Calling all Christians: need recommendations for a good small group bible study

[laurajetter]

The small group I belong to from my non-denominational church is about to start a new topic of study. This past week we were supposed to be thinking about possible options (to discuss tonight), but I forgot to look into it .

I was hoping you guys might have some suggestions from studies you have experienced that worked well and were interesting and effective, and that doesn't get redundant/boring. That was the problem with our last ongoing study from a book, it had a good message and the writing style was interesting, but the author seemed to keep rehashing the same point over and over, so we decided to stop studying it. We want something that has variety. We don't mind staying on a particular topic for a while, but when week after week goes by, the same thing gets a little old!

Past studies have included Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life", study guide for the Book of James, study guide regarding the armor of God, and most recently, John Ortberg's "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat". Is there perhaps a study guide that might focus on different topics (and how they apply to modern life) in the bible, as opposed to just one book? That way we could focus on a topic for a few meetings, but then switch to a different one after a bit.

I don't know if this helps, but there are 10 adults in the group, 8 of which range from age 50-75. Then there's me and DH, ages 30 and 34.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Laura

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I can’t recommend published curriculum for this topic, but I would love to be involved in small group studying Biblical positions on current events.

The recent thread on this board regarding Christians and homosexuality raised several really interesting questions.

What does the Bible say about sexuality, both **** and hetero?

Why are Evangelical Christians so often perceived as judgmental and lacking love?

Why are Evangelical Christians more vocal on some subjects than others?

Our fantastic Youth Pastor was really moved by John Ortberg’s book and; yada, yada, yada, he has left a comfortable situation at our church for a greater challenge at a different church!

Good luck!

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Recently our small group did "The Best Question Ever"

It is by Andy Stanley and I believe you can get the details at his church's website:

www.northpointcommunitychurch.org

It was very good study!!!!

 

[3princesses4us]

My church recently did 2 of Beth Moore's which were fantastic but geered towards women I think. If there will be couples, a nice short & informative one we did was on "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Really interesting for all ages. I learned that DH and I have totally different love languages which explained a lot.

 

[JoyG]

I'm interested in these series and they might make good Bible Studies...

Crown Financial has a series I believe on managing money from a Godly perspective. Our church did a series like that one last year...I believe it was made up by the pastor though, so nothing you can buy. It was very interesting. It was about being a good steward in all your resources not just money.

Another that I'm interested in is evangelism, witnessing to others. I'd be interested in doing role play...putting ourselves in situations to share the gospel, etc. I think Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort might have materials on this under their "Way of the Master" programs.

 

[powellrj]

My church recently did 2 of Beth Moore's which were fantastic but geered towards women I think. If there will be couples, a nice short & informative one we did was on "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. Really interesting for all ages. I learned that DH and I have totally different love languages which explained a lot.

I love Beth Moore, but I agree they are more for women. I have always wanted to do the Gary Chapman one!

 

[disneymom3]

We had a group of couples do Breaking Free by Beth Moore last winter after two women's groups had done it and the men thought it was awesome. I would recommmend anything else by her. I also thing Joel Osteen's book Your Best Life Right Now would make a good discussion book but I don't know if there is a study guide.

I was also going to suggest the Crown Financial series.

 

[Stephres]

We just finished a bible study called "Questions Jesus Would Ask," which came in a paint can, and included a video, study questions and props. It really kept the actual study interesting while we were focusing on the Word. I can ask the leader for the name of the company she ordered it from if you are interested.

 

[SeeDisney]

How about the popular "Purpose Driven". We has a bible group really loved this one.

There's another that I'd like about marriage. Meet together for dinner, then separate into two rooms, one for woman and the other for man.

Read outline and discuss the respected books.

And reconvene again. Sorry, the name of this books escapes me. But it was a great one!

 

[missypie]

Letters from a Skeptic.

It's awesome and life changing. It is the real life correspondence of a Christian minister and his non-believer father. His father asks all the questions that we all want to know the answer to and the son does his best to answer them.

 

[Buckalew11]

Anything by Beth Moore is wonderful. Hers seem geared toward women because they are--as a SB she usually doesn't teach to men but she certainly can! Our church has done several Beth Moore studies and this time the men have joined in and they are doing "When Godly people do unGodly things". The men in the class think it is excellent. The first video of hers that I ever saw men in was when she went to Israel. I figure many men went with their wives on that trip and attended the classes too.

There are so many good studies out there. Best wishes finding one for your group!

 

[taeja71]

Hope its not too lates, but here are some of my suggestions for group study:

1- 'The Case For Christ', by Lee Strobel

2-The Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy LeDemos

3-The Evolution of a Creationist, by Jobe Martin

4-Twelve Extraordinary Women. John MacArthur

5- What Does The Bible Say About:Brian E. Ridolfi (You could turn any of the topics into a bible study)

I don't think physical or spiritual age matters. As long as every one is getting some thing out of the study all will grow no matter their age.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I cringe away from the trendy studies, personally. For many reasons!

We just completed a study on Bonhoeffer - Life Together. Read the book then did a study over it. I don't even know if a "study" has been published on it; we have several (well, more than several) theologians in our church and one of them had done extensive study on Bonhoeffer and wrote the "questions" for each meeting time. The study concluded with a church wide mini-retreat and the viewing of the new Bonhoeffer documentary. One could just do some preliminary research on him, widely found online, and read ahead in the book and still find plenty to discuss at meeting times. No theology degree needed If you haven't read Bonhoeffer, you're missing out. I don't agree with everything he says but he's incredible to read and ponder upon.

Companions in Christ is one of the only widely published group studies I would recommend - it's excellent and IMO theologically sound. We have already done this study but they are soon releasing a children's version that we will do.

Good luck in your search!

 

[ktpool]

Last year our group completed the Homebuilders Series. There are different books in it like "Using Faith to Boost Your Spouses Self Esteem", along with parenting and financial books. They are very intereting.
This year we did Purpose Driven Life and one more we just finished that I can't think of the name (it wasn't the best).

I have been looking for next fall and found this site www.thomasnelson.com and lso searched Amazon and got some interesting leads.

Good luck!