Use two coins to begin a discussion on Christian paradigm shifts.
Tami Rudkin
Give each group member a pair of dimes (2 dimes to each person). Ask them to explain what they have in their hands. They'll come up with a number of things but someone will eventually say "a pair of dimes." Ask them what a paradigm shift is? Ask each person to share what, in their minds, is the biggest paradigm shift from being an unbeliever to being a Christian. They may choose one of the following ...
You might need answers to this tough question sooner than you think.
Ted Olsen and Rob Moll
Note: This article has been excerpted from the SmallGroups.com training tool called Answering Tough Questions.
Major natural disasters are often described as being "of biblical proportions." That description raises profound questions about the nature and power of God—questions you're likely to be asked as a small-group leader, particularly if the disaster occurs close to home.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He comes from the Father and is sent by the Son. Symbols of the Holy Spirit include wind and breath (Genesis 1:2; John 3:8; John 20:22; Acts 2:2), water (John 4:10, 15; John 7:37–39), fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3), ...
A closer look at these two creeds helps define what Christians believe.
JoHannah Reardon
Many Christians throughout the world recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed regularly in their church services. Following is a short history and recitation of each creed. You may find these surprisingly useful in your small groups, especially as a way to clarify and open discussion on the basics of Christian doctrine.
The Nicene Creed
In the first three centuries, the church was often ...
In this three-session course, the once-skeptical Lee Strobel teaches us the basics of what we need to know about Jesus Christ.
Lee Strobel has written and taught persuasively about Christ in his books A Case for Christ and A Case for Faith. A skeptic originally, Strobel writes convincingly to help those who have doubts move to faith in Christ. In this three-session course, he teaches us the basics of what we need to know about Jesus Christ.
Session One
Are There Many Paths to God?There is only one way to heaven, and that is ...
Learn about six Jewish Feast Days and how Christ is revealed in them.
Many of us do not understand the history and meaning of Jewish holidays, even though several of the stories are told in our Old Testament. What are the various Feast Days, and what does each represent? How have Jewish people celebrated them over the ages? Are the traditions carry any weight for Christians today?
This carefully-crafted course includes six sessions about the most holy Feast Days in the ...
For many group leaders, doctrinal and theological discussions are frightening territory. But they don't have to be.
This resource has been specially designed with two purposes: 1) To help group leaders better understand the art of facilitating a theological discussion, and 2) To provide easy-to-follow ...
This 4-week course will help you and your group explore modern cultural heresies.
The following 4-week course will help you and your group explore modern cultural heresies by posing questions like: Are people from other faiths who don't believe in Jesus still God's children and will they go to heaven? How can we evaluate practices like yoga and their compatibility with Christian discipleship? What are some of the heresies of today's culture? How much truth is there to claims made ...
Why God made us, how he forgives us, and how he enables us to handle difficulties and to love others.
Jill Briscoe has an active speaking ministry and has written over 40 books, including A Little Pot of Oil, Prayer That Works, and God's Front Door. She and her husband Stuart minister together at conferences and mission organizations around the world. In this four-session course, Jill instructs us in basics of the Christian life, such as why God made us, how he forgives us, and how he enables us to ...
N. T. Wright explains the fundamental elements of Christianity.
Note: Because of the size of this video resource, you will need to download both Part 1 and Part 2.
N.T. Wright shares the truths from his book Simply Christian in these 10 video sessions. Wright outlines Christianity in a way that challenges viewers but uses language that is easy to understand. These 10 video lessons also come with a PDF discussion guide that corresponds to each lesson.
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