St. Mark's Church - Burlington, Mebane, North Carolina

Facilitators Resources

Curriculum for your small group is available from the Resource Center. A complete listing of the small group study resources is available from the Resource Center or online as a pdf file. Click here to download the Curriculum Guide Warning – this is a large file and may take some time to download.

Highlighted this month are:

Spiritual Disciplines Series © 2003
Jan Johnson
InterVarsity Press
Eight studies with six sessions each, paperback workbook

You can discover key disciplines for spiritual growth in the Bible as you look at the everyday ways Jesus related to God. For Christians through the ages and for Christians today, spiritual disciplines have been an effective means of connecting to God--allowing him to transform souls and lives. This series of six Bible study guides by Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of community and submission, prayer and listening, reflection and confession, service and secrecy, simplicity and fasting, solitude and silence, study and meditation, worship and celebration. Incorporating spiritual disciplines into your daily life will help you to grow your relationship with God. Individual Titles with 6 sessions in each: Community & Submission, Prayer & Listening, Reflection & Confession, Service & Secrecy, Simplicity & Fasting, Solitude & Silence, Study & Meditation, Worship & Celebration

Organic God © 2008
Margaret Feinberg
Bluefish TV
Three DVDs, Workbook, Leader’s Guide

In our ever-changing world, simplicity is a craving. What if we could simplify our lives starting with our faith? Imagine what it would look like to have an organic relationship with God, one that is stripped of all pollutants, additives, and other distractions that can cloud this ultimate relationship. The Organic God removes the unhealthy fillers and purifies our relationship with the God of the Scriptures.

Joseph – The Hard Life © 2008
Rob Duford
Bluefish TV
DVD, 4-part video Bible Study

For a man with so much hope for the future, Joseph spent a good part of his life rejected, abandoned, and imprisoned. How did he endure the abuse, betrayal, disappointment and injustice so prevalent in his life? This four-part series takes a look at how the choices Joseph made helped him overcome every obstacle life threw at him.

Joshua – Be Strong and Courageous © 2008
Todd Phillips
Bluefish TV
DVD, 4-part video Bible Study

Whether a slave making bricks or a leader of a nation, Joshua lived a life defined by courage, humility, prayer, and worship. His life serves as an example and encouragement to us all. Join author Todd Phillips in the heart of the nation’s capitol as he uses American history to illuminate the story of Joshua in a way never before experienced. This 4-part series will challenge everyone to be strong and courageous.

Be Still and Know That I Am God © 2006
Bill Donahue, Amy and Judge Reinhold
Willow Creek Resources
Four 1-hour sessions on DVD, Participant’s Guide

In hectic, busy lives, we need to learn to be still and take time to reconnect with God. The Be Still DVD and Participant’s Guide will help you learn about and experience the peace and power of “listening” prayer. In four, one-hour sessions you’ll hear the perspective of trusted Christian leaders such as Max Lucado, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and more. You’ll discover the importance of listening for God’s “still, small voice.” And you’ll learn the ancient, biblical practice of lectio divina – a form of contemplative prayer that will transform your heart, renew your spirit, and enable you to hear God’s voice amidst the noise of everyday life.

Articles for Facilitators

Small Groups Sometimes Skip the Agenda
Small-group agendas don't change people's lives. Christ does.
Tips for Facilitating a Group Discussion
Practical advice for working toward life-change, not spectacular meetings.
Facilitator The Need For Grace
It’s been said, “When dealing with human beings, what we see is not always what there is.” This is important to realize as a small group leader. Therefore, when facilitating our groups, we need to foster a grace-filled atmosphere where vulnerability and openness are valued.
Cultivating Disciple-Making Environments for Everyone!
Healthy discipleship flows out of healthy relationships. It begins with Christ and
continues in community with other believers.

Books Available in The Loft

Leading Life-Changing Small Groups
by Bill Donahue
This book gives you the comprehensive guidance you need to cultivate life-changing small groups and growing, fruitful followers of Christ.

Seeker Small Groups
by Garry Poole
…the missing evangelism tool churches and individuals need to fill the gap between evangelism training and real-life opportunities for engaging seekers in life-changing spiritual discussions. This book presents a detailed, step-by-step process for launching seeker small groups in a wide variety of settings.

Walking the Small Group Tightrope
by Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson
Learn to manage the tensions that exist in group life when a variety of good objectives compete for a group’s attention in this time-tested resource.

Making Small Groups Work
by Henry Cloud & JohnTownsend
Learn how to lead the kind of group that realizes their full, life-changing potential. Learn the skills and biblical processes that can help your people grow together.

Online Message Studies

Online message studies are available to help you lead your group in discussing the recent weekend messages. It is our hope that these studies will help your group members connect to one another and grow in their faith as they discuss the weekend message together.

Download message studies.