There are four main types of Bible studies for Small Groups. Please make sure that you are familiar with each type. Please allow the people in your home group to give input into what type of study they want to do each time. The Five types are:

1.  Straight Chapter by Chapter Study of the Bible.
Advantages:
1.  The MOST POPULAR. Most Christians are desperate to learn more of God’s word. They are VERY ENCOURAGED when they hear themselves and others give insights. They will usually remember that time the group studied the book of the Bible for the rest of their lives.
2.  NO COST. Everyone has a bible.
3.  Last minute preparation. Many busy people will take 5 minutes in the car to find a single verse in the chapter they like and still come up with great insights

Disadvantages:
1.  Some times people get hungry for a topical study that goes deeper into a specific subject.

Recommendations:
1.  The best pace is always one chapter per meeting.
2.  The Gospels and Acts are always the top five best.
3.  I Samuel and the rest of the New Testament are usually second favorites.
4.  If you tackle a tougher book of the Bible like Hebrews, Joshua etc. it is wise to have an optional study book of some kind that does a good job of giving commentary on these books. A good Study Bible is a huge help in studying a chapter of the Bible Together
5.  Recommendations on STUDY BIBLES:
1.  NIV Study Bible – Great notes on explaining the passage, right on the same page.
2.  NLT & NIV Life Application Bible – Great comments about how to apply these verses to your life, right on the same page.
3.  Serendipity Bible – Great notes plus great discussion questions.

2.  Teaching Series by PJ.

Advantages:
1.  The second MOST POPULAR. The group is generally familiar with PJ’s teaching style.
2.  ALMOST NO COST.

When you use one of PJ’s teaching series, we ask that the leader of the group collect enough copies of the teaching series so each person has one. You can usually just pick these up off of the tape shelves.

Please then collect $20 from each person and HOLD the cash and checks until the end of the series. At the end of the series, if the person turns the series back in, then return to them their cash or check. If they lose part of the series then turn the money into the church to cover the cost of the series.
Easy preparation. Most people can listen to a CD while driving in their car.

Disadvantages:
1.  Some times people get tired of hearing PJ and want to hear other teachers.

Recommendations:
1.  FREE DOWNLOADS of Discussion Questions and Notes – You can go to www.libertychurch.org and get free downloads of notes and discussion questions for all of these teaching series.
2.  The favorite series are always Marriage and DISC.
3.  The secondary favorites are usually:
Job and Career
Teenagers or Parenting
Racial Reconciliation
Conflicts
Armor of God
Singles - How to find a Godly Mate
Holy Spirit
4.  Some surprises that people often overlook are:
Expectations
The Story of Jesus last 24 hours
Christianity the Only Logical Religion
Old Testament Survey
3.  A CURRENT Teaching Series that PJ is teaching from the pulpit.
Advantages:
1.  If the teaching is a Hot Topic, then the people will be eager to discuss it.
2.  NO COST. You can just bring copies of the sermon handout.
3.  Easy preparation. Most people have already heard the sermon

Disadvantages:
1.  Some times there may have been 2-3 sermons since your home group last met and the people may be overwhelmed with material or simply forget some of the material.
2.  If PJ has been off for two weeks there may not have been any sermons since your group last met.

Recommendations:
1.  Always let the group decide on this one.
2.  You may want to make copies of your personal sermon notes on your sermon handout and pass out copies of that. It may help stimulate discussion.

4.  A Book that covers an interesting Bible topic.
Advantages:
1.  There are some tremendous teaching books out that deeply change people’s lives.
2.  The people will usually treasure this book for years afterward.

Disadvantages:
1.  It is a lot more work to read a chapter than it is to listen to a CD or read one chapter of the Bible. Thus, it is important to be merciful to those who did not do their homework.
2.  Some times the cost of a book is hard for some people.

Recommendations:
1.  The best way is to ask one person to purchase enough copies of the book for each family in the group. There are tons of used books available at Amazon.com for one tenth the price of the original book. You can often get 10-15 books for less than $5 each. The person who bought all of the books then hands them out and each person writes them a personal check. (Please note: The church does NOT, under any circumstances purchase these books for you.)
2.  In the list below, look over the information about the book as your group assesses the book. The best book is one that you have read and loved.
3.  Shorter books are usually more interesting and cheaper than longer books


Recommended Books

A Study of the Life of David
Developing a heart for God by Jack Kuhatschek
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A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
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Boundaries by Drs. Cloud and Townshend
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Boundaries in Marriage by Drs. Cloud and Townshend
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Breaking Down Walls by Washington and Kerhain
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Managing your Emotions by Joyce Meyer
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Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson
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Sharing Jesus without Fear by William Fear
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Telling yourself the Truth by Dr. William Baccus
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Telling each other the Truth by Dr. William Baccus
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The Blessed Life by Robert Morris
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The Final Quest by Rick Joyner
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The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
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The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock
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The Power of a Praying Husband by Stormie Omartian
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The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
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The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
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The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
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The Wounded Heart by ?????????
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Wild at Heart by John Eldridge
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