Around 15 years ago we changed how we did small groups. We went all in on gender specific small groups. Instead of guys meeting in separate groups throughout the week, we set a specific night of the week as Men's Discipleship (we call it ManUp.). I got the idea from someone who said that men are wired towards "conferences"....all guys gathering together to learn, grow, and have accountability and to feel like one unit (much like the values of a fraternity);
We meet all together on Thursday nights for a lesson from a speaker (20-25 minutes) and then the guys break up up into small groups led by ManUp leaders. The ManUp leaders are interviewed in the spring and lead the following school year. Each ManUp group has co-leaders. Staff determines the theme for the semester and communicates with individuals to speak (pastors, youth pastors, professors, alumni) on the topics/scripture provided to them. ManUp leaders are given discussion questions ahead of time to prepare. Most of our speakers provide an outline that give focus and direction.
This worked so well that a few years later our ladies asked to have the same approach, which we call Radiant. Before this approach, we would have around 40-45 involved in small groups with both genders. In the years following this change we were having 65-70 attending. We've seen as high as 120 involved in ManUp and Radiant combined.
This is reprinted with Mo's permission from a comment he made in an on-line collegiate ministry discussion group. Are you doing something different in this area that you want to share?
Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry advocate, author, and sometimes speaker. You can check out some of his resources here: Reaching More College Students Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN and A 3 Part College Ministry Success Formula at Amazon.com/dp/B0BZ6Q7HSV
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