Resources for Starting a Small Group
If you lead a small group study — or would like to start one — Eastminster offers the following DVD study series. You can review the DVDs and leader's guides by contacting the church at 634.0337. Once you pick a study, just check out the materials and return them once your group completes the series.
Note: Participant guides/workbooks need to be ordered for each person in your study group.
Deeper Connections: The Life of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: Deeper Connections is a visually stunning DVD series about the person and work of Jesus, taught by six Bible professors with specialized areas of knowledge. These engaging studies are for those who want to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and apply Jesus’ teachings more faithfully and effectively. Each session is introduced from Israel and then returns to diverse locations around the United States where the Bible passage is taught by a different scholar. Each volume consists of six sessions and emphasizes three components: the historical and cultural background; an engaging, close look at the biblical text and its meaning; and accurate, encouraging, and challenging applications of the Bible’s message to life today
There are six volumes in this series with each volume containing six sessions. We suggest you start with the volume The Life of Jesus. This study explores the main events of Jesus’ life to discover what made him extraordinary and to learn how to draw on his transforming power. It is only when we drink deeply from the life of Christ that we can be rescued from our failures and experience greater vitality in daily life.
Deeper Connections: The Forgiveness of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This study offers an understanding of the reason Christ gave his life on the cross. As we examine the people he met and set free, you will be transformed by your encounter with God.
Deeper Connections: The Miracles of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This look at Jesus’ miracles will open your eyes to their impact on the lives he touched and their significance for us today.
Deeper Connections: The Parables of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This study examines the deep spiritual truths Jesus communicated in simple, vivid and engaging stories from the stuff of everyday life.
Deeper Connections: The Prayers of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This series gives us new insight into prayer, the character of God and how to deepen your relationship with him.
Deeper Connections: The Last Days of Jesus
Editor: Matt Williams, General Editor
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This study shows how the power of God over the grave turned a tragic ending into a triumphant new beginning tht transforms everyone who believes in him.
They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Responding to Culture's Objections to Christianity
Author: Dan Kimball
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum will explore six of the most common objections and misunderstandings that people have about the church and Christianity.
When God's People Pray
Author: Jim Cymbala
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: Earnest and faithful prayer is so powerful that it can stop the rain. Release the power of prayer in your community. Jim Cymbala offers insights on connectring with this vital spiritual practice. Invite God to work in miraculous, transformative ways to restore hope and ignite faith.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life
Author: Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Resources: nine DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: By learning to set limits, participants will become more productive and creative servants of God.
Boundaries in Marriage
Author: Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Resources: eight DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum helps couples create marriages filled with lifelong love, intimacy and growth by teaching spouses that the best marriages have structure and limits.
Boundaries with Kids: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, To Help Your Children Gain Control of Their Lives
Author: Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Resources: eight DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum helps parents take the guesswork out of raising kids to become godly, productive adults.
The Jesus I Never Knew
Author: Philip Yancy
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum will engage your hearts, minds, emotions and senses. Prepare for life-changing encounters with the Jesus of the Gospels — and for discoveries that are as refreshing, unexpected and exciting as the Jesus you're about to meet.
Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
Author: Philip Yancy
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum probes the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing and deeply rewarding aspect of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? How does it work? And more importantly, does it work?
Start: Becoming a Good Samaritan
Author: Michael R. Seaton with Ashley Wiersma
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: John Ortberg hosts this riveting series on pressing issues of Christian social reponsibility: poverty, AIDS, racism, genocied, child slavery and stewardship of the environment. START is not only a well rounded picture of the challenges that we face, but it also shows the formidable impact that Good Samaritans can have.
What's So Amazing About Grace?
Author: Philip Yancy
Resources: 10 DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: It is not enough to understand what grace is. This curriculum challenges participants to take grace to the streets. You will explore the depths of biblical grace while your community grows together through prayer, support and living example. Thourgh this curriculum, your group will continually be challenged to put grace into action.
The Life You've Always Wanted
Author: John Ortberg
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: Passionate and provoking, this curriculum overflows with exercises to practice the transformational spiritual disciplines of Jesus, such as prayer, confession, servanthood and reflection. Challenge your group to develop spiritual strength and endurance and kindle fellowship as you rely on each other for encouragement and accountability and pursue the life you've always wanted.
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat
Author: John Ortberg
Resources: six DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum teaches participants the skills essential to "water-walking" in faith with God: discerning God's call, transcending fear, risking faith, managing failure and trusting God.
Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment
Author: Erwin Raphael McManus
Resources: four DVD sessions and participants guide
Description: This curriculum uses the biblical account of Israel's war with the Philistines and the characters of Jonathan and Saul to demonstrate the difference between living a life of purpose and adventure, and living one of apathy and missed opportunity.
