In leading our study group, I have often struggled with the topics to address or finding the resources to provide the background to the discussions. Below are the lessons that we have discussed since our beginning on January 10, 2013. My prayer is that this page can be a resource for other small group leaders.
2013:
Epiphany/Lent – Psalms (see outline below)
Reflections on the Psalms – C.S. Lewis
Psalms, The Prayer Book of the Bible – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Praying the Psalms with the Early Christians –Mike Aquilina
Easter – Resurrection Appearances –
Resurrection of the Son of God – N.T. Wright
Summer – Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon
Paul for Everyone, the Prison Letters – N.T. Wright
Autumn (1) – Abraham (Midrash, Dead Sea Scrolls, Hadith)
Autumn (2) – Orthodoxy – C. K. Chesterton
Advent – Angels
The Celestial Hierarchy – Dionysius
The Angels in Catholic Teaching and Tradition – Fr. Pascale Parente
Lifted by Angels – Joel Miller
2014:
Epiphany – Ezekiel
Homilies on Ezekiel – Origen
Holman OT Commentary on Ezekiel
Lent – Seven Capital Sins – Fulton Sheen
Easter – Parables
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
The Parables – Archbishop Dmitri
Summer – 1 Corinthians
Paul for Everyone, First Corinthians – N.T. Wright
Autumn (1) – On the Incarnation – Athanasius (Intros. by C.S. Lewis and John Behr)
Autumn (2) – Amos
The Prophets – Abraham Heschel
Amos, Doing What is Right – Robert Baker
Advent – Luke’s Infancy Narratives
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
2015:
Epiphany – Epiphany lectionary (Magi, Baptism, Cana, Matthew 8)
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
The Holy Feast of the Theophany – Ayman Kfouf
Oration on the Baptism of Christ – Gregory of Nyssa
The Grateful Heart – Wilkie Au (Borg)
Homilies on Matthew – John Chrysostom
Homilies on John – John Chrysostom
Commentary on John – John Calvin
Notes on the Bible – John Wesley
Lent – Looking through the Cross – Graham Tomlin
Easter – The Imitation of Christ, Books I and II – Thomas á Kempis
Summer (1) – 2 Corinthians (Rob Donahue)
Paul for Everyone, Second Corinthians – N.T. Wright
Summer (2) – Lord’s Prayer
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
On the Lord’s Prayer – Tertullian, Cyprian, & Origen – St. Vladimir’s Press
Sacred Dissertations on the Lord’s Prayer – Herman Witsius
The Institutes (Book 3, Chapter 20) – John Calvin
The Lord’s Prayer – A Collection of Historical Writings – Curtis Rose
Autumn – Gospel of Mark (Fr. Gabriel Bullock)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
The Anchor-Yale Bible Commentary on Mark – Joel Marcus
The Genesis of Secrecy – Frank Kermode
Advent – The Theotokos (Fr. Gabriel Bullock)
Protoevangelium of James
Mary and The Fathers of the Church – Luigi Gambero
The Mystery of Christ – John Behr
2016:
Epiphany – Crazy Christians – Michael Curry
Lent – The Return of the Prodigal Son – Henri J. M. Nouwen
Easter – The Imitation of Christ, Book III – Thomas á Kempis
Summer (1) – 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Paul for Everyone, Galatians and Thessalonians – N.T. Wright
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Paul and the Popular Philosophers – Abraham Malherbe
Summer (2) – The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes – Developing Spiritual Character – John Stott
Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount – Martin Luther
Sermons on the Beatitudes – Gregory of Nyssa
Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
Autumn – Hebrews (Fr. Gabriel Bullock)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Letter to the Hebrews – William Barclay
Advent – Readings from Isaiah, Advent Year A.
2017:
Epiphany – The Creed – Luke Timothy Johnson
Early Christian Creeds, J.N. D. Kelly
Clues to the Nicene Creed, David Willis
Lent – The Great Divorce – C.S. Lewis
Easter – The Imitation of Christ, Book IV, Thomas á Kempis
Summer – Romans
Justification – N.T. Wright
Paul and the Stoics – Troels Engberg-Pedersen
Romans – A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary – Ben Witherington
Autumn – Hymns
Hymnary.org
Autumn (2) – Outreach: UMC Flood Buckets
College/Home Bound Care Packages
Advent – Martin Luther’s Christmas Book – Roland Bainton
2018:
Epiphany – His Great Name – Joanne Ellison
Lent – Isaiah’s Book of Consolation (Four Servant Songs)
The Prophets, “Second Isaiah” – Abraham Heschel
The Suffering Servant in Deutero-Isaiah, Christopher North
Easter – Becoming a Healing Presence – Albert S. Rossi
The Inner Kingdom, Kallistos Ware
Summer – Galatians (12 weeks) (Study Link)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Commentary on Galatians – Martin Luther
Paul for Everyone, Galatians and Thessalonians – N.T. Wright
Justification – N.T. Wright
Paul and the Stoics – Troels Engberg-Pedersen
The New Testament – David Bently Hart
Autumn (1) – James (Study Link)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Anchor-Yale Bible Commentary on James – Luke Timothy Johnson
Letters for Jewish Christians – A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary – Ben Witherington
Autumn (2) – Jude (Study Link)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Letters for Jewish Christians – A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary – Ben Witherington
Autumn (3) – Outreach: College/Home Bound Care Packages
Advent – Ponder These Things – Praying With the Icons of the Virgin – Rowan Williams (Study Link)
2019:
Epiphany – Bad Girls of the Bible – Liz Curtis-Higgs (Study Link)
In Potiphar’s House – James Kugel
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes – Kenneth Bailey
Homilies on Joshua – Origen
Lent – Ecclesiastes (Ch. 1-6) (Study Link)
JPS Commentary on Ecclesiastes – Fox
The Myth of Sisyphus – Albert Camus
The Resurrection of the Son of God (Ch. 3) N.T. Wright
Easter – Immortal Diamond – Richard Rohr (Study Link)
Theophany (Ch. 7 Symbolism) – Eric Perl
Summer – The Pastoral Epistles (Study Link)
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Paul for Everyone, 1 &2 Timothy and Titus – N.T. Wright
Paul and the Popular Philosophers – Abraham Malherbe
Autumn 1 – Provocations (Works of Love) – Soren Kierkegaard (Study Link)
Autumn 2 – Sermon on the Mount (excl. Beatitudes, Lord’s Prayer) (Study Link)
Studies on the Sermon on the Mount – Oswald Chambers
The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air – Soren Kierkegaard
The Sermon on the Mount – Emmet Fox
Advent – Malachi (Study Link)
2020:
Epiphany – The First Creation Story (Study Link)
JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis
Rabbah Bereshit
Zohar
Enuma Elish
Confessions (Books 11, 12, 13) – Augustine
The Literal Meaning of Genesis – Augustine
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
Evil as Negation (City of God, Summa, Divine Names, On the Incarnation)
Roots of Early Christian Mysticism (Ch. 5) – Clement
Spirit and Fire – von Balthasar
Proverbs, John, Colossians, Revelation.
Lent – Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life – Abp. Rowan Williams (Study Link)
Easter (online) – Resurrection Appearances – 1 Cor., Matt, John, Luke, Ascension, Pentecost (Study Link)
The Resurrection of the Son of God – N.T. Wright
Autumn – The Story of King David (Study Link)
I & II Samuel – David F. Payne
David, The Divided Heart – David Wolpe
Advent – Leo the Great on Christmas (Sermon 21 and Sermon 26) (Study Link)
2021:
Epiphany – Trains, Jesus, and Murder: The Gospel according to Johnny Cash – Richard Beck (Study Link)
Lent – Passion Predictions in the Gospel of John (Study Link)
Commentary on the New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament – D.A. Carson
Easter – Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe (Study Link)
For the Life of the World – Alexander Schmemann
Summer 1 – The Letters of John (Study Link)
Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Vol. I – Ben Witherington
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
On Being Human – Oliver Clement
Summer 2 – Jonah (Study Link)
Strong as Death is Love – Robert Alter
Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah – Tyndale Old Testament Commentary
The Book of Jonah – A Social Justice Commentary – Rab. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Autumn – The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis (John Cleese’s reading) (Study Link)
Study Guide – C.S. Lewis Institute
Study Guide – Alan Vermilye
Spark Notes
Advent – Matthew’s Infancy Narratives (Study Link)
Matthew for Everyone – N. T. Wright
Jesus of Nazareth – The Infancy Narratives – Pope Benedict XVI’s
2022:
Epiphany – Adam & the Fall (Genesis 2-3) (Study Link)
JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis
Death as a Curse – Richard Beck “Experimental Theology”
Adam and Eve: Self-Consciousness, Evil, and Death – Jordan Peterson
On the Incarnation – St. Athanasius
Lent – Living His Story – Rev. Dr. Hanna Steele (ABS’s 2021 Lenten Study) (Study Link)
Easter/Summer – The Book of Revelation (Study Link)
Reading Revelation Responsibly – Dr. Michael J. Gorman
The Apocalypse of St. John – Fr. Lawrence R. Farley
Reading Revelation in Prison – Richard Beck “Experimental Theology”
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Commentary on the New Testament’s Use of the Old Testament – D.A. Carson
The Prophets “The Meaning and Mystery of Wrath” and “Ira Dei” – Abraham Heschel
Her Gates Will Never Be Shut – Brad Jersak
Autumn – Kingdom, Grace, Judgment – The Parables of Jesus – Fr. Robert F. Capon (Study Link)
Commentary on Kingdom, Grace, Judgment – Fr. Aidan Kimel “Eclectic Orthodoxy”
Advent – The Carols of Christmas – Alan Vermilye (Study Link)
2023:
Epiphany/Lent: Prayer in the Night – Tish Harrison Warren
Easter: Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another – Abp. Rowan Williams
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers – Benedicta Ward
Summer: The Letters of Peter
Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians, Vol. II – Ben Witherington
The Writings of the New Testament – Luke Timothy Johnson
Psalms
January 10 – Introduction
January 17 – Psalms of Compline
BCP 127-35
Psalms 4, 31, 91, 134, (124, 40, 17, 102)
January 24 – Messianic Psalms (Psalms of Hebrews)
Hebrews 1:1-2:9, 7:11-25; 2Cor 3; Matt. 22:41-45
Psalms 2, 110, 8, (45, 102, 72, 20-21) (Ps. 2:9, Rev.2:27)
Bonhoeffer “Messiah”; Lewis, Ch.12
January 31 – Imprecatory/Cursing Psalms
Psalms 109, 137, 58, 4, 35
Bonhoeffer “The Enemies”; Lewis, Ch.3
Psalms 137
February 7 – Worship in the Psalms
Lewis, Ch.5
Incense – Psalm 141:1-2, Rev. 8:3-4
Longing for God – Psalms 27:1-7; 42:1-2; 84
In the Temple – 92:11-14; 50; 23:6
Music – 33:1-3, 81:1-5; 92:1-4; 68:24-26 (Calvin on Psalm 33)
February 14 – Ash Wednesday Psalms (Penitent Psalms)
Bonhoeffer “Guilt”, Prayer of Manasseh
Psalms 51, 6, 32, 38, 130, 143, 102
February 21 – Creation and Nature in the Psalms
Genesis 1
Bonhoeffer “Creation”; Lewis, Ch.8
Psalms 104, 147; 29, 65, 93, 148, 19.
February 28 – Wisdom Psalms
Sermon on Mount – Matt 5-7
Bonhoeffer “Life”; Lewis, Ch. 7
Psalms 1, 37, 49, 1399
March 7 – The Law of Psalm 119
Bonhoeffer “The Law”; Lewis, Ch.6
Psalm 119
March 14 – Palm Sunday – Psalms of Entry and Praise
Luke 19:37-40
Psalms 118:15-29; 24, 100, 148, 150 (136, 98)
Lewis, Ch.9
March 21 – Psalms of Holy Week
BCP 270-83