MARC - Small Group Ministry

WALKING WITH GOD IN THE DESERT

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:29:48 -0800

Image:

Are you going through a difficult period of life? The loss of a loved one? Unemployment? A crisis of faith? During these desert times, it’s easy to think God has disappeared. In this seven-session DVD, the12th volume of the Faith Lessons series, discover that it’s only when we are totally dependent on him that we find God is closer than ever. Session 1- Joy in the Journey Session 2- It's Hot Here and There's No Way Out Session 3- Help is Here Session 4- When Your Heart Cries Out Session 5- They Were Not Wandering Session 6- Ears to Hear Session 7- There's Hope in the Desert

Length: 30 min/session

Publisher: Zondervan

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

BROKEN TO PEACE

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:18:23 -0800

Image:

Bad things happen to good people. Good parents have children who become addicted to drugs. Reliable breadwinners lose their jobs. Innocent children have parents who hurt them. Healthy folks get sick. Accidents happen. And yes, even Christians take anti-depressants. Many of us live our problems in silence, but Broken to Peace features interviews with men and women who are living their lives-and faith-out loud. Using their pain to educate, inspire and help others, the straight-from-the-heart Christians featured in this compelling video series tell real life stories about the troubles that brought them to their knees-breast cancer, job loss, addiction, loss of a child, clinical depression and physical abuse. With God as their support, they were able to rise again, one step at a time, and continue their walk towards spiritual healing and human wholeness. Resource includes: - Six video discussion starters - Downloadable Leader Guide for facilitating group study - Promotional resources for your Bible study or small group campaign

Publisher: UM Communications

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

FINAL WORDS FROM THE CROSS

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:34:44 -0800

Image:

In 24 Hours That Changed the World, Adam Hamilton took us on a Lenten journey through the last day of Jesus' life. Now, in his inspiring follow-up book, Hamilton examines Christ's dying hours and his final words as seen and heard through the eyes and ears of those who stood near the cross. This new small-group study, Final Words, contains seven teaching sessions featuring Hamilton providing fresh insight into Jesus' final words at the cross through the perspective of those who witnessed the crucifixion. Then, he moves beyond the cross to Jesus' words to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and to those who were witnesses to the Resurrection. Includes leader guide. Session 1: Father Forgive Them Session 2: Behold Your Son…Behold Your Mother Session 3: My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Session 4: Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise Session 5: I Thirst Session 6: It Is Finished...Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit

Length: 10 min/session

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

THE EASTER EXPERIENCE

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:26:41 -0800

Image:

What if what happened then changes everything now? The Easter Experience DVD Study is a truly spiritual experience that has the power to change every member in your small group. The six 20-minute episodes bring the passion and resurrection of Jesus to life through dramatic storytelling and challenging teaching. Each episode explores a universal theme that is relevant to our lives all year round. Leader guide included. Session 1- My Life Has a Purpose Session 2- My Life Can Change Session 3- My Pain is Understood Session 4- My Life Has a Plan Session 5- I Have the Promise of Eternal Life Session 6- My Hope is Secure

Length: 20 min/episode

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Pubilshers

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

BETTER TOGETHER- WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE HERE FOR?

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:07:28 -0700

Image:

Better Together, a six-session group DVD study in the Living with Purpose series by pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren, shows you how God planned for you to fulfill his purposes in community with other people … in your church family … in your small group … in the world around you. In each session, you will learn how to fulfill God's five purposes for your life. Each session also includes the biblical support behind each purpose, the ways it applies to you and your circle of influence, and how you can use this knowledge to benefit God's kingdom. From the beginning, God planned for Christians to fulfill his purposes in community with each other in our church families, small groups, and in the world as a whole. Why did God plan it this way? Because we're better together! Sessions include: (20-25 min.each) Session 1: What Matters Most Session 2: Reaching Out Together Session 3: Belonging Together Session 4: Growing Together Session 5: Serving Together Session 6: Worshiping Together

Length: 20-25 min/ses.

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:44:04 -0700

Image:

When the Israelites left Egypt, they were finally free. Free from persecution, free from oppression, and free to worship their own God. But with that freedom comes a new challenge - learning how to live together the way God intends. In this ninth volume of Faith Lessons, discover how God teaches the Israelites what it means to be part of a community that loves him and the lessons we can begin to live out in our lives today. Six Faith Lessons include: 1. The Lord Who Heals You: Marah and Elim 2. Not by Bread Alone: Manna and water from the rock 3. Their Blood Cried Out: Israel becomes a community 4. The Mountain of God 5. I Led You Like a Bride: Wedding at Sinai 6. The Whisper of God: Moses and Elijah on the mountain

Length: 30 min/session

Publisher: Focus on the Family

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

THE POWER OF A WHISPER

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:30:33 -0700

Image:

"Without a hint of exaggeration," says Bill Hybels, "the ability to discern divine direction has saved me from a life of sure boredom and self-destruction. God's well-timed words have redirected my path, rescued me from temptation and re-energized me during some of my deepest moments of despair." In The Power of a Whisper, vision is cast for what life can look like when God's followers choose to hear from heaven as they navigate life on earth. Whispers that arbitrate key decisions, nudges that rescue from dark nights of the soul, promptings that spur on growth, urgings that come by way of another person, inspiration that opens once-glazed-over eyes to the terrible plight people face in this world-through firsthand accounts spanning fifty-seven years of life, more than thirty of which have been spent in the trenches of ministry, Hybels promotes passion in Christ-followers' hearts for being wide open to hearing from God, and for getting gutsier about doing exactly what he says to do. 4 sessions- 25 minutes each Session 1. The Whisper-Led Life Session 2. Divine Input for the Day-To-Day Session 3. Practice, Practice, Practice Session 4. Wide Open for Good

Length: 20-25 min/session

Publisher: Zondervan

Published Year: 2010

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:06:16 -0700

Image:

Author: Henri Nouwen

When Henri Nouwen stumbled across a poster of Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son he began a spiritual journey that would help him understand the biblical parable as well as the story of his own life. Take this opportunity to join Henri as he leads the wayward prodigal and judgmental sibling who resides within each of us towards the open-handed, overwhelming compassion and eternal love of the Father. The Return of the Prodigal Son will transform your reading of the parable and the way you understand your life story.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:27:36 -0700

Image:

Why are Christians so hypocritical? Why does God allow suffering? Captured live and unscripted, Pastor Timothy Keller meets with a group of people to address their doubts about Christianity. In this 6-session study, he uses literature, philosophy, real-life experiences, and the Bible to teach you how to respond when confronted with skeptics' objections to your beliefs. Session topics: 1. Isn't the Bible a myth? Hasn't science disproved Christianity? 2. How can you say there is only one way to God? What about other religions? 3. What gives you the right to tell me how to live my life? Why are there so many rules?? 4. Why does God allow suffering? Why is there so much evil in the world? 5. Why is the church responsible for so much injustice? Why are Christians such hypocrites? 6. How can God be full of love and wrath at the same time? How can God send good people to hell?

Length: 20 min/session

Publisher: Zondervan

Published Year: 2009

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

Here and Now...There and Then- Lecture Series on Revelation

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:09:08 -0700

Image:

Here and Now...There and Then by Beth Moore is a lecture series on the book of Revelation. Beth presents many points of view, allowing women to decide for themselves when the interpretation varies among scholars. She teaches that God is as specific about what He does reveal as He is about what He does not reveal. Each of the 11 sessions is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. This resource includes 11 DVDs and one listening guide with light homework.

Length: 75 min/session

Publisher: Lifeway

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

THE TEN: 1-5

Mon, 02 May 2011 09:03:14 -0700

Image:

"The Ten" focuses on the Ten Commandments and consists of five short films, with each short film followed by teaching based on a single commandment. Each short film is 10 minutes, or less, in length. The participants' guide moves the viewer into reading God's Word and pondering questions that lead to true discovery. The Ten- 1-5: Freeway 10 runs through the center of Los Angeles - ten lanes wide and packed with cars. And behind each set of brake lights lies a story. In "The Ten" we follow the lives of five different drivers, each one living out one of God's Commandments on the streets of the City of Angels. Through the characters lives you will see the same debris of the past and future road blocks that we all face. Through the characters lives you will see the Ten Commandments are more than just a list of restrictions... they are a road to a better life!

Length: 50 min.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

MONEY TALKS

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:56:36 -0700

Image:

This "Liquid" resource focuses on money, finances and stewardship presented through a five episode series, with each episode followed by teaching based on different Biblical lessons. Each episode is typically 10 minutes in length. The participants' guide moves the viewer into reading God's Word and pondering questions that lead to true discovery. Money Talks: Do you love me? Do you trust me? Do you live for me? Do you want more of me? It's funny how money and God say some of the same things. If you think you have ever had issues with money, you should meet the Penders. Money is a part of all our lives, but to this California family, money is everything. Their outrageous view of money provides an amusing yet insightful reflection on struggles we all face in our consumer-driven culture. Money Talks take a lighthearted but important look at one of the more difficult issues of our faith: money and stewardship.

Length: 50 min.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published Year: 2011

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted

Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:11:21 -0700

Image:

Author: Max Lucado

It's Sunday afternoon and you're already dreading the inevitable Monday morning. You spend 50+ hours at a job you hate, only to come home too exhausted to pursue anything other than reality TV. Well, you are not alone: 87 percent of workers don't find meaning in their work and 80 percent believe their talents are not used. And there are consequences-whether or not we realize it, our resulting attitude impacts our health, our relationships, and our fundamental sense of happiness-but best-selling author Max Lucado has a cure. We are all unique individuals, created in God's image, with our own gifts, strengths and passions. In his winsome voice, He will encourage you to explore your uniqueness, put it to work, and redefine your concept of career. Max's book, "Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot", used in conjunction with the 6 Week Small Group Study guide, you'll learn how to: pay attention to your uniqueness, unpack your life to discover your S.T.O.R.Y., strengthen and enhance your relationships, discover your career strengths, and live in your sweet spot every day of your life! Resource includes "Cure for the Common Life" book and small group study guide.

Companions in Christ: A Small-Group Experience in Spiritual Formation

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:00:15 -0700

Image:

Author: Stephen D. Bryant, Janice T. Grana, Marjorie J. Thompson

Timeless study Companions in Christ offers a powerfully renewing experience that builds spiritual practices to help participants share more fully in the life of Christ and to bring what is learned into all areas of church life. The twenty-eight-week spiritual journey will draw readers into daily time with God through individual reading and reflection and will gather individuals weekly with others in a small group for deeper exploration. This resource provides diverse, imaginative settings for learning the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture, deepest thoughts and longings and recalling where God has been especially present in each life. The 28-week journey moves through five parts: Christian journey, scripture, prayer, call, and spiritual guidance. Each week begins with an inviting and often challenging reading by a recognized author in spiritual formation. In addition, the book provides daily scripture readings and questions to guide your personal reflection. The week closes with a two-hour small group session where you can share your thoughts, reflect together, and take part in a variety of group learning experiences. Companions in Christ offers small groups a powerfully transforming experience in spiritual formation, while exploring classic spiritual practices and inviting participants to develop daily patterns that open their lives to a deepening relationship with God and one another. Resource includes Getting Started Guide, 3 Leader's Guides, 5 Participant's Books, and Promotional Posters.

WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?- Now available on DVD!

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:34:11 -0700

Image:

Grace is the church's great distinctive. It's the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else - for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a jaded world. If grace is God's love for the undeserving, then what does it look like in action? Philip Yancey sets grace in the midst of life's stark images, tests its mettle against horrific "ungrace." This video, designed for use in each of 10 sessions, features segments of a conversation with Yancey as well as interviews with others and current news clips to illustrate the areas covered. The study and discussion examine grace's life-changing power and will help all participants in their search for the presence of grace in their own lives

Length: 120 minutes

Publisher: Zondervan

Published Year: 2000

Viewing Rights: Church Use Permitted