Curriculum

Basic Advance

BASIC
These studies are easy to lead and easy to participate in. There is minimal preparation time for the leaders.  Most of the studies are DVD driven.  

Bible Sense Series  (www.cokesbury.com, www.group.com)
This series engages participants in creative, new encounters with the Bible.  Interact with the Bible through a DVD lesson, questions, activities, group projects even snacks . Includes post-study
individual or group application activities. 6 lessons per book.  The studies included: John 1 “Living in the Light of Jesus”, Philippians “Sharing the Joy of Jesus”, James “Sharing our Faith in Jesus”, Ephesians “Seeing Ourselves in Jesus”

NOOMA DVD Series (www.nooma.com, www.cokesbury.com)
Short films that speak strong but easy to understand messages.  Very well created films.  Compact, portable, and concise. Each NOOMA film touches on issues that we care about, that we want to talk about, and it comes in a way that fits our world. Each video runs approx.  10-15 minutes.  A discussion guide is available as well.  Some example video topics include: Why does God allow pain?  Why do we not always get what we think we need? 

The Life You’ve Always Wanted (www.cokesbury.com))
In this six-session small group DVD curriculum, award-winning author John Ortberg teaches participants the skills essential to “running the marathon” in the Christian life: slowing down, celebrating joy, practicing prayer, studying Scripture, and trusting God. The DVD and 32-page leader’s guide provides ease of facilitation for the small group leader. The participant’s guide, available separately, provides a book for small group members to follow along with the teaching and record responses to questions.

The Purpose Driven Life DVD Study Guide
The Purpose Driven Life DVD Study Guide is a six-week, video-based small group study of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  Throughout this six-session study taught by Rick Warren you are going to discover the answer to life’s fundamental question: "What on earth am I here for?"

Disciple- Short Term Studies (www.cokesbury.com)
These 8-week in-depth Bible studies are modeled after the basic design of Disciple Bible study.  These studies do not require training for the leader; a two-part video guides the session with interpretive presentations from biblical scholars, contextual presentations, and roundtable discussions

ADVANCED
These studies take more leader preparation time and more
participation from participants.

The Jesus I Never Knew (www.cokesbury.com)
In fourteen small group sessions you'll press beyond notions and stereotypes of Jesus to obtain fresh, uncluttered
perspectives on history's central figure, his radical claims, his challenging teachings, and his effect on others including you. Tapping the drama and immediacy of motions pictures, the Jesus I Never Knew curriculum will engage you hearts, minds, emotions, and senses as you compare well-known and little-known film portraits of Jesus with the Jesus of the Bible. Based on the best selling book by Philip Yancey, a book, video, and participants guide is used.  Designed for 60-90 minute sessions.

Christianity and World Religions (www.cor.org)
In our religiously diverse society it is essential that Christians seek to understand the faiths of others, to know how these faiths are similar to and different from their own faith. This book examines four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism describing how they began, some of their essential teachings, and ways in which they differ from and are similar to Christianity. Adam Hamilton, the pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection urges the reader to build bridges with others so that we might grow n our faith, seek peace in our world, love our neighbor and find positive ways to share the gospel.

What's So Amazing About Grace (www.cokesbury.com)
In this ten-session small group DVD, award-winning author Philip Yancey offers intimate glimpses of God’s life-changing grace. Using candid interviews with real people, he illustrates the power of God to forgive the most horrible deeds, love the unloving, and redeem the seemingly irredeemable. 

Making Love Last a Lifetime (www.cokesbury.com, www.cor.org)
Small-group members will explore the topics of love, marriage, relationships, and sex in order to gain biblical perspectives, reflect upon God's purposes for these intimate and important parts of their lives, discover new insights regarding concepts of commitment, discipleship, and call in relation to these topics, and  be encouraged to take steps to improve their marriages and intimate relationships.  Designed for use in 60-90-minute sessions.  This small-group study provides the components to create a powerful small-group experience, including video presentations, a leader's guide with activities for class sessions and home use, and participant's book written by Adam Hamilton, the pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. The book can be used by class participants during the study group meeting or at home for additional reflection. Includes detailed
content for the eight session topics.

Faith Lessons (www.zondervan.com)
While Scripture is eternal and unchanging, we most clearly
understand God’s Word when we know the circumstances and
cultures of their original context.  Filmed on location in Israel, Faith Lessons videos bring God’s Word to life by weaving together the Bible’s historical, cultural, religious and geographical contexts.  This innovative study of the Bible’s places and events will transform the way you read scripture.  There are five volumes in this study each containing 5-10 sessions each.  Use one volume or use all five.  The volumes include: Volume 1: Faith Lessons on the Promised Land, Volume 2: Faith Lessons on Prophets & Kings of
Israel , Volume 3: Faith Lessons on the Life & Ministry of the
Messiah Volume 4: Faith Lessons on the Death & Resurrection of the Messiah, Volume 5: Faith Lesson on the Early Church

For questions, to order curriculum, or if you would like to lead a
Connection Point group please call Katie Wiatt at the church office.  If you do not see a resource you would like to use or have another one in mind please contact Katie and she will be happy to help you find one that will work for your group. 
First United Methodist Church
904.356.5618, www.fumc-jax.org