Recommended Small Group Studies

DVD Studies

John Ortberg is passionate about “spiritual formation,” which is how people become more like Jesus. His teaching brings Scripture alive and invariably includes practical applications and warm humor. John is the author of many books, including If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat and The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Growth for Ordinary People, and Faith & Doubt.

The following are three great DVD studies from some of John Ortberg’s most popular books presented as a small group study.

Other recommended top choices for DVD curriculum are listed below.

  • H2O: Ten episodes, ten stories, one timeless quest—to quench the thirst that burns in every human spirit. Join H2O Guide Kyle Idleman for a cinematic journey through the human experience, and find out how the offer of Living Water has the power to change everything.
  • Experiencing Christ Together: This series was the follow-up to Life Together’s groundbreaking original series Doing Life Together. It is a six-book series that features some of America’s best known Bible teachers (including John Ortberg, Bruce Wilkinson, Erwin McManus). Each book in the series contains six sessions.
  • Liquid: Designed specifically for your small group, LIQUID is a DVD-based experience that features five 10-minute episodes in each series along with a reflections guide. This modern-day film series mirror ancient biblical stories with emotionally provoking videos, introspective questions, and tips for leading a small group.
  • 3:16: The Numbers of Hope: Max Lucado digs deeply into one of the most famous and oft-quoted passages of the Bible: John 3:16. First situating it in its biblical context as part of Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus, Lucado then dissects the 26-word promise phrase by phrase, picking out key theological ideas that provide hope to Christians.
  • Crazy Love: A video-driven Bible study for small groups. The God of the universe loves us with a Radical Love. Includes teaching DVD (85 minutes), outtake footage, trailer, behind-the-scenes footage. Learn more about Crazy Love
  • Scouting the Divine: searching for God in wine, wool, and wild honey.  6-session Bible study with leader guides, DVD teaching, music, audio segments and more.  You can facilitate a group exploration of how ancient livelihoods illuminate meaningful Christian truths that apply to life today.
  • The Organic God. 6-session video-driven Bible study. Through personal stories and biblical insights, Margaret Feinberg shares glimpses of God's character-bighearted, kind, beautiful, mysterious-that point you to an authentic and naturally spiritual relationship with Him.

  • The Reason for God DVD & Workbook by Timothy Keller.  Why does God allow suffering in the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why are Christians such hypocrites? How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”? Why is there so much evil in the world?

    These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. In The Reason for God discussion guide addresses each doubt and explains each reason.

    Keller will help you and your group learn how to engage others in dialogue on six common objections to Christianity. Whether in a group setting or individual conversation, The Reason for God is a resource for what to say in response to these objections, and a model for how to say it.

A limited number of DVDs are available on a first come first serve basis. Contact Jim at jim@tlc.org or 831-465-3331.

Books of the Bible Studies

  • Life Application Bible Studies: These are verse-by-verse studies based on the New Living Bible Translation
  • Life Change Series: These are verse-by-verse studies with references to other books of the Bible
  • The Gospel of John  DVD - The Gospel of John vividly comes to life in a faithful and powerful dramatization of the Biblical text