Welcome to Central Wesleyan

Doing Life Together (variety of authors)
These six-week studies are available with study guides and an accompanying DVD featuring guest speakers. Studies available by contacting the small group office are:
"Beginning Life Together"
"Connecting with God’s Family"
"Growing to Be Like Christ"
"Sharing Your Life Mission Every Day"
"Surrendering Your Life for God’s Pleasure"

"Listening for God"
By our own Marilyn Hontz. God loves you deeply and longs to speak to you but the question is, are you listening? With refreshing humility and openness, Marilyn explains how God taught her - just an ordinary person- to recognize God's voice in Scripture, prayer and in mundane moments of life. This 13 chapter book is separated into three parts with discussion questions at the end of each part, as well as a helpful appendix to guide time alone with God and a test to determine what kind of pray-er you are. Small group discussion questions.

"Significance: Understanding God’s Purpose for your Life"
Bill Hybels and Kevin and Sherry Harney have collaborated to produce this six session study guide, published by Zondervan in the InterActions small group series. It’s easy to use helps individuals free themselves from sin and bondage and become all that God desires.

"Following After God: What difference does God make?" and
"Spirituality: What does it mean to be spiritual?"
These are insightful 6 week studies for those on the front end of bringing all of life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They would be ideal for seekers, new Christians and young adults. Rich in scriptural study and personal stories, these study guides are published by Willow Creek Association.

Ray VanderLaan, "That The World May Know Series":
Faith Lessons on the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah
Faith Lessons on the Promised Land
Faith lessons on the Prophets and Kings of Israel
These video driven small group bible studies include 8 weeks of lessons and are for small groups interested in an in-depth biblical study. Study guides and videos are available at the small group office.

"Essential Christianity: Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth"
Six session study guide by Bill Hybels and published by Zondervan in the InterActions small group series, this study guide explores the basics of faith and provides principles essential to really knowing Christ and being able to follow Him in devotion in all areas of life.

"Created to be God’s Friend: How God Shapes Those He Loves"
Written by Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God, this 13 chapter book with study questions at the end of each chapter is designed to use Abraham’s friendship and intimacy with God as a model for knowing Him more in our own lives. Available at Baker Book House.

"Gripped by the Greatness of GOD"
This DVD driven series by James MacDonald is a biblical study of the book of Isaiah. It includes 7 sessions covering the holiness, awesomeness, sovereignty, works, and worship of God, and our own identity in God. A great message series!

"Connecting with Your Kids"
By Timothy Smith, this book makes for stimulating small group discussion on parenting and concentrates on moving “on the go” families from chaos to closeness. Discussion questions are included at the end of every chapter.

"Be the Parent"
To learn the seven choices you can make to raise great kids, consider this book by Kendra Smiley, Mother of the Year in 2001. Seven easy to read chapters are practical and thought provoking. No discussion questions are included.

Pursuing Spiritual Transformation Bible Study Series
Each of these booklets provides seven weeks of studies and are available at Baker Book House or www.willowcreek.com.
"Fully Devoted: Living Each Day in Jesus’ Name"
"Grace: An Invitation to a Way of Life"
"Growth: Training vs. Trying"
"Groups: The Life-Giving Power of Community"
"Gifts: The Joy of Serving God"
"Giving: Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardship"

Bible 101 (variety of authors)
These six-session booklets are available at www.willowcreek.com or Baker Book House.
"Cover to Cover: Getting the Bible’s Big Picture"
"Personal Devotion: Taking God’s Word to Heart"
"Interpretation: Discovering the Bible for Yourself"
"Parables and Prophecy: Unlocking the Bible’s Mysteries"
"Great Themes: Understanding the Bible’s Core Doctrines"

"Friendship with God" by Don Cousins and Judson Poling
This 13-week study is great for new believers and is available through Baker Book House.

"Building You House on the Lord: A Firm Foundation for Family Life" by Steve and Dee Brestin
This 13-week study addresses such issues as: What is God’s primary purpose for marriage? What does it mean for a man to be the head of a home? Is divorce ever acceptable? How do we raise children who will love God? What does God have to say about the way we communicate, or about sexual intimacy?

"Tough Questions" by Garry Poole and Judson Poling
Seven week study great for seekers—available at Baker Book House.

New Community Series by Willow Creek
These six-session booklets are available at www.willowcreek.com or Baker Book House:
"Connect with God: Sermon on the Mount 1" by Bill Hybels
"Connect with Others: Sermon on the Mount 2" by Bill Hybels
"Imagine Life God’s Way: Parables" by John Ortberg
"Build Community: Acts" by John Ortberg
"Stand Strong: I Peter" by Bill Hybels

Christian Basics Bible Studies by Inner Varsity Press, variety of authors.
These six-session booklets are available at Baker Book House:
"Priorities: Tyranny of the Urgent" by Charles Hummel
"Decisions: Finding God’s Will" by J.I. Packer
"Character: Who You Are When No One’s Looking" by Bill Hybels
"Certainty: Know Why You Believe" by Paul Little
"Excellence: Run with the Horses" by Eugene Peterson
"Hope: Never Beyond Hope" by J.I. Packer
"Perseverance: A Long Obedience" by Eugene Peterson
"Prayer: Too Busy Not to Pray" by Bill Hybels
"Transformation: Developing a Heart for God" by Rebecca Pippert
"Witnessing: How to Give Away Your Faith" by Paul Little
"Wisdom: Making Life Work" by Bill Hybels
"Christ: Basic Christianity" by John Stott

"The Passion, The Purpose and Person of Jesus Christ"
This three-week study is designed as a follow-up to Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ. It is packaged as a DVD or VHS with 10 study guides, available at Central’s Small Group office.

"Experiencing the Passion of Jesus" by Lee Strobel/Garry Poole
This is a six-week in-depth study designed to answer the questions: Who Really Killed Jesus? What Crime Did Jesus Commit? Did It Actually Happen Like That? Why Did Jesus Suffer and Die? What Did the Resurrection Accomplish? How is This Story Relevant to Me? Study guides are available at Central’s Small Groups office.

NOOMAs
Short films on a spiritual concept produced by the innovative and creative communicator Rob Bell, teaching pastor of Mars Hill Church. These 15 minute DVDs will provoke extensive small group conversation and come with a discussion question guide. NOOMAs may be checked out from the small group office or purchased at Christian book stores.