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Quiet Time Ministries ~ Small Group Resources Guide
Okay, what is a "small group?"
Well, according to Scripture,'You' is a group! After all, during your quiet time, you pray to the Father [Luke 11:1-2 NASB], in the name of the Son [Romans 1:9 NKJV], with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit [Jude 1:20 NASB]. :)) Jesus, in Dr. Luke's account of the feeding of the five thousand, urged the twelve disciples to organize small groups. "(For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, "Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each." [Luke 9:14 NASB]. So for practical purposes of organization and finance, you are a small group up to about 'fifty.'
Well, good news!
All Quiet Time Ministries Resources are designed to be used by any size 'group,' from an Individual to Large Organizations.
The 'books of quiet times,' '30 day journeys,' 'quiet time retreats,' and even 'breakfast with the Lord retreats' are fully complete. For you, or your group, all you need is your Bible and one of these series for a rich experience with the Lord! All 'quiet times' are based on The P.R.A.Y.E.R.™ Quiet Time Plan™. If you would like to know more, please explore this link, What is a Quiet Time?, on our main website! Devotional disciplines include devotional reading, Bible study, hymns and worship, meditation, word studies, journaling, prayers, and application of God's word to your life.
All Quiet Time Ministries Resources offer companion multimedia such as videoDVD, AudioCD, Downloadable MP3, and/or VideoCD messages, providing an exciting individual or group experience!
Quiet Time Ministries is especially dedicated to 'teaching devotion to God and His Word' through small groups [Hebrews 10:22-25]:
You and a friend!
You and your spouse!
You and your next door neighbors!
Your family and the family across town!
Your breakfast club, lunch associates, shopping friends, golf foursome, movie buddies, or regular dinner companions!
Your Sunday school class, church prayer team, fellowship circle, or home Bible study group.
Where to start? Catherine's Guidelines For Small Groups:
1. What is your spiritual goal? If evangelism, use the free audio MP3, What's It All About? [downloadable print version here]. If fellowship, lean toward the studies that are presented in videoDVD [See Video DVD Guide], for a collective viewing and learning experience. If devotional, you might concentrate on the resources that are in 'retreat format' such as the Breakfast With The Lord Series and Quiet Time Retreats Series. And if spiritual growth, head for the meaty 'books of quiet times' [Quiet Times For The Heart Series], the more streamlined 'books of quiet times' [A Quiet Time Experience Series], or launch out on a '30 day journey' with the 30 Day Journey Series.
2. What is the size of your group? If it's you with a few friends, start with BWL or QTR series, although the Quiet Times For The Heart Series, A Quiet Time Experience Series, and 30 Day Journey Series are frequently used by groups of even 5 or 10. If you are a larger group, the 'books of quiet times' and '30 day journeys' are definitely for you.
3. What are the financial resources of your group? If limited, start with BWL or QTR series . . . but don't forget, the '30day journeys' and 'books of quiet times' are priced for you, too, with affordable DVD/book combinations and Leader's Kits. If adequate, but not unlimited financial resources, consider a series in audio-only format rather than video. And if substantial, put together a multimedia study or campaign from the Quiet Times For The Heart Series, A Quiet Time Experience Series, or the 30 Day Journey Series with DVD, LEADER'S GUIDES, JOURNALS, and TOTE BAGS.
4. What is your anticipated time frame? If brief, consider BWL [ONE SESSION] or QTR [ 3 OR 4 SESSIONS]. If moderate, but not unlimited, consider the user-friendly format of the 30 Day Journey Series, organized into 5 weeks, with 5 days of devotional reading and personal response per week, and then a 6th day of practical quiet time experience. And if substantial, become adventurous with Quiet Times For The Heart Series or the A Quiet Time Experience Series organized into 8 or 9 weeks with 5 days of quiet times per week, then days 6 & 7 for review and meditation.
5. What are your expectations? As Luke 4:32 reports about the teaching of Jesus, "They were surprised and impressed--his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative . . ." [The Message].
Catherine Martin: "Don't be 'surprised' at the imaginative ways the Lord may work through you as a Leader!":
Take the 30 Day Journey Series' Six Secrets To A Powerful Quiet Time, for example. For individuals, imagine 'Six Secrets' as 5 weeks of personal spiritual revival, culminating each week with a quiet time of devotion. For small groups, imagine 'Six Secrets' as an opportunity to learn The P.R.A.Y.E.R™. Quiet Time Plan™ and share it with friends. And for churches, imagine 'Six Secrets' as a campaign for growing your ministry, perhaps at the start or conclusion of your bible study season.
And the Quiet Time Retreats Series is ideal for small group studies. You and a friend. You and your spouse. You and the next door neighbors. Your intimate church group. Leaders can adapt either the message notes or the quiet time into stimulating discussion questions for a getaway retreat. Have a casual retreat weekend, or spread the retreat over 3 or 4 weeks, but with only a couple hours per week as a group.
And with the Breakfast With The Lord Series, you and a couple friends can have your own personal 'one-hour' retreat any time, any place! Leaders can adapt either the message notes or the quiet time into stimulating discussion questions for a 'one hour or so' get together. An in-and-out one-time BWL study.
And my personal favorites, the Quiet Times For The Heart Series or the A Quiet Time Experience Series are perhaps the most versatile of all the Resources!
How versatile? Here's the short . . . and long of it!
Catherine received an email from a couple that devoured Revive My Heart! during their two week spiritual renewal vacation! This is an eight week study - impressive!
And then there is a wonderful mom in Tennessee who wrote Catherine about A Heart That Dances,
"I picked this book up at the national MOPS Convention last year in Tennesse. I have enjoyed it greatly.. It has taken me about a year to complete because of my family, but I love it. I have learned so much from Hosea, Moses, David, mary, Mary and Martha, and Paul. I have Peter to read and study yet. I look forward to my quiet time each day. My favorite quote or verse has been from Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." I have enjoyed learning about the Old Testament people like Hosea and Moses. I learned a great deal about David and the rest of the people in the New Testament. Thank you for helping me share and on building my relationship with my Lord. I would highly recommend this to others." M.I.
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For Small Group Leaders:
If you would like to learn how to become a QTM~Leader, please see Leaders Resources.
Please Register yourself as a Leader with Quiet Time Ministries by completing the Online Leaders Registration or by calling 1-800-925-6458. Leaders, get a surprise gift for registering yourself!
Please Register your class with Quiet Time Ministries by completing the Online Class Registration or by calling 1-800-925-6458. Leaders, get a surprise gift for registering your class!
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~ Small Group Resources Guide ~
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FREE ADOBE PDF DOWNLOAD:
SixSecretsBrochure.pdf. Right click, "save target as" to a folder of your choice on your hard drive. Full Leader's printing & distribution permission. Print it out and mail it to friends with a personal note!
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