Recommended Books for Small Groups
Title: Into His Likeness: Be Transformed as a Disciple of Christ by Edward Sri
Description: In the ancient disciple-rabbi relationship, the disciple would follow the rabbi so closely that he would be covered in the dust kicked up from his rabbi's feet. Thousands of years later, though we walk on roads of pavement and not dust, we are still called to be disciples—to follow our Rabbi, Jesus Christ, so closely that we are covered with his life, changed, and made new.
Into His Likeness provides an approachable but in-depth exploration of how to live as a disciple and experience the transformation Jesus wants to work in our lives. We might desire to live more like Christ, but we know we fall short. This book simply helps us follow those initial promptings of the Holy Spirit, so that we may more intentionally encounter Jesus anew each day and be more disposed to his grace changing us ever more into his likeness.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Title: Embracing the Kingdom: A Bible Study on Conversion by Rich Cleveland
Description: If your group has never done a Bible study, or are experienced in Scripture reading and study, consider using this book. The study emphasizes applying God’s Word in Scripture to our daily lives, importance of prayer, importance of being part of a community of believers, ongoing work of conversion, and deepening of our faith.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Title: Mission of the Messiah by Tim Gray
Description: If your group wants to do a Bible study on the Gospel of Luke, consider using this book. The study presents the messianic mission of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It also shows how the plan of God revealed in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The review questions at the end of each chapter provide fresh material for group discussion (or individual reflection).
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (eight sessions are provided)
Title: Mystery of the Kingdom by Edward P. Sri
Description: If your group wants to do a bible study on the Gospel of Matthew, consider using this book. The study focuses on the “kingdom of God” and why it is the heart of Jesus’ teaching. The provocative study questions at the end of each chapter make this book ideal for group study (or individual study).
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (11 sessions are provided)
Title: At Home with the Word 2010 by Margaret Nutting Ralph, Daniel J. Scholz, John P. Imler, Maria Leonard, Mary Caswell Walsh
Description: At Home with the Word is your guide to a deeper understanding of all the Sunday readings for the liturgical year. This year’s annual provides you with all the Sunday readings for Year C, offers insights into the readings from pastoral ministers, and suggests ways to practice the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. With prayers to begin and end your scripture reading, this is a great way to help yourself, your children, and other adults prepare to listen to God’s word at Mass.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (enough sessions are provided for the liturgical year)
Title: Love and Responsibility by Pope John Paul II
Description: Drawing from his own pastoral experience as a priest and bishop before he became Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla has produced a remarkably eloquent and resourceful defense of Catholic tradition in the sphere of family life and sexual morality. He writes in the conviction that science–biology, psychology, sociology–can provide valuable information on particular aspects of relations between the sexes, but that a full understanding can be obtained only by study of the human person as a whole.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: View the below website for information about how Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (6-8 meetings or throughout a year)
Websites:
Starting your own Love & Responsibility (L&R) Discussion Group: http://www.catholicculture.com/new_group.html
Example of structuring a L & R Group: http://www.catholicculture.com/past_discussions.html
Title: Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West
Description: According to Pope John Paul II, if we live according to the true meaning of our sexuality, we “fulfill the very meaning of [our] being and existence.” The human body is a “theology” because it is meant to be a sign of God’s own life and love in the world. With clarity and precision, Christopher West unpacks John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, translating it into a language everyone can understand. Theology of the Body for Beginners explores the profound interconnections between sex and the deepest questions of human existence.
Recommended Meeting Time: 60-90 minutes
Number of Meetings: Can be tailored to meet the needs of the group (eight sessions are provide)
**From http://www.sfcatholic.org/adultformation/Content.aspx?id=480&office=AdultFaithFormation
Prayer Resources to use with Small Groups
For those who want to go deeper in their prayer life in a group setting, below are some links to practical ways to boost your prayer life.