Character: Who You Are When No One’s Looking

One of the best books or Bible studies I’ve ever found to launch men’s groups is Character: Who You Are When No One’s Looking by Bill Hybels.  The topic will immediately resonate with the majority of the men in your congregation.  I’ve also found it to be a topic that makes for engaging conversation and a very good way to bring along friends and neighbors who are looking for the same thing.

Based on the Bill Hybels book by a similar title (Who You Are When No One’s Looking: Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise), Character is a 6 session study that focuses on biblical passages that will help men wrestle with the development of courage, discipline, vision, endurance, compassion and self-sacrifice.

Although there is a reference to the book  in the For Further Reading section, it isn’t essential that you use both.  Additionally, this isn’t a “homework required” study.  While there is room for your members to write out their answers to the questions, they can easily just show up and talk about their answers without preparation.

Very importantly, this is a study that can be led with little preparation.  Looking over the questions along with a quick glance at the study notes in the appendix will enable the group leader to focus on what’s going on in the lives of the members.

If you’re looking for a study that will catch the attention of unconnected men in your congregation, Character: Who You Are When No One’s Looking is one that ought to be part of your toolkit.