Content Suggestions
Getting Started
When it comes to leading your intentional friend group, there are near endless amounts of resources to choose from. The top resource to choose is the one that serves your specific group the best. To help narrow down the many options I provide for you here four great choices.
Focus Bible Studies
These resources are designed with the leader in mind. They are very easy to follow and truly engineered to foster engaging conversation within the group. When it comes to a quiet group of people who desire to learn more about our Lord and each other at the same time, these Bible studies shine. If you have never led a Bible study before, the way the leaders material is set up is ideal for learning the best techniques for leading a Bible study. Furthermore, all the content is super approachable. No prior knowledge is necessary for any participants. These studies really meet each participant where they are at and then take them further. I have called these focus Bible studies, but they are not just Bible studies. Some of them cover other content as well mixing scripture in with the study, such as a study on Catholic Social Teaching. If you aren’t sold on these studies yet allow me to name one last major perk, these bible studies are completely free.
If I had to name, one con for focus Bible studies, it would be this, these studies are primarily designed with college students in mind. Some of the examples and questions in the studies may not apply to your particular intentional friend group. However, as the leader, you have the complete freedom and ability to notice those questions as you prepare for your intentional friend group. Once noticed you can adjust the question accordingly or skip it altogether.
https://focusequip.org/bible-study-resources/
Come and See: Bible studies from The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology
The St. Paul’s Center led by Dr. Scott Hahn has some of the most in-depth and richest resources on scripture, designed for the layman, today. Though many of their series are video based they have one series with multiple Bible studies in it that do not require the use of video resources. Unlike the focus Bible studies, this series is based on the use of printed participants guides that each person in the group can purchase. The content certainly does provide the value promised in the cost. If you like having a workbook, then this is a great series for you.
When leading the series, it will be clear that the participants guide workbook is assisting as the leader. This is quite different than a focus Bible study. For a focus Bible study relies on the leader, being prepared and truly leading the study themselves. The difference in pedagogy here is that the Saint Paul Center presumes each person in the study desires to be in the study because of the content being studied. Whereas with a focus Bible study, the presumption is that each person at the Bible study is there because of the relationship they have with either the leader or another person in the group. The former is based on one’s preeminent desire to pursue further knowledge, and the ladder is based on one’s preeminent desire to further an intentional friendship. This doesn’t make one better than the other. It’s just a small nuance that needs to be mentioned and considered when choosing your resource.
https://stpaulcenter.com/store/come-and-see-1-and-2-corinthians
Endow: Women’s Studies
These studies are designed specifically for women’s groups. They are rich in quality content insights from John Paul, the second and other great minds, and wonderful for creating conversation. The studies come in printed book form. They include both reading and conversation. If you are looking for something that isn’t a Bible study, and you don’t want to make up your own book study, this is a great option. These studies have been around for a number of years now and are well proven. When I worked at Exodus 90, I fostered a relationship with the women from Endow specifically for Exodus 90 to be able to point women their way.
Lectio Divina
If you were looking to have a group of individuals that don’t simply study scripture, but interact with it in a living way than a group that is centered around the practice of Lectio Divina may be exactly what you are looking for. Meaning, Divine Reading, Lectio Divina is the practice of praying with scripture. In this practice, a group of people can read a single scripture passage three times over and sit with the scripture passage, ruminating on the words and meanings. Spending time in silence. Each member of the group can open themselves up to hearing the voice of God speak to them both through the logos and in prayer. Following this time of silence, the group can then share how God spoke to them through the scriptures. This is not a free for all Bible study. For what each person shares is to be more about what God is speaking to them about their own life, than it is about what he is speaking to them about the scripture itself. If you have a group of people who are ready to dive deep into prayer and desire to share their prayer life with others, this could be a wonderfully good fit. In addition, this is completely free. All you need is a Bible.
Book Studies
When it comes to choosing a book for an intentional friend group, the church is rich in options. If you love to read, and your group is willing to read on their own between each meeting, then book studies can be an excellent option. When it comes to leading a book study the questions that you ask at each study will be completely up to you. This is both a great freedom and a responsibility. This means you will certainly have to come prepared for every meeting. Although even the focus Bible studies above require you to have done some preparation before the meeting, just like all the studies above. If I were to recommend some books for your study, I would recommend the following: Confessions by Saint Augustine, Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis DeSales, and A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn. If you like the thought of a book study but want something a bit shorter than a full book, consider doing a study on a church document, such as a papal encyclical. A few great options would be: Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis, Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, and the latest encyclical by our current Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas.
Concluding Thoughts
There are so many good options out there, how should you choose? Through prayer. Bring the faces and names of those in your intentional friend group to prayer and ask the Lord what he has in mind for these individuals this summer. Then, follow his lead.
The most important part of an intentional friend group is not the content that you choose. The most important part is the consistency on which you meet. Great content assist us in the coming the person God created us to be. It assists us and transforming our minds. However, when it comes to implementing what we have learned, it is the group of people we surround ourselves with, and they’re willingness to hold this accountable that will truly change our lives.
With joy,
- Nathaniel Binversie
