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WHAT IS MEN’S FRATERNITY?
Men’s Fraternity is a series of three one-year-long studies, beginning with The Quest for Authentic Manhood, followed by Authentic Manhood: Winning at Work and Home, and concluding with The Great Adventure series. More than just a rally or a Bible study, Men’s Fraternity provides men with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ and directed by the Word of God.
Men’s Fraternity was designed to help men come together and strengthen each other through weekly sessions that combine biblical teaching and small group interaction.
These time-tested resources have been used all over the world to equip men to make their pursuit of noble manhood a lifelong priority. Church leaders and lay members are using the series to energize the men of their church and to connect with men in the community. Many men also use the series in their own personal pursuit of authentic manhood.
THE ORIGIN
Men’s Fraternity was created by Robert Lewis, pastor-at-large of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas and author of Raising a Modern Day Knight. It began in 1990 with 30 participants as Robert strived to connect with and challenge the men of his church. Over the years it has developed into a series of studies designed to engage the heart as well as the mind, stripping away the myths of manhood, and focusing on how each individual can be transformed into a true man of God. Now, more than 1,200 men attend Fellowship Bible Church’s weekly Men’s Fraternity meetings on Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m..
AN OVERVIEW of MEN’S FRATERNITY
The following article, written by Robert Lewis, gives pastors and church leaders a clear understanding of Men’s Fraternity, as well as practical ways to implement Men’s Fraternity in your church or community.
 Teaching Manhood to Men 
This is a great document to print and distribute or forward via email to the men of your church to help them understand the why and the how of Men’s Fraternity.
THE GOAL
Imagine the transforming power of men coming together within your church and community to honestly examine their lives and take the courageous steps necessary to embrace authentic manhood on a journey to become who God intends them to be. That is the goal of Men’s Fraternity.
When men connect in life-changing ways, a powerful ripple effect touches families, workplaces, and the church. Deeper connections with God and other men inspire participants to connect more meaningfully in all facets of their lives. They climb beyond the walls of isolation and aspire to a biblical viewpoint marked by integrity, boldness, and compassion.
Through this powerful series, men learn to reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and expect God’s greater reward.
THE FORMAT
The format is simple: Men come together for weekly 45-minute teaching sessions (Groups can either view the teachings by Robert Lewis on DVD or a pastor or other leader can create live presentations based on the Men’s Fraternity material.), followed by 30 minutes of small group interaction in an environment where men are free to talk openly and confidentially about what they heard and express mutual support for one another.
THE TRUE POWER
The true power of Men’s Fraternity lies in bringing men together on common ground to learn together and listen to each other. Bonds of true God-centered friendships are formed as men encourage each other week- by-week to more fully embrace a godly view of manhood.
THE CURRICULUM
Men’s Fraternity is a series of three, one-year curriculum options that build to help a man develop a compelling vision of masculinity that will bless both his life and the lives of those around him.
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The Quest for Authentic Manhood is the foundational level or ground floor of manhood. This 24-session study focuses on a man’s core identity and gives an overview of basic manhood issues. It will help men deal with various identity issues by looking back at past wounds and other things that may have distorted their idea of biblical masculinity. Throughout the course of the study, men will learn how to clearly define manhood and will finally be able to give a succinct and passionate answer to the questions, “What is a man?” and “What am I living to be?”
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Winning at Work and Home, a 16-session study, focuses on the two areas that are central to a man’s life: career and family. It will begin to build the walls of manhood through study dealing with a man’s chief responsibilities. It explores how a man can enjoy and engage his work and how he can relate to a woman in a whole new way.
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The Great Adventure explores a man and his world beyond the everyday. The 20-session study puts the roof on the house of masculinity and creates a vision for a man’s future and destiny. This study will help men rediscover some of the adventure in life through a greater understanding of who they are. Men will uncover the uniqueness they have as a man and discover a satisfying life focus.
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