Small Christian Community Study Guides & Resource Options

A)  BUILDING UPON THE SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR EACH SUNDAY

B)  FOCUS ON THE CATHOLIC FAITH

C)  ASPECTS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

D)  SEASONAL REFLECTIONS & MEDITATIONS FOR ADVENT, LENT, AND ORDINARY TIME

                E)  THE FORMATION AND DYNAMICS OF SMALL FAITH COMMUNITIES

 A)  BUILDING UPON THE SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR EACH SUNDAY 

 Fall Quest  2006 (Cycles B & C) covers the 18 weeks from Septemer 24, 2006 - January 21, 2007. For more information, including sample reading from book

·          Suggestions for creating a reflective environment.

·          Opening prayer.

·          Introductory focus question designed to tap into some basic human experience addressed by the week’s scripture.

·          Commentary on one or more of the lectionary readings for the up-coming Sunday.

·          Several experience-based faith sharing questions.

·          Suggestions for individual or group response in action.

·          Closing prayer.

Quantity 1-99 $5.25 each    call 860-243-9642       or   www.sccquest.org

A Subscription set including Fall and Spring and Summer Reflection will be delivered automatically to you throughout the year.  1 set $26.00, 2 sets $45.75 ….. 10 sets $166.75

 Faith Sharing for Small Christian Communities  

Questions and Commentaries on the Sunday readings for all three lectionary cycles.  Edited by Rev. Arthur Baranowski  Item #41906,  Price US$9.95  132 pages.  Call 860-243-9642   or   www.sccquest.org

 At Home With The Word:  Scripture readings for each Sunday with commentary and a few questions.  Available thru the parish.

 Exploring the Sunday Readings, written by Alice Camille, is a copyrighted monthly service of Twenty-Third Publications (Call 800-321-0411)

The Word We Celebrate: Commentary on the Sunday Lectionary, Years A, B, C; Patricia Datchuck Sanchez, Sheed and Ward, 1989.

 The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycles A, B, C (3 separate books); John Pilch, Liturgical Press, 1996. 

B)  FOCUS ON THE CATHOLIC FAITH

 Dining in the Kingdom of God: The Origins of the Eucharist in the Gospel of Luke;  Eugene LaVerdiere, Liturgy Training Publications, 1994. 

Essentials of the Faith (A guide to the Catechism of the Catholic Faith) by Alfred McBride, O.Praem.

Paperback 216 pages, 53 chapters of about 4 pages each.  Each chapter Includes A) Catechetical Topic and Catechism references, B) Discussion, C) Reflection Questions, D) Prayer, E) Life Applications and F) Focus Summary. 

Living the Catholic Faith By Bishop Charles Chaput of Denver  St Anthony Messenger Press $9.99. 

11 chapters of about 165 pages total.  Paperback.

Chapters

I      Becoming a Christian

II     Living in Christ

III     Growing in Christ

IV    Eucharist

V     Light to the nations

VI    The tug of truth

VII   Building & Rebuilding our lives in Christ

VIII  Finding our vocation

IX    The family as leaven

X     Not a burden but a joy

XI    Make disciples of all nations

C)  ASPECTS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 Forgive & Forget by Lewis B Smedes 

150 pages into 4 Sections.  Each Section is further divided into about 5 chapters for a total of 21 chapters.  The Sections are:

I  The four stage of forgiving

    Chapters:  We hurt, We hate, We heal ourselves, We come together, Some nice things forgiving is Not.

II  Forgiving people who are hard to forgive

III  How people forgive

IV  Why Forgive 

 Praying Alone and Together: An 11-Session Prayer Module for Small Faith Communities; Arthur R. Baranowski with Kathleen M. O’Reilly and Carrie M. Piro, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1988.

 The Catholic Serendipity Bible (New American bible) Thru Christ the King Books & Gifts (www.MyCatholicStore.Com)  Complete Old & New testament bible designed for group sharing.

Contains 200 general group studies and 60 course plans to address the needs of ten different interest groups--men, women, singles, youth, recovery, and more--covers topics ranging from discipleship to intimacy to spiritual formation to employment to growing older to abuse, grief, and loss, and much more. Coded symbols alongside each page of text get people to ask questions to get them thinking and find ways to apply the Scripture to their lives. Includes footnotes, maps, and introductions to each book.

 The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

40 chapters of about 5 pages per chapter.  Can discuss one or two chapters per small group meeting.  Begins with "Its about God..not about us" and builds on the role that God please in our life and our purpose to respond to God.  Let God lead us rather than us telling God how our life should be.  

 Scripture from Scratch  16 - 1 hr video cassettes $299.95  St Anthony messenger press  

Unlike the Little Rock Series for Scripture study which requires an informed facilitator, the Scripture from Scratch series was reported as very easy and rewarding for most everyone.  If you had a bible, you were ready to participate

 D)  SEASONAL REFLECTIONS & MEDITATIONS FOR ADVENT, LENT & ORDINARY TIME

 DeepDown Spitituality by Joseph J. Juknialis:  Seasonal Reflections for Advent (5 Chp)., Ordinary Time ( 5 Chp), Lent (5 chps), Resurrection Time (6 Chps), More Ordinary Time (15 Chps).  Each chapter is about 4 pages.  Discussion of the theme, Scripture readings, Questions.

 Ashes to Easter by Robert F. Morneau:  Linked to the A,B,C cycle of Scripture Readings, symbols, discussion & questions.  8 chapters from Ash Wednesday thru Easter.  Approx. 15 pgs / chapter.

 Arise & Renew (Easter Reflections for Adult Believers) by Malcolm Cornwell, CP:  7 chapters for the 7 weeks of Lent – about 11 pgs / chapter.   Discussion and scripture reading plus a prayer service format.

 The Lenten Labyrinth by Edward Hays:  11 chapters for Ash Wednesday thru Easter Sunday.  Approx. 15 pgs / chapter.  Discussion and questions

 Everyone’s way of the Cross by Clarence Enzler.  Ave Maria Press.   The 14 station linked to our life’s struggles.  They challenge us to pick up our cross and follow Christ knowing that He walks with us in our journey to Easter.  

 DeepDown Spitituality by Joseph J. Juknialis:  Seasonal Reflections for Advent (5 Chp)., Ordinary Time ( 5 Chp), Lent (5 chps), Resurrection Time (6 Chps), More Ordinary Time (15 Chps).  Each chapter is about 4 pages.  Discussion of the theme, Scripture readings, Question.

E)  THE FORMATION AND DYNAMICS OF SMALL FAITH COMMUNITIES

 Resources for Small Christian Communities (6-week sessions)

1.       Creating Community: Transforming Lives through Mutual Support; Barbara Howard & William V. D’Antonio, Buena Vista Press, 2003 (303-477-0180)

2.       Seeking Justice: Participating in the Public Life of Faith; Peter Eichten, Michael A. Cowan, Bernard Lee, S.M.

3.       Living Scripture: Connecting to the Great Story; Rick Connor, Nora Petersen, Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

4.       Designing Ritual: Celebrating the Sacred in the Ordinary; Fr. James Telthorst, Richard White, Felicia Wolf, O.S.F.

 Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the U.S., United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 1999. (Call 1-800-235-8722 and order No. 5-299, 60 pp. $6.95)

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: Leader’s Guide, USCCB, 1999. (No. 5-342, 96 pp., $9.95)

 Small Christian Communities: A Vision of Hope for the 21^st Century (Revised and updated;) Thomas Kleissler, Margo LeBert, Mary McGuinness; Paulist Press, 1997.

 Gathered and Sent: The Mission of Small Church Communities Today; Bernard J. Lee & Michael A. Cowan, Paulist Press, 2003.

Creating Small Faith Communities: A Plan for Restructuring the Parish and Renewing Catholic Life (Revised edition); Arthur R. Baranowski, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1993.