Questions and Answers about DL for Men

Q: Can I use DL for Men in my family?
A: DL for Men is being used by individual families, school staff, church and civic organizations, military, prison fellowship groups, etc. Although a version is currently being developed for self-study, the current edition is best done with some combination of a group.

Q: Where should the group meet?
A: A room sizeable enough to allow for small group work within the larger group. Tables are helpful but not necessary. Some groups have met in homes for a more informal feel. Others have met in a private room at a restaurant. As much as possible the room should guard the anonymity of participants and the atmosphere should make men feel safe enough to talk freely and confidentially.

Q: Is it only for married men?
A: It is for every man 18 years of age and up.

Q: Is the DL for Men course for Sunday school or must it be a group meeting during the week?
A: DL for Men has been designed with maximum flexibility in mind to be used whenever and wherever you can get a group of men together. In each session the facilitator has choices of learning activities. The choices will dictate the time needed for each class. A class can be done in a 60 minute format up to 90 minutes. DL for Men groups meet on Sunday morning, afternoon or evening, weekday mornings prior to work, and on a weeknight. Some have had a DL for Men retreat and done sessions over a weekend.

Q: Aren’t men afraid of being open and vulnerable with others?
A: Yes. Many if not most men are hesitant to share openly with others. The course leads a man at a pace he is comfortable with to slowly reveal more and more of his life. Man after man has explained how their timidity has turned into triumph as they experience dynamic relationships with others.

Q: I don’t know if my church will take on this topic of building moral integrity – it is too controversial?
A: The lack of moral integrity is prevalent in our society. Men of all ages from all walks of life are falling pray to sexual and other temptations. The church can and must equip her men to build moral integrity. This course makes it easier than every before for a church to take on the subject.

Q: Will I need the support of my pastor for DL for Men to be successful?
A: Yes. Often the pastor will be a participant in the course or even lead it. In any event, it should be done with pastoral blessing and approval.

Q: Who will lead the course? Will the facilitator need to be a pastor, counselor, or highly skilled teacher?
A: A man is qualified to lead DL for Men by his life experiences – not by his position or degrees. A man with good group facilitation skills (training included) who has found sustained victory over moral temptation would be best qualified to lead the course.

Q: How long will it take me to prepare for each session?
A: The facilitator will spend one or two hours per week in preparation for the class. Participants will spend 15-30 minutes reading the background material for each session prior to arrival and 15-60 minutes each morning for journaling and quiet time.

Q: What is the cost?
A: A starter kit for $129.99 gives a church or organization everything needed to get started. A participant can choose to purchase a Participant Guide at $17.95 and a Journal and Quiet Time Guide for $12.95. An individual in Ohio or Indiana will be charged 6% sales tax unless the tax-exempt church or organization purchases a quantity from DLM. A 10% discount is available on quantities of 10 or more.

Q: How long will it talk to get an order once it is placed?
A: Please allow 7-10 days to receive an order placed by phone, fax or on the internet. Faster service is available at additional charges.

Q: Can I do the course without the DVD?
A: Yes. However, interviews, commercials, clips from television shows and humor clips are called for in the Leader’s Guide and greatly enhance the class experience. For questions or technical support on the use of the Course DVD, please contact us at DVDsupport@dynamiclivingformen.com.

Q: Can I do the course in less than the 12-14 week suggested duration?
A: Yes. We do encourage a minimum of 12 weeks for habits to develop and relationships to deepen but groups have been successful in using less sessions.

Q: Can I photocopy any or all of the DL for Men course?
A: No.

Q: How do I handle severe emotional, psychological or legal issues?
A: Severe emotional and/or psychological problems should be referred to a professional. A facilitator is not likely trained to deal with severe issues and would risk doing more harm to the individual and the group as a whole by trying to properly diagnose and treat severe issues. An appendix is included with additional contact information for outside help.

Certain illegal activities, by law, cannot be covered by the group’s confidentiality agreement. Should someone confess a prosecutable action in which there is an identified victim, the confession must be reported to the authorities (pastor and/or legal authorities). Further, cases involving the imminent threat of danger to others must also be reported. If illegal activities are revealed, session leaders are obligated by law to contact the appropriate authorities. Should that step become necessary, however, no one will be deserted. Someone will be there to walk the person through the problem.

If someone shares something that has actual or potential significant impact on the rights or welfare of another, the one who shares will be encouraged strongly to share that information with the affected or potentially affected person. For example, if a married man shares that he has recently had an affair, he will be encouraged strongly to share that information with his wife so she can be tested for sexually transmitted disease. In these kinds of situations, however, the course participant’s confidentiality will be maintained. It will ultimately be up to course participant to take the recommended action.

Q: Is this a group for addicts?
A: It is not a recovery group but rather a support group. The focus of DL for Men is on prevention, not on recovery from compulsive behaviors. Recovering addicts have been helped by participation in the course but it is not recommended that it be a substitute for more traditional means of recovery work.

Q: Why do you suggest closing the course beginning with session 3?
A: Relationships grow deeper in a safe, trusted environment. Time has to be invested with others for intimacy to grow. Newcomers upset the mix if they enter too far into the process.

Q: What support can I expect from Dynamic Living Ministries?
A: We are available to come on site to a church or organization for a kickoff weekend. At that time we will train the facilitator, equip the pastor with help in counseling men’s issues and help build momentum at the weekend services by sharing a personal testimony or vision casting the benefits of the course. Beyond that we provide an email address and a toll free number for ongoing support (info@dynamiclivingformen.com).