not only what you hear, but also what you say. It means actively engaging with the person who is speaking. It means setting aside your personal agenda and keeping yourself from distracting thoughts (particularly thinking about what you are going to say next... Here are some tips for active listening.

What you say1. Invite comments from the group.2. Empathize with people's emotions. 3. Explore their statements, seeking more information. 4. Clarify what has been said.

What you hear

1. Verbal: the content of what is said. Sometimes we are so interested in what we are about to say that we fail to hear the simple facts in a discussion. As you listen, focus on people's names, events, dates, and other specific information that is being shared.

2. Non-verbal: how the content is expressed. Here you are listening for "congruity". That is, do the non-verbal messages match the verbal messages? You "listen" for this in three areas:

• Facial expressions - When someone says, "I'm OK", does their facial expression actually communicate, "I'm a little sad"?

• Tone of voice – Listen for tones of sarcasm, anger, sadness, enthusiasm, hesitancy, fear, etc

• Body movements, posture - Are arms and legs crossed and closed? Are people fidgety? Are people relaxed? Does their posture indicate interest or boredom? Remember, you can "hear" a lot just by watching people's actions.

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Responses:

How you and other members respond to questions or statements will either foster or fizzle a discussion.

Poor Initial Responses:

1. A Question2. A Cliché3. An Intepretation4. Reassurance5. A Bible Verse6. Abandonment/Ignoring7. Emotionally Flat

Good Responses:

1. Repeat -- The key words "uh-huh,"oh," and "mmm" can often say more than words. They can communicate "I am with you, I want to understand this."

2. Reflect - The key phrase or feeling with interchangeable words that the speaker would accept as what he or she intended to say.

3. Support -- A word of support can free the other to feel their feelings and face their real thoughts. It may help them feel that their feelings are validated. Comments like "sounds like you have a good reason to be angry," "That must have hurt," "That's got to be hard to live with" can be helpful.

4. Silence -- Can be a gift that communicates "You are free to speak or not to speak. I value you enough to wait and just be here with you."

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Appendix BTROUBLE SHOOTING A MEN’S TEAM

Creating safe places where life-change can be maximized is not easy. Sometimes it'sreassuring to know that all small groups undergo some type of relational difficulty. If group members expect to grow, people will have to be vulnerable. Anyone who has ever led or been a part of a nurturing small group will tell you that where people are emotionally transparent, problems will come to the surface. When they do, it's the leaders job to help steer the group in the right direction.

Two principles guide our attempts at successful "troubleshooting." First, any solution must promote the health and wholeness of the individual. Second, any resolution must also promote the health and wholeness of the total group.

The following "Troubleshooting Tips" were garnered in part from discussions with leaders. They should go a long way in helping your groups deal with "problem" situations with grace and insight. Remember, no technique is 100% successful in solving the crisis your team may encounter, but with prayerful attention, sensitivity, and caring interaction using one or more of these "tips," your group has a good chance of not only making it through your particular barrier, but realizing true camaraderie and maturity on the other side of it.

ISSUE 1

The Overly Talkative Member

Often what begins as a trickle of friendly patter can turn into a virtual flood of words if not moderated properly. The "Talker" is rarely shy, and usually very uncomfortable with long periods of silence. Typically, what's behind this need to "fill in" the pauses is the fear of intimacy or personal disclosure. The Talker is very quick to move on an item, arid can' very easily unsettle a group's pacing if there is not some type of sensitive intervention. Here are some tools that you might find helpful.

Establish Ground Rules for Your Team• Make (or reiterate) the rule that no one can overrun someone else while they are

speaking (translation: "NO INTERRUPTING!"). • Go systematically around the group allowing each person a chance to talk.

Remember at the onset to be of members who are either unaccustomed to or feel uncomfortable with speaking in a group setting.

• Assure the talkative member privately that you value his opinions, but that you wish to hear other men’s comments as well. You may want to state in front of the group that you would like to hear more about this man’s items of interest after the meeting.

• During the discussion, simply interject and sensitively direct a question to another person.

Meet Individually• Spend some one-on-one time with the "Talker." Attempt to ascertain the driving

issues that are making it necessary for the person to dominate the meeting. • Firmly and sensitively confront the person in private. Begin with the positive

contributions the person has made in the group and the need for others to be given

40

the opportunity to make a similar impact. Use the confrontation time as an important affirmation moment as well. (This note begins on pg 39 in the student guide)

• Ask the talkative person's help in drawing others out. Suggest he end his comments with a question like, "So what do the rest of you think?

ISSUE 2

The Answer ManAnswer men can all too quickly dismantle safe places. Other members should not have to experience the pain of non-attention, judgment, or an argumentative spirit. Here are some helpful ways to provide what the answer man needs and keep the group process on track.

Take Action During The Meeting• Backtrack to the original idea, question, or thought shared.• Refocus on the passage or material being used and collect more information

from everyone, then summarize. • Loving redirect the sharing to the other group members: "What do the rest of

you think of this passage?" or "How do the rest of you feel?" • Affirm what is right about the "always right" person's answers, but look for other

points of view. • Be a model of true empathy yourself so the "answer person" can see a better

way to help others. • Remind the group of the importance of silence. • Avoid arguing about who is right or wrong. • Before the meeting, share how "pat" answers or oversimplified responses make

others feel. Ask the group to monitor themselves. Do not feel afraid to call members on this after you have set the ground rules.

• Direct the group to prayer generally and for one another.

Speak to the "Answer Man”• If it's a continuing problem, talk with the person outside the group. Describe to

them what their sharing in this manner does to the group. Tell the truth with compassion.

• Affirm the person for what they do know, but also let them know how their knowledge may not be what is needed or appropriate.

• Let the person know they need to let the communication of others stand on its own without judgment or immediate correction.

• Ask the insensitive member to share more feelings rather than thoughts ("I think…")

• Ask the "answer person" to summarize or rephrase points of the discussion.• Attempt to find out from the person privately what drives him to always appear

"in the know."

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RESOURCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

RESOURCES

1 “Getting Together”, E.M. Griffin, Inter Varsity Press 2 “Master Plan of Evangelism”, Robert Coleman, Fleming H Revell 3 “Disciples are Made Not Born”, Walter A. Henrichsen, Victor 4 “Lifestyle Discipleship” , Jim Petersen, Navpress 5 ”The 7 Laws of the Teacher”, Dr. Howard Hendricks, Walk Thru The Bible 6 “The 7 Laws of Teaching”, John Milton Gregory, Baker Books 7 “Living By The Book”, Howard and William Hendricks, Moody Press 8 “As Iron Sharpens Iron”, William and Howard Hendricks, Moody Press 9 “The Training Of The Twelve”, FF Bruce, Kregel Publications 10 ”The Life and Times of Jesus The Messiah”, Alfred Edersheim, Eerdmans 11 “Twelve Ordinary Men”, John MacArthur, Nelson Books 12 “Why Men Hate Going to Church”, Dave Murrow, Nelson Books

We hope you share our enthusiasm for this relational outreach ministry that the Lord has commissioned us to take to our spheres of influence, and pray that you will soon join us in this exciting work. God bless you.

Jim Cote’ Tim ChastainFounder, President Director of Men’s Teams

Master’s Men MinistryAll Rights Reserved, 2011

Masters Men PO Box 797363, Dallas, TX 75379 Ph (o) 972-599-0123 (m) 214.668.1782 E-mail tchas@mastersmen.com Web Site www.mastersmen.com

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--- NOTES ---

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Appendix CQUALIFYING CHARACTER

A Master’s Men Leadership EvaluationThis evaluation was created from Gene Getz’s work Measure of a Man

We believe that those who serve as a leader with Master’s Men (whether that is a full-time “paid staff” or in a volunteer position as a “Team Leader”) must absolutely have a good reputation. The desire to be an overseer is a noble one, but one must be mature in order to oversee. Paul outlines qualities of a Christian leader in I Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Paul is not saying that leaders must be perfect, but rather how we deal with our weaknesses as we lead. The mature Christian man can handle correction and takes the necessary steps to change. If those in leadership with Master’s Men are not mature then the ministry and body of Christ suffers!

To begin the process of becoming a leader as a part of Master’s Men the following evaluation must be completed by three individuals. These individuals must include 1) your pastor 2) your wife (if married) or employer if not married 3) a team member (a man who is a part of your small group who knows you relatively well such as an accountability partner or closest friend). After fully completing this evaluation please enclose it in the attached, pre-addressed and stamped envelop and drop it in the mail. Thank you!

OVERALL SPIRITUAL MATURITY1. How do you evaluate this person’s overall maturity as a Christian?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

ABOVE REPROACH2. How do you evaluate the reputation of this individual as a Christian both among

fellow believers as well as among non-Christians? Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

The HUSBAND of ONE WIFE (If applicable)3. How do you evaluate this man’s relationship with his wife?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

TEMPERATE4. How do you evaluate the degree to which this person is maintaining balance in his

Christian experience? Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

PRUDENT5. How do you evaluate this man’s ability to be wise and discerning?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

RESPECTABLE6. How satisfied are you with the way this man’s life reflects the life of Jesus Christ?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

HOSPITABLE7. How do you evaluate this man’s level of generosity?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

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ABLE to TEACH8. How do you evaluate this man’s ability to communicate with others who may

disagree with him?Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

Not ADDICTED to WINE9. To what degree are you satisfied with this man’s ability to control various kinds of

obsessions and compulsions? Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

Not SELF-WILLED10. How satisfied are you with this man’s ability to relate to other people without being

self-centered and controlling?Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

Not QUICK-TEMPERED11. How satisfied are you with the way he handles anger?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

Not PUGNACIOUS [“Belligerent”]12. How satisfied are you with his ability to control any form of verbal or physical abuse?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

GENTLE13. How objective and fair-minded is he in his relationships with others?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

UNCONTENTIOUS14. How satisfied are you with his ability to avoid arguments?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

FREE FROM the LOVE OF MONEY15. How satisfied are you with his ability to be non-materialistic?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

ONE WHO MANAGES HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD WELL16. If they are a father, how satisfied are you with his ability to function in this role

according to God’s plan?Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

LOVING WHAT IS GOOD17. To what degree are you satisfied with his efforts at “overcoming evil with good”?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

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JUST [“Upright”]18. How satisfied are you with his ability to be just and fair in his relationship with

others?Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

DEVOUT19. To what degree are satisfied with the way his life reflects God’s holiness?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

DISCIPLINE20. How satisfied are you with this man’s ability to live a disciplined Christian life?

Dissatisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfied

PLEASE BE SURE TO FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING COMPLETELY

PERSON’S NAME IN WHICH THIS EVALUATION CONCERNS:

_______________________________

YOUR’ FIRST AND LAST NAME:

_________________________________________________________

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS MAN?

________________________________________

HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN HIM?

__________________________________________________

BEST NUMBER TO REACH YOU IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS: (_____)

__________________________

Master’s Men MinistryAll Rights Reserved, 2011

Masters Men PO Box 797363, Dallas, TX 75379 Ph (o) 972-599-0123 (m) 214.668.1782 E-mail tchas@mastersmen.com Web Site www.mastersmen.com

46

Appendix D

THE MASTER’S MEN TEAM LEADER ANALYSIS

To ensure that our team leaders and staff are all pointing in the same direction and in order to maximize our mission effectively and team continuity, we have found it necessary to really emphasize consistent and thorough training. Our Team Leader Training Manual is a great first step in that direction. Of course our “on the job” or “hands on” training is the ultimate way to ensure that we have consistent and thorough training. Fortunately, we provide exactly that through our Teams Directors office. The on site training we provide will help to bring academic content from this manual to life in your ministry environment. But the first step is for you to read and become familiar with the Master’s Men Method provided by the Training Manual.

This evaluation is a very important step to establishing your ministry in partnership with The Master’s Men. We have provided this evaluation to ensure that our team leaders and staff understand the content of this training guide, looking to see that you are able to answer the questions with accuracy and knowledge of the topic addressed. Your response will also help us to evaluate what areas you may need more OJT than others. After reviewing this evaluation we will tailor a training session to best serve you and the unique needs of your ministry. Therefore, if it is your desire to become a leader with Master’s Men you must take the time to answer each question thoroughly. If your answers are adequate, you are evaluated as a man of good character (1 Timothy 3) and you complete the hands on training required you will be afforded the opportunity to represent Master’s Men as a Team Leader. We Know you are up to the challenge and are looking forward to the partnership!

Master’s Men and Getting Started

• State the Master’s Men purpose and goal in your own words.

• What is the Master’s Men methodology and what are 5 of the rules used to facilitate a team?

• How does Master’s Men view success?

• Give three reasons why men’s small groups fail.

• List three things you would do to ensure that your men’s group does not fail.

• What kind of leader will other men readily follow?

• Read I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 – What is the one character quality listed that you struggle most? least?

• In beginning a team what are the six (6) things that you as a leader must do to begin successfully?

Attitudes and Atmosphere

• Master’s men teams will stay together as long as men feel comfortable the group relationship setting. List five ways in which you can ensure that men who are a part of your team feel comfortable.

• List the eleven leadership principles for effective men’s teams and provide a brief explanation of each.

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Motivations and Methods [M3]

• Because men were Jesus’ method of reaching the world, Master’s Men has adopted this method. Read Robert Coleman’s Master Plan of Evangelism.

• After Jesus selected the men who would become His disciples, what seven underlying principles did He use to shape these men? Provide a brief description of each principle.

Teaching and Transferring

• List the seven (7) universal teaching principles and then state which one or two areas that you most need to focus on and why.

Learning From God’s Word

• A Master’s Men Team Leader is expected to read and study God’s word regularly. What are the three simple steps to studying God’s Word? Provide and brief explanation for each of these three steps and why each are important to the study of God’s word?

• List three helpful tools used for Bible Study?

Outreach for Men

• Give a description for an effective outreach (event) to men.

• Provide an effective plan to follow-up with each man at the outreach/

Leading Dynamic Discussion

Describe the following:• Opening Questions• Launching Questions• Leading Questions• Guiding Questions• Summarizing Questions• Applying Questions

• Describe what is meant by active listening and provide an example

• How would you handle an overly talkative team member?

• How would you handle a team member who 9 times out of 10 will take the discussion down a rabbit trail?