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Resources for LIFE! Groups & Adult Bible Fellowships
LIFE! Group Study Guide
The weekly study guide developed by our staff for use by Eastside LIFE! Groups. The Study Guide allows the group to “dig in” more deeply to the topics and/or the text covered in the weekend sermons.
NOTE: The Study Guide will be posted every Monday afternoon. Printed copies are available even earlier: you can pick one up in the lobby literature rack during the weekend services.
Click here for current study guide
LIFE! Groups
How to Lead Effective LIFE! Group Discussions
A critical part of every LIFE! Group meeting is the discussion that takes place, because our sharing leads to effective “one another” ministry. To help your group achieve that goal, we’ve developed an easy-to-use Guide that will equip every LIFE! Group leader to be a better discussion leader.
Click here for a copy of the Discussion Guide
How to Improve the Outreach of Your LIFE! Group
Is your group effective at reaching out to unchurched friends, neighbors, and co-workers? If not…why not?
The LIFE! Group Outreach Guide can help you – and the members of your group – develop some simple, yet effective ways to reach unchurched people. Just think: your group can make an eternal difference in the lives of other people!
Click here for a copy of the Outreach Guide
Other Resources
All of the resources listed below have been used by, and recommended by, ABF Teachers and LIFE! Group Leaders at Eastside.
Bible Gateway
The most popular on-line Bible. Features 20 English language versions (including NIV, NASB, KJV, NLT, and The Message), plus more than two dozen foreign-language versions. All translations are searchable, and you can copy and paste text into your own lesson or study. Commentaries are also available for helpful background info. Best of all: it’s free!
http://www.biblegateway.com
Bible Memory System
The Navigators Ministry specializes in helping people memorize God’s Word. Our link takes you to a page of suggested memory scriptures. At the bottom of the page is a link where you can actually purchase their package of memory cards and instructions. Memorize Scripture as a group project with your LIFE! Group or ABF!
http://www.navigators.org/us/resources/illustrations/items/Topical%20Memory%20System
Crosswalk
This comprehensive site offers a wide array of free materials: multiple Bible translations, Commentaries, Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Bible Encyclopedias, Greek & Hebrew Lexicons. The search feature is tremendously helpful when you are doing "topical" studies.
http://bible.crosswalk.com
Eastside Study Guides
This page on our website offers an assortment of special LIFE! Group Study Guides that can be used by any group at any time. Some of these are individual study guides, but most of them are “sets” of lessons. Each lesson set follows a particular theme and typically includes 4 – 6 individual studies.
Click here for resource page . . .
Executable Outlines
Free Bible study materials from Mark Copeland, a Minister serving the Churches of Christ. More than 1200 Bible studies & sermon outlines available for download in both HTML and PDF formats.
http://www.executableoutlines.com
LifeGuide Bible Studies (InterVarsity Press)
The LifeGuide series is one of the most user-friendly small-group study booklets available. Approximately 100 titles in print: book studies (Old & New Testament), topical studies, character studies. Each booklet contains thoughtful icebreakers and discussion questions. Order them on the Web or pick them up at your local Christian bookstore.
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=1100
Movie Ministry
Excellent site that provides excerpts from popular movies that can be used to illustrate your lesson or group discussion. Annual membership fee required. Site does contain some free samples.
http://www.movieministry.com
NavPress
The Navigators publish a variety of excellent Bible study guides. These guides are useful for LIFE! Groups and also can serve as a study resource for ABF teachers.
http://www.navpress.com/BibleStudies/
Serendipity House
Serendipity has been developing small group resources for more than 40 years. They offer study guides for books of the Bible, discussion guides based on biblical themes, and a wide variety of creative topical studies.
http://www.serendipityhouse.com
Sermon Central
A huge database of free sermons and illustrations, contributed by ministers from around the country. Good source of material that can generate ideas for your own lessons or group studies.
http://www.sermoncentral.com
Sermon Spice
A good source of short video clips that can be used to illustrate a point in your Bible lesson or group discussion. Most of these were developed by churches for this specific purpose. A small fee is involved to purchase and download a clip.
http://www.sermonspice.com
Study Light
Click on the link and you will find some classic Bible commentaries at your fingertips: Barnes’ Notes on the NT, Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Matthew Henry’s Commentary, Wesley’s Explanatory Notes and more. Many are written from a “Reformed” perspective, so they will differ with Eastside’s theology at certain points…but there are great pearls of wisdom in these references. Other tools on the site include Bible dictionaries, Bible Encyclopedias, Bible Reading plans, and more.
http://studylight.org/com/
What We Believe & Teach
From time to time, doctrinal issues may come up in your ABF or LIFE! Group. In 1994, the Elders adopted an official statement of belief for our church which may help you answer these questions.
Click here for the full text of "What We Believe & Teach".
WingClips
This site features clips from major motion pictures. You can search by themes (such as "anger" or "encouragement") to find the right clip for your lesson or small group discussion.
http://www.wingclips.com
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