Discussion Guides

FaithTalk groups build relationships and engender dialog. When the dialog turns to matters of faith, the following discussion guides may be useful. A variety of biblical topics are addressed - choose what is relevant to your group.

• GCI Small Groups Starter (Ready, Set, Grow)

• We Believe (workbook edition). A workbook that provides a curriculum that explores the essential beliefs of the Christian faith. For additional We Believe teaching resources, click here.

• I Believe video series (from If: Gathering). A helpful tool to use in holding discussions exploring the Nicene Creed.

• The Story. A small group curriculum that surveys the entire Bible. 

• The Walk! The Outflow of Knowing Jesus. A small group series for new believers written by by Greg Williams of GCI. This seven-lesson series looks at passages in Luke and Acts concerning knowing Jesus and the life of discipleship that flows out of that knowing.

• Walking as Jesus Walked. A small group series from Dann Spader of SonLife Classic (with both written and video resources) that discusses the life of being a disciple of Jesus who makes disciples.

• GenMin Life - video discussion starters and discussion guides geared toward teens and young adults. 

• You're Included - GCI produced videos that discuss various aspects of Trinitarian theology. Given the topics, these are best for fairly well-educated people with interest in going deeper in the Christian faith. Several of the videos have discussion guides posted. 

• Alpha. The Alpha course is a proven small-group evangelism and discipling tool. With minor modifications, it works well in a GCI setting. 

• Experiencing the Apostle's Creed.  Purchase the video The Apostles' Creed (Abridged Version).  

• Speaking of Life videos. These short videos make good discussion starters.

• Guided Tour of the Bible. This GCI series surveys the Bible in 7 lessons.

• The Story of the Bible. This series from Echo the Story is a narrative tour of the Bible that uncovers key steps in God's plan of redemption. Note the instructions for effective story telling. The story can be told by the facilitator, followed by group discussion. 

• Parable of the Dancing God. This short book by Baxter Kruger explains how the Triune God has included all humanity in his love and life in and through Jesus (discussion questions are provided at the end of each chapter).

• The Shack. This 18 lesson guide from an ELCA pastor is a resource to lead a series of discussions based on Paul Young's book The Shack. 

• God Is... This series of articles from GCI would make a good series to discuss.

• Jesus Is.... This small group study guide written by Jonathan Stepp discusses the basics of the gospel of grace from a Christ-centered, Trinitarian perspective. 

• The Basics for New Christians. This GCI series has nine lessons designed to lead new believers through fundamental elements of what it means to be a Christian.

• Discipleship 101.  This 30 lesson series from GCI covers basic Christian beliefs and practices. To download the first 15 lessons in a single Word file, click here.

• Christian Beliefs. This 12 lesson study guide written by Stephen Eyre is an excellent resource to use in facilitating discussions concerning basic Christian beliefs.

• Spiritual Disciplines. This series of 15 small group study guides examines the classic spiritual disciplines.

• UnChristian. This resource is useful for facilitating group discussion on the book UnChristian: what a new generation really thinks about Christianity and why it matters by David Kinneman and Gabe Lyons. 

• The Gospel According to Matthew. A GCI series that covers selected portion of Matthew.

• Lessons from Mark. This GCI series covers Mark 1:1 through 6:12 in 29 lessons. Reflection questions are provided with each lesson.

• The Gospel According to Luke. This GCI series explores Luke with application questions provided.

• Reflections on the Gospel of John. This GCI series covers selected portions of John's Gospel.

• Reading through Romans. This GCI series has 18 lessons that covers the full book of Romans. Each lesson includes discussion questions.