Small Group Resources

This section includes traditional study booklets, video-based and DVD-based studies and innovative worship resources for use in small groups.
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Recent Material
Suitable for Small Group Study

Life Issues Bible Study - Money
by Keith Tondeur

Latest addition to the CWR Life Issues Bible Study series, this four-week course is designed to help users understand the basic Biblical teaching about money.  CWR has brought forward the publication date in view of the present economic climate.
32 pages, paperback - £3.25

Lifebuilder Bible Studies

 Lifebuilder is probably the most popular series of Bible Study Guides for individual or small group use.   Published by Scripture Union, there are more than 80 books in all.  Each comprises 10-12 separate studies with an introduction and about a dozen questions.  There is a separate section of “Leader’s Notes” at the end of each book giving guidance on how to lead a group and help on individual questions.  Authors include Jim Packer, John White, John Stott, Eugene Peterson and Leighton Ford.  Prices typically £3.99 per book.

 There are four main series as follows:-
Topical studies 36 books covering themes such as Christian Beliefs, Faith, Angels, Forgiveness, the Fruit of the Spirit, Parables, Prayer, Singleness, Suffering and Spiritual Warfare.
Character Studies. This includes books on individual characters – David, Joseph and Peter – and books with one study for each character, covering Old Testament Characters, New Testament Characters, Old Testament Kings and Women of the Bible.
Old Testament Books covering 18 books including Genesis (26 studies in three parts), Nehemiah, Esther and Psalms.
New Testament Books covering all of the New Testament books

Good Book Guides – studies for groups and individuals

This is a new series of studies produced by The Good Book Company. The aim of each study is to “uncover the meaning of a passage, and see how it fits into the ‘big picture’ of the Bible”, with an emphasis on applying what has been discovered to everyday life.

There are sections to talk about, investigate, explore, apply and pray. A leader’s guide is included.   

The Series includes:-
     Psalms: Soul Songs
     David:God's True King
     Ezekial: The God of Glory
     Zechariah: God's Big Plan for Struggling Christians
     Mark 1-8: The Coming King
     Mark 9-16: The Servant King
     Romans 1-5: God & You
     I Thessalonians: Living to Please God
     I Peter: Living in the Real World
     Biblical Womanhood
     Women of Faith from the Old Testament
     Meeting Jesus: Women of Faith in the New Testament
     The Holy Spirit: Understyanding his work in our lives
     Man of God

Cover to Cover Bible Studies

This ever-expanding series is produced by CWR for individual or group study.  Typically each Guide contains seven sessions.   Many are written by the late Selwyn Hughes adapted and supplemented by Ian Sewter.

Each session includes an opening icebreaker, Suggested Bible Readings, an introduction to the pasage or topic, "Discussion Starter" questions, a personal application and notes on Seeing Jesus in the passage.   There are also separate notes for group leaders.

Recent additions to the series include:-
     Moses - Face to face with God
     2 Timoth & Titus - Vital Christianity
     Rivers of Justice - Responding to God's call to Righteousness
     Nehemiah - Principles for life
     Hebrews  -   Jesus, Simply the Best
     Parables - Communicating God on Earth

Spring Harvest  Interactive Bible Studies

These studies include the Bible text for each session and then pose questions such as "What does the Bible say?" and "How does this apply to me?"   Each study spells out the aims of the session, includes questions and activities, discussion starters and ideas for further study.  Some also include worship suggestions.

The series includes character studies such as Moses, David, Esther, Jonah, Ruth and Gideon;  Bible books and parts of books including The Sermon on the Mount, Exodus, Colossians and the letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation; and themes such as Mission, Trust, Worship and Grace.

IVP Bible Study Guides

Inter Varsity Press offers more than fifty Study Guides in seven series.  Most of these comprise about eight 64-page booklets with six to eight studies on a common theme.  Prices are £2.50 or £2.99 each.

Jesus 101 – These studies are designed to help users encounter the real Jesus – who he is, how he interacted with people in scripture and how he relates to us today.  Studies present him as Authentic Leader, Compassionate Healer, Extreme forgiver, Provocative Teacher, Relentless Lover, Sacred Friend, Supreme Conqueror and Truthful Revealer.   64 pages. £2.99 each.

There is a linked book - In the Company of Jesus by Bill Donahue with eight chapters covering the same subjects.  


Bible 101 – Designed for those who want to learn how to study God’s Word effectively, this series includes books on Bible Foundations, Great Themes, Parables and Prophecy and Study Methods.  64 pages, £2.50 each.


John Stott Bible Studies – A series of eight books covering The Beatitudes and seven New Testament Books with linked themes such as Acts – Seeing the Spirit at Work; Romans – Encountering the gospel’s power and Ephesians – Building a community in Christ.  8-20 studies per book.  Price £2.50 or £2.99 depending on book.


Christian Basics – 13 books by well-known authors including Paul Little, Bill Hybels and John Stott.  Each comprises six studies on subjects such as  Certainty,  Christ, Hope, Perseverence, Prayer, Priorities and Witnessing.  64 pages £2.50 each.


Fruit of the Spirit – Eight books each devoted to a separate fruit.  Six studies per book, 80 pages £2.50 each.



Spiritual Disciplines – Eight books, with six studies in each, covering subjects like Prayer and Listening; Study and Meditation and Worship and Celebration.   64 pages, £2.99 each.


Saltshaker Resources – This is a series of six books by Rebecca Manley Pippert with an emphasis on small ‘seeker’ groups of people who have little or no previous knowledge of the Bible or church background.  They include Looking at the Life of Jesus; People who met Jesus; Spirituality According to Jesus and The Way of Jesus.  All are 64 pages and cost £3.99.

 Pathway  Bible Guides – Straightforward Bible Studies for small groups - £3.00

Pathway Bible Guides aim to provide simple, straightforward Bible study material that is suitable for both new Christians  and those with lower literacy levels who may find other materials too difficult. There is a helpful, comprehensive leader’s guide in each book and the books are based on individual books of the Bible.

DVD     Nooma                                                            £9.50 each

Finding resources that are useful, applicable and biblical is often a tough task. Nooma however may change all that.  Rob Bell, teaching pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in California, one of the fastest growing churches in American history, has compiled this small group resource which fills all three of those vital categories. It is relevant, user friendly and, most importantly, Biblical.

Each nooma episode is a 10-12 minute video presentation, Rob Bell delivers his message by talking to the camera, interweaved with stunning and thought-provoking visual illustrations.  Each episode tackles a specific issue, that each of us faces on our walk with Christ, love, grace, jealousy, lifestyle, knowing God, etc.  Each is presented in Rob Bell’s unique style that demands a response from the viewer.

Episode 1: Rain
Bell takes us through the story of when he and his son were caught in a rain storm and his 3 year old is crying out in fear. But he reassures his son with the words ‘don’t worry buddy, Dad knows the way home’. Bell uses this to show us that whatever storms we may have to weather in life we can cry out to God and he will always respond with love and the reassurance that He 'knows the way home’.

The production value on these films is obvious, no tacky fake background, no grainy pictures. This is a top quality resource, accompanied by a full colour discussion booklet with each episode to help provoke the questions that group participants are bound to ask. 

Who can use it?
Small groups will not be disappointed if you are looking for a new way of getting deep conversation going. Nooma provides an excellent way of presenting sometimes difficult messages in a clear and accessible way.
Equally youth groups of the 16 age range should find Nooma really relevant and accessible.  It can be a great resource for youth leaders who have little time for prep.

Episode Listing:
Rain    -       God’s Devotion/Leading through hardship
Flame -        Love/Relationships
Trees -        Living between the first and second creation
Sunday -     Church .v. Everyday Life: Trials of living in God’s Family
Noise -        The Voice of God; hearing him in the silence
Kickball -      Possessions/Satisfaction- Learning not to covet
Luggage -    Letting go of anger/bad feelings towards others
Dust -           Realising our own potential in the power of God
Bullhorn -     Loving everyone equally by not condemning them
Lump -         Romans 8: Nothing can separate us from the love of God (even when our sins catch up  with us.)
Rhythm -       Relationship with God, every day
Matthew -     Coping with Loss and Grief.

DVD  So who is this Jesus? presented by Russell Boulter  £8.99

This is an excellent DVD for use with teenagers or seeker groups.   It comprises three 17-minute sessions which run consecutively but can be played individually.  Set in Israel, it begins with an Old Testament background, from Abraham to the baptism of Jesus; the second episode looks at the birth of Jesus and key elements in his life leading up to the claim “I am the way, the truth and the life” while the third episode looks especially at the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial of Jesus, his death and resurrection.

There are also additional features including a 19-minute testimony by Brian Russ, jailed for attempted murder, 21 questions about the Christian faith, and historical information on Christian Social reformers.

The language, format and choice of Russell Boulter (The Bill) as the Narrator make this an easy DVD to watch.  It moves quickly and yet provides a solid foundation for the message, including the significance of animal sacrifices, the meaning of new birth and the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is filmed against appropriate backgrounds including a Nazareth carpenter’s shop, a marketplace, the shores of the Sea of Galilee etc. with short vignettes to add interest.

 
In this DVD John Ortberg leads the group through six sessions focused on helping participants to experience greater intimacy with God. He looks at experiencing God’s presence in the midst of a busy life, hearing God speak, and God’s desire for closeness with His people.

This DVD is for those desiring a closer relationship with God, and is suitable for youth or adult groups. Much of the teaching is filmed on location, with John talking to a small group of  people of mixed ages. It comes with a comprehensive Leader’s guide, and participant guides are also available for purchase at £5.99 each. As well as the sessions, the DVD includes information on using the DVD and ideas for leading a small group.

A typical session includes an introduction by John, introductory questions to discuss, teaching (approx 12 minutes), questions for group discussion and personal reflection, and a ‘final word’ by John.

Other  teaching DVDs by John Ortberg, based on his popular books, include ‘What’s so amazing about grace’, ‘If you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat’, and ‘The life you’ve always wanted’.

John Ortberg is a teaching pastor in California.  He is the bestselling author of If you want to walk on water you've got to get out of the boat.  He has also written for  Christianity Today and Leadership Journal.

DVD What's so Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey  (Small Group Edition DVD £13.99.  Participants' Guide £5.99

This DVD contains ten sessions which include interviews that integrate true-life experiences with Yancey’s powerful teaching on grace. These sessions will encourage your group to discuss and explore the many facets of grace and integrating grace into everyday life. Each session in the Participants Guide contains a mix of opening questions to consider, notes from the DVD, Bible Study questions, and discussion questions.

 

DVD - If you want to walk on water you've got to get out of the boat by John Ortberg  DVD £13.99  Participants' Guide £5.99

Popular Christian author John Ortberg has produced a DVD based on his best-selling book of the same title. This has six sessions that include video clips and group discussions designed to help participants discover more about hearing and responding positively to God’s call, managing failure and trusting God .The Participant’s Guide includes topics for both individual and group discussion and exploration.

Worship DVD            iWORSHIP@home                  £10.00 each A total worship experience