Summer is shorter than it feels. Of course this is the case when you’re a kid, and it can feel like summer happens in the blink of an eye. But it can feel that way when you’re an adult, too. It can especially feel that way when you’re in ministry, and you spend the summer enjoying a bit of time away or leading some special programs like VBS, student camp, or otherwise.
Many churches are unsure of how to do discipleship in the summer when schedules are inconsistent and attendance is spotty. In fact, many small groups that meet during the rest of the year don’t meet during the summer for exactly this reason.
One of the ways to make the most of the summer is to take a handful of weeks to study God’s Word in small groups that may only meet in the summer. If you’re organizing a small group Bible study for the summer, and you aren’t yet sure of what you want to study, here are some studies we’ve published that we can recommend to you:
1. Rooted Rhythms: Prayer
The Rooted experience introduces the 7 rhythms of discipleship found in the early church of Acts 2. These are essential behaviors for every follower of Jesus that should be integrated into their lives. The Rooted Rhythms series is meant to reinforce the specific rhythms of discipleship as introduced in the core Rooted Experience. One of these rhythms is prayer.
One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that—engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.
Through this in-depth study of prayer, disciples will have the principles of prayer reinforced in them through active participation in prayer. By not just learning but doing, prayer will become a vital rhythm in the life of the disciple.
Summer is busier for some, but for others, summer is a time when life moves at a much slower pace. Studying prayer during the summer season can be especially refreshing for those who are trying to slow down and be more reflective before the hustle and bustle of fall takes over again.
Who it’s great for: Newer groups, groups coming off the core Rooted experience, or anyone who wanted to dive more deeply into how to pray
Length of study: 5 weeks
Download a free sample or purchase a copy of Prayer today.
2. Rooted Rhythms: Serve the Community
We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world. When we serve in the world and in His Church, we impact those around us and reveal God’s glory.
Through this in-depth study of serving the community, disciples will understand that God has uniquely formed and made them, providing them with natural talents, spiritual gifts, and particular passion, in order to serve inside and outside the church. It is through engaging these God-given gifts and passions that we find our place and change the world.
Serve the Community can be especially great in the summertime when paired with a church-wide emphasis on outreach and community service as well as ramping up for fall volunteer recruiting.
Who it’s great for: Churches looking to build momentum for serving in the fall, churches with a summer outreach emphasis, as well as groups who are looking to serve their communities this summer
Length of study: 5 weeks
Download a free sample or purchase a copy of Serve the Community today.
3. How to Study the Bible
Whether you are new to the Bible or have been studying the Bible for years, How to Study the Bible is designed to help people develop the skills needed to study the Bible not just for now, but for a lifetime.
Through this 6-week course, led by Kaye Geiger, participants will learn practical Bible study skills to help them grow in their understanding and application of God’s Word. No previous knowledge is needed—this course is for every person who wants to gain everyday skills for a lifetime of enjoying the Bible!
What if you took the summer to get a firmer grasp on how to study the Bible? What great use of the summer that would be! Imagine heading into the fall with a newfound confidence in studying God’s Word. That sounds like a summer well-spent.
Who it’s great for: New believers, Christians who haven’t read the Bible much on their own, any group looking to grow in their confidence of studying the Bible
Length of study: 6 sessions (with video teaching included)
Download a free sample or purchase a copy of How to Study the Bible today.
4. The Story of God
Anyone who wants to understand their own story must understand the gospel story of Jesus told throughout the Bible.
The Story of God, one of three studies in the Deep Dive series, is an 8-week, group-discipleship resource exploring the overarching redemptive narrative of the Bible. Traveling chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, this study will remove the intimidation factor and allow participants to discover the story of Jesus on every page of the Bible. This discovery will equip participants to join Jesus in that big story.
This study is a bit longer than some of the others, especially when you consider the shorter summer season of ministry, but it could be a great foundation for deeper discipleship efforts in the fall. The summer is a really strategic time to slowly walk through the whole story of Scripture that can carry a group into deeper discipleship later on down the road.
Who it’s great for: Groups ready to go deeper theologically, new groups building a shared foundation, or churches prepping for a big fall push into the story of Scripture
Length of study: 8 sessions (with video teaching included)
Download a free sample or purchase a copy of The Story of God today.
5. Flourishing: Lessons from the Olive Tree
Flourishing: Lessons from the Olive Tree is a 7-week, group-discipleship resource designed to inspire women to remain steadfast in every season of life through the rich thematic study of the olive tree throughout Scripture.
In addition to daily study through the Flourishing Workbook, Christine Caine shares biblical insights and personal stories through engaging teaching videos, guiding participants to gain wisdom and encouragement from the olive tree.
Spending the summer learning about how to follow Jesus and live a fruitful life sounds like a great way to grow closer to God and others in the church community.
Who it’s great for: women’s Bible study groups who want to dig into God’s Word and learn how to live a more fruitful life.
Length of study: 7 sessions (with video teaching included)
Download a free sample or purchase a copy of Flourishing today.
