Small Group Journals
For Small Groups Outside Resurrection
You're Invited to a Journey
This page is for Small Groups outside of Resurrection who’d like to order journals. Resurrection Small Group Members do not need to purchase journals.
At Resurrection, we hear from many small group ministry leaders. The unifying theme of those conversations is simple: small group ministry is hard. In 2021, Resurrection set out to create an intentional journey for small groups that takes seriously every person’s desire to be known and make a difference in the world. The result of that journey was a two-year program facilitated by two book-length small group journals. Our journals focus on group development and its barriers, learning the stories of group members, and a Wesleyan model of faith formation. We have now made these journals available to churches and small groups everywhere. We invite you to a journey of being known and doing good. Below you will find a downloadable program guide that explains both the journals and the program that accompanies them, as well as samples of each journal.
Year 1
The Year One journal, Communities of Blessing, is divided into three parts: Purpose (6 lessons), Belonging (9 lessons), and Growth (6 lessons).
- The group begins with a discussion over the Essential Practices of the Christian faith. In group time, groups consider challenges to those practices and engage in exercises that promote group connection.
- Part Two, the meat of the journal, is an extended engagement with the story of Scripture, though the aim of the material is to promote engagement with each group member’s life story. This time ends with a Seven Word Testimony exercise.
- The last part of the journal engages John Wesley’s historic questions, leaning into conversation over the spiritual life.
Year 2
The Year two journal, Communities of Hope, is also divided into three parts: Purpose (5 lessons), Belonging (10 lessons), and Growth (6 lessons).
- The group beings by examining the life of Joseph in Genesis, considering him as an example of how to cross boundaries in our lives.
- Part Two takes the group on a journey with John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, as he demonstrates what it means to be a person who practices hope and resists cynicism.
- The last part of the journal, an encounter with Revelation, teaches reliable group meeting practices that can serve the group for years to come.
