Small Group Resources

• Session 1: Introduction
  • This chapter introduces the concept of covenant and the importance of knowing our story, the story of salvation.
• Session 2: Adam
  • In this chapter, we learn that God created man in His image and likeness, and that this means we are beloved sons and daughters of God. Our relationship with Him forms our deepest identity.
• Session 3: Noah
  • In this chapter, we learn about the dramatic consequences of sin. But, God’s covenant with Noah reminds us that, even in the midst of incredible wickedness, God is faithful to His promises.

• Session 4: Abraham (part one)
  • In this chapter, we learn that God makes three promises to Abram, each one corresponding to the next three covenants in the story of salvation. God elevates these promises to covenants that extend to Abram’s entire tribe. 
• Session 5: Abraham (part two)
  • In this chapter, we learn that, after taking matters into his own hands and failing, Abraham finally obeys God’s command without question, agreeing to sacrifice Isaac, his son and heir. At the last minute, God intervenes and saves Isaac. He then forms a covenant with Abraham, extending it to his entire tribe. 

• Session 6: Moses
  • In this chapter, God calls Moses, an unlikely hero of faith, to lead the Israelites to freedom. This is physical freedom from slavery in Egypt, but more importantly a spiritual freedom from the worship of Egyptian gods. This happens dramatically through the Passover, a do-or-die proposition to be faithful. 

• Session 7: David
  • In the story of David, we see the terrible fall of a good man. God makes His covenant with David, extending it to the entire kingdom. But David starts neglecting his duty and eventually falls into one serious sin after another. The Lord uses the prophet Nathan and a compelling story to reveal to David his own guilt. David responds with authentic and heartfelt repentance. 

• Session 8: Jesus
  • In this chapter, we learn how Jesus Christ fulfills all the covenants of the Old Testament. We also learn how we are called to enter into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church, the worldwide covenant community. 

• Session 1: Building a Culture
  • We explore the effect that beautiful, true, and good media can have on culture.
• Session 2: Beautiful Media
  • We explore the effect that beautiful, true, and good media can have on our souls.  
• Session 3: Leisure vs. Amusement
  • We explore the difference between authentic leisure and mere amusement or entertainment.  
• Session 4: Cultivating Leisure
  • We explore ways to cultivate authentic leisure as an experience of resting in beauty, truth, and goodness.  
• Session 5: The Wonder of Science
  • We explore the beauty, truth, and goodness of science and its relationship to faith.
• Session 6: Science vs. Faith?  
  • We explore the beauty, truth, and goodness of some popular topics that emerge in the conversation about faith and science.  

Making Sense of Suffering - Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana

• Session 1: The Salvation of the World
  • Dr. Edward Sri helps us to understand how Jesus’ suffering and sacrificial love leads to our salvation.
• Session 2: Our Role in the Salvation of the World
  • Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. James Brent, O.P. help us to understand how God transforms us through Baptism and empowers us to share in his work of salvation through the Mass.  
• Session 3: Surrendering to a Loving Father
  • Dr. Edward Sri helps us to enter into Jesus’ agony in the garden to understand how we can unite our will with the Father’s will.  
• Session 4: Receiving the Father’s Joy
  • Lisa Cotter helps us to reflect on the life of a modern saint, Chiara Corbella Petrillo, and understand that joy is a gift to be received rather than merely a choice to be made.
• Session 5: Mental and Spiritual Healing
  • Mari Pablo and Fr. Mike Schmitz help us to understand the roles of counseling and the sacrament of Reconciliation in our journey of healing.
• Session 6: An Eternal Perspective on Healing  
  • Fr. Mike Schmitz helps us to understand the purpose of healing and how to keep an eternal perspective if we do not always receive the healing we desire. 

from LayEvangelist.com

Jesus Christ does not want more believers. He wants followers. The invitation that he gives to each one of us is to "come, follow me." Before it was called "Christianity" it was known as "the Followers of the Way of the Lord Jesus." The emphasis was on doing, not on membership like it is today. 

In this 6-part series we explore the meaning of Christian discipleship today. Each video session is less than 18 minutes long and is designed to foster conversation within home-based small groups.

• Invitation to Community Groups
• Session One: The Gospel [what God did] - Host Guide
• Session Two: Repent [how we respond]  - Host Guide
• Session Three: Faith [drop your nets]  - Host Guide
• Session Four: Outward [one anothering one another]  - Host Guide
• Session Five: Upward [He must increase, I must decrease]  - Host Guide
• Session Six: Missionary Disciples [to the ends of the Earth]  - Host Guide

 Free video playlist on YouTube

from LayEvangelist.com

It has been said that the Church of God does not have a mission, but the mission of God has a Church. Seen from this vantage point, which is that of the Popes for the last 70 years, the Church is not just a museum for saints but is a field hospital for humanity. The Church's identity is a missionary, an evangelist, and a servant to all.

From the first days of Christ’s public life to the moment of his resurrection he never ceased gathering to himself men and women to be his disciples. This Lent we will explore five images used in Scripture to explain the nature and mission of the Church and, thus of all those who belong to her.

Host Guides available in English and Spanish.

• Session One: The Assembled
• Session Two: The New Israel
• Session Three: The Body of Christ
• Session Four: The People of God
• Session Five: The Bride of Christ

 Free video playlist on YouTube

from LayEvangelist.com

Radical Newness helps your community group connect with one another while taking your faith to a deeper level. This study-and-discussion guide was written for Young Adult small groups. You'll benefit from doing the readings ahead of time before the group meets. I know, I know. You're so busy. That's why I broke down each session into manageable chunks for the discussion. If you spend 5 minutes a day for 5 days, you'll have it done. Pope John Paul II's writing have the unique ability to be both intellectually fulfilling and spiritually enriching, meaning reading time is prayer time.

As St John Paul II, says, "Communion represents both the source and the fruit of mission: communion gives rise to mission and mission is accomplished in communion."

Here is your Leader Guide for the Group. This contains all of the things you as the leader need to know to be prepared for great discussion in your groups. Since this is more like a book club, the individual session guides have the questions, which are meant to be answered beforehand.

 Free video playlist on YouTube

• 7-part video series that tackles the key questions every human heart wonders about

• High-quality video and book studies on the Church's teachings with guides for small group leaders. Contact Erin about purchasing guides!
• Recommended studies:
  • The Sanctuary Course
  • Who Am I to Judge?
  • The Wild Goose

• Video and book studies with additional resources for group study online
• Recommended studies: 
  • Wonder: The Harmony of Faith & Science
  • Pivotal Players
  • Mystery of God

Bible & Book Studies - St. Paul Center

• Website offers free reading notes and clear lesson outlines for studies on various books of the bible and other spiritual books
  • Recommended studies:
    • The Lamb's Supper
    • Holy Queen
    • Mystery of the Kingdom
    • Witness of the Messiah

• Free studies with supplementary handouts from a wide variety of sources, offer detailed answers to many questions related to studies
• Recommended studies:
  • Book of Ruth
  • Beatitudes
  • Eight Last Things

• September 15, 2023 | St. John Chrysostom homily on Matthew
• October 6, 2023 | St. Athanasius on Luke 10:22 and Matthew 11:27
• October 13, 2023 | St. Augustine on Matthew 22
• October 27, 2023 | St. John Crysostom on Matthew 22:34-36
• November 10, 2023 | St. Augustine on Matthew 25
• December 8, 2023 | St. Ambrose on Virginity and Mary
• January 12, 2024 | St. Clement of Alexandria
• January 27, 2024 | St. Augustine on Man's Perfection in Rightness
• February 9, 2024 | St. Augustine on Patience
• February 23, 2024 | St. Augustine on Faith in Things Not Seen
• March 8, 2024 | St. Augustine on Grace and Free Will
• April 5, 2024 | St. Augustine on 1 John