My church small group just finished an excellent study: Start>Becoming a Good Samaritan. I heard about start at the concept stage, because World Vision partnered with Zondervan and The C2 Group to produce it, and I contributed an introduction. Early on, it sounded good.

But the proof is in using the material, especially with a group of people who aren’t quite so steeped in poverty and justice issues as I am. Having done so, I can highly recommend start. A five-star cast of Christians appears on the DVD: Chuck Colson, Joni Eareckson Tada, Kay Warren, John Ortberg, Eugene Peterson, and others. The biblically based content is thought-provoking, exploring such issues as pandemic diseases, social injustice, and the environment, and each session provides interesting ways to “live out” what you’ve learned.

If your small group is intrigued by the story of the Good Samaritan and its applications for you today, this is—as the title suggests—a great place to start.

To go deeper, especially if The Hole in Our Gospel resonated with you, try Gospel Quest, a resource for small groups and Sunday school classes. Developed by Cross Section (which created the 40 Days of Purpose campaign materials), Thomas Nelson, and World Vision, the six sessions and DVD dig into what it means to love your neighbor. It’s not exactly a feel-good experience. But I’ll quote a woman who shared her feelings about Gospel Quest: “My heart is hurting and bursting with joy at the same time.”

Have you studied start>Becoming a Good Samaritan or Gospel Quest? If so, let me know how it went. What other resources have inspired your small group to put your faith in action?

P.S. If your church wants to try Gospel Quest, check out this offer for free copies of The Hole in Our Gospel.