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Healthy Congregations and Effective Leaders in Every Place Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

Study Harder Challenge: Change Format, DVD or Just the Book?

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Study Harder challenge

Join the NC Conference Media Center’s Study Harder Challenge! Your group is invited to expand your circle of influence and try something new by studying resources that apply any of 12 characteristics that will help you think outside the box. Read more about the Study Harder Challenge and download your worksheet.

Challenge: Change Format (Add or Remove DVD)

Does your group require a study to have a DVD component? Has your group never watched a DVD when you meet? Here’s your opportunity to try something different.

We have listed recommended book studies that are good ones to try if you are used to a DVD. We know some folks are not big readers, so these studies make it so everyone can participate without even having to read. Freeing up the time spent watching the DVD, will allow for more group connection and discussion.

We are also listing DVD studies that are great to start with if you have never done one. These might have short videos that do not take away much class time, or really interesting videos that enhance the lesson with visuals such as the Holy Land or biblical dramatizations. Don’t have access to a DVD player? Borrow one, bring a laptop, or meet in a different place. Try something new!

Book Studies

Discipleship Ministries Booklets. Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church has published free booklets that would make for quick yet fruitful studies in small groups. The short text can be read allowed and discussed. Some booklets include group study materials. These booklets can be borrowed from the Media Center or downloaded and copied.

LifeGuide Bible Studies. This long-running bible study series takes participants deep into scripture with thoughtful discussion questions. There is no reading that participants must do on their own. All is explored during the group session. The Media Center has the titles listed below, but many more are available from Cokesbury.

Converge Bible Studies. These UMC-endorsed studies from Abingdon Press discuss relevant topics of interest. There is a short reading for each session, but it is not too much of a burden for non-readers. The studies are designed for group interaction with a simple format, and the scripture text is printed in the book. The Media Center only has two of the titles as examples, but the full series is available through Cokesbury.

Favorite Bible Passages. This classic series endures because of its insights and effectiveness in a group setting. There is a teacher’s book and a student book, but the required weekly reading is only 2-3 pages. These studies are UMC-endorsed.

The Entertainment Ministry. These booklets may be reproduced for everyone in your group. The short readings relate to pop culture in television, art, movies, or writings. They provide a fun and interesting diversion with new insights on faith and culture.

DVD Studies

Rob Fuquay. Rev. Fuquay is a United Methodist minister in Indianapolis. His study The God We Can Know  was filmed on location  in the Holy Land. Participants can actually connect the biblical verses on who Jesus says He is with the places where he said it. This same approach is followed in his study on Paul where the videos show places where Paul lived out his ministry. Fuquay’s other study on racing signals is interesting as well, and his presentation style is friendly and relatable. Printable study guides are included on each DVD-ROM.

Ray Vander Laan. That the World May Know series is well-known for its videos where author Ray Vander Laan takes participants to various sites throughout the Holy Land. Each of the 15 multi-session studies in the series covers a different biblical topic. The studies do not need to be completed in order. Each study includes a Discovery Guide packed full of additional study materials including maps, but these are not required reading. Click the link below to see all of the titles in the series.

Adam Hamilton. Rev. Adam Hamilton pastors the largest United Methodist congregation in the United States, and his DVD studies are by far the most popular studies among our churches. A good one to start with is Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It  where Rev. Hamilton travels to England and shows the places that were important to the life of John Wesley. The Media Center has many other DVD studies by Rev. Hamilton. You can find them all by searching our online catalog for “Adam Hamilton.” A few additional recommendations are listed below. All of his studies include a DVD, leader guide, and book.

People Who Met Jesus. This award-winning series features short films that dramatize events in Jesus’ life. Each DVD contains 6-8 short videos and a study guide.

NOOMA. This series of 24 10-15 minute films was very popular in our churches for years after its release, and if your group has not seen it, now is a great time to give them a try. Each film tackles difficult questions of faith with a modern, creative style often associated with the series creator, Rob Bell. Many groups have experienced rich discussions after viewing the films and using the discussion guides.

The Entertainment Ministry. In addition to the booklets mentioned above, The Entertainment Ministry also provides, and is best known for, their bible studies based on classic television and movies. The Mayberry Bible Study Series, based on The Andy Griffith Show, is most popular with our North Carolina folks. Each session uses a full episode to examine a virtue or vice in light of scripture. The study guides for this series may be reproduced for everyone in your group. You can find a complete list by searching our online catalog for “Skelton” (the author’s last name). A few recommendations are listed below. Most of these offer 2-3 additional volumes in the series.

Request These Resources

These resources can be borrowed by anyone associated with the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, free of charge. We can even mail them to you! All you need to do is fill out the Resource Request Form.