Eli Bernard, Multimedia Experience Manager for Group Publishing, gives us the lowdown on a new books-of-the-Bible series that takes Bible study where it's never been before.

• Group’s BibleSense:

  Philippians: Sharing the Joy of Jesus. 96p. & DVD.

  Ephesians: Seeing Ourselves in Jesus. 112p. & DVD.

  James: Showing Our Faith in Jesus. 112p. & DVD.

  I John: Living in the Light of Jesus. 96p. & DVD. Group Publishing, $9.99 each.

Group’s new BibleSense series offers creative and easy-to-plan Bible studies for small groups. These studies of the books of Philippians, Ephesians, James and 1 John will give your small group the opportunity to experience six- to eight-week sessions of engaging Bible study and group growth!

Though easy to plan, there are some interesting and unique aspects to BibleSense that will make it a meaningful and entirely fresh experience any small group.

No Leader’s Guide. This is a great plus for the busy leader! No longer will group leaders need to study two resources to prepare for your group’s session. These studies are truly developed to empower the leader to facilitate the study. Certainly, the leader needs to be familiar with the sequence of questions and activities, view the video and be familiar with the passage to be studied, but that’s it!

Shared responsibility. For a small group to be successful, many roles need to be filled. Often, the leader does it all, but these studies give specific tips and guidance for group members to participate together in the life their small group. Again, all of the information needed is right there in the participants book.

Original Video Clips. Group has hit a home run with their all-new contemporary visual interpretation of the New Living Translation. Contemporary concepts mesh with traditional imagery to provide each participant with a compelling and engaging weekly experience with the passage to be studied. Award-winning EyeOn Creative Media Group has set the standard for an engaging and compelling visual experience with God’s Word. In addition, every book comes with the DVD—every group member gets a DVD! The DVD is also perfect for use as a meditative element in personal time with God. And at $9.99 for both study book and DVD, it’s a great value for your small-group dollar.

Studying the Bible in context. Because each title in the series covers an entire book of the Bible rather than just “highlights,” participants will discover the depth and truth of the message in the context of each book. While these are not “seminary depth” studies, they do include pertinent information on the history and culture surrounding the each book of the Bible at the time of its writing, to assist group members in understanding the message even better

Opportunities to live out the lessons. Each session concludes with a section called “Touching Your World,” which gives group members a number of practical ways to put what they’ve just learned into practice. Each book of the Bible your group studies will not only become more alive in your head—but, more importantly, your life.

With these four studies—as well as with the studies for Galatians and I Peter coming out this winter—your group can gain a deeper “sense” of God’s Word and God’s will for their lives!