Bible Study Recommendations for a New Neighborhood Cafe
“Do you have suggestions on books or studies that work well when a group is first getting established? If the group gels, I figure the group can help decide on the next study, but choosing the first topic is up to me.”
Julie
Hostesses like Julie understand that choosing a topic for your Neighborhood Cafe is different than choosing a topic for your Bible Study at church. Most Bible studies are written by Christians, for Christians, about how to be a better Christian. But… only one in five of your neighbors goes to church, and those who do attend many different denominations. The typical home on your street owns three Bibles, but its pages are rarely cracked open. Your neighbors probably don’t speak “Christianese” around their dinner tables, so phrases like “the Lord laid it on my heart” or “having my devotions” or “intercede in prayer” sound foreign.
But don’t worry, there are countless amazing resources that will engage your neighbors!
Check out some of my favorites below! I know each of these authors personally and can recommend any of their books confidently. I’m a huge fan of Kathi Lipp because her books are practical for daily life and appealing to all women, regardless of their faith in God (or lack thereof).
Tips for Choosing a Topic
- Choose a topic and format that has “meat” as well as “milk.” There are resources that offer life-impacting truth and solid Biblical teaching, yet are explained in such a down-to-earth and practical way that new believers or non-believers can grasp the meaning and apply it to their lives.
- Avoid any resource that takes an unyielding stand on “disputable matters.” Don’t attempt to resolve dogmatic dilemmas about topics such as speaking in tongues, pre- or post- millennialism or the role of women in ministry. Save these debates for your church crowd, if you must.
- Try to avoid hot button political issues that will lead to division instead of discussion. While these topics may come up naturally in your conversation, they shouldn’t be the primary focus of your Neighborhood Cafe.
- Ask the Women’s Ministry director at your church for recommendations (and support!).
Other factors to consider:
- Format: is it a book, workbook, DVD or online Bible study? Ensure you have the technical resources necessary to show DVD’s or online videos.
- Length: How long does each session last? How long is the entire Bible study?
- Homework: Is there homework? Is it daily or by chapter? If someone hasn’t done the homework, will she be lost?
- Cost: How much does it cost each participant? How much is the leader’s guide or DVD’s?
What are your favorite topics, resources, or authors? Let us know in the comments!
Can I Borrow a Cup of Hope?
How to Find Faith for Hard Times in 1 Peter
by Amy Lively
Are you facing the end of the world as you know it? The apostle Peter knows what it’s like when all your hope is gone. He watched as his hope was arrested, crucified, and buried, and Peter publicly failed every test of his faith. Peter—and his elusive, unnamed wife—also show us how God relieves our harshest suffering and redeems our heaviest regret. Working sequentially through the tiny but mighty book of 1 Peter, you will discover:
- How to express what you feel, identify what is real through the filter of God’s Word, then wisely determine how to deal with life’s challenges.
- A prayer that never fails to reframe anxiety and uncertainty into hope and purpose.
- How to make sense of pain that seems endless and pointless by understanding God’s timing and intention.
- Ways to react to chaos and confusion with a calm, clear-headed, Christlike response.
- Five simple and effective coping strategies to survive for the end of the world as you know it.
- If you can really shed the shame of past mistakes and share your story for God’s glory.
A ton of free Small Group Resources make it easy and fun to lead a group of neighbors through this book (after all, it was written for my own Neighborhood Cafe!).
Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight
Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sightby Jennifer Rothschild Heaven. Who goes there? Where is it? What will we do there? Questions like these arise when we consider an eternal future beyond this physical life. How can we know the truth about what comes next? In this...
Rest Assured
Rest Assuredby Rachel Booth Smith Do you feel heavy or anxious? Work, kids, finances, the future, the past, the state of the world can all threaten your joy, hope, and trust. Using archaeology findings, language discoveries, and biblical study, Rachel shares...
Sabbath Soup
Sabbath Soupby Kathi Lipp Could you use a break from cooking (and everything else) once a week? Not only is rest vital for your mind and body, it’s good for your soul too. God designed us to enter into Sabbath rest one day per week, but as you know, meals still need...
Seeing God in the Ordinary Things
Seeing God in the Ordinary Thingsby Linda Acker Do you long to feel the Lord in even the simple things of life? Have you taken for granted the miraculous hand of God in your everyday affairs? Day after day, He is constantly creating, sustaining, and providing for us...
God is Just Not Fair: Finding Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
God is Just Not Fair: Finding Hope When Life Doesn’t Make SenseBy Jennifer Rothschild Do you believe God is just not fair? If you’re like Jennifer Rothschild, you wrestle with questions when you experience painful circumstances. Does God care? Does he hear my prayers?...
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way
It’s Not Supposed to Be This WayBy Lysa TerKeurst What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful and His promises doubtful? Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard...
I’m a huge fan of Kathi Lipp, but I was unaware of Ready For Anything!! I’m adding that one to my wishlist!!
She actually started writing it before the pandemic – a real Godsend! Let me know if you decide to use it in a Cafe, I’d love a testimonial.