Startup Kit for Early Morning Guy Groups

Written by Rob Suggs

The clock shows less than a minute until halftime. The quarterback runs his two-minute offense, calling plays at the line rather than using a huddle. It saves time, but it can also cause turnovers.

Life imitates football. The clock is always running, and so are we. We make frantic decisions without huddling with family, church, or business teams. That may be one reason so many men express a craving for a "guy group" - an informal gathering that provides advice from friends, a hearty laugh, and a quick breath during the week’s chaos. The solution? Morning prayer groups.

A word of disclaimer is in order. I’m not now - nor have I ever been - a morning person. Yet even in my life, morning has proven to be the only practical way to connect with other men. The day’s other hours are already reserved.

Guy groups are simple in structure but profound in value. One can be built around prayer or a Stand Firm devotional. The main thing is to create a forum for honesty, encouragement, and accountability. Amazing things can happen: bad business moves prevented and marriages saved. In times of stress, men will know where to find burden-sharers. Men will build friendships to last a lifetime.

How can you begin such a gathering? You call the play. Start with one guy you’d enjoy getting to know better. Call him and tell him what’s on your mind - and you’d like to have a regular time and place to get together for prayer and encouragement. If you like, then call a few others. A cell group of between two and 10 is ideal. If the attendance soars, consider dividing and forming new groups.

Here’s your Startup Kit for beginning a morning men’s group:

When? Keep it Convenient - Discover the best time for all. Meet early enough to allow 45 to 60 minutes together with plenty of time for everyone to get to work promptly.

Where? Keep it Accessible - Some meet in coffee shops, but you might need more privacy. Your church may have an available room, or you might use a conference room at someone’s office. Always get permission.

What? Keep it Simple - The day’s Stand Firm devotional, or a verse from Scripture, is a good starting point. Always reserve time for group prayer, as well as for informal sharing and encouragement.

Other tips?

• Keep it Open - Stay on the lookout for new members.
• Keep it Democratic - Don’t allow one person to dominate the proceedings.
• Keep it Flexible - If changes are needed in time, agenda, or membership, be willing to make them.
• Keep it Accountable - Be committed. Encourage the other guys to hang in there and remain faithful. It may take a few weeks for the group to settle in and find its rhythm. But once that happens, your group will be a winner.

Rob Suggs is a former managing editor for Stand Firm magazine.

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