Small Group Resources
Small Prayer Groups
Small groups are at the heart of discipleship. Jesus spent most of his public life teaching a small group of disciples who went on to change the world. You can do the same. Why not gather a small group of friends, family, neighbors or co-workers and break open God’s Word? Meet in your living room, around your backyard firepit, or a coffee shop. In the Archdiocese of Omaha the Live Lent Together initiative centers around small groups. Movements like Christians Encounter Christ (CEC) incorporate meeting in small groups.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ...
They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts, praising God
and enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
(Acts 2:42-47)
Consider the benefits of small groups:
- In prayer with Scripture, the inspired Word of God is expressed and heard NOW.
- The words of Scripture become words for you, revealing who you are before God, what God is doing in your world, how an encounter with God can move your heart.
- Small groups fit the demands of every person’s life.
- People today feel disconnected and lonely. A small group is a way to connect with God and others.
- It’s a concrete way for us to participate in the call to be a missional community.
Prayer Group Materials
Below you will find information about many resources to potentially use for your small groups. If your group has used materials that you wish to include on this page for other small groups to consider, please contact the parish family office for us to add to this page. These resources are also organized in a Spreadsheet.
Live Lent Together
Studies developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha using WRAP. Small group leader training is also available.
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encounter | For anyone who wants to to learn more about Jesus and his core message. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Mission | For anyone who wants to share their faith in Jesus with others. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Mercy | For anyone who wants a greater experience of God's mercy. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Nourish | Developed during the National Eucharistic Revival 2022-2025. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Mystery | Developed during the National Eucharistic Revival 2022-2025. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Sunday Gospels (For Lent) Year A | For anyone who wants to prepare for each Sunday of Lent. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Sunday Gospels (For Lent) Year B | For anyone who wants to prepare for each Sunday of Lent. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
| Sunday Gospels (For Lent) Year C | For anyone who wants to prepare for each Sunday of Lent. | 6 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
Lectio Divina - Advent
Studies developed by the USCCB using Lectio Divina for the Sunday Gospels. More are being added to their website Catholic.Bible.
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Gospels (For Advent) Year C | For anyone who wants to prepare for each Sunday of Advent. | 4 | Yes | PDF Download | Free; Printing Cost |
Word on Fire
Resources produced by Bishop Robert Barron. Bishop Barron also has video recordings of sermons and gospel reflections.
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An Introduction to Prayer | A collection of rich yet brief reflections on prayer in the Catholic spiritual tradition. | 7 Parts, 26 Chapters | No | Book | Purchase Books |
| Advent Gospel Reflections 2024 | Features the full Gospel reading for each day of Advent, a daily reflection from Bishop Barron, space for journaling and answering reflection questions. | 4 | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| Lent Gospel Reflections 2025 | Features the full Gospel reading for each day of Advent, a daily reflection from Bishop Barron, space for journaling and answering reflection questions. | 6 | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| This Is My Body | Bishop Barron offers a threefold analysis of the Eucharist as sacred meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence, helping readers to understand the sacrament of Jesus’ Body and Blood more thoroughly so that they might fall in love with him more completely. | Preface and 3 Chapters | No | Book | Purchase Books |
Formed.org
Formed.org has video studies, that are available for free when you login through our parish family account. Search through available studies and find leader resources for each.
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Search | With Chris Stefanick. What is this journey in between the event we call "birth" and the one we call "death"? Is the journey taking you somewhere, or are you leading yourself to some kind of destination - a destination that could extend beyond your last breath? What do you want from your life during the in between? The questions are there. And, the answers are too. | 7 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
| Messiah | Messiah is an exploration of the messianic prophecies of the Bible and how they were fulfilled by Jesus – both during his earthly life, and after it. | 8 | ? | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
| Divine Mercy | Renowned speaker and author Fr. Michael Gaitley tells the dramatic history of God's love and mercy as interwoven through the transformative message of St. Faustina, the miraculous appearance of Mary at Fatima, the witness of Maximilian Kolbe, and the world-changing papacy of Pope St. John Paul II. | 11 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
| Evangelism | Dr. Mary Healy explores topics such as the call of Jesus to evangelize, the power of the Sacraments, the role of charisms for building up the Body of Christ. Using the Lectio Divina approach of reading, reflecting, responding, and contemplating. | 10 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
| The Wild Goose | The Wild Goose invites viewers to an encounter, or a renewed encounter, with the Holy Spirit. Fr. Dave Pivonka | 15 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Journal |
| Into His Likeness | This series simply aims to help you follow those initial promptings of the Holy Spirit so that you may more intentionally encounter Jesus anew each day and be more disposed to the power of his grace molding you, transforming you ever more into his likeness. | 6 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
| Symbolon | The 20-part Symbolon series gives your parishioners a systematic understanding of the Catholic faith. Pastors often use Symbolon in RCIA, as catechist training, and as ongoing catechesis for the entire parish. | 20 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Purchase Participant Guides |
Discerning Hearts
Discerning Hearts creates engaging multi-media, specializing in audio productions (known as podcasts and radio broadcasts) faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and its rich, authentic spiritual tradition. Its mission responds to the Church’s call to use the media for evangelization, catechesis, and spiritual renewal. Browse their numerous different series.
“Discerning Hearts is a trusted resource for Catholic spirituality and teaching. I support it as an apostolate for the new evangelization that brings the Good News to every corner of the world through the internet.” (Most Reverend George J. Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha)
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discernment of Spirits – Setting Captives Free | Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V. guides us through understaning and applying the 14 Rules for the Discernment of Spirits by St. Ignatius Loyola. | 16 | Yes | Audio | Free |
Other Studies
Study materials from various sources.
| Study | Description | # of Lessons | Discussion Questions | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Sunday at a Time: Preparing Your Heart for Weekly Mass (Cycle A) | “Bible Geek” Mark Hart. Brief summaries of the Sunday Mass readings for cycle C as well as major feasts and solemnities. Engaging reflections that draw your attention to a primary theme and to common threads between the readings for that week. | Full Year | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| One Sunday at a Time: Preparing Your Heart for Weekly Mass (Cycle B) | “Bible Geek” Mark Hart. Brief summaries of the Sunday Mass readings for cycle C as well as major feasts and solemnities. Engaging reflections that draw your attention to a primary theme and to common threads between the readings for that week. | Full Year | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| One Sunday at a Time: Preparing Your Heart for Weekly Mass (Cycle C) | “Bible Geek” Mark Hart. Brief summaries of the Sunday Mass readings for cycle C as well as major feasts and solemnities. Engaging reflections that draw your attention to a primary theme and to common threads between the readings for that week. | Full Year | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| Lectio Divina of the Gospels for the Liturgical Year 2024-2025 (Magnificat) | Takes the reader through the traditional process of lectio divina with reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, focused on the Gospel for each Sunday and major feast day. | Full Year | Yes | Book | Purchase Books |
| Relational Prayer: A Small Group Guide | By Jennifer Steffensmeier and Jessica Kary | 6 | Book | Purchase Books | |
| Rooted: Blessed Conversations Study on the Catechism | This study offers a unique way to increase your knowledge of spirituality and foster meaningful prayer-based conversations with fellow believers. Through authentic stories and context from fellow Christians, you will learn more in-depth information about our faith. It includes a year's worth of devotions, scripture readings, and thought-provoking questions and comments — material to grow closer to God and build stronger connections as you go. | 40 | Yes | Book or Digital Download | Purchase Books |
| Difficult Teachings: The 40 Most Challenging Teachings of Jesus | Matthew Kelly explores the 40 most challenging teachings of Jesus in this YouTube video series. . Along with each of these teachings we will explore the practical fruits and blessings that come from embracing that teaching. | 40 | Yes | Video | Free Videos; Download Free Journal; Purchase Book |
Books Available at Parishes
Some of our parishes have extra copies of books that could possibly be used for small group studies.
Books at St. Jane Frances, Randolph
| Title | Author | # of Copies | Discussion Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenten Gospel Reflections | Bishop Robert Barron | 9 | |
| WRAP | Institute for Priestly Formation | 18 | |
| Wisdom of Fulton Sheen | Archbishop Fulton Sheen | 10 | No |
| Pope Francis and the Joy of the Gospel | Edward Sri | 3 | |
| Forming Intentional Disciples | Sherry Weddell | 1 | |
| Rediscover Jesus | Matthew Kelly | 44 | Yes |
| Rediscover Catholicism | Matthew Kelly | 12 | No |
| Rediscover Saints | Matthew Kelly | 2 | No |
| Holy Moments | Matthew Kelly | 6 | No |
| Resisting Happiness | Matthew Kelly | 10 | No |
| The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity | Matthew Kelly | 15 | No |
| Perfectly Yourself | Matthew Kelly | 1 | No |
| The Real Story | Edward Sri & Curtis Martin | 6 | No |
| Joy to the World | Scott Hahn | 5 | No |
| Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor | Allen Hunt | 4 | No |
| Sharing the Faith with your Child | Phyllis Chandler and Joan Burney | 15 | No |