For Districts and Conferences
Small Group information
These resources will be based on current books by best-selling
United Methodist authors, and each package includes:
• Digital copies of each book, for distribution to members of the small group.
• A detailed Leader’s Guide in PDF format, which can be used by a group facilitator to walk the group through the session.
• A Powerpoint slideshow that can be used with each weekly session to assist the leader/facilitator in moving the group through the session.
• Participant handouts in PDF format, which can be sent to each group member before each weekly meeting.
Our first four studies, both eight-week sessions, are available at
a discount to United Methodist Districts and Conferences
IMPACT
by Kay Kotan and Blake Bradford
Over time, our primary church leadership models have emphasized the leadership of the clergy and have devalued the ministry of the laity. IMPACT! offers practical and proven plans to help clergy and laity partner together again to spread the Gospel in a new day and age!
DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS
by Phil Maynard and Eddie Pipkin
We know we exist to make disciples that reflect the life of Jesus our role model. We also know that disciples are called to make disciples of Jesus. That is our mission.
Congregations all over the country are looking for a way to make this mission a reality. They also know that what is currently happening to do this is falling short of the goal. Disciple Like Jesus, a new resource by Dr. Phil Maynard, is designed to address this very issue.
Phil presents a deeper understanding of discipleship than ‘butts in the pews’ and ‘dollars in the plate.’ He gives a framework for understanding and living into the life modeled by Jesus and some specific behaviors that help us get there.
Phil also shows how very ordinary disciples can do extraordinary work in helping others grow as disciples through the very skills that Jesus demonstrated.
Disciple Like Jesus is an invitation to a new vision for discipleship and description of how to bring that vision to reality.
LAUNCHING LEADERS
by Kay Kotan and Phil Schroeder
Why is leadership so important? Competent leadership provides direction, accountability, guidance, and support. Leaders also provide motivation and direction toward a common purpose and goals. Leaders are cheerleaders for productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency. Good leaders are role models and mentors for developing leadership in others.
Leaders strengthen the people and organization they are serving. Without leadership there is no forward momentum. The people and organization become stuck at best and often times decline.
Leaders point and lead people towards the organization’s vision. Leaders are equippers. Leaders not only manage change and conflict well, they are sometimes the ones that initiate it because it leads the organization in accomplishing its mission and vision.
This resource pushes the envelope of the expectations of a traditional church leader. After all, we believe we have a crisis in spiritual leadership because we have been, indeed, playing it too safe. It is time to equip, release, and encourage gutsy spiritual leaders! God’s Word calls for leaders and calls leaders.
FOUNDATIONS
by Phil Maynard
Growth as a disciple begins with a good foundation. We need to learn to pray, to begin reading the Bible, to live in authentic relationships, how to have a devotional time, how to use the resources God has provided, how to discern our call to serve, and how to share our faith.
In Foundations, these basic foundational spiritual disciplines are presented in an easy to understand, practical workbook-style format. Use this resource with a small group of new believers, with a nextgensmallgroup.com virtual small group, or with a new member class or as a guide in a mentoring relationship.
Sections include:
- Building Christian Relationships as Disciples
- Building My Relationship with God Through Prayer
- Building My Relationshiop with Christ Through the Word of God
- Building a Life of Devotion Through Worship
- Building a Life of Serive Through the Use of My Gifts
- Guilding a Life of Generosity Through Stewardship
- Where Do I Gro From Here
- Growing by Sharing My Faith
Even seasoned believers will find this to be a valuable resource to strengthen their spiritual lives.
Purchase Options
United Methodist districts may purchase a license for a study, allowing all local congregations in a district to use one of these these studies. This includes a digital copy of the book available for every member of every small group at every church in the district. In addition, printed copies of the book will be available to these congregations for 30 percent below the usual cost. District licenses will be available for $39.50 per church/charge – based on total number of charges in a district.
United Methodist annual conferences may purchase a license for a study, allowing all local congregations in a conference to use one of these studies. This includes a digital copy of the book available for every member of every small group at every church in the conference. In addition, printed copies of the book will be available to these congregations for 30 percent below the usual cost. Conference licenses will be available for $19.50 per church/charge – based on total number of charges in a conference.