Curriculum

We recommend the following Small Group and Adult Education curriculum that follows our Discipleship Path:

Renew

This curriculum focuses on learning who we are as United Methodists.

Introductory Level:  United Methodist Questions, United Methodist Answers: Exploring Christian Faith, F. Belton Joyner, Jr. This book has a question and answer format, no jargon, and plenty of humor. This book answers many questions about theology, and the history of the United Methodist Church.

Intermediate:   Why I am a United Methodist, William H Willimon. Examines United Methodism, and the ways it has made, and continues to make a difference in his life and in the world.

Deeper:  Responsible Grace, John Wesley’s Practical Theology, Randy L. Maddox.

Love God

This curriculum focuses on learning to “Love God.”

Introductory Level:  Companions in Christ: This is a series of books that look at the basics of Christian Discipleship. The first books in this series are introductory, but the books gradually get deeper. The books are best done in sequentially, but not necessarily in succession. Each book has 5—8 sessions.

Intermediate:  Prayer and Devotional Lives of United Methodists, Steve Harper. In this book we can learn to read the Bible devotionally, read and pray daily, and the importance of these spiritual disciplines in our spiritual journey.

Deeper:  Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster. Foster looks at 12 spiritual disciplines, explaining their purpose, and how to engage in them in a practical way. This study can be done with a book and workbook, or with a DVD.

SoulFeast Marjorie Thompson. Thompson concentrates on one practice per chapter, and includes historical, theological, and biblical references, along with practical exercises to learn how to do the discipline. Focuses on eight spiritual disciplines.

Love Others

A Curriculum focusing on learning to Love Others, and live our life according to scripture.

Introductory:  Journey through the Bible. This curriculum is a book by book study of the Bible in 16 volumes, each containing 13 sessions. Explores the most significant stories, themes, and events. We recommend beginning with Luke.

Intermediate:  Bible Reader Series, A series of short term Bible Studies that guide adults who want to focus on a specific book of the Bible for a limited number of sessions. We recommend starting with Ephesians, Made New Through Christ.

Deeper:  Short Term Disciple

New short Term Disciple Bible Studies include Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, John, Romans, Genesis. Each is 8 to 11 sessions.

The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves, the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship.

Serve

LifeKeys – If you are ready to go a bit deeper – Learn how your life gifts, spiritual gifts, personality type, values and passions give you the keys to the life that God intends for you. Serving as God intends for gives us the greatest fulfillment imaginable.

Once you understand how God created you, Serve! This one is about doing more than it is about learning. Implement what we have learned along this journey. Let your staff and pastors help you find your unique fit, inside and outside the church.

Books may be ordered through Cokesbury.com, CBDbooks.com, Amazon.com

or by contacting Deb Mengler, Christian Education Ministries Director.