A men’s group can study The Pursuit of God by combining biblical discussion, shared leadership, honest accountability, family application, and a plan to help each man become a disciple-maker.
Establish the purpose
Explain that the goal is not to complete a classic book or gather quotations. The goal is transformation: men who abide in Christ, lead with love, obey Scripture, and help other men follow Jesus.
Give every man ownership
Prepare discussion-facilitator questions and let each man choose one. When his question is reached, he becomes the discussion leader.
This method reduces dependence on one teacher and helps less experienced men practice leadership in a safe setting.
Use a consistent meeting structure
- Review the previous application
- State the chapter’s big idea
- Read a supporting passage
- Use participant-led questions
- Identify declaratives, imperatives, and applications
- Pray and set accountability
Consistency creates trust while participant leadership keeps the meeting active.
Connect pursuit to the home
Ask how each chapter affects a man’s closest responsibilities.
Surrender may address money, career, or control. Removing the veil may address pride and apology. Meekness may address defensiveness. Sacred living may address work and family presence.
Men should not use ministry activity to avoid leadership through love at home.
Create honest accountability
An accountability checklist can ask:
- Did I spend meaningful time in Scripture and prayer?
- What known sin or temptation needs help?
- How did I love and serve my family?
- What application did I complete?
- Whom did I encourage or disciple?
Reports should be truthful, concise, and grace-centered. The group is not a courtroom.
Handle mixed maturity wisely
Newer believers may need definitions and starter answers. Mature believers should resist dominating discussion.
A two-sentence starter answer can help a man begin without prescribing what everyone must say.
Address rabbit trails
When a question moves away from the chapter, acknowledge it and decide whether it belongs in a later conversation. Restate the present question.
This respects curiosity without allowing one issue to consume the meeting.
Use prayer actively
Men may feel uncomfortable praying aloud. Begin with brief sentence prayers. Pair men when needed. Over time, ask each man to pray specifically for another.
Prayer should not become a performance of knowledge.
Build multiplication into the study
Near the beginning, ask every man to identify someone he may eventually encourage or disciple. During the study, let men share one chapter insight outside the group.
The final meeting should include a next-step plan: continue as a triad, begin another group, meet one-to-one, or serve in an existing discipleship pathway.
A sample chapter meeting
For Chapter 9, “Meekness and Rest,” read Matthew 11:28–30. Ask each man where self-defense or reputation creates a burden. Choose one response: listen without defending, apologize, serve unseen, or ask for help.
At the next meeting, review what happened.
The leader’s posture
The facilitator should model honesty without making the meeting revolve around himself. He should invite quieter men, protect confidentiality, and point repeatedly toward Christ and Scripture.
A strong men’s group does not merely produce more outspoken men. It forms humble, loving, accountable men who make disciples.
Biblical anchors
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 grounds the article’s central question. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Ephesians 6:10 adds an important biblical balance. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
2 Timothy 2:2 shows how the truth becomes lived obedience. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Questions for further study
-
Which statement in this article most needs to affect your understanding or conduct?
-
How does 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 confirm, correct, or deepen the article’s answer?
-
What fear, attachment, distraction, or habit makes a faithful response difficult?
-
Which person or responsibility should be affected by your next step?
-
How could you explain or model this truth to another believer?
Put it into practice
-
Study: Read 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 in context and write one sentence explaining how it contributes to the answer given in this article.
-
Respond: Choose one statement—such as “Connect spiritual pursuit to leadership at home, work, church, and community.”—and turn it into a specific prayer and action.
-
Review: Tell a trusted believer what you plan to do and ask that person to follow up within seven days.
Common mistakes to avoid
-
Do not let one leader answer every question or carry every responsibility.
-
Do not force disclosure or treat confidentiality carelessly.
-
A group study should connect participants to the local church and a next step.
From personal growth to making disciples
Prepare participants to lead questions, pray aloud, review applications, and eventually begin another relationship or group. Make the next step simple enough to practice and clear enough to pass on.
Continue with the annotated study guide
The annotated edition is designed for individuals, couples, pairs, triads, small groups, and church leaders who want structured discussion and accountability. This article answers one focused question; the complete edition brings all ten chapters into one connected study experience.
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples