Our Core Curriculum is your first stop in finding studies for your Life Group. These are some of the small group studies that have proven to be among the best and consequently most popular with our small groups. More importantly, they are arranged by the "life stages" of a Small Group. Groups go through growth stages just like individuals.
So, for example, a new group is very concerned about "gathering" people and helping them connect. If they don't come, you can't disciple them! These studies are great for the gathering phase because they hit important life topics we all face and need to know what God's word says about it. That makes discussion natural for people of all spiritual backgrounds. Find samples of each in our Life Group Office.
Life Group Core Curriculum
Months 1-3 FELLOWSHIP (Gathering phase) - 1st Base
We require all Life Groups to use materials off of an approved list to ensure doctrinal soundness and that the material is really suitable to Group style study. It includes anything listed on GROUPCURRICULUM.ORG This is the best source of solid small group material out there and contains hundreds of current studies that are doctrinally sound and appropriate for a small group. You can type in a keyword and find just the right study for your group. It's kept current by North Point Church (Andy Stanley, pastor). Here are some
If you find a study that is not on this Web site, we would be glad to review it for approval. Contact Banks Corl in the church office 753-8588.
The Life Group Office has samples of all the Core Curriculum Studies and many others as well. Stop by and browse or borrow. Many of the DVD resources we can loan you so there is no cost. This includes all the Andy Stanley studies.
Additional Group Studies:
IMAGINE- A DVD based study by Tim Passmore complete with leader and participant guides. 9 Weeks. The cost of 10 Books and a DVD set is $49. You will be reimbursed by Group participants by collecting $5 each. Additional books for Group Leaders to use are $5.
These DVD based studies feature Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church in Alphereta, GA (Atlanta). A variety of topics, most six weeks. If your group wants to do one of these studies, let us know and we will purchase (and keep in our resource room) the DVD and loan it to your group so you don't have to pick up that cost. Your group will only be responsible for the participants guides. To order, click here.
Also check out North Point's curriculum options web site for a searchable DATABASE of curriculum options! Dozens of curriclum options are listed and described. This is an incredible, easy to use tool!. www.groupcurriculum.org
Nooma DVD's - We have most of these on hand in the Life Group Office that you can borrow.
The Hub - Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Tommy Nelson and others bring in-depth studies on DVD + discussion guide
Serendipity House has been publishing cutting edge small group studies for over 40 years. Now owned by LifeWay, We have samples of many of these studies in the Life Group Office. Their books are very simple and easy to use and affordable. The llnk above takes you to a web page where you can browse studies by your groups "stage of development." Also check out the Serendipity Bible for Groups.
Willowcreek publishes dozens of small group studies that are easy to use and affordable. We have samples of most in the Life Group Office. They have several series, each fitting groups of different life-stages and profiles. We have a membership discount and if you call us we can place the order and you can pay when you pick up the books. To order, click here.
These are some great examples of ice breakers. You can always come up with your own, but remember that they need to be fun, short, safe, and not assume that everyone in a group is a believer.
Months 1-3 FELLOWSHIP (Gathering phase) - 1st Base