Women's Groups Curriculum Guide

The following studies (displayed by topic) come highly recommended by our women's groups team. Some of the studies are specifically for women. All are studies our women's 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

• Connect + Grow: Beginning Your Small Group Videos | Leader Resources (4 Sessions)
• Group Agreement

Who I am/Identity

• Restless: Because You Were Made for More by Jennie Allen (8 Sessions)
• Comparison Trap by Andy & Sandra Stanley (4 Sessions)

Spiritual Practices

• Forgotten God by Francis Chan (7 Sessions)
• Growth: Training vs. Trying Growth by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling (7 Sessions)
• Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

Personal Growth

• What Makes You Happy by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)
• Guardrails by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)
• The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst (6 Sessions)
• No Other Gods by Kelly Minter

Relationships and Marriage

• The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley (4 Sessions)
• iMarriage by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)

Books of the Bible

• Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith (7 Sessions)
• James (SOURCE Bible Study) (5 Sessions)
• Ruth & Esther (SOURCE Bible Study) (5 Sessions)
• 1, 2, 3 John: What Love Is by Kelly Minter (6 Sessions)
• Luke (New Community Bible Series) (6 Sessions)
• Philippians (New Community Bible Series) (6 Sessions)
• Ephesians (John Stott Bible Studies) (12 Chapters in 6 Sessions)

Sharing Your Faith

• Go Fish by Andy Stanley (6 Sessions)
• Prepared Andy Stanley (3 Sessions)
• Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels (4 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)
  • Breathing Room (4 Sessions)
  • Starting Over (4 Sessions)
  • Re:Solution (3 Sessions)
  • Source Bible Study (4-6 Sessions)
• Ending Well Study (Session 2)

Leader Tips

60 Seconds on... Leading Well

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.