Curriculum Suggestions for Splitting Men and Women in Married Community Groups
When it comes to Community Groups, men and women can have very different experiences. Men in particular can find it challenging to be real and authentic in a group environment. One way that can give your group members an opportunity to connect more deeply is to split the husbands and wives for a few weeks. The following information offers some effective studies that will assist you in developing the men in your group, as well as building greater community within your group as a whole.
One effective way of splitting men and women who are in a Married Couples Group is to do separate studies. It is suggested that you try to keep "split" studies to six weeks or fewer. Beyond the suggestions that we’ve listed below, you are encouraged to search for more options at GroupCurriculum.org. Of course, you are also free to be creative and come up with ideas of your own.
Do the same study
You will likely find that the relationships in your group will grow in this context regardless of the topic(s) that your curriculum covers. If a specific study interests both the men and the women in the group, then do the same study, but have your discussion time separate each week.
Suggestions:
Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
Everybody's Normal Until You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg
I Promise by Gary Smalley
It Came From Within by Andy Stanley
Do paired studies
Sometimes authors or publishers will develop paired curriculum: two different studies with similar content, but one is designed for men, and the other for women. These studies often focus on some dynamic of marriage.
Suggestions:
Wild At Heart (men) by John Eldredge & Captivating (women) by John and Stase Eldredge
For Men Only (men) by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn & For Women Only (women) by Shaunti Feldhahn
Every Man's Battle (men) & Every Woman's Battle (women) by Steven Arterburn
Do different studies
Splitting men and women can provide a unique opportunity for the men to cover a topic that may not be pertinent or interesting to the women, and vice versa. The nature of these topics will often deepen the level of conversation when the men and women are split because of their unique relevance to one gender or the other. Of course, any of the studies above are options as well.
Suggestions:
Choosing to Cheat (for men) by Andy Stanley
The Purity Principle (for men) by Randy Alcorn
Being God's Man by Pursuing Friendships (for men) by Steven Arterburn
Lies Women Believe (for women) by Nancy DeMoss
Calm My Anxious Heart (for women) by Linda Dillow
Power of a Praying Wife (for women) by Stormie Omartian
Adapted from North Point Community Church, Atlanta GA