MissioLife Small Group Study – Structure Information

In my last post, I shared about an exciting new Small Group Resource, MissioLife, which is a multi-generational approach to spiritual formation. In this post, I will provide you with more information on how this resource is structured.

First, take a look at Pastor Syler Thomas, a youth pastor, explaining MissioLife and how it can impact the youth - and his/her family:

MissioLife is divided into three learning groups: children, youth and adults. With the entire church community journeying through MissioLife together, families and multi-generational communities will be able to share in this formative experience.

Breathe

Breathe is the MissioLife small-group resource for adults. Each week of Breathe has three components: a biblical reflection to equip the facilitator with a background of each week’s scripture passage, a facilitator’s guide to help guide discussion, and a participant’s guide to encourage interaction and reflection. At the end of each 6-week module there is a communal experience activity that is designed to be a hands-on practice to reinforce the message of that particular module.

One year of Breathe is divided into six-week modules. Each module is designed to take you through the story of God using the spiritual formation method explained here.

Each week of Breathe will explore a different scripture passage that both builds on the week prior and continues the spiritual formation journey. To begin each community discussion time, Breathe incorporates the same four questions each week.

What does this passage say about God?

About ourselves?

About others?

About the world?

Image

Image is the MissioLife small-group resource for students, grade 7-12. We were each made in the image of God, which means we are already part of His story. Through conversation and discussion, Image will help students discover how we all fit into God’s story and explore what Scripture says about God, others, ourselves, and the world.

Like Breathe, both Image and Rhythms have three components and follows the six module per year format. All age groups will explore a different passage each week that builds on the week prior.

Rhythms

Rhythms is the MissioLife small group resource for children. God’s heartbeat is the rhythm of a child’s life. Rhythms invites elementary children, ages 6-12, into the story of God.

Using an easy-to-follow small group plan, Rhythms will help children explore a Bible story, be informed by the narrative, and be transformed through reflective questions, deeper thinking, and purposeful prayer to live into the mission of God.

Each week of Rhythms will explore a different scripture passage in four parts that both builds on the week prior and continues the spiritual formation journey.

Part 1: The Story. This is the narrative of the session’s Bible story.

Part 2: Teaching and Reflection. This section contains various activities, such as journaling and handouts, to help the children respond to and understand how God’s mission becomes their mission as followers. The students will explore what the Bible story had to say about God, ourselves, others, and the world.

Part 3: Deeper Still. This includes a variety of activities for children to respond, journal, use student handouts, and understand how God’s mission becomes their mission as His followers.

Part 4: Prayer. This will engage students in significant and focused time for conversation with God.

MissioLife  is published by Beacon Hill Press and was provided by the B and B Media Group for review purposes.

‘MissioLife’ – Small Group Study Information Post

My husband, Fred, and I partner with another couple to lead a Life Group through our church. We are always on the lookout for new material. I was intrigued when I learned about MissioLife, a digital small group resource.

Here is a video that explains this new Small Group resource:

Here is further explanation:

As leaders in the church, its challenging to equip people to be formed spiritually, to have the story of God become a practical reality, and to actively become storytellers. It can also be difficult to find a program that is designed to span across all ages. This summer, Beacon Hill Press released an intentional and formational small group experience entitled MissioLife. MissioLife was created to guide adults, youth and children on a pilgrimage through Scripture—from understanding to participation in the mission of God.

MissioLife is all-digital

MissioLife is being offered as a digital resource. This means you can easily access and download the materials through this website. From everything you need to lead a MissioLife group, to posters and other promotional materials, it’s never been easier to organize and lead a community-wide experience. See how easy it can be by downloading a sample lesson now.

MissioLife is for communities

MissioLife is intended to be experienced together as a community. Unlike individual devotionals designed for only one person or one learning group, MissioLife is intentional about involving everyone in your faith community. Adults, youth, and children can all share in this communal experience together through Breathe (Adult), Image (Youth), and Rhythms (Children). With age-appropriate material for each learning group and lesson materials specifically designed to encourage engagement and participation, MissioLife provides an opportunity for your entire community to better understand and participate in the mission of God.

MissioLife is formational

 MissioLife enables spiritual growth through the spiritual formation model  
 of story, theology, identity and calling, way of life, and behaviors and 
 expressions. It calls us to move beyond simply reading Scripture to
 participation in the mission of God, both communally and individually.
 Through six (6 week) modules, one year of MissioLife provides the 
 opportunity for intentional and comprehensive formation. Communities
 can continue on the journey with the following years of MissioLife. 

·  Year One – The God of Life: A Story of God’s Redeeming Shalom

·  Year Two – The God Who Would Be King: A Story of God’s Kingdom

·  Year Three – The God of Promise: A Story of God’s People

·  Year Four – The God of New Creation: A Story of God’s Restoration

I was provided a preview copy for review purposes, and was very encouraged by what I saw! I definitely intend to recommend it to our group for future studies – and recommend this solid biblical resource to any group that is looking for an in-depth resource that is geared for all ages. I intend to review it with Fred in the coming weeks, and will periodically post my thoughts. Please stay tuned!

In the meantime, please come back on Monday as I give you more information on how MissioLife is divided into three learning groups.

MissioLife is published by Beacon Hill Press and was provided by the B and B Media Group for review purposes.