Small Group Recommended Curricula
Truth + Grace + Time = Transformation
As we aim to be a community of disciples following Jesus, our small groups bear the responsiblity for raising the standard for truth and commitment. In light of that, we have assembled a list of quality small group Bible studies that we recommend to you and your small group. If you know of any that you would like to add to this list, email Marc Lucenius with at title and a short description of what you have found helpful.
The Life You've Always Wanted
by John Ortberg
Book with DVD and Leader's Guide
Well written introduction to Spiritual disciplines for everyone. This is a thirteen chapter book that helps people take action for their spiritual growth and avoids the "spiritual beat-down" that many books on disciplines can offer. This can be done in 6-13 sessions with or without the complimentary DVD and Leader's Guide.
The Leader's Guide and DVD is available through Marc Lucenius in the Willowdale Chapel office.
Galatians: Walking in Line with the Truth of the Gospel
by Timothy J. Keller
13 session Bible study with supplemental reading and Leader's Guide
This is Tim Keller at his best on the topic closest to his wheel-house: The Gospel. This study contains 13 thoughtful Bible Studies that dig deep into the themes of grace, freedom and spiritual life. It also contains optional readings as homework for each session. Leader's Guide and Participants Guides are available through Marc Lucenius in the office
The Jesus Creed
by Scot McKnight
Willowdale read this together duing the winter of 2007. This is a great read to do as a group and to refresh and inform on the foundations of being followers of Christ. This is best covered by each person reading one of the short 30 chapters each day and over five weeks meeting to discuss and interact over the book.
The Glorious Pursuit: Embracing the Virtues of Christ
by Gary Thomas
One path towards spiritual growth is to resist evil, but another way is to become more and more acquainted with virtue. As virtue becomes more familiar and attractive, the flesh loses power. That is the approach that this book and books like it take towards spiritual growth. This book has 18 chapters, but I would recommend that you approach this over the course of nine sessions.
Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference
by Philip Yancey
Book with DVD and Leader's Guide
Philip Yancey explores the questions surrounding prayer that many of us wonder but few of us know how to express. This topic can be addressed in 6-12 weeks using the DVD and the text as a guide. The DVD has six sessions of about 20 minutes that can add to the experience of moving through this book.
The Leader's Guide and DVD are available through Marc Lucenius in the Willowdale Chapel office.
The Bible Jesus Read
by Philip Yancey
Book with DVD and Leader's Guide
This is a fantastic read for those who struggle to understand the Old Testament and how it fits in with the whole of Scripture. This could be done well over the course of 7-8 weeks. This can be done with or without the complementary 8 session dvd.
The Leader's Guide and DVD are available through Marc Lucenius in the office.
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
by Donald Miller
This is a fresh read on spirituality, well written and provocative.
Twenty chapters could be discussed well in 8-10 sessions.
Sacred Parenting and Sacred Marriage
by Gary Thomas
Each of these books is a great way to approach the important topics of marriage and parenting beyond the gravity of day to day survival. Gary Thomas is a great writer and his niche is looking at tasks of everyday life through the lens of our own spiritual formation. Each book has 13 chapters and can be covered in 6-12 sessions.
Spiritual Friendship
by Mindy Caliguire
This is a short, profound read on building friendships in a way that recognizes the presence and work of God in the midst of people together. Cut into many small units, this can be done by accountability partners or a small group over the course of four meetings.
Making Room for Life
Randy Frazee
If the people in your small group seem to have no time, are constantly exhausted and would like to think through what's most important-this is a great book to kindle that discussion. Thirteen chapters can probably be covered in five to six sessions.
ReGroup: Training Groups to Be Groups
by Henry Cloud, Bill Donahue, and John Townsend
DVD and Participants Guide
This is a unique way to either launch your group or to recharge your group. This is a 60 minute video designed to develop discussion around what small groups are supposed to be. This is a great way to open up the discussion around the vision of your group or to refocus a group that is adrift. There are four sessions on this DVD as well as 13 five to ten minute training clips.
Building Your Marriage & Growing Together in Christ
Home Builders Series
These are solid Bible Studies that couples or small groups can do together to get a strong foundation from the Bible on marriage. Each come with seven sessions and do a fine job of bridging Biblical thought to contemporary challenges.
These Bible Study guides are available online and to preview at the Willowdale Office
Go Time: How the Acts of Jesus Transform the World Through The Church
by Marc Lucenius
This five part small group Bible study on the first part of the book of Acts helps a small group grapple with the challenges of living a bold face in challenging environments. This is a great compliment to the Go Time sermon series and helps people think about an outward face to their faith.
A Leader's Guide is available through Marc Lucenius in the Willowdale Chapel office.
This Beautiful Mess
by Rick McKinley
How can we be the church and build the Kingdom of God. This book explores what it looks like for Christ's reign as it stands now to impact our community, our friendships and the world we live in.
The God Questions
Hal Seed and Dan Grider
Doubt needs a clear answer. This is a great tool to establish those new to the faith and to equip those who are well-seasoned in the faith. This is set in a 40-day format where each person will have a guide and will read one short chapter a day for forty days and meet to discuss the material as a group five times over the course of the 40 days.
See Marc Lucenius at the Willowdale Office for more information.
