Virginia Theological Seminary

Bible Study for Young Adults (20-30's)

Abingdon Press, available from Cokesbury, 800-672-1789,
www.cokesbury.com/curriculum.aspx?subsection=9&sid=494.

This curriculum is one of Abingdon's 20/30 series for young adults in their twenties and thirties. Each volume includes seven sessions and is intended for small groups in which the participants' questions, goals and beliefs will be honored. Each volume examines a biblical theme such as grace, prayer, community or afterlife, and each volume includes these features:

Bible background on the particular theme
Case studies to use as discussion starters or bridges to participants' own experiences
Articles on organizing a study group, sharing leadership, customizing the resource for your own group, etc.

Curriculum parts: each 7-session study is complete in one booklet.

Bible Workbench

The Bible Workbench: Life-Based Bible Resources, 800-624-4644, www.bibleworkbench.com.

This weekly Bible study program is designed to help adult study groups understand the meaning of their own experience rather than simply learning about the scriptural text from a teacher. Each week's study focuses on a selection from Sunday's lectionary and includes:

Exploring the Pattern: specific questions for personal reflection on themes and motifs of the text
Parallel Readings: poems and excerpts from contemporary books and news magazines that echo the text and help relate the text to participants' lives
Critical Background: noted scholars offer an academic look at the text to help put it in context

The study group first explores what is going on in the text, then shifts its focus to how this story is happening in the world, and finally questions how the story is an event in their lives. Sessions last 50 minutes or longer, depending on the time available to the group. Groups can be led by a lay individual or team.

This curriculum can also be used for individual study or sermon preparation. It is published by The Educational Center in St. Louis MO, William L. Dols, Editor. Dols is an Episcopal priest with a PhD in biblical studies and psychology. A team of editors develops each issue.

Curriculum parts: Weekly study material (15-20 pages) is designed to fit in 3-ring notebooks. Studies are sold by year or half-year subscriptions or by single issues.

Discovery Series: a Christian Journey

Episcopal Media Center, 800-229-3788, www.episcopalmedia.org.

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the Discovery Series is an invitation to spiritual growth for new Christians as well as for those who want to deepen their faith. Very flexible -- can be used as a whole or in part. There are five courses, which are intended to be led by lay people. The courses are as follows:

Episcopal Worship: An Instructed Eucharist is a part of this course or may be used as a stand alone.

Course One: A Journey of Faith. Covers the creeds, Great Commandment, Great Commission, Baptismal Covenant.

Course Two: A Path to Spiritual Maturity. Covers prayer, Bible study, and action.

Course Three: Our Spiritual Gifts. Addresses how to use personal gifts for ministry.

Course Four: Great Commission. Addresses how to reach others with God's good news.

Curriculum parts include:

    5 courses on film (DVD or VHS)
    Facilitator's Guide (print)
    Participant's Guide (print)
    Facilitator's Guide (film)

DOCC (Disciples of Christ in Community)

DOCC, 800-722-1974, www.sewanee.edu/Theology/DOCCFolder/DOCChome.html.

Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) is an adult education program which encourages individual spiritual growth as well as providing an experience in building Christian community. It is administered by the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Since faith must be lived, not just learned, the curriculum combines content presentations with experiencing God's love within a small group.

The program consists of 21-24 sessions, presented in these units:

Becoming the Church
The Biblical Faith
Love and Salvation
The Word of God

Each weekly class begins with a 30-minute presentation by the leader. This is followed by discussion about the presentation in small groups. The class closes with a wrap-up session. There is no homework between classes.

Curriculum parts:

Presenter's Manual
Participant Resource Manual

EFM (Education for Ministry)

Education for Ministry, 800-722-1974, www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm.

This is a 4-year curriculum designed to train lay people to be effective ministers. It is taught by extension through local mentors by the School of Theology, the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. It combines academic study of the scriptures, Church history and theology with reflection exercises that help participants see God at work in the present time and ways they might respond. In all four years, participants are encouraged to define their ministries. Participants do the study at home and then discuss the reading assignment and reflect in weekly seminars.

EFM courses are offered across the U.S.A. and in many other countries. EFM Online now offers the program to people who cannot attend weekly face-to-face meetings.

Students enroll in EFM one year at a time. Each year of completed work earns 18 CE credits. A certificate is awarded to persons who complete the four years.

Curriculum parts. Each year of the program has a textbook:

Year One: Old Testament
Year Two: New Testament
Year Three: Church History
Year Four: Theology
In addition, the Common Lessons textbook is used to guide reflections in all four years.

Textbooks are not available for purchase except to students enrolled in the program. Seminar participation is an essential part of EFM.

Emmaus: the way of faith

Church House Publishing, London; www.chpublishing.co.uk. Available in the United States from Church Publishing, 800-242-1918, www.churchpublishing.org.

Emmaus, the Way of Faith is a course designed to welcome people into the Christian faith and the life of the church. It aims to involve the whole Church in evangelism, the nurture of new believers and ongoing Christian discipleship. The course moves through three stages of development: contact, nurture and growth.

Stage 1: Contact -- Connecting with People Where They Are. This booklet recognizes that the most important part of evangelism starts long before a course on Christianity begins. Finding people to take the course is the most demanding part. It includes suggestions for making contacts, and it makes the case that "belonging comes before believing." Most people join a church and then find faith, rather than the other way around. The road to Christ starts with relationships.
Stage 2: Nurture. This is a 15-session course on the basics of the Christian faith, suitable for an enquirers' group, adult confirmation class or a refresher course. The course book includes a CD-ROM with class handouts, PowerPoint presentations, prayer and worship resources, etc.
Stage 3: Growth. The Growth materials are intended to help Christians deepen their understanding of Christian living and discipleship. They may be used as a follow-up to the Nurture course or independently. There are four Growth books, each including multiple courses of 3-10 sessions each. The four books are entitled Christian Lifestyle, Growing as a Christian, Knowing God, and Your Kingdom Come. Each book includes a CD-ROM with class handouts, posters, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

Genesis to Revelation

Abingdon Press, available from Cokesbury, 800-409-5346, www.cokesbury.com.

This is a comprehensive verse-by-verse, book-by-book study of the Bible using the New International Version of the Bible. The class studies each section of scripture text in three Dimensions, as follows:

Dimension One: What does the Bible actually say? (no interpretation at this point).
Dimension Two: What information do we need to understand the meaning of the passage? (Original meanings of words? when was the passage written? geographic and cultural factors? etc.)
Dimension Three: What is the meaning of the passage for my life? What response does this passage require of us as a group?

Authors of the various books in the curriculum are established theological scholars and educators.

Curriculum parts:

4 Leader's Guides, each covering 5-7 books or groups of books of the Bible
24 Student Books, each covering 13 weekly sessions

Note: There are 312 weekly sessions in the complete curriculum.

Kerygma Program

The Kerygma Program, 800-537-9462, www.kerygma.com.

Kerygma offers a selection of group study resources designed to teach the basics and complexities of the Bible, develop skills for interpreting scripture, and apply learnings from the Bible to life in today's world. Studies range from "foundational" one-year studies -- including Discovering the Bible and The Bible in Depth -- to shorter courses of seven sessions each, such as:

Amos and Hosea: Boundaries, Tough Love, Amazing Grace
Job and the Life of Faith
Hallelujah: the Bible and Handel's Messiah
Blessed Are You: the Beatitudes of Jesus in Scripture and Life
God With Us: the Gospel of Matthew

Kerygma titles now total over thirty. Kerygma authors are established educators, clergy or faculty from the Presbyterian or other mainline churches. Kerygma studies are used by many denominations.

Curriculum parts. For each study, there is a:

Leader's Guide (print, and also CD-ROM for newer titles, so the leader can easily customize lesson plans)

Resource Book for participants.

Lesson Plans for Small Congregations.

Office of Children's Ministry and Christian Education, Episcopal Church, 800-334-7626, downloadable free from
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/50534_ENG_HTM.htm.

Age Levels:      Adult
                        (also younger and older children)


This curriculum is based on the Revised Common Lectionary in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Each week's lesson lists all the Sunday readings for the day, gives a brief commentary on the Gospel, and usually bases the lesson plan on the Gospel reading. The lesson plan is simple and specific, including how to start and end class, prayer, story, and activities. Activity choices are limited, and some teachers may wish to supplement them.

Living The Good News

Living the Good News, 800-824-1813, www.livingthegoodnews.com.

This is a lectionary-based curriculum available in several versions including Episcopal (Book of Common Prayer lectionary), Lutheran, Catholic and Revised Common Lectionary. Sold by the quarter, fall through spring, it provides a lesson plan for each Sunday based upon the three readings and the psalm. For enrichment, the lesson plan also includes poems, art (on posters) and music (from CD).

In addition to the Adult version, this curriculum is available in all age levels from Nursery (ages 2-3) through High School (grades 10-12).

Curriculum parts for adult classes:

Adult Leader's Guide
Adult Scripture Journal for participants --includes text of the three lessons, reflection questions, prayer starter
Poster Packet for Adult and High School
Enhanced CD Set --music, stories, & videos (one set for all ages).

Living the Questions

email: livingthequestions.com LLC or www.livingthequestions.com.

This is a 12-session web & DVD-based curriculum, designed for small group discussion, which the producers describe as "an unapologetically liberal alternative to the Alpha course." It makes a case against fundamentalism and certainty, and encourages people to "live the questions" instead. Presenters on the DVDs include such well-known names as Marcus Borg and Bishop John Spong, as well as two dozen other professors, artists, and church leaders who call themselves "progressive Christians." Sessions cover such topics as the Role of Biblical Authority; Thinking Theologically; Creativity & Stories of Creation; Evil, Suffering and a God of Love; Intimacy with God; Social Justice, and a Kingdom without Walls.

Each DVD segment is about 30 minutes. Each session is expected to take 2.5 hours including a light meal, DVD segment, discussion, wrap-up & closing.

Component parts:

DVD set (2 disks)
Leader's Guide (downloadable)
Participant Text (downloadable)
Supplemental Materials (downloadable)

Seasons of the Spirit

Logos Production, 800-328-0200, www.spiritseasons.com

Seasons of the Spirit is an ecumenical, international lectionary-based curriculum that strives to build strong faith communities by integrating the ministries of Christian education, worship, and service. This curriculum invites the entire church community to imaginatively engage scripture through activities that pay particular attention to multiple learning styles, discussion of current events that are connected to each session theme, and the arts, which are at the heart of each bible study. In addition, Seasons of the Spirit uses art from many cultures for its posters and focuses on providing inclusive images, language and stories to promote the love of God to all. Online help is also provided.

In addition to the Adult version, Seasons is available for these age groups:

                     Birth to Age 2
                     Ages 3-5
                     Ages 6-8
                     Ages 9-11
                     Ages 12-14
                     Ages 15-18
                     Multiage (5-12)

Curriculum parts include:

Congregational Life. This volume is for parish leaders: clergy, worship leaders, Christian education leader, and more. Includes printed music; also data CD with song lyrics, poster images for projection, articles for church bulletin, etc.

Seasons Music CDs.

Quarterly 3-ring notebooks with lesson plans for each age level. Includes teacher's supplement, music and poster pack.

Supplemental resources are available for subscribers by download from the Seasons website.

The Thoughtful Christian

The Thoughtful Christian, 800-624-2412, www.thethoughtfulchristian.com.

This website provides lesson plans on timely topics for adult Sunday School or Bible study groups. Developed by Westminster John Knox Press, the publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., it is an ecumenical site with writers from various denominations and backgrounds. Its mission is to help Christians wrestle with difficult questions by stimulating informed conversation and reflection about living faithfully in a complex world. New studies, including rapid responses to current events, are being added on a regular, ongoing basis.

The studies are grouped into these six categories:

Contemporary Issues
Popular Culture (movies and books)
Bible and Theology
Christian Living
Spirituality
In the News

Studies range from one to four sessions each. Each session is designed to last 45-60 minutes. Individuals or churches may purchase studies for download by annual subscription, study packs of five units, or single studies.

Curriculum parts. Each study includes:

    Leader's Guide (2-5 pages)
    Participant's Handout (3-4 pages)

Via Media -- a Place to Ask 21st Century Questions

Every Voice Network, 415-550-8007, www.everyvoice.net/viamedia/html/contact.htm.

The Via Media:Basic is an eight-week evangelism curriculum with an Episcopal focus. A panel discussion with lay and ordained Episcopalians is provided on DVD to launch discussion at each of the eight sessions. Participants encounter basic principles of Christianity through the Anglican approach of scripture, traditions and reason. Rather than give easy answers to the hard questions people are asking, Via Media models through the film and the table discussions afterwards that understanding grows through conversation and community. The eight session topics are:

1. An Anglican Way of Being Christian
2. God and Creation: The Abundance of God's Goodness
3. God in Jesus: An Incarnational Faith
4. God the Holy Spirit: The Breath of New Life
5. The Bible: The Word of God for the People of God
6. Sin: Roadblocks to Abundant Life
7. Thy Kingdom Come: The Promise of Christian Hope
8a. So What? What Does it Mean to be a Christian
8b. So What? What Does it Mean to Participate in the Eucharist

Via Media: Expanded offers the opportunity to extend the curriculum to 16 or 24 sessions. It uses the same film material but adds more written material and discussion.

Curriculum parts. In addition to the DVD, there are written parts which are delivered by CD or download. They are:

Coordinator's section. Includes a script for each session.
Facilitator's section. Suggested discussion questions and other preparation for each week's session.
Participant's section. Includes take-home materials to help the person reflect on what has been presented.
Closing Worship. Provides options for closing worship, tied to the subjects for each week, that introduce different methods of prayer.