1. Begin by getting acquainted. Each man should share his contact information.
2. Suggest group text as a convenient way to provide covenant group meeting updates, to share prayer requests, or communicate scheduling changes.
3. Each man should take turns sharing about himself as the group fills out the “personal profiles” in their journals.
4. Read aloud and discuss the mission of the Covenant Group Project in the journal. Have each man carefully and prayerfully consider the Covenant Group Agreement, which forms the foundation of how group members will relate while meeting together.
5. Discuss the four essential questions that make up a Covenant Group meeting. The pages provided allow members to take notes of what others have shared, including prayer requests. Explain that at every covenant group meeting, members will be sharing from their Appointment with God (AWG) journal. This will be covered more in the next meeting.
6. (Note: this step is often done as a “launch meeting” after the “orientation” meeting.) After covenant group members are acquainted and have committed to the covenant group agreement, explain the Appointment with God (AWG) Life Skill, the Check The Map exercise, and the journal theme Introduction summary. Then assign the first week’s assignment to launch the group.

A covenant group meeting is an environment where 3-7 men meet for connection and encouragement, to share reflections on God’s Word, and to provide prayer support to one another. Groups larger than 7 are hindered by an inability for all men to share in the allotted time.

Men tend to live lives that are:

• isolated rather than connected
• compartmentalized rather than integrated
• disengaged rather than engaged

To deal with these issues, the covenant group meeting is a consistent time and place where men are listened to, taken
seriously, and cared for in a supportive environment.

There are four essential needs of a covenant group meeting: Connection, Exploration, Application, and Intercession. Each need has a guiding question to facilitate the covenant group experience.

The group facilitator’s primary task is to guide the group successfully through the important elements of the group by keeping an eye on time and asking the next essential question to cover all elements.

A typical Covenant Group meeting lasts 60-90 minutes. (If the group occasionally has a meal together, the time is extended). 60 minutes can be divided into the following strands:

• 15 minutes for Connection
• 35 minutes for Exploration & Application
• 10 minutes for Praying Together

Note: For groups that agree to meet for 90 minutes (as well as groups larger than 5), the  facilitator expands each element by 50%.

It is important group members embrace the core values that constitute an authentic fellowship environment. These core values include affirmation, availability, prayer, openness & honesty, sensitivity, confidentiality, and voluntary accountability.

Read aloud the Covenant Group agreement. Ask each man to sign his covenant group agreement as a statement of prayerful intention.

We make appointments for everything, yet often struggle to commit time to God. Until we schedule it, spending time with Him remains just an intention. Regular personal time with God is essential—corporate worship cannot replace individual interaction. With practice and consistency, this habit becomes a source of joy and spiritual growth.

At first, setting aside even 10–15 minutes may feel challenging, but over time, our desire for His presence increases. Some days will be harder than others, and we may miss a day or struggle to focus. That’s okay. Our relationship with Christ isn’t measured by perfect devotional habits but by a heart that seeks Him. Spiritual disciplines are not a merit system but tools that position us to receive God’s guidance. Like sails catching the wind, they allow the Spirit of God to power our journey with Christ.

Key Components of an Appointment with God (AWG)

• Time
• Place
• Plan

Steps of an Appointment with God (AWG)

1. Read – Each week of this journal, we will read five assigned passages focused on a common theme. The goal is to be consistent in our AWG’s for five days, then one day to “check the map,” followed by our weekly covenant group meeting.
2. Record – Selecting a verse or phrase and writing it down helps to corral a wandering mind and sharpen our focus.
3. Reflect – Stop and think about what God is saying to us from what we have recorded and ask questions to gain insight and understanding into God’s truth, beginning with “what, why, how or when” type questions.
4. Respond – Once we have reflected on God’s Word, it is important to pray over what we have just read and thought about.