Rio Grande Christian Education Resource Center

Cure for the Common Life. Thomas Nelson, 2005, Small Group Guide and Book.

"Sweet spot." Golfers understand the term. So do tennis players. Life in the sweet spot rolls like the downhill side of a downwind bike ride. What engineers give sports equipment, God gave you.A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailored the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sweet sense when you find your spot. 

Best-selling author Max Lucado has found it. In Cure for the Common Life he offers practical tools for exploring and identifying your own uniqueness, motivation to put your strengths to work, and the perfect prescription for finding and living in your sweet spot for the rest of your life.

The study guide is an engaging and dynamic 6-week small group study.

When the Game is Over... Zondervan, DVD, 2008.

A promotion. A new house. The rewards of winning at life’s game can be thrilling. But eventually everything goes back into the box, and what ultimately matters is whether we’ve played according to God’s rules. John Ortberg uses popular games and his trademark gift of storytelling to help us live our lives for the things that really count. 6 DVD centered sessions based on the book, resources include teaching helps and one copy of the participant guide. 

Hope Lives. Group Publishing, DVD, 2008.

A 5 session group study resource on how God calls us to respond to poverty.  A compelling book and DVD led series with teaching helps will lead your group on a journey of exploration the motivations and issues surrounding how we do and do not respond to poverty. 

Christian Classics Bible Studies. Intervarsity Press, 2002.

A unique bible studies series that carefully explores the life and witness of Christian saints while also exploring the biblical verses that shaped their practices.  6 sessions each including group and individual work.  Sample books include:

• Teresa of Avila
• Augustine
• Martin Luther
• The Wesleys
• Bonhoeffer

When God's People Pray. Zondervan, DVD, 2007.

With Jim Cymbala, bestselling author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire--a powerful new small group DVD that will help you and your church tap into the transforming power of prayer. Discover the power of God to restore hope, ignite faith, work miracles, and change lives--through prayer.

Prayer can change lives and circumstances like nothing else can. What are the keys that unlock its power, that turn prayer from a mere activity into a vital link with God and all his resources? In this DVD, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, shows you and your small group truths about prayer that God has used to turn his own church from a tiny, struggling inner-city congregation into a vital, thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith.

Featuring teachings by Jim Cymbala and video interviews of ordinary people who have received extraordinary answers to their prayers, these six sessions will help you pray with new confidence.

Six sessions
1. God’s Heart for Us
2. The Amazing Power of Prayer
3. Obedience in Prayer
4. The Word of God and Prayer
5. Why Prayer Matters
6. Creating a Prayer Ministry in Your Church

Miracles of Jesus. Zondervan, DVD, 2007.

Healer of diseases. Master of nature. Conqueror of demons and death. Jesus not only preached the kingdom of God in word, but he demonstrated it in power through his miraculous deeds. In six engaging, interactive small group sessions, this Deep Connection DVD gives you a unique, in-depth look at the miracles of Jesus will open your eyes to their impact on the lives he touched, what they reveal about God's heart, and their significance for us today.

With maps and pictures, outlines, key Scripture verses, discussion questions, plenty of room for note taking, and a personal five-day Bible study for each session, this participant's guide will help you get the most out of The Miracles of Jesus, both in your group and in applying what you learn to your life.  DVD and one copy of participant guide.  Leader guide included.

Thoughtful Christian Study Materials

Downloadable, concise, single session studies usable in many settings for adult and teen groups. 

Spiritual Homepage Series. Odyssey Productions, 1997, VHS.

A provocative starting point for spiritual searchers.  A half hour program that explores evidence and testimony about a variety of religious issues.  Produced by the cable channel Odyssey.  Topics include:

• Forgiveness
• Angels
• Healing
• Guilt
• Loneliness
• Miracles
• Connecting
• Evil
• Facing Death
• Loving
• Suffering

Pursuing Spiritual Transformation Series. Zondervan, 2000.

This series from Willow Creek is designed to motivate and guide believers in an exciting process of personal change. The study introduces participants to the core ideas behind transformation.  Individual and group work for any small group.  Features well known author John Ortberg.

• Growth
• Groups
• Giving
• Fully Devoted
• Grace

Interactions Small Group Series. Zondervan, 1996.

This series authored by Bill Hybels is a powerful tool for building deep relationships through Bible study. A 6 session booklet in the following topics:

• Evangelism
• Community
• Commitment
• Transformation
• Parenthood