Featured Study Materials

The Bible's Big Story

The story told from Genesis to Revelation is the narrative by which many people have come to find enduring purpose and profound meaning.

Join Chris Folmsbee, Senior Director of Discipleship, for a 3-week journey through the entire Bible, stopping to carefully observe 8 key episodes of God’s story. This is an essential experience for those seeking to engage with God through the Bible’s big story.

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Small groups at Church of the Resurrection are designed to flow through the five essential practices of the Christian life:
worship

Worship

Worship leads us to a spirit of gratitude in our relationships with God and each other.

Study

Growing together in knowledge and understanding of God and Scripture.

Serve

Be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world together by making a difference in the world around us.

Give

Create a rhythm of generosity in our lives as we share our resources and gifts.

Share

Start a regular practice of sharing our faith and inviting others to find Christian community through our church.
Small Group Discussion Guide

Love Your Neighbor

Posted on September 21, 2020
by Suzy Ayres Reflection 1 of 6 Scripture Matthew 22:37-39 Reflection You likely are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus told the story of the Samaritan to show what it means to “love your neighbor”.  The story was in response to the question “Who is my neighbor?”  Jesus answered the question by telling […]
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Curriculum & Training

In response to the stay-at-home order in place for the Kansas City metro area, we are encouraging all of our small groups meet online using a video chat tool. For ideas and recommendations on how to do that, see the links below:
See the Digital Group StarterDownload Our Etiquette GuideRead About Small Groups & PoliticsView Zoom's Video Tutorials
by Adam Hamilton
As a small group, you can examine five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God: Worship, Study, Serve, Give and Share. Each practice is part of our daily walk with Christ and is an essential part of growing together as a community.
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Other Study Options

  • Amplify Recommended Resources: Amplify has many more studies than the ones in this list, but these studies are a great starting point for your group.
  • GPS Weekly Small Group Guide: Readings hand-picked by staff from the daily GPS Guide readings with discussion questions for small groups.
  • The Bible's Big Story: An eight-week study of the story of God.
  • The Prayer Course: An eight week course through the Lord's Prayer
  • Alpha: A series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.
  • The Bible Project: Explore videos by series, themes, or biblical books or sign up for the small group weekly email with ideas and discussion questions. These are great tools to get your group started in studying the Bible.

Online Games & Activities

Welcoming New Members

We celebrate when people inquire about joining a group because we know small groups are an important part of faith development. For that same reason, we want to make sure we welcome them well. Here are some simple steps to follow:

1) Respond Promptly

If you have been contacted via email on the website, respond within 48 hours. Here is a sample email you can use to get started or you can write your own. We recommend meeting new guests one-on-one before introducing them to the whole group. This will reduce the disruption to your group if a person pops in and doesn't stay, and it allows you to get to know them (and them to get to know you).

2) Invite Them to the Group

Online: Invite them to join you for a video chat using Zoom or whatever other service you prefer to use.
In Person: If you meet with them and the group sounds like a good fit, invite them for a time that will work for the group and the guest. Are you doing a social time soon or serving together? Starting a new curriculum in the next couple weeks? These are good times to invite someone to check it out. Sometimes you may just need to invite them into the group even if you are in the middle of a study.

3) Prepare Your Group

Let your group know about the new guest and discuss how you can all work to help them feel welcome. Remind them that it is important to avoid language and stories that don't make sense to people who are new, such as inside jokes or jargon that is particular to the group.

4) Greet Them

Online: Invite them to join the meeting a few minutes earlier than the rest of the group so you have a chance to greet them and make introductions as people join the meeting.
In Person: Yes, this is a simple thing, but it is important. Greeting them at the door, whether it's the door of your house, a coffee shop, or the church, lets them know you are expecting them and are excited for their arrival. It also ensures that, from the first moment, they see someone they know.

5) Introduce Them

Introduce them to the members of the group – even those who might not be present that particular day. You may need to adjust the schedule of your regular meeting time to allow more time for group introductions.

6) Have Materials for them

If your group is in the middle of a curriculum, make sure to send them a link to it or have a copy ready for them. It might feel awkward for them to have to share a book with someone they don’t know yet.

7) Follow Up with Them

Follow up with the new guests a day or two after the meeting. Thank them for being there, see if they have any questions, and ask if the group feels like a good fit for them. It might take a few weeks for them to decide completely, but this immediate follow-up helps them know that you care about them.

8) Update the Church

If you add a new member to your group, please email Melanie Hill so we can update your roster and keep our church records up-to-date.

If you have questions or would like help with your small group, please email Melanie Hill or call her at (913) 232-4173.

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