Self-Guided Study Resources

Exploring the Wilderness

6 week Daily Readings, Workbook, Sermon Series

These materials are structured to guide us through unpacking previous experiences and utilize the reflection model developed in our Pathway ministry.

View Sermon Series

Exploring the Wilderness Workbook and Daily Reading Journal

Additional Resources

The videos referenced in the Daily Reading Journal have been compiled as a YouTube Playlist. The Spotify playlist, curated by Carla Lafontaine (Greenwood Campus Worship Team), brings together a soundtrack for wilderness journeys.

Youtube Playlist

Spotify Playlist

 


Behold the Lamb

4 week Listening Guide

Using Andrew Peterson’s album Behold the Lamb of God as a lens, this class delves into the Christmas story. We are especially interested in the Gospel stories, their first-century Jewish context, and their meanings for today.

Behold the Lamb Study Materials


Mama Tried 

8 week Pathway Style

 “Mama Tried”  is an 8 session workbook that explores our families of origin. Arranged topically, each week’s reading is followed by introspective questions aimed at helping us realize that what we grew accustomed to and called normal may have actually been toxic … which leaves us wounded and in need of healing.

Mama Tried Study Materials


Try Softer

6 week Readers’ Guide

When trying harder leaves us exhausted and overwhelmed, it is time to “try softer.” Drawing on the author’s own experiences and practice as a Christian therapist, this book guides readers into healthier approaches to dealing with the stress and trauma we all face. A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode—and into a Life of Connection and Joy.

Try Softer Reader’s Guide


How to Fight Racism

6 weeks Readers’ Guide

Historian and pastor Jemar Tisby invites us on the journey toward racial justice and provides practical strategies for fighting racism.

How to Fight Racism Reader’s Guide


Help, I’m Angry

4 week Pathway Style Study

Help, I’m Angry is an entry level four session workbook on the emotion of anger. Anger is one of the big emotions, that can go from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. Our hope is to begin an honest dialog that will move us toward deeper exploration and honesty.

Help, I’m Angry Study Materials


Rediscovering Christianity

9 week Pathway Style Study

Here lately we’ve had a lot of time to ponder. We’ve reexamined the way we shop, how we watch TV, what we value most in life, our personal quirks and wrinkles. Best guess is that we’ve also gone a couple of rounds with how we feel about our God-walk. Is everything “they” told us about God and what he’s looking for in us true?

What about our document, the bible? It’s a collection of writings by various authors that took thousands of years to assemble. A committee met to decide which writings were in and which were out. It’s old. It’s completely male dominated; authors and committee alike. Up until a few decades ago, it was preached from the pulpit and taught in the classroom almost exclusively by men.

Is it scientifically accurate? Should we expect it to be? What does it mean to say it is “authoritative?” What do we do with its inconsistencies and contradictions?

Rediscovering Christianity Study Materials


Can I Get a Witness

5 week series

A framing question for BUMC has been, “Where is God at work in our community, and how can we join in and participate in that work?” This sermon series challenges us to find our purpose and passion, and to ask what we should be doing and why it matters. Our fundamental Christian vocation is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. This call transforms ordinary moments into opportunities to anticipate God’s goodness (Week 2), to notice God’s presence (Week 3), to name God at work (Week 4), and to participate with God in the world (Week 5).

Can I Get a Witness Study Materials

Can I Get a Witness Sermon Series


Let Your Life Speak

4 week study guide

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation By Parker J. Palmer: Amazon.com: Books

This 4-week study guide written by Tina Dick, MAE and Spiritual Director, guides reflection into vocational life and the life of faith using Parker Palmer’s text Let Your Life Speak.

Let Your Life Speak Study Materials


Atlas of the Heart

4 week study guide

This 4-week study guide corresponds to the video series is available upon request.

Request Study Guide