2016 T.B.C. Men’s Retreat / Discussion Group Tips and Questions

2016 T.B.C.  Men’s Retreat

Discussion Group Tips

1.    Make sure that everybody knows everybody.  You might want to have quick one-minute introductions with something like their name, employment, family, and whether they are rooting for the Cubs or Indians.

2.    Your main purpose is to keep the discussion productive.  You don’t have to finish every question, but keep things moving.

3.    Sometimes it is helpful to ask follow up questions.  As you ask questions to spur discussion, focus on how and why questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.

4.    Keep things practical.  We will have had plenty of theory during the teaching time, so we want to bore down on application and implementation into our individual situations.

5.    You want to encourage everybody to participate without putting someone “one the spot.”  If someone is not saying anything, you might ask them a “softball question” to help them get involved, but don’t be pushy if they seem uncomfortable saying something. 
If someone is monopolizing the discussion, you might want to talk with them one on one and encourage them to help you make sure everybody is participating.

6.    Connections are important.  Would you be attentive to whether your men seem to be connected and interacting with other men?  If you notice they don’t seem to have any friends, would you help them to make those connections and feel included?  Thanks.

7.     This year I have put a mix of ages in each group.  I am hoping that the varied perspectives will be helpful.  I would love your feedback on how you think that helps or hurts the discussion.

A Personal Evangelism Checkup:

Three crucial truths many Christians think they understand  . . . but often don’t

1. The Concept of Evangelism: 1 Cor. 1:18-2:5

What is evangelism?  Why it’s so important to be clear about what evangelism is—and what it isn’t.

Conclusion: Understanding what the Bible means by evangelism is the first step to evangelistic faithfulness.

Application questions:

1. Many Christians are fearful of doing personal evangelism?  Why do you think that is?

2. What are the primary obstacles you personally face in doing personal evangelism?

3. In what way can this clarification of what the Bible means by evangelism strengthen your commitment to evangelism?

4. If you heard someone say, “I preach the gospel every day by the way I live,” what would you say to them?  (Or, at least, what would you like to say to them if you could?)

2. The Content of Evangelism: Colossians 1:13-20

What’s our message?  Why it’s so important to grasp the fullness of the biblical gospel.

Conclusion: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. . . .  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone proclaiming?  And how are they to proclaim unless they are sent?”      Romans 10:9-15

Application Questions:

1. What do you think are the strengths of the Four Spiritual Laws presentation of the Gospel?

2. What would you say are the weaknesses of this presentation?

3. The Confidence of Evangelism: John 17:1-5

How come we’re so timid?  Why it’s so important that we know Jesus for who he truly is.

 Conclusion: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”   Romans 1:16

Application questions:

1. Do you think your Jesus has been “too small”?  In what way?

2. How does seeing Jesus for who he truly is change things?

3. In what ways do you think this vision of Jesus will affect your personal evangelism?

4. What is your chief prayer for yourself after attending this retreat?