One of the resources I picked up while I was at Re:Group was Andy Stanley’s Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith.  Published by Zondervan in 2009, the study is based on five faith catalysts that North Point has identified as the things God uses repeatedly to grow people’s faith.

After running across the idea of the five faith catalysts in Deep and Wide (Stanley’s powerful new book), I had to pick up the series.  Only after reviewing it did I catch the real potential of using the study as a companion to a weekend series (see below for information about additional resources that will make the alignment aspect work).

DVD-driven, the six session study is anchored by excerpts from a North Point message series.  The sessions average 15 to 20 minutes in length and feature Andy Stanley, one of America’s most dynamic and creative speakers.  The DVD also includes all six messages in their entirety as a bonus feature.

Delivered in his classic application oriented style, Stanley zeroes in on the five faith catalysts of practical teaching, providential relationships, private disciplines, personal ministry, and pivotal circumstances.

The Participant Guide includes everything you need for a great experience.  Every session includes discussion starter questions, an overview of the video segment, a note taking section, and discussion questions that will take participants beyond understanding to application.  The participant guide also includes a simple daily devotional for use between sessions as preparation for the next session.

Another very important ingredient in the participant guide is a built-in leader’s guide, making it possible for the facilitation of the study to be distributed among members.

Want to do Five Things God Uses as a weekend alignment?

An aspect about this study that shouldn’t be overlooked is the possibility of using it in combination with a weekend message series.  There are two levels of resources.  For those churches needing just the weekend messages to make it work, an available essentials kit includes message outlines, message transcripts, programming ideas.  For churches who would like some help with the creative elements of a service, the starter kit even includes logos and graphics, bulletin, templates, promo videos and title packages.

Whether you’re looking for a new study for your approved list or an idea for a sermon series and study that will help members grow, you need to take a look at Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith.  A very good study, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Had a chance this weekend to review Gods at War: The Battle for Your Heart that Will Define Your Life, the latest from Kyle Idleman and City on a Hill Studio.  They’ve delivered several of the most compelling DVD-driven studies (H20, The Easter Experience, Not a Fan).

Gods at War takes a shot at an important topic.  Idolatry.  And while we may only rarely come across a “graven image,” all of us wrestle with what Idleman refers to as the “countless gods passionately at war for the throne of our heart.”  Gods of love, gods of money, gods of pleasure, and gods of power are the focus.

DVD-driven, this is a 6 session study with lasting implications.  Featuring the teaching of Kyle Idleman, the DVD sessions are engaging and definitely hold the participant’s attention.  Along with the teaching segment, every session also includes a series of reflections on the personal journeys of a recurring set of fellow strugglers.  ”Real people, telling real stories” repeatedly create a very compelling and haunting storyline.

The leader’s guide provides both the preparation resources and the session ideas needed to take the group time from audience to participant.  Opening discussion questions help set up the video and a thoughtfully designed guide for follow up conversation will help group members begin to personally engage in the topic.  In addition, a carefully crafted prayer segment should help members begin to wrestle with application.

To fully participate, every member will need a Combat Journal (sticking with the battle and war metaphor).  Although the journal includes a place to jot down notes and ideas from the DVD segment, it is really designed to be used between group meetings and over the next weeks and months as the attack on false gods continues.  Part 1 of the journal includes daily exercises for the 6 week study; a guided experience that will keep the conversation fresh.  Part 2 of the journal takes the study beyond a 6 week experience and guides an ongoing campaign against the idolatry at the heart of our struggles.

Gods at War has all the ingredients of a study that ought to be included on your recommended list.  If there is a challenge here, it is that the study is fairly leader dependent.  With the right leader (or the right group chemistry) this could be a trajectory altering experience.  Groups with less capable leaders will probably find the subject matter provocative…but perhaps too risky to fully engage.  I’ll be adding Gods at War to my recommended list and looking for ways to equip leaders to take advantage of a very compelling study.

You’ve had plenty of recommendations and requests from current group leaders.  Your senior pastor has dropped off the latest Max Lucado or Tim Keller book on your desk (complete with post-it note: This looks great!).   You’ve read the reviews and searched the catalogues for ideas.  You’ve asked ministry friends what they’ve used and thumbed through samples at the Christian bookstore.

And you’ve picked out what you’ve thought would be best for everyone.

But have you ever stepped outside the circle of the usual suspects to ask what might interest the people who aren’t in a group yet?

Peter Drucker wrote that “in marketing one does not begin with the question: ‘what do we want?’  One begins with the questions: ‘What does the other party want?  What are its values?  What are its goals?  What does it consider results? The Daily Drucker, p. 135).’”

I like to point out that our opportunity is more than keeping our current customers engaged.  Our opportunity is growing our market share.  Practically speaking, if you’re choosing curriculum that primarily appeals to the people who are already connected (the usual suspects), you shouldn’t be surprised that your percentage connected is flat when you compare this year to last.

If you want to connect beyond the usual suspects, you need to think about the needs and interests of the people who aren’t currently in a group.  How do you do that?  Here are three ways I’ve found helpful:

1. Be aware of the main conversations happening in the media.  Having an awareness of the times (see 1 Chronicles 12:32 for more) is essential.
2. Regularly check out what’s on the best-seller list (the non-fiction best seller list).
3. Listen and engage in the conversations at the water cooler, at Starbucks, the Little League game and the block party.

What are you looking for?  Ideas that are cross-cultural (that matter whether you’re a Christian or not).  This is why I’ve recommended WEiRD, Soul Detox, Plan B, and Empty Promises.  This is why 40 Days of Purpose is still a great study.  These are all cross-cultural topics.  They matter to connected people.  They matter to unconnected people.

If you want to connect beyond the usual suspects, you need to think about the needs and interests of the people who aren’t currently in a group.

What do you think?  Have a question?  Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.

“When you hear the word disciple, what comes to mind?  Maybe you think of the twelve disciples who tramped along behind Jesus through the Judean wilderness and the dusty streets of Jerusalem?  Maybe you visualize their faces in a stained glass church window or in some old painting with little halos over their heads?

“But here’s the real question:  When you hear the word disciple, do you think of yourself?  Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ?  Do you know what it means to be one (p. 7, Start to Follow).”

If you’re looking for a discipleship resource, you need to take a look at Start to Follow by Greg Laurie.  The pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Laurie is the author of over 30 books and the founder and featured speaker for Harvest Crusades.  One of America’s best known evangelists, it’s hardly a surprise that he’d have a well thought out resource for making disciples.

A short 125 pages, I can see Start to Follow being used to equip and encourage disciple-makers.  I can also imagine it being used as a follow up tool for new believers.  Several of the chapters include a simple set of discussion questions.  Written from an “ensure understanding” standpoint, the questions would need to be reinforced by additional questions to encourage a deeper discussion.

Additional leader helps and learner tools are available online by subscription at lifebiblestudy.com.  You can preview it free right here.  I found the online helps to be quite extensive.  Although I found the lesson I previewed to have a learner orientation (as opposed to an experiential or application orientation), it should provide a good overview when used in combination with the book and the leader’s personal experience.

If you’re familiar with Laurie’s preaching style, the writing will seem very familiar.  Packed with biblical references, even the illustrations are drawn from other passages in the Bible.

Although very basic in its approach, Start to Follow provides a helpful new addition to the discipleship resource collection.  If you’re developing a discipleship track or follow-up program, you’re going to want to take a look at this one.

Had a chance this weekend to review Undaunted, a new DVD-driven study featuring Christine Caine.  If you’re unfamiliar with Caine, she’s a popular speaker (her Catalyst sessions have been highly rated) and the co-founder of the A21 Campaign, an organization dedicated to provide help, hope and healing to victims of human trafficking.

Designed to be used in combination with her book by the same title, Undaunted: Daring to Do What God Calls You to Do is a five week study offering life-transforming insights about how to overcome the challenges of life and become equipped and empowered to help others.

DVD-driven, the sessions are quite compelling and very engaging.  At an average length of 15 to 17 minutes, they grab your attention right away and never let go.

Caine masterfully uses her own story to craft a compelling and impactful study; Discovering her adoption as an adult, she wrestled with her circumstances and realized how God rescued her from  a life where she was unnamed, unwanted, and unqualified.  A Bible teacher with a passionate and purposeful delivery, her sense of urgency is always present.

The study guide offers a well designed group experience.  Every session includes a thought-provoking icebreaker, a note taking section for use with the video, a set of discussion questions that guide the discussion, a personal reflection exercise, and a between sessions exercise.  When used with her companion book, the study will provide a rich five week experience.

Undaunted is a promise-driven study that will help ground your group in the assurances of God’s word, His unfailing love for us, and His calling on our lives.  If you’re looking for a study that will help group members discover the real purpose of their lives, I highly recommend Undaunted.

Had an opportunity to preview Malachi: A Love That Never Fails, a new study from Lisa Harper and LifeWay.  If you’re unfamiliar with Harper, she’s been called “one of the best Bible tour guides around” by Max Lucado.  Priscilla Evans Shirer said, “If anyone can help us to hear, understand and receive the truth of Scripture it is Lisa Harper. Her God-given ability to not merely teach the Word but package it in a way that stirs the heart and calls to action is incomparable. When she speaks ears perk up!”

Malachi is an 8 session DVD-driven study highlighting the storytelling craft of Lisa Harper.  Averaging a little over 20 minutes, the sessions are just the right amount of set up for a very good discussion of the seldom referenced “amazing story of Malachi.”  This was my first time to see Harper in action.  I found myself listening intently and expectantly watching to see how the story she’s telling will connect to the centuries old story of Malachi.

The Bible study is organized a little differently than many you’ll find these days.  The member book offers an economical two page video viewer and discussion guide followed by a thoughtfully designed unit to be completed as follow up to the group time whenever you have time (as opposed to 5 daily segments).

If you’re fresh out of Beth Moore and looking for an engaging next step for your women’s Bible study or small group…I think you’re going to really like Malachi.  This is good stuff and it ought to on your recommended list.

Prefer to buy from LifeWay? You can do that right here.

A few months ago I had the chance to preview the first segment of an interesting new film series from Flannel (Nooma, Francis Chan’s Basic, Ed’s Story, etc.).

Featuring Lisa Chan, True Beauty: Be Still ”explores the pressures, perceptions and expectations that women face and inspires viewers to let go of these lies and to enjoy being at the feet of Jesus.”

In what feels something like a kitchen conversation, Chan gently guides the viewer through a life-giving teaching.  Referencing the Mary and Martha story of Luke 10:38-42, the account is interspersed with her  own journey.  The film artfully weaves in the modern day story of Susan, a woman who has known loss and redemption.

At 23 minutes, the film is paced very well.  Delivered in the form made familiar in the Nooma and Ed’s Story films, Be Still is a captivating presentation.  The first of an anticipated series, each of the films is designed to stand alone.

There is a reflection guide included with the DVD.  You’ll also find a downloadable version that can be distributed to group members.  More along the lines of a devotional guide, there aren’t included discussion questions or leader’s helps.  Still, the film will generate some powerful insights and good conversation that a leader can guide with very little forethought.

I like the format and can see how it could provide a number of solutions for women’s ministries or women’s small groups and Bible studies.  Inserted in between longer studies, Be Still could take a group deeper.  Alternatively, the film could introduce the topic of a retreat or emphasis.  It could also be ideal as a next step for studies that begin with an introductory theme.

Be Still is very compelling.  I’m going to find ways to use it and I bet you do too.

I heard John Ortberg give a talk based on this topic at this years Leadership Summit. His opening lines guaranteed that this study was coming and that it would be an important addition to the library of great studies with cross-cultural topics.

In his talk, Ortberg said, “Forget religion.  Forget what you might think of claims of his divinity. Consider him just as a person who was born, lived, died. Look honestly and without prejudice at his impact on the world…you have to ask, who was this man?”

Who Is This Man? The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus has a very simple premise.  Whatever people think about Jesus being the Son of God…people everywhere readily acknowledge that they admire his teachings.

In Who Is This Man?, Ortberg shows how Jesus’ influence has swept over history, bringing his inspiration to the evolution of art, science, government, medicine, and education. And how his vision for us to lead lives of dignity, compassion, forgiveness, and hope continues to inspire and challenge humanity today.

The five DVD sessions run 17 to 22 minutes.  Well paced and featuring Ortberg, the video is very engaging.  Whether you’re very familiar with Jesus and his life or you’re discovering who he was for the first time, you’ll find yourself listening with anticipation.  Truthfully, I heard some things I’d never heard before.

The study guide includes a listening guide to help you follow along with the video teaching.  You’ll also find a set of very good discussion questions, exercises that will help bring truth to life, and a personal study section to be completed in between sessions.

Although a leader’s guide is not included, Who Is This Man? is a fairly straightforward study.  Easy-to-follow directions precede every section and should make facilitating doable for most leaders.

If you’re looking for a study that will appeal to members and neighbors alike…you need to take a look at Who Is this Man?  I think lots of churches will make this study part of their recommended list.  I loved it and I’m pretty sure you will too.

If you’ve been following the conversation here for any length of time, you know that I review new small group ministry curriculum and books on a regular basis.  You might’ve never made this connection, but most of the resources I review are sent to me by the major publishers, most of whom are regular sponsors of MarkHowellLive.com.

Far less frequently, perhaps once or twice a year, I’m sent a self-published resource with a request that I review it.   Frameworks: How to Navigate the New Testament came to me like that.  An email from a publicist asked if I’d take a look at “a unique self-published New Testament survey intended mainly for church study groups .”  It sounded interesting.  It showed up in my mailbox.  I looked it over.  And here we are.

In addition to being a high quality publication, I have to say, this is a very interesting concept!  A labor of love by author Eric Larson, Frameworks was developed to provide a resource that helps today’s Bible students with “two real challenges many people face when they open their Bibles: navigation and context.”  Navigation, “the ability to weave your way among the Bible’s 66 books…without getting lost” and context, “helping you see the big picture” and discover how the books fit together.

As I looked over Frameworks and thought about my own journey as a small group leader in a wide variety of churches over the years, I remembered many times when the members of my groups could have used a resource like this one.  In fact, a common theme in my consulting work with churches has been the recognition that congregation members don’t know much about the Bible or even how the stories and events fit together.  Remembering these things, I can see how a resource like Frameworks could provide just the right thing.

Two Parts to the Survey

Well organized, there are two parts to the survey.  Part 1 provides a number of handholds that bring organization to the New Testament (i.e., Where Jesus Walked, The New Testament World, The Origin of the New Testament, etc.).  Maps, charts, and other illustrations bring clarity to the overview.

Part 2 provides a thoughtfully detailed study of the books of the New Testament.  An intro to every book provides a look ahead.  A theme is developed.  You’ll find a brief outline of the book, key verses that highlight the theme, a look at how to navigate the book, unique elements, and insights that can be applied today.  You’ll also find a very simple set of questions for self-study or group discussion.

I like Frameworks.  I can definitely see a place for it in many churches.  At $27 a copy it is a financial investment, but given that it provides over 27 studies, it should be evaluated on the basis of 6 to 12 months of content.  Alternatively, I imagine some churches will purchase multiple copies and make them available for classes and studies.  How does it fit your ministry?  I’m not sure, but I like it and I think you will too.

Spent some time with the newest James MacDonald resource this week.   An 8 week study, Vertical Church: What Every Heart Longs For. What Every Church Can Be makes quite a proposition.  Neatly divided into two parts, “the first four weeks are a biblical exploration of humanity’s universal longing to experience God’s glory and the role of the church as God’s designated contact point with His people.”

Designed to help shift focus from “inadequate horizontal models of church to God’s design for vertical church,” the second half explores and examines “the how of vertical church.”  Examining what MacDonald positions as the four pillars of vertical church (unashamed adoration, unapologetic preaching, unafraid witness, and unceasing prayer), MacDonald explains that “a vertical focus positions a church to experience God’s presence and to show the world what it means to serve a God of awe-inspiring power and glory.”

One of America’s most popular Bible teachers, MacDonald is the founding/senior pastor of Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel, host of the radio show “Walk in the Word,” and author of several books and Bible studies, including “Gripped by the Greatness of God,” and “Ancient Wisdom.”

Filmed live at Harvest Bible Chapel, the church MacDonald serves in suburban Chicago, Vertical Church is anchored by 8 full length messages.  If you’re unfamiliar with MacDonald, you’ll come to appreciate right away why he is so popular.  A gifted communicator, these sessions at an average length of 35+ minutes hold the attention very well.

Along with the DVD, the member book provides several very important elements of the study.  Each of the 8 group sessions includes a viewing guide that helps keep participants engaged.  Fill-in-the-blank outline and main points allow members to follow the messages progression.  Along with the viewing guide, discussion questions are included that take the group deeper into the biblical truths that MacDonald explores.

The member book also includes 5 daily studies that further enhance the experience.  While a member will get a lot out of the DVD and group discussion, digging into the daily studies will provide a deep and rich experience.

If you have groups and Bible studies looking for a deep and challenging study on the church, Vertical Church delivers.

Prefer to purchase from LifeWay?  You can do that right here.