One word: Fellowship

This is a list of approved curricula for small groups to use during the study portion of their time together.

These resources were chosen because they tend to be interactive and application oriented, and they avoid unnecesarily divisive issues that will create more problems than they solve.   These resources are arranged under 3 different categories.  These categories correspond to the 3 vital relationships we are pursuing and the 3 of the key values of our small groups.  (Each of the relationships corresponds to a value so there are only 3 categories, not 6.)

Overall, the expectation is that a group has participated in atleast one resource from each of the categories each year.  With the time remaining in that year, the challenge I’d like to lay out to small group leaders is this: spend more time in the areas where you believe your group needs the most help, not in areas that you are naturally gifted and aware in.  This isn’t always fun but it’s so important…

I’d also like to encourage strategic, varied decisions around the length of the studies and the format.  If you’ve just finished a long book, spend a couple week doing short-video driven studies.  On the other hand, if you’re entering a time in the calendar after a period when attendance is tough, take on something more in depth that might renew group cohesion.  (For example, if attendance has been spotty over the Summer, once the school year resumes, jump into something longer and in-depth.)

In the interest of length, I omitted synopsis of these materials.  I have included links to the web pages of materials that have them.  Use these sites or other resources such as Amazon to get a synopsis of books you are unfamiliar with.  Or simply ask me or someone else.  Virtually all of these resources have been used by one small group or another.  In fact, extra copies of some of these materials are around.  Check in with me on this if you have any questions.

The last thing I want to say is PLEASE HELP!

If you have ideas from your own reading, or items that I forgot that were on previous lists I’ve circulated, please let me know.  Remember, our 2 biggest criteria are relevance/applicabality and docrtinally sound/not unnecesarily devisive.

Though I’ll leave comments below, I will also incorporate approved suggestions into this list.

Small Group Leaders: If you’re using resources not on this list please check them with me before you purchase them.  It’s really important that all the small groups are on the same page in terms of the sorts of things we’re learning.

Intimacy with God/ Transformation

Blue Like Jazz -Don Miller

A book

Author website including study questions: http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/resources.php

 

Bible 101 Small Group study Guides

 Series of 6 session studies on the following topics: Foundations; Times & Places; Cover to Cover; Study Method; Interpretation; Parables & Prophecy, Great Themes;  Personal Devotions by Willow Creek

Website: http://www.willowcreek.com/group.asp?groupid=56

 (Please beware of over using these; they aren’t as application-oriented and interactive as many of the other options on this list.)

 

Nooma: (most of the Noomas deal most directly with Intimacy with God/Transformation.  If they are more directly related to the other topics they are listed below.)

DVD series featuring Rob Bell & Discussion questions

Website with brief clips & discussions:  http://www.nooma.com

Each nooma is a stand-alone, one-week study

 

Purpose Driven Life a book by Rick Warren

Website: http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/en-US/Home/home.htm

Video-tape video components; countless study guides, workbooks, and devotionals available.

 

I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt by Vincent Antonucci

Book,

Website: http://lousytshirtbook.com includes discussion questions, illustration videos, activities, song lists, etc.

 

Velvelt Elvis by Rob Bell

Book

 

Siezing your Divine Moment

Erwin McManus

Book

 

This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley

book

 

Influence With Outsiders/Outward Reaching

 

Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America
By: Mike Yankoski

A book

Author website including discussion questions, video, testimonies etc:

http://www.undertheoverpass.com/uop/home.php

 

Nooma: Bullhorn; Rich

DVD featuring Rob Bell & Discussion questions

Website with brief clips & discussions:  http://www.nooma.com

 

Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

Website: http://www.justwalkacrosstheroom.com/

Book includes discussion questions; there are also independent study guides with different questions, and a DVD component to this.

 

Case for Christ by Less Strobel

Book with discussion questions, a movie based on the book is also available

Website: leestrobel.com includes newsletter, blog, videos, etc.

 

Community With Believers/Authenticity

Crave: Intimacy

DVD featuring a short film and observations by Irwin McManus with study questions

 

Crave: Meaning

DVD featuring a short film and observations by Irwin McManus with study questions.

(A stand alone study; might be combined with the other 2 in the Crave series)

 

Nooma: Flame; Mathew, Name

DVD featuring Rob Bell & Discussion questions

Website with brief clips & discussions:  http://www.nooma.com

 

40 Days of Community By Rick Warren

a video curricula and study guide

website: purposedriven.com

 

Sex God By Rob Bell

Some discussion questions are included in the end notes.

 

Epic by John Eldridge

Book, film available with discussion questions

More resources: http://www.epicreality.com/author_story.html#top