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My review copy of Formation: Building a Reliable Foundation arrived a couple days ago.  New from LifeWay, the Small Group Life series was launched recently.  Formation is the first release of a four study series (the others to follow over the next few months). Thumbing through the pages, reading the introduction, even diving into the [...]

Looking for a challenging journey?  Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Faith may be just the ticket.  New from Threads, Lifeway’s young adult and college line, this one takes you on a pilgrimage in a “search for discipleship discoveries” designed to help you re-imagine and re-invent the way it happens in the 21st century. [...]

Looking for a creative way to jump-start a discussion about finances and stewardship in your congregation?  You may want to take a look at Money Talks, a new 5 week small group study from Liquid.  Similar to other studies in the Liquid series, Money Talks takes a look at the Penders, a California family with [...]

What curriculum helps a group get off to the best start? I’m asked this question (or one like it) almost every week, so I thought I’d take a day and answer the question.  If you’ve asked it…here you go!  If you already have a favorite…use the comments below to add your favorite to the list!  [...]

What do you do for student small group curriculum?  Anyone?  Anyone? If you’re like a lot of us, you don’t have a comprehensive plan.  In fact, most of us are a little stumped when it comes to how to pull off group ministry for students!  That makes what’s coming out of Simply Youth Ministry pretty [...]

The Easter Experience, from City On A Hill Productions, is a new church-wide study from the folks that produced H2O.  With host and teacher Kyle Idleman, The Easter Experience includes a six session DVD-driven small group study that coordinates with a six weekend message series–designed to conclude with Good Friday and Easter. The DVD-driven small [...]

We had a great call today with my good friend Kent Odor, this week’s guest on the Small Group Fraternity. Definitely in the small group pioneer category, Kent has a long small group history and has had many great experiences along the way.  In today’s call there were a number of important insights.  Just wanted [...]

When you think about Heaven…what comes to mind?  For most of us, even those of us who have been walking with Christ a long time, Heaven is a only a very vague concept.  Is it a real place?  Will there be clouds?  Will we have wings, play harps and walk on streets of gold?  Will [...]

If the greatest fear that people have is public speaking…it only makes sense that many people will be hesitant to pray out loud.  Here are some ideas that I’ve found very helpful: Distribute index cards and pens and ask each person to write out a simple one sentence prayer request.  Swap cards and read them [...]

Q: “What is the best way to close a group meeting in prayer?” A: Great question!  There are several parts to my answer.  First, the entire meeting structure ought to vary according to the needs of the group’s members.  After all, new groups will be much less willing to share genuine needs.  Long-term groups may [...]