Just Grad Groups Curriculum Guide

The following studies (displayed by topic) come highly recommended by our "Just-grad" groups team. Some of the studies are specifically for graduates. All are studies our just grad groups have found helpful and interesting. 

At the bottom of this page, you'll find tips and suggestions for leading your group following the curriculum suggestions.

Recommend Resources by Category

First 4 Weeks

• Circle Up (4 Sessions)

• Group Agreement

Purpose / Identity

• Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley (10 Chapters in 5 Sessions)

• You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth (11 Chapters in 5-6 Sessions)

• Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen (8 Sessions)

• The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg (5 Sessions)

Finances

• Just-Grad-Financial-Curriculum.pdf (3 Sessions)

Spiritual Growth & Practices

• Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith (7 Sessions)

• The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People by John Ortberg (6 Sessions)

• Five Things God Uses To Grow Your Faith by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)

• Growth: Training vs. Trying by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling (7 Sessions)

Personal Growth

• What Makes You Happy by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)

• Guardrails by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)

Relationships & Marriage

• The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley (4 Sessions)

• The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller (6 Sessions - select chapters)

  • Chapter 2: The Power for Marriage (PDF)

  • Chapter 3: The Essence of Marriage (PDF)

  • Chapter 4: The Mission of Marriage (PDF)

  • Chapter 5: Loving the Stranger (PDF)

  • Chapter 6: Embracing the Other (PDF)

  • Chapter 8: Sex and Marriage (PDF)

Books of the Bible

These free PDF resources developed by North Point Ministries will help you facilitate practical, topic-based discussions about the Bible in your group.

• SOURCE: Abraham (6 Sessions)

• SOURCE: Galatians (6 Sessions)

• SOURCE: James (5 Sessions)

• SOURCE: Jonah & Nahum (6 Sessions)

• SOURCE: Mission (Acts 13–28) (6 Sessions)

• SOURCE: Ruth & Esther (5 Sessions)

One-Session Resources

In between studies? Select one of our one-week studies as a way to engage with your group on important topics like giving, serving, and investing in those who don’t know Christ as well as to understand each other’s personalities, spiritual gifts, or spiritual pathways.

Ending Well

How your group ends matters. It will shape how you view the entire experience. That's why we created a two-session resource to help you end well. We recommend that you do the first session 6 to 8 weeks before you end your group. After that, lead your group through a study of your own choosing, and then come back to do Session Two of Ending Well as a way of celebrating your group as it comes to an end. 

• Ending Well Study (Session 1)

• Pick a study (here are some suggestions)

  • Renovate (8 Sessions)

  • Being a Good Samaritan (6 Sessions)

  • Starting Over (4 Sessions)

  • Re:Solution (3 Sessions)

  • Source Bible Study (4-6 Sessions)

• Ending Well Study (Session 2)

Leader Tips

Videos to Watch on Leader Tactics

Tips on Choosing Studies

• Shorter studies are better (6 weeks or fewer).

• Do a study based on “felt need” early on (related to how to be/have a better ______).

• Work in a study about spiritual growth or relational boundaries at least once during each year the group is together.

• Try a book or study of the Bible at least once during each year the group is together.

• Pick two studies back-to-back that flow well from one to the other,

• Consider: “Now that I’ve heard my group members' stories, what do they need to know and do to help them take a next step?"

• Ask your group for input: “I’d like to learn more about ______.”

Other Leader Tips

• Take the last week of the month off.

• Encourage people to connect outside of group during that week.

• Try to serve together once each semester.

• Plan on meeting about 12 weeks per semester together.