Faith Matters: For Men Only Bible Study - Lessons on Becoming an Authentic Man
By: Tania Francois
Updated: March 19, 2012
The lesson is simple: What is it to be a man? And not just any man but a good man. An authentic man. An average of 800 men gather every Wednesday morning at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock to learn about how to they can be that answer.
And to help, women are not allowed.
This is Bryan Sanders' first time. "I think that most women would be thrilled to have their husbands be here."
The men come from all over central Arkansas varying in age and religious denominations. The lesson is called 33 and is based on the number of years Jesus lived and his example of becoming the ultimate man.
Steve Snider is one of the organizers. "Thirty-three is like a road map. It gives guys a road map on what it means to be an authentic man some real practical steps all based on biblical truth but real practical.'
Shelby Smith has been attending the bible study since the beginning. He says, 'I think it's pretty important to have a good definition of what manhood is. I think you look at our society today men are struggling with that definition and so I think it's a great program for helping men come to grips with some of the responsibilities that they face or not handling properly.'
After the main lesson, they break into small groups. There's one of fathers and sons. The teens are friends who take what they learn into the classroom. Jack Snider is 18 and a student at Pulaski Academy. "A big part of it is just having each other and being able to go to school knowing that we've got each others support together."
Fellowship is the first church in central Arkansas to offer '33.' Similar groups at other churches are in the works including one at Arkansas Baptist College which Neal Scoggins hopes will help the community. "To change he heart of the man will change the heart of the community which will ultimately change the heart of society." Sanders adds, "I'm Catholic, I'm not evangelical and so for anyone that wants to be a better man, a better Christian, a better husband, I think this is a great place to come on Wednesday mornings."
And to help, women are not allowed.
This is Bryan Sanders' first time. "I think that most women would be thrilled to have their husbands be here."
The men come from all over central Arkansas varying in age and religious denominations. The lesson is called 33 and is based on the number of years Jesus lived and his example of becoming the ultimate man.
Steve Snider is one of the organizers. "Thirty-three is like a road map. It gives guys a road map on what it means to be an authentic man some real practical steps all based on biblical truth but real practical.'
Shelby Smith has been attending the bible study since the beginning. He says, 'I think it's pretty important to have a good definition of what manhood is. I think you look at our society today men are struggling with that definition and so I think it's a great program for helping men come to grips with some of the responsibilities that they face or not handling properly.'
After the main lesson, they break into small groups. There's one of fathers and sons. The teens are friends who take what they learn into the classroom. Jack Snider is 18 and a student at Pulaski Academy. "A big part of it is just having each other and being able to go to school knowing that we've got each others support together."
Fellowship is the first church in central Arkansas to offer '33.' Similar groups at other churches are in the works including one at Arkansas Baptist College which Neal Scoggins hopes will help the community. "To change he heart of the man will change the heart of the community which will ultimately change the heart of society." Sanders adds, "I'm Catholic, I'm not evangelical and so for anyone that wants to be a better man, a better Christian, a better husband, I think this is a great place to come on Wednesday mornings."
