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Most pastors will tell you of the importance of small groups. Speaking from personal experience, I know that if someone is connected in a small group, there is a greater likelihood that they'll be involved in a wider mission and more involved within the local church's life. They also have a built-in support system to help them grow in Christ. A recent LifeWay study found what I already knew through personal experience—small groups are important. Scott McConnell summarized the study with these words:

"Small groups and Sunday School classes provide the relational glue that allows a local congregation to be a place where people love one another. Groups and relationships that are centered on the Word of God unify a congregation and motivate people to work together on the mission of the church. Churches with few people participating in groups are not in a healthy position to make more disciples." [1]

We also know that, just as with Sunday morning attendance, there are more women than men in attendance—about 60-40. Why is it harder to get men to be actively involved in small groups? Do they not like going? Or are there other reasons?

Before answering these questions, I should say that in my own experience, I have witnessed many men absolutely love going to small groups. If a man is engaged in other disciplines within the body of Christ, these "reasons" are usually not a big enough hurdle. And in my experience, many of the men who attend small groups say it's their favorite time of the weak. Nevertheless, it can be a tough hurdle for some to overcome. Here are some of those reasons:  

Professors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University recently condemned the use of the phrase “sex assigned at birth” in an op-ed published in the New York Times.

When Janette Oke started writing in her forties, Christian publishing companies weren't yet printing fiction books. But Oke knew the mission and purpose God called her to, which may also explain why she doesn’t see herself slowing down in her later years...

One pastor and author, who has studied and examined over 1,000 accounts of near-death experiences, believes that these types of incidents further prove God and the Bible.

A landmark new study that found gender confusion among children decreases with age could impact the ongoing debate over gender dysphoria among minors in the United States.

Great American Family actress Danica McKellar celebrated two years of becoming a Christian during Easter Week, saying in an interview it changed her life and gave her a sense of peace she had never experienced.

Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas recently shared how Christians can prepare for the End Times, its misconceptions, and the next event on the biblical prophetic timeline.

Upheaval envelops our world. Conflict in Eastern Europe could spark a third world war. Violence in Israel brings prophecies to mind. Charismatic leaders operate in oppression and corruption. Religious leaders are exposed as manipulative and sinful.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus teaches us to watch for signs of the end, and many today believe we’re witnessing these signs play out on the news before our eyes. Especially with the rise of powerful leaders and the descriptions in Revelation, people wonder if the Antichrist is already among us.

We should be cautious with such discussions, humbly realizing we may not be witnessing all of God’s plans. At the same time, we are taught to watch and pray.

Regarding the Antichrist, it is wise to make sure we don’t worship a man or woman or hope in a leader, taking the place reserved only for Jesus. The apostle John speaks of how the spirit of the antichrist is already in the world, and that was two thousand years ago (1 John 4:1-6). A few chapters earlier, he also mentions people operating as false Christs (1 John 2:18-23). Therefore, while we may not be dealing with the Antichrist, we still deal with the Antichrist spirit and people who act as false Messiahs. Eventually, the singular one will emerge to unify the world under great deception.

Here are seven reasons why the Antichrist may be alive today.

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Grab a tissue and prepare to get misty-eyed as a scared little boy whispers, "Is my Dad in Heaven? " to the Pope, who responds with solace, comfort, and grace.

"The states will determine by vote, or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land – in this case, the law of the state," the former president said in a video. "Many states will be different. Many states will have a different number of weeks… at the end of the day it is all about the will of the people."