Formation

The Path (Older Children, Emerging Adults, Young Adults, Adults) En Español

If you are looking for a great place to begin a Bible Study, there is no better place to begin than with this award-winning approach to scripture that offers excellent insights and questions for reflection and study along the way. The Path is the story of the Bible, excerpted from the New Revised Standard Version so that it is clear and easy to read. Follow the path of God’s love all the way from the beginning to the end, from Adam’s creation to John’s revelation.

Exploring the Bible (Youth, Emerging Adults, Young Adults, Adults) En Español

Many of us are intimidated by the Bible. It seems too distant, too difficult to understand, and too long. Exploring the Bible is a twenty-six session, all-ages curriculum that uncovers the vast, sweeping story of God’s extraordinary love for ordinary people, in a clear and easy-to-follow format. Each week, participants read selections from the Bible, with passages excerpted and condensed by biblical scholars for easier reading. Through thought-provoking questions in the curriculum and weekly group discussions, participants examine all of the highlights of the biblical narrative—and learn how the pieces of the story fit together.

Who can participate?
This free downloadable course is designed for adults and young adults, with an appendix on how to adapt sessions for youth.

The Path: Family Storybook (Children and Families)

Explore the greatest stories of all as a family. This storybook recounts the major stories of the Bible, from creation to revelation, in a way that engages children (and those who love them!).

The book features dynamic storytelling by best-selling author Lindsay Hardin Freeman, compelling questions by editor Melody Wilson Shobe, and original illustrations by artist Roger Speer. Can be read independently or would be a great companion to the Facilitator’s Guide.

Jesus’ Family Values (Emerging Adults, Adults)

Many people claim to know what Jesus would say or do in the kinds of ethical dilemmas we face today, but applying “traditional” Christian values out of context actually sells Jesus’ teaching short. What are Christian family values, Deirdre Good asks, why are there so many interpretations of what Jesus actually taught and said, and which of these biblical values should guide our lives?

She begins by setting this conversation in the context of the Greek, Roman, Jewish, and first-century sectarian world, and criticizes the attempts to use biblical texts literally in advocating for marriage and the family. Other chapters will take up the meaning of house and home, marriage and divorce, and biological ties vs. extended families and communities.

Through careful attention to the words and stories of Matthew, Luke, Mark, John, and the letters of Paul, Good provides an ideal method for studying the Bible to find out what it actually says to our communities and households today.

Bible Women (Emerging Adults, Adults)

Women of the Bible have been trapped in dry and dusty literary caskets for centuries—but no more. In a groundbreaking book, author Lindsay Hardin Freeman identifies every woman who speaks in the Bible, providing their words, context, and historical background. Through these women, God spoke, intervened, changed, illustrated, and proclaimed the story of redemption.

We learn which women speak the most (hint: it’s not Mary!) and which books of the Bible have the fewest words from women. We hear the only conversation in the Bible between a mother and daughter (and it’s not pretty), the words of a woman who eats her own child, and the triumphant exclamation of a woman telling the world about the risen Christ.

Step into God’s sacred circle of mothers, grandmothers, warriors, prophets, prostitutes, and murderers. You won’t come out the same.

Bible Challenge Series

Part of Forward Movement’s Bible Challenge Series, this text on Matthew is an excellent way to begin studying scripture together in small groups. Take a journey through the Gospel of Matthew with fifty days of scripture readings, meditations, questions, and prayers. Twenty-five dynamic spiritual leaders and authors serve as guides, writing from around the world about the wisdom, lessons, and parables shared by Matthew, one of the great apostles and evangelists. A Journey with Matthew is an extension of The Bible Challenge, a global initiative to encourage daily engagement with scripture and an exploration of the Word of God.

Building Faith (Children, adaptable for Youth)

Engages children with multiple learning styles using a familiar medium—LEGO® bricks

Building Faith Brick by Brick offers a culturally relevant, hands-on way to explore faith stories with a broad range of ages. It grew out of one congregation’s realization that there was a large group of first-grade boys who needed to engage in a new way of interacting with the biblical story. Knowing how much Lego® bricks continue to be popular with children, the author dug deep into the well of creativity and an enormous bin of little plastic building bricks to meld together a new way of teaching the stories of God.

The Jesus Heist (Youth, Emerging Adults, Adults)

Provocative readings of biblical stories, with thoughts on what they are saying to the church.

Inside the Church, we are constantly and consistently reading the gospels through the lens of supporting our own institution and structure. This prevents us from hearing the critique Jesus offered in his own day and his emphatic and persistent call to be and do differently now (Matthew 23:1–12). Stories include Widow’s Mite, Rich Young Ruler, Destruction of the Temple, Searching for the Lost Coin, Sower of the Seeds, Transfiguration, and the Great Commission. This book flips the script of many Bible stories, allowing us to hear Jesus’ call to change as one that is directed at us rather than as one we should direct toward others.

Conversations with Scripture Series

Part of the Conversations with Scripture Series, this text on Romans is a great place to start for hosting small group Bible studies that put folks into conversation with the biblical narrative.

The author helps readers listen to what that letter said to the people to whom it was written and to hear what it says to us today. Readers will bring their own reflections, personal concerns, and questions to the table as we let this letter challenge us with meaning—letting it read the reader.

Colaborate Bible Study (Youth)

Change the way students think about faith and the Bible.

Help youth take an honest look at the holy mystery and the complexity of Scripture to move them onto a path of growth and discovery.

Choose a quality curriculum created by theologians.

Enjoy a curriculum that offers theological depth with thought-provoking questions, surprising insights, and punchy graphics thanks to the theologians, practitioners, and artists who developed it.

Frolic Preschool Bible (Ages 3-5)

Created just for emerging readers, the Frolic Preschool Bible highlights 20 stories from the Old Testament and 20 stories from the New Testament. The easy-to-read text and friendly, colorful illustrations invite preschoolers to learn more about stories and characters of the Bible. 

Spark Bible NRSV (Grades 3-6)

The paperback Spark Bible (NRSV) helps kids explore the Bible in a personal way and makes it easy to interact with God’s Word.

Includes kid-friendly introductions to the books of the Bible, along with definitions, facts, trivia, and questions to help kids think about their faith

Features stickers that introduce Bible marking methods to help connect kids with the Bible.

Animate Bible

Here from those such as Phyllis Tickle, Rachel Held Evans, and more. In each Animate: Bible session, the group will watch a video featuring a leading voice from the Christian faith, spend time on personal reflection and journaling, and share ideas with the group. The order of the session is up to you and what works best for your group. Session resources are available as a complete curriculum or a la carte.

Church Next: Exploring the Bible

Exploring the Bible

• Introduction to the Bible with Marek Zabriskie
• Introduction to the Gospels with Michael Card
• The Gospel of Matthew with Katy Valentine
• The Gospel of Mark with David Lose
• The Gospel of Luke with John Lewis
• The Gospel of John with Karoline Lewis

Church Next: Certificate in Prayer Book Studies

Exploring the Prayer Book

• The Spirituality of the Book of Common Prayer with Karl Ruttan
• Singing the Prayer Book with Milner Seifert
• Scripture and the Prayer Book with Roger Ferlo
• Praying the Collects with Ellen Wondra
• Crossing Thresholds with Roger Ferlo and Suzann Holding
• English Origins of the Book of Common Prayer with John Dally
• Creeds and Commitments of the Prayer Book with Jason Fout
• An American Prayer Book; A Global Prayer Book with Tom Ferguson

The prayer book certification classes are brought to us by our partners at Bexley Seabury Federation, an Episcopal center for learning and development.