Choosing the right study for your Community Group is very important. There are many good options to choose from, but which is best for your group at this time? Which will help your group take the next steps toward spiritual growth and authentic relationships?
These pages are for you, the small group leader, to help with your decision.
There are thousands of small group studies on the market today. We want to help you by suggesting some. In the right-side margin, you’ll find categories for studies. On each page, you’ll find titles, authors, descriptions and other information (e.g. does it use a DVD?). There are even some “trailers” you can watch to preview the study online.
We also have information for ordering studies. Feel free to contact Kristin Chance at the NMC office to see if there are DVDs currently available for loan. As new, quality studies come out, they will also be added to these pages. Feel free to suggest any studies you’d like us to consider adding to this site
Let us encourage you to take a few things into consideration:
Prayer
Ask God what He wants for your group and take time to listen. He often speaks to your heart as yo upray for your group and consider what God has been up to in their lives. What would it look like for your group members to trust Jesus with their whole lives and all their hearts? What kind of study might foster this?
Balance
What studies have you done in the past year? Topical studies? Have you studied a book of the Bible? Has your group done a good study that challenges you into a deeper walk with Christ? We recommend that groups alternate between studies that are topical (marriage, etc.), a book of the Bible, and discipleship-oriented studies.
User-friendliness
Some studies involve more preparation than others. Some use DVDs, and some have leader’s guides. Consider your group’s track record with preparation. While we know that people get more out of a study if they prepare well, not everyone will choose to dedicate a large amount of time for homework. Cost and length should also be considered.
God's Word
Ultimately, it’s God’s Truth and His Spirit that bring about life-change. Lead your group with Bibles open. Though all studies should be biblical and doctrinally-sound, some studies that are topical or DVD-based might not use a lot of Scripture. Take this into consideration. You can find supplementary passages that your group can look at to add relevant insight to your discussion.