Living a Christian Life Title Author(s) Summary Book DVD Leader's Creating a Life with God; The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices Forgivness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go Daniel Wolpert Adam Hamilton Creating a Life with God goes beyond the rote prayers that so many of us have experienced and found wanting. The purpose of this book is to nourish a deeper, more satisfying prayer life. Wolpert explains 12 prayer practices and introduces you to historical figures who best illuminate each practice. An appendix offers step-by-step instructions for practicing the Jesus Prayer and the prayer of examen, for walking the labyrinth, and more. There is nothing more crippling than holding on to anger. Anger, more than any other emotion, has the power to consume all aspects of our lives, distort our sense of purpose, and destroy our relationship with God. Hamilton argues that revelation comes when we realize that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves rather than to someone else. He also contends that only when we learn to forgive others and ourselves can we truly receive forgiveness from God. Workbook Outside # of Reccommended for: Reading Weeks X X X 12 Small Groups; X X X X 4 Small Groups Simplicity (Part of Four Book Series) Mindy Caliguire Our closets, our garages, our cupboards, our lives are--let's face it-- cluttered. Stuff is everywhere: old yearbooks, projects we started years ago but never finished, commitments to activities that we now regret making but don't feel we can pull out of. Are you longing for space--for simplicity? Here is a book to bring you there. Soul Care Resources are designed to be simple, but not simplistic, guides to maintaining or recovering the life and health of your soul, that essential personhood created by God as you. In four sections Mindy Caliguire helps you discover and embrace who you are, set healthy boundaries and embrace simplicity as a lifestyle that brings freedom. Soul Searching (Part of Four Book Series) Mindy Caliguire This small book helps us do the hard--but good and necessary--work of selfexamination, taking an honest look inside, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide and work. In these pages you will learn how to practice soul searching and discern God's voice. In the process, you'll come to know yourself better--both the sins that threaten the health of your soul, as well as your unique gifts and abilities and the new places God might be calling you to. Spiritual Friendship (Part of Four Book Series) Mindy Caliguire Many of us long for sources of nurture for our weary souls. But we don't know where to turn. We've tried various Christian plans for growth, yet sometimes these programs leave us even more drained and frustrated. Interestingly, the answer can be found in our everyday lives: ordinary relationships can restore life and health to our depleted souls. Spiritual Friendship introduces you to principles of friendship that bring focus to your spiritual life. You'll discover what it takes to have a rich, Godcentered relationship that will nourish your soul. X X X 4 Small Groups; X X 4 Small Groups; X X X 4 Small Groups;
Title Author(s) Summary Book DVD Leader's Discovering Soul Care (Part of Four Book Mindy Caliguire Series) If we look at the spiritual life through the lens of a marathon, we will discover that many of us are nearing exhaustion. We may not be on the sidelines or stumbling noticeably, but we are dangerously low on reserves, running on fumes. We aren't sure that we've got what it takes to get to the end of the race. If you identify with the image of a fainting runner, then this book will come as refreshing water for your thirsty soul. We'll reflect on the reasons why your soul's health matters so much. We'll explore practical ways to restore life and vitality to your soul through authentic connection with God as Father, Son and Spirit--one step at a time. Workbook Outside Reading # of Weeks X X X 4 Small Groups; Reccommended for: What s So Amazing About Grace? Philip Yancey It's one thing to talk about grace; it's another to taste its power. This dvd, through candid video interviews, integrates true-life faces and experiences into ten powerful sessions that will rock preconceptions, get group members thinking and talking, and help discover together why grace is more amazing that you've ever dreamed. x X X X 10 Small Groups Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life Henri J.M. Nouwen Henri Nouwen invites us to reflect on the tension between our desire for solitude and the demands of contemporary life. He reminds us that it was in solitude that Jesus found the courage to follow God s will. And he shows us that fruitful love and service must spring from a living relationship with God. X X Small Groups;
Title Author(s) Summary Book DVD Leader's Workbook Outside Reading # of Weeks Reccommended for: One Thousand Gifts Ann Voskamp This study encourages participants to take on the life-changing discipline of journaling God's gifts---to find the good in life in all circumstances. It s only in this expression of gratitude for the life we already have, that we discover the life we've always wanted a life we can take, give thanks for, and use to serve others. In it, we come to feel and know the impossible right down to our core: We are wildly loved by God. Embark on this personal, honest and fresh exploration of what it means to be deeply fulfilled, wholly happy, and fully alive. X X X X X 5 Small Groups Simpler Living Compassionate Life Nouwen, Foster, Andrews Editor Michael Schut presents a rare collection of voices Henri Nouwen, Cecile Andrews, Richard Foster and others as they explore our use of money, the practice of simplicity, listening to our lives, widening our circle of community, and other topics at the core of how we live out our faith in our homes and workplaces. A study guide is included. X X X 12 Small Groups; Money & Faith: The Search for Enough Nouwen, Barry, Aristide Talking about money in a personal way remains more of a taboo than sex or politics. This seems odd within a Christian context, since Jesus addressed topics of money, poverty, and wealth more than any other concerns. On a personal level, this book opens up issues of scarcity and abundance, idolatry and freedom; on a societal level, it invites exploration of greater equity and sustainability. On both levels, it empowers individuals and groups to apply their faith s values in practical ways while taking pastoral and prophetic stances. The author suggests we need to experience the nurturing companionship of a wise, compassionate pastor or spiritual guide in our relationship to money, while also needing to experience the power, strength, anger, and call to repentance of an Old Testament prophet. X X X 12 Small Groups; Food & Faith: Justice, Joy and Daily Bread Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God- Given Talents and Inspire Your Community Berry, Moore, Johnson, Robbins Clifton, Liesveld Food is itself a joyful gift recall how the gift of food so often mediates the sanctity and preciousness of life. This new collection of reflections by Wendell Berry, Bill McKibben, Elizabeth Johnson, Alan Durning and others helps you start thinking about the moral, spiritual and economic implications of eating. Readings focus on the enjoyment and spirituality of good food, ways in which eating connects us to the land and to each other, and on the economic, environmental and cultural impacts of daily food choices. Food & Faith includes an eight-week study guide for groups or individuals, which leads to action: setting a table that is healthy, joyful and just. Living Your Strengths shows readers how to use their innate gifts to enrich their faith communities. The book shows people how to identify and affirm their talents, and how to use them for growth and service. Most importantly, Living Your Strengths helps people discover their true calling. X X X 8 Small Groups; X X Small Groups;
Title Author(s) Summary Book DVD Leader's Workbook Outside Reading # of Weeks Reccommended for: Making All Things New: An Invitation to the Spiritual Life Henri J.M. Nouwen A short, clean, clear book about how to begin finding the peace of mind to hear the voice of God. X X Small Groups; Listening for God: Contemporary Paula J. Carlson & Contemporary literature selections, brief author profiles, and discussion X X X Small Groups Literature and the Life of Faith (Volumes 1 -Peter S. Hawkins 4) and reflection questions. Included are selections from: Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Patricia Hampf, Raymond Carver, Annie Dillard, and Alice Walker and others. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Robert D. Lupton Toxic Charity provides proven new models for charitable groups who want X X X 10 Small Groups; Mission Hurth Those They Help (and How to Reverse It) to help not sabotage those whom they desire to serve. Toxic Charity shows us how to start serving needy and impoverished members of our communities in a way that will lead to lasting, real-world change. & Outreach Teams; Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities Ruby K. Payne, PhD, Philip E. DeVol In a highly readable format you'll find case studies, detailed analysis, helpful charts and exercises, and specific solutions you and your organization can implement right now. If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges--and strengths--will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success. Small Group Life: Mission Steve Gladen Exploring fundamental influences such as surrender, intention, and discomfort throughout this study will empower any group to live missionally with significance and passion. If There's Anything I Can Do: What You Can Do When Serious Illness Strikes Josephine H. Hicks A real-world guidebook for everyone who has ever wondered how to help and what to say when someone you know is ill. Josephine Hicks shares what she learned as a caregiver, giving practical advice with humor and honesty. Each chapter focuses on a topic such as communication, phone calls, food, visits, flowers, what to say or not to say, and other issues that face patients, caregivers, and their friends. X X X 15 Mission & Outreach Teams X X X 6 Small Groups - to be led by Church Staff member X X Small Groups; 20 Something 20 Everything: A Quarter- Life Woman's to Balance and Drection Christine Hassler The mid-20s through the mid-30s can be a time of difficult transition: the security blanket of college and parents is gone, and it's suddenly time to make far-reaching decisions about career, investments, even adult identity. Based on her own experience and interviews with hundreds of women, she shares heartfelt stories on issues from career to parents to boyfriends to babies. Yet she provides practical exercises, too, to enable the woman of today to chart a new direction for her own life. X X X Small Groups
Title Author(s) Summary Book DVD Leader's Workbook Outside # of Reccommended for: Reading Weeks Stories Behind Men of Faith Ace Collins Stories Behind Men of Faith uncovers the influences, the turning points, X X Small Groups and the surprising twists that have created icons of faith, past and present, who continue to inspire us to live better Christian lives and to witness to others. The Love Wins Companion David Vanderveen A companion for those looking to go deeper with Rob Bell's bestselling X X X 8 Small Groups book Love Wins. Includes commentary by theologians, deep analysis of all relevnt Bible passages and excerpts from works through out Christian history illustratin the variety of teachers also debating the issues Bell wtrestles with. Companions in Christ: A Small-Gorup Offers an experience that builds spiritual practices to help ou share more X X X 28 Small Groups Experience n Spiritual Formation fully in the life of Christ and to bring what you learn into all areas of your church life. Weavings: You Stand on Holy Ground Sept/Oct 1992 Weavings: Hilarity Nov/Dec 1994 Weavings: The Vineyard Sept/Oct 2001 Weavings: The Sea Mar/April 2001 Weavings: Suffering Sept/Oct 2002 Weavings: Attentiveness July/Aug 2002 Weavings: Justice Nov/Dec 2001 Weavings: Prayer May/June 2002 Weavings: Darkness Jan/Feb 2002 Weavings: The Poverty of God Nov/Dec 2004 Weavings: Welcoming the Stranger Sept/Oct 2003 Weavings: Discerning Patience July/Aug 2003 Weavings: Behold the Beauty of the Lord May/June 2003 Weavings: Singleness of Heart March/April 2003 Weavings: Practicing the Presence of God Jan/Feb 2003 Weavings: Gather Up the Fragments Nov/Dec 2004 Weavings: Vengeance is Mine May/June 2004 Weavings: Fasting Sept/Oct 2004 Weavings: Gentleness July/August 2004 Weavings: Come and See Jan/Feb 2004 Weavings: Wonder Jan/Feb 2005 Weavings: Loneliness Mar/April 2005 Weavings: Perserverance July/Aug 2005 Weavings: Belonging May/June 2005 Weavings: Neighbors July/Aug 2006 Weavings: Security Sept/Oct 2006 Weavings: End Times Nov/Dec 2006 Weavings: Still Jan/Feb 2007 Weavings: Abide in Me Mar/April 2007 Weavings: Learning Discretion May/June 2007 Weavings: Pray July/Aug 2007
Weavings: Consider Your Body Sept/Oct 2007 Weavings: Keep Alert Nov/Dec 2007 Weavings: Grace Abounding Jan/Feb 2008 Weavings: Adoration Mar/Apr 2008 Weavings: Many Gifts May/June 2008 Weavings: Responsibility July/Aug 2008 Weavings: Stewards of Creation Sept/Oct 2008 Weavings: Lonely Places Nov/Dec 2008 Weavings: In the Watches of the Night Jan/Feb 2009 Weavings: Standing in the Tragic Gap Mar/Apr 2009 Weavings: Cling Always to God May/June 2009 Weavings: Where is Your God Volume XXV, Number 1 Weavings: Turning the World Upside Volume XXV, Number 2 Down Weavings: Show Me Yoru Ways, O Lord Volume XXV, Number 3 Weavings: Do Not Be Anxious About Volume XXV, Number 4 Tomorrow Weavings: Fenced In Volume XXVI, Number 1 Weavings: Cross Purposes Volume XXVI, Number 2 Weavings: The Price of Wisdom Volume XXVI, Number 3 Weavings: The Art of Loving Volume XXVI, Number 4 Weavings: The Lord is With You Volume XXVII, Number 1 Weavings: All Who Have Hope Volume XXVII, Number 2 Weavings: Why Are You Afraid? Volume XXVII, Number 3 Weavings: Do Not Lose Heart Volume XXVII, Number 4 Weavings: Community Volume XXVIII, Number 1 Weavings: Resilience Volume XXVIII, Number 2 Weavings: Diversity Volume XXVIII, Number 3 Weavings: Maturity Volume XXVIII, Number 1 Weavings: Bring Good News to the Poor Nov/Dec/Jan 2014 Weavings: Proclaim Release to Captives Feb/Mar/Apr 2014 Weavings: Recovery of Sight to the Blind May/June/July 2014 Weavings: Let the Oppressed Go Free Aug/Sept/Oct 2014 Weavings: A Monastery Without Walls Nov/Dec/Jan 2015