Small Group Library
Hey Small Group Leaders! This is Encounter’s Curriculum library for your Small Groups.
There is a variety of topics, formats, and lengths. Most of these are free, but some will have a cost associated with them, so keep that in mind. Each of these items links you to a page with more details and the videos and/or study guides.
“Discussing Mere Christianity” Video Series
Mere Christianity is one of the most read and beloved Christian books of all time. Taught by a variety of C.S. Lewis experts and advocates, this first of its kind video curriculum explores the meaning, history, and contemporary application of the book.
Category: Christian Life, Answering Big Questions About Faith
Length: 8 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: FREE
“Bonhoeffer” Video Series
In this four-session video-based small group Bible study, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas will help you discover the major themes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writing and speaking and how he not only helped transform an entire faith community in Germany during World War II, but how his beliefs continue to impact the Christian faith of people throughout the world today.
Filmed on location in Germany, Metaxas will take you on a religious journey of Bonhoeffer's faith and why it has captured so many people's imaginations and how it has inspired the Christian faith of so many today. Pulling themes from all of his major books, Metaxas helps us understand why these spiritual truths meant so much to Bonhoeffer and how they can be an inspiration and challenge to our faith.
This companion study guide will lead you and your group deeper into the video content with session-by-session discussion topics, personal reflection, and between-session studies to enhance the group experience.
Category: Biography, History
Length: 4 sessions
Cost: FREE
“LOVE DOES” Video Series (Bob Goff)
In Love Does, a five-session small group study, you will discover the whimsy of New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff through a sometimes humorous, thought-provoking, meaningful lesson that makes faith in God simple and real.
You will discover the paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world’s most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action, just like Jesus did. Bob believes Love Does. This study guide will lead you and your group deeper into content with video notes, group discussion questions, and between session personal reflections and actions to enhance the group experience.
When Love Does, life gets interesting. Light and fun, unique and profound, the lessons drawn from Bob's life and attitude just might inspire you to be secretly incredible too.
Category: Christian Life, Loving Others
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: FREE
“EVERYBODY ALWAYS” Video Series (Bob Goff)
In this five-session video Bible study, bestselling author Bob Goff shares some of the stories from his life that have helped him understand what it truly means to love everybody the way Jesus loved them–without fear, insecurity, or restriction. This begins by loving people right where you are through serving and helping the neighbors God has placed into your world. It means loving people when they mess up and helping them move past the place of shame to acceptance. It continues by being courageous and following where God leads one step at a time–even if you fell you are flying blind. Above all, it means not just agreeing with Jesus but actually stepping out and doing what Jesus said.
Following Christ means more than just putting a toe in the water when it comes to loving others. It means grabbing your knees and doing a cannonball! And, as Jesus revealed, it means loving the difficult ones. Everybody, Always will provide practical steps to help you take that journey.
Category: Patience, Loving Others
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: FREE
“Dream Big” Video Series by Bob Goff
At some point, we resign ourselves to living by the scripts and rhythms established by other people. Perhaps it's a parent. Maybe it's a pastor or a boss or a teacher. Maybe it's a mortgage or wedding date or that next pay raise. Wherever the source, today there is an ocean full of people living on the life rafts of what they were expected to do. If we look at the mirror, we might see ourselves on that life raft as well.
In this five-session video study, bestselling author Bob Goff dares to ask the questions: What would you do if opinion, reason, or probability were no objects? What do you deeply desire to do even if it scares you to the marrow of your bones? What were you meant to do even if no other person thinks you should? He shares stories from the Bible that show how God called certain individuals to follow him—regardless of their lack of "qualifications"—and how those people changed the world when they dared to follow God's dreams for their lives. In the same way, God is calling us to step into the version of our lives that he intended for us before others told us it was impossible and once again dream big.
Category: Hopes & Dreams, Purpose
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Video and Study Guide.
Cost: Free
“REAL Relationships” Video Series (Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott)
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott dig below the surface to the depths of human interactions, offering expert advice and practical tools for improving the most important aspect of human life: relationships.
This six-week study teaches the basics of healthy relationships, including friendship, dating, sexuality, and relating to God.
Category: Relationships
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: FREE
“Soul Keeping” Video Series (John Ortberg)
In Soul Keeping, John Ortberg helps Christians rediscover their soul—the best connection to God there is—and find out why it’s hurting and why neglecting it has set so many believers so far back spiritually.
When you nurture your soul your life in this world will come to make sense again; you can find your way back to God from hopelessness, depression, relationship struggles, and a lack of fulfillment. Your soul’s resting place is in God, and John Ortberg wants to take participants to that home.
Category: Spiritual Health & Well-Being, Self Reflection
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: Study Guides: $15
“You’ll Get Through This” Video Series (Max Lucado)
Sometimes the challenges of life threaten to overwhelm us. We wonder how we'll carry on after the day the bottom dropped out. For you, it may have been the day of a financial crisis, a bad diagnosis, an accident, or you were served divorce papers by your spouse. Whatever it was, you knew your life was going to change dramatically, and it didn't seem like it was for the better.
In this six-session small group Bible study. pastor Max Lucado offers refreshing assurance. Max reminds participants God doesn't promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless.
Category: Recovery, Suffering, Healing
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: FREE
COMING SOON
Core vs. Periphery
Core vs. Periphery is a one-night video study for small groups. It is designed to help you clearly identify which beliefs you consider essential to the Christian faith. That's because understanding the priority you place on specific beliefs can enable you to be kinder and more graceful when talking with people who don't see eye-to-eye with you.
Category: Self Discovery, Exercise
Length: 1 session
Format: Video and Study Guide
Cost: Free
“The Gospel In Life” Video Series (Timothy Keller)
Join author and pastor Timothy Keller in this eight-week small group bible study, Gospel in Life, to explore how the gospel can change your heart, community, and how you live out the Gospel in our world.
In week one you and your group will study the city, your home now, the world that is. Week eight closes with the theme of the eternal city, your heavenly home, the world that is to come. In between you’ll learn how the gospel can change your heart, your community, and how you live in this world.
Category: Living The Christian Life, Gospel
Length: 8 sessions
Format: Video and Study Guide
Cost: Free
“Truly Free” Video Series (Robert Morris)
What Is Keeping You from Being Truly Free?
Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). As believers, we have Christ and never need to be afraid, yet we are not immune to the effects of evil. Even if we’re saved and trust in Christ, we may still find areas in which we just can’t get victory. Maybe it’s a sin we’ve confessed again and again, or a constant struggle with depression, anger, or lust. These long-imbedded patterns of shameful living continue to entangle us day after day, month after month, and even year after year.
In Truly Free, bestselling author Robert Morris invites us into a glorious truth—that the promise of being set free from the slavery of sin is a promise to be set free completely. Although evil is real, we have the promise that the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Jesus saves us, trains us to resist the power of evil, and delivers us from anything that holds us back. With Jesus, we can be finally free forever.
Category: Christian Life, Freedom
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video and study guide.
Cost: Free
COMING SOON
“Boundaries” Video Series (Henry Cloud & John Townsend)
Boundaries help you learn when to say yes and know how to say no in order to take control of your life and set healthy, biblical boundaries with your spouse, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even yourself.
Category: Christian Life, Relationships, Overcoming Unhealthy Relationships
Length: 8 sessions
Format: Video and in-house study guide. The book is optional.
Cost: Free
“Everyday Evangelism” Video Series
What if sharing your faith wasn’t something you did, but a way you lived. . . every day?
This 3-part study helps us understand what it looks like to be a Christian and share our faith in today's culture. Take a look at the most important part of evangelism and the Five Thresholds of Faith.
Category: Christian Life, Evangelism
Length: 3 sessions
Format: Video and study guide.
Cost: Free
“The Prodigal God” Book and Video Series (Timothy Keller)
In The Prodigal God, Keller uses the parable of the prodigal son to reveal an unexpected message of hope and salvation. Within that parable Jesus reveals God's abundant and extravagant (prodigal) grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.
Category: Bible
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Book, short videos and in-house study guide.
Cost: Approx $10 for a book.
Book of the Bible - The Gospel of Luke (The Bible Project)
In this six-week study, your group will have an opportunity to read through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as recorded by Luke. With helpful and engaging weekly videos by The Bible Project and doable reading plans to follow every week, this study will help the Bible and the life of Jesus come alive.
You’ll learn how Jesus ushered in an upside down kingdom marked by self-giving love, and see how He challenged his disciples to follow His example and share in His ministry.
Category: Bible Study
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video and in-house study guide.
Cost: Free
“You’re Not The Boss Of Me” Video Series (Andy Stanley)
We all monitor our outward behavior. We want to appear to be polite, generous, and maybe even confident. But what goes on inside our hearts and our minds isn’t always as flattering. Listen to why you shouldn’t let these six emotions be the boss of you.
Category: Character
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video and in-house study guide.
Cost: Free
“What On Earth Am I Here For?” Video Series (Rick Warren)
Rick Warren helps us discover the answer to life’s most fundamental question: “What on earth am I here for?” Warren starts his answer with, “It’s not about you…You were created by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny.”
Category: Christian Life
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video and in-house study guide. Book is optional.
Cost: Free (approx $18 for the book)
“Value-Packed Parenting” Video Series (Kevin Leman)
Value-Packed Parenting from well-known Christian psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman is a small group study for parents on raising kids in a pleasure-driven world. Each of the seven sessions is taught by Dr. Leman and lasts approximately 30 minutes. We recommend this only for groups where all the member are parents or want the hear the material.
Category: Family
Length: 7 sessions
Format: DVD Video, study guide.
Cost: Free
Book of the Bible - Galatians
For those groups who want to go through a book of the Bible, this is an in-depth look at the freedom we have in salvation through Christ, and how we can live in that freedom – what it means for us today.
Category: Bible Study
Length: 6 sessions
Format: In-house study guide (teaching is required)
Cost: Free
“Guardrails” Video Series (Andy Stanley)
Ever wonder what it would be like to have guardrails in different areas of your life—areas where culture baits you to the edge of disaster and then chastises you when you step across the line? Your friendships. Your finances. Your marriage. Maybe your greatest regret could have been avoided if you had established guardrails.
In this five-session video-based small group Bible study, Andy Stanley challenges us to stop flirting with disaster and establish some personal guardrails.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Video, study guide
Cost: Free
“Christian Atheist” Book Study (Craig Groeschel)
You believe in God, attend church, and you generally treat people with kindness. But have you surrendered to God completely? In this small group Bible study, Groeschel encourages you and your group to be more than just “Christian” in name, to be honest before God, and to break free of hypocrisy to live a more authentic, God-honouring life.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 12 chapters, but you could cover it in 8 sessions.
Format: Book, Study Guides.
Cost: The book costs about $9. Study Guides are free.
“Relatable” Video Series (Louie Giglio)
From the time we are born, relationships are constantly shaping who we are and how we engage with the world around us. Beginning with how we see ourselves, we develop a view of God and others that impacts the way we relate to our parents, navigate friendships, dating relationships and marriage.
Relat(able) looks at relationships the way God intended them to be. Because He has gone to extraordinary lengths to relate to us, we have the potential to build incredible relationships with one another. Embracing God's love and receiving His grace changes the way we relate to him, our family, our friends, and ourselves.
In this six-session video Bible study, Louie Giglio explores the fundamental question of what makes us relatable to others. He shows how God can change our perspective on relationships, give us greater purpose in dating and marriage, bring us peace in the midst of conflict, and help us restore relationships that seem broken beyond repair.
Category: Christian Life, Relationships
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video
Cost: Free
“How To Be Rich” Video Series (Andy Stanley)
You probably don't feel rich. Rich is the other guy. Rich is having more than you currently have. But you can be rich and not feel it. And that's the problem. Andy Stanley is convinced that most of us are richer than we think. We just aren't very good at it. It's one thing to BE rich. Andy wants us to be GOOD at it!
How to Be Rich lays out clear principles for carrying that load, making sure your wealth remains a blessing not just for you, but for your family and community for generations to come.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 4 sessions
Format: DVD Video, study guide on PDF.
Cost: Free
Book of the Bible - Colossians
Colossians is a beautiful exposition of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords, pre-eminent and supreme over all things, and sufficient for all things. It is probably Paul’s clearest and most magnificent statement of the ultimate lordship of Jesus, while at the same time declaring His full humanity. He is shown as eternal Head over all, and the only means of salvation for mankind. This study with go through the entire book section by section, highlighting the main points of Paul’s teaching, and applying it to our lives.
This will require the group leader to teach through the material, so it will take some preparation.
Category: Bible Study
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Study Guides.
Cost: Free.
“Changed” Video Series (Craig Groeschel)
With your decision to accept Christ as your Savior, you have been forever Changed. The old is gone and the new is here. You are a new creation. Through this Changed Video Series you will explore what new life in Christ truly means and looks like. You will uncover not only who you are in Christ, but also what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ. You will explore questions like: what is the Bible; what is prayer; who is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit; what is the church; and why is Biblical community so important?
Category: Christian Life
Length: 6 sessions
Format: Video, Study guides.
Cost: Free
“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” Video Series (Pete & Geri Scazzero)
For those desiring to take steps in their Christian life and discipleship, to break free from bondage to the past and experience healing, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is an eight-session video-based Bible study on the integration of emotional health and contemplative spirituality.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 8 sessions
Format: Video, Study guides.
Cost: $12 for the study guides. The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality book is helpful but not required.
“Money Matters” Video Series (Dave Ramsey)
How different would your life be if you lived on a budget, were debt free, and were able to give more to the church and to others? During Money Matters you will explore how to create a financial vision that will free you to manage your finances the way God intended. You will learn how to set financial goals, create a budget, invest in the future, and be generous with the resources God has given you. Money Matters will help you move forward to financial freedom.
Category: Christian Life, Finances
Length: 4 sessions
Format: Video, Study guides.
Cost: Free
“Margin” Video Series (Craig Groeschel)
Sometimes it seems like the only way to keep up with all the demands on our lives is to run at maximum capacity—and then some. But there is another way...one where we have room to breathe and space to respond to what life brings our way. Come explore what it means to live with Margin in this three-part small group video study where you will learn how to schedule margin into your life and how you can live with financial and moral margin.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 3 sessions
Format: Video, Study guides.
Cost: Free
“The God I Never Knew” Book Study (Robert Morris)
Many people find the Holy Spirit mysterious and confounding. Why is the third person in the Godhead—the one Jesus said would be the believer’s ultimate source of truth and comfort—the source of such confusion?
In The God I Never Knew, Robert Morris clearly explains that the Holy Spirit’s chief desire is for relationship – to offer us the encouragement and guidance of a trusted friend. This insightful and biblically-based book moves beyond theological jargon, religious tradition, and cultural misconceptions to clarify what the Holy Spirit promises to do in your life.
Category: Christian Life, Holy Spirit
Length: 8 sessions
Format: Book, Study Guides.
Cost: The book costs about $18 on Amazon. Study Guides are free.
“Spiritual Gift Assessment”
One of the ways we can connect with God is to participate with him as he grows and advances his kingdom (Romans 12:4–6). God made each of us with a unique set of talents, passions, and spiritual gifts. He wants us to use those gifts to benefit others because when we do so, we reflect his love to the people around us.
This one-night study is a Spiritual Gift Assessment, and it’s designed to help you identify particular spiritual gifts you may have.
Category: Self-Discovery, Exercise
Length: 1 session
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
“Spiritual Pathways Assessment”
God doesn’t create people in cookie-cutter fashion. Each of us is unique. As a result, different kinds of experiences make us feel closer to God. Spiritual pathways help us identify the ways we most naturally connect with God. There are a total of seven pathways. Most people gravitate toward one or two of them.
This one-night study is a Spiritual Pathways Assessment, and it’s designed to help you identify the pathways toward which you gravitate.
Category: Self-Discovery, Exercise
Length: 1 session
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
“What Happy Couples Know” Video Series (Andy Stanley)
Does it ever seem like every couple around you has it all together, while you can’t even agree on what’s for dinner? Wanna know the secret? In this fun and incredibly practical four-part series, Andy Stanley shares the secrets that happy couples know. It might be a little different that what you were expecting.
Category: Marriage
Length: 4 sessions
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
“Unashamed” Video Series (Christine Caine)
In Unashamed, Christine Caine reveals the hidden effects of shame many people face and invites you to join her in moving from a shame-filled to a shame-free life. She helps you find freedom from believing you’re flawed and unworthy and prepares you to step into the future confident, dearly loved, and empowered to be shame-lifters for others. Note: this was produced with women in mind, but everyone can benefit from it.
Category: Christian Life
Length: 5 sessions
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
Biblical Themes (The Bible Project)
This is a series of 7 individual biblical themes that are traced from their first appearance through the entire narrative of the Bible. Each is a stand-alone study in itself, and so you can do as many or as few as you’d like. Each one has a brief video along with an in-depth study guide and discussion questions.
Category: Bible Study
Length: 7 sessions
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
The Torah Series (The Bible Project)
The Torah (or Pentateuch - first 5 books of the Bible) provides the basis for the rest of the Old Testament, and also the New. This series gives an overview of each book with a short video and an excellent study guide with discussion questions.
Category: Bible Study
Length: 7 sessions (5 Study Guides so far)
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: FREE
“If Money Talked” Video Series by Andy Stanley
If you invited money to pull up a chair and give you its best advice, you might be surprised that what it would say is pretty close to what Jesus did say two thousand years ago. It turns out, that the secret to financial success isn't a secret at all. It's just not at all what we expect. In this four-session study, Andy Stanley offers an approach to money management that will make your life better and make you better at life. Whether you have a lot or a little, are a spender or a saver, you'll find Andy's insights challenging, refreshing, and extraordinarily practical.
The video session are available for free below. Study guides will need to be purchased for your group. They are about $15 each.
Category: Finances
Length: 4 sessions
Format: Video, Study Guide.
Cost: $15 for Study Guides