Here’s a list of resources that may be helpful for helping young people and adults explore Christian faith. It is important to say that learners vary considerably, from those who have no Christian background to those who have grown up in the church, from teenagers to older adults. You need to find resources that work for your setting. I will keep updating this page.
Also, stay tuned for an announcement about the forthcoming “We are the Uniting Church: Our Faith” series of six vidoes plus discussion guide.
Belonging Kit by Cheryl Lawrie (editor)
Uniting Church Press, 1998
Available from Mediacom
This is a modular approach featuring twelve sessions and a flexible range of teaching a learning options – group discussion sessions, mentor sessions, teaching notes, action learning activities, Bible studies and journaling. The themes combine exploration of belief with exploring discipleship.
The kit may be photocopied for local use (ie. you only need to purchase one copy). Includes a double CD of music and stories.
Session titles: Belonging to God; Belonging to God’s People; Belonging to God’s World; Believing in God; Believing in Jesus Christ; Believing the Good News; Growing in Worship; Growing in the Spirit; Growing with Scripture; Sharing Our Gifts; Sharing Our Faith; Sharing Our World.
Making Disciples by Will Willimon and Mark Flynn
Co-ordinator’s Guide, Mentor’s Guide, Confirmand’s Journal
Abingdon Press, 2018
Available from Mediacom
This is a popular series from the US United Methodists that was developed in the late 1980’s and has been revised several times since. It is based on a mentoring approach where people meet with mentors weekly for 3 months to explore Christian belief and practice, while also reading the Gospel of Luke and writing journal reflections. A co-ordinator both organises and supports the process.
Session titles: Getting acquainted, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Worship, the Bible, Saints and Gifts, Ministry, Baptism, Spiritual Life, Death and Resurrection, Life in the Church, The Faith Journey Continues.
r
e:form – Sparkhouse
Available from Mediacom
Designed for younger teenagers.
2 x DVD set with 40 short videos
Leaders Guide and Participants workbook
Plus a series on Traditions (includes 4 videos on Methodism) and on Ancestors
Sample video: Who wrote the Bible?
Playlist of sample videos
Pilgrim: A Course for the Christian Journey
Discipleship and teaching course from the Church of England, UK.
Books (six sessions each): Beatitudes, Commandments, Turning to Christ, The Lord’s Prayers, The Creeds, The Eucharist, The Bible, Church & Kingdom.
Promotional video
All videos on Vimeo
Compass – Methodist Church, UK
Eight group sessions to explore Christian faith and discipleship
Free to download
Animate Series – Sparkhouse
Available from Mediacom
Seven sessions each. DVD, leader’s guide and participants journal
See additional handout for topics.
1. Faith – explores central topics of Christianity
Overview video
Playlist of sample videos
2. Bible – covers the basics of biblical scholarship
3. Practices – introduction to the practices of Christian faith
Sample video: Brian McLaren on Prayer
Playlist of sample videos
Go Make Disciples
Augsburg Fortress Press
Handbook and CD-ROM for planning baptism, confirmation and discipleship
Foundations, approaches, ideas and resources for learning and worship.
Chuck Knows Church
A series of over 100 short, humorous videos created by the United Methodist Church, USA
Sample: Define Church
Colaborate – Sparkhouse
Colaborate is a youth curriculum consisting of Bible studies and confirmation materials. Colaborate has Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran versions.
Colaborate Presbyterian – samples here
Colaborate Methodist – samples here
Colaborate Bible Study – samples here
Being Disciples, Rowan Williams, SPCK, 2016.
A brief but excellent exploration of the essentials of the Christian life by the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
Doc.bytes – UC Assembly
A series of dowloadable two page overview and discussion matters on various aspects of Christian belief and worship, including Apologetics, Baptism Evangelism, The Lord’s Supper, Conversion, Science & Faith, and more.
UCA Season of Teaching and Learning
UCA Assembly
Available from Mediacom
These three study books are from the former Working Group on Doctrine
Living the Christian Life – Rod Horsfield (six studies)
Jesus Christ according to the Basis of Union – Geoff Thompson (four studies)
Christianity and the 21st Century – Avril Hannah-Jones (four studies)
Faith Asking Questions – Short courses
These are video and discussion series produced by St Francis Anglican College in Brisbane, Queensland. They feature a range of church leaders.
What Matters About Jesus?
Faith Asking Questions
There’s also a seriesw about Being Anglican
The Apostles Creed, Ben Myers, Lexham Press, 2018.
A short commentary on the Creed, leaning to the tradition rather than any contemporary setting. Confession as much as commentary.
AND it’s on sale in September – Download for only US$6.99 here
Ben’s lectures on the Creed at Leichardt St UC in Sydney are here.
Faith and the Creeds, Alistair McGrath, SPCK, 2013.
Brief but solid overview of the creeds.
Faith Practices – United Church of Christ, USA
Twelve practices of disciples explored in age-specific and intergenerational learning and worship settings.
Holy Habits UK
A series of 10 booklets from the UK exploring Christian practices based on Acts 2.