By Lindsey Goetz, Curriculum Specialist, Writer, and Children’s Director at First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, IL The Hearts Alive Year C–Winter curriculum takes us from the beginning of December all the way to the beginning of March. During that time we will celebrate the season of Advent, the season of Christmas, Epiphany, and the Baptism […]

By Mark Howell,  Small Group Expert The optimal environment for life change is a small group. We’ve all heard that line for years. Most of us have said that line so frequently that it is now an automatic response when we hear a counter opinion.  And yet…is it really true? And if it is true, […]

Halloween has gone from being a relatively minor children’s holiday of the late 20th century to now, a major commercial event for adults as well as children.  While most Americans view it as a day of family fun and dressing up, some pagan groups use it to celebrate idolatry and even devil worship.  Since the […]

The three persons of the Trinity have always existed together.  The Old Testament revealed God the Father to mankind and the New Testament revealed Jesus to the world. After Jesus returned to heaven, Jesus and the Father fully revealed the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. They sent the Holy Spirit to finish what […]

In his excellent book, The Mystery of Children, Mike Mason reminds us that “Jesus wants us to become like children because our spirits lived closest to the surface during our childhood. In childhood our hearts are the most transparent, most vulnerable, most malleable.” He goes on to say: “Growing up usually means covering up our […]

We’ve all fallen into bed at night, so exhausted from the day’s activities that we dose off mid-prayer.  Mornings too can be a flurry of activities as we prepare our children for school, catch the morning traffic report and weather, and mentally rehearse  for the work day ahead.   Not surprisingly, a rich spiritual life comes […]

By Allen White, Small Group Guru and Church Coach What if the difference between success and failure lies in the few steps between the sanctuary and the lobby? That’s what I witnessed about a year ago. The much beloved founding pastor of a multi-site, megachurch invited his congregation to open their homes and invite their friends […]

By Mark Howell,  Pastor & Small Group Expert We’ve talked many times about assumptions. If you’ve been along for much of this adventure, you’ve probably read more than your share of articles on assumptions. If the idea of assumptions is unfamiliar to you, I’ve linked to a few of my favorites below. I’m thinking about […]

By Mark Howell,  Pastor & Small Group Expert BEST PRACTICES: “A procedure that has been shown by research and experience to produce optimal results and that is established or proposed as a standard suitable for widespread adoption.” Webster You can learn a lot by studying the best practices of thriving small group ministries. You can […]

Teachers can listen to Bible Background’s from each week’s Hearts Alive Sunday School lesson, even in the car.  Below is a link that will be updated  on Wednesdays for the following Sunday’s lesson.  Enjoy! Hearts Alive Bible Background Fall B Week 11 Hearts Alive Bible Background Fall B Week 10 Hearts Alive Bible Background Fall […]

By Lindsey Goetz Children, like adults, are spiritually formed in their day-to-day comings and goings, as they play, learn, and grow.  We are formed by what we do and what we love.  What a parent does at home will have much greater and lasting impact than what we can hope to accomplish in a one […]

We asked this question to our Hearts Alive writing team.   Their answers inspired and amazed us.  We hope that their testimonies remind you of the awesome responsibility we all have as Children’s Directors and Sunday School teachers.  Thank you to David Sanford for sharing his story with us today. Q: Did you have a relationship […]

A Children’s Director’s Guide to Recruiting and Maintaining Sunday School Teachers By: Deborah Bell Rodahaffer Eighteen years as a Director of Christian of Education, mentoring Christian educators, and today, as Minister for Parish Life, have taught me that recruiting Sunday School teachers and all who serve should begin in prayer.  I pray that God will […]

  Of all the Scriptures, some of the most profound talk about coming to God like a little child. No matter how old we get, the Father still refers to us as children. He adopts us as His own, and even if we surrender our lives to God at seventy years of age, we still […]

Excerpted from Born To Wander: Recovering the Value of our Pilgrim Identity (Moody Publishers, 2018) By Hearts Alive! contributing writer Michelle Van Loon   Our world at times is coarse, confusing, terrifying, and dangerous. (It is also beautiful.) Most of us feel powerless when we read the headlines or watch the news. Too often, our […]

By Lindsey Goetz Before he dies, Moses speaks to the people of God gathered in the wilderness.  It’s been 40 years since they rebelled against God, and most of the generation that disobeyed has given up the ghost.   And yet, when Moses speaks to God’s people, he recounts the stories of their rebellion and […]

by David Sanford, Hearts Alive Writer   I had the privilege of interviewing a fairly large group of third to sixth graders at my church. Each child sat on a “hot seat” and answered five questions. The first four answers were easy: name, grade, number of siblings, and how many years they’ve gone to church. [...]

By: Lindsey Goetz “…May God give you ears to hear His loving voice, his loving voice  speaking all around you, all  around you, and deep inside.” Every night, a lump forms in my throat and I blink back tears as I finish singing “The Song of Blessing” to my three daughters. It strikes me anew every night […]

Hearts Alive Writer, Michelle Van Loon is our guest blogger this week.  She explains to us the connection between Pentecost, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Jewish feast of Shavuot.  He told them to wait. Wait for who? Every time I read the account of the first Pentecost, I’m struck […]

By: Sara Buffington, Hearts Alive Sunday School Curriculum Writer This spring has brought a new hobby to our household: vegetable gardening. My seven-year-old, who prior to this was only interested in toys involving batteries, has fallen in love with growing our own food.  We are only beginners, and we are learning as we go. Last [...]

Jill Turner helps Hearts Alive Sunday school teachers understand the background for each week’s lesson.  Many of our users have commented on the value of this component and how it leads to more meaningful discussions with students.  

by David Sanford, Hearts Alive Writer Why do children love Jesus so much? In the Gospels, it’s clear that they loved Jesus because He first loved them. Jesus wasn’t posing for future artists when He invited children to gather around Him. Actually, He didn’t have to do any coaxing. Children loved Him. So did their […]

This post is the second in a two-part series on the basic tenets of The Christian Life Trilogy for those who wonder about, or want to share information about the Trilogy with their friends, neighbors, or church leaders. See part one here: What is the Christian Life Trilogy, Anyway? (part 1) The first series of […]

This post is the first in a two-part series on the basic tenets of The Christian Life Trilogy for those who wonder about, or want to share information about the Trilogy with their friends, neighbors, or church leaders.  The ebb and flow of the Christian life is a rhythm of God’s people moving back and […]

There’s a bumper sticker that some of you may have seen, it says: Salt Life. I imagine this to mean a life dedicated to spending as much time as possible at the beach: swimming, tanning, jet skiing, surfing, fishing, basically celebrating sun and sand. This coming week’s Palm Sunday lesson in our Hearts Alive curriculum [...]

The Crucified Life The Crucified Life is a seven week study focusing on the Seven Last Words of Jesus. The study is intended to begin a process that leads to surrender to the Lord, leading to a closer relationship with the Lord. The Crucified Life is meant to bring forward and answer questions of the […]

The Steps to a More Impactful Lent! See the original post from our 2015 posting of our webinar: Let’s Do Lent: Transforming Lives with Small Group Ministry Author of “Exponential Groups: Unleashing Your Church’s Potential,” the Rev. Allen White joined the Rev. Charlie Holt for this webinar entitled “Let’s Do Lent: Transforming Lives with Small Group Ministry.” Allen […]

We recently held the first webinar of this season’s series, “The Keys to a Successful Small Group Campaign.” In the first webinar, “What is a Christian Life Trilogy Campaign & What Does Small Group Bible Study Look Like?” author of the Christian Life Trilogy, The Rev. Charlie Holt discussed the importance of aligning a whole […]

We recently held the first webinar of this season’s series, “The Keys to a Successful Small Group Campaign.” The first webinar is titled, “What is a Christian Life Trilogy Campaign & What Does Small Group Bible Study Look Like?” In the webinar, The Rev. Charlie Holt, author of the Christian Life Trilogy, discussed the importance of small group […]

Last week began the first webinar of this season’s series, “The Keys to a Successful Small Group Campaign.” Author of the Christian Life Trilogy, The Rev. Charlie Holt discussed “What is a Christian Life Trilogy Campaign & What Does Small Group Bible Study Look Like?” In the webinar Rev. Holt talked about the importance of […]

We at Bible Study Media want you to experience the glory of the Holy Spirit. Reverend Charlie Holt created the The Spirit-Filled Life to invite others to come under the Kingdom of God by first being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. During this six-week study, you will explore how God’s will for […]

One of the top comments Church Leaders hear when encouraging church members to be small group leaders is: “Are you sure I’m who you want? I don’t think I’d be good at this at all.” The answer lies within the results of this simple quiz you can take (or send to your parishioners) to help potential […]

Whether you’ve been a Small Group Leader for years or are still considering whether or not hosting a Small Group is right for you, our Webinar Series on hosting small groups will have something that will make you look at the role in a new way. Below, find links to summaries and videos of all […]

It happens in every church—different ministries send members in different directions over time. While the youth may have one focus during Sunday school and another on Wednesday evenings, the adults could be deep in a sermon series as well as their own small group studies throughout the week. On the surface, we accept that this […]

There’s something about the blistering heat of mid-summer that makes me think about planning for autumn. Stay with me, here: I step outside into what I can only describe as “sunburn as I walk to the car” weather and yearn for the crispness of fall, which makes me think about my church’s vision for the [...]

This blog series explores the impact and long-term growth your church can experience through an intentionally aligned, church-wide small group study. Today’s post focuses on the impact of aligning every part of a church’s Lenten programming to engage a congregation in every way. This is the first post from the series: The Power of Alignment in […]

In addition to discipleship and personal life transformation, launching a small group movement can build an increased sense of community among your congregation. Starting a small group movement can jump-start the sense of connection between church members. As a result, you can more effectively reach your community through the now deeper-connected members of your church. […]

It is the prayer of everyone at Bible Study Media that relationships are reconciled and hearts return to the foot of the Cross in the post-election season. In the coming days and weeks, we will be sharing thoughts and devotions that we pray will facilitate that goal. Today’s devotion on hope and the purpose of […]

God is at work around our country through the small group movement, sending a wave of spiritual renewal to the local church. He is using Small Group Ministry to grow His people and equip them to do the work of the kingdom both within the church and in the world around us. The key to […]

It is the prayer of everyone at Bible Study Media that relationships are reconciled and hearts return to the foot of the Cross in the post-election season. In the coming days and weeks, we will be sharing thoughts and devotions that we pray will facilitate that goal. Today’s devotion on reconciliation is an excerpt from […]

It is the prayer of everyone at Bible Study Media that relationships are reconciled and hearts return to the foot of the Cross in the post-election season. In the coming days and weeks, we will be sharing thoughts and devotions that we pray will facilitate that goal. Today’s post is written by the author of […]

It is the prayer of everyone at Bible Study Media that relationships are reconciled and hearts return to the foot of the Cross in the post-election season. In the coming days and weeks, we will be sharing thoughts and devotions that we pray will facilitate that goal. Today’s post was originally written by the author […]

This blog series explores the impact and long-term growth your church can experience through an intentionally aligned, church-wide small group study. Today’s post focuses on the three ways the power of alignment will influence your congregation’s participation and experience. Coordinating and aligning the elements of the Christian Life Trilogy will impact and produce the kind […]

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21   Paul’s final charge to Timothy is to “guard the deposit entrusted to you” (6:20). As a minister […]

See what The Christian Life Trilogy author Rev. Charlie Holt had to say about the series in a radio/podcast interview with Charisma Magazine!  

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous posts in the series below the video. I really hope you’ve […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous posts in the series below the video. After you find your […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous posts in the series below the video. Once you have the […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous post in the series below the video. Are these videos fanning […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous posts in the series below the video. Are you ready to […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  See the previous post in the series below the video. You’ve made the choice […]

The biggest hurdle in implementing a church-wide study of any kind is figuring out where to begin. Rev. Charlie Holt, author of The Christian Life Trilogy, has the answers and will be sharing them over the course of this 7-part series!  Learn how to energize your congregation and leverage their spiritual gifts for a church-wide […]

Like many of you, I am deeply grieved by the continuing tension in our nation—shootings involving police and race in Baton Rouge and St. Paul, protests around the country, and more violence targeting the police in Dallas and other areas. All of this follows the recent mass shooting in my own city of Orlando. What […]

Not five minutes ago I heard from yet another Pastor: “It is impossible to get ahold of people or work with them during the summer!” We’ve all been on both sides of the issue: either our summers are filled with activities and we can’t find a spare moment to respond to an email or return […]

The Kingdom of God spreads through multiplication, and it is effective to be intentional about using your small group ministry to multiply the power of God to build His Kingdom. When you have a powerful small group that is changing lives and impacting people, it may be a good idea to consider splitting the group […]

As many positive things as we have to say about small groups, a group will always have its challenges. A wise leader will help its group navigate through these challenges. Here are our suggestions: Challenge 1: Lack of Commitment Life is just so busy!! This is the #1 challenge that small group ministries face. People […]

Small groups have the power to change lives. A small group that is healthy and focused can be even more effective. So what are the most important aspects that you as a leader can emphasize in order to make the most of your small group to deeply impact both the lives of the members and […]

We are thrilled to announce the release of The Cross Walk: Learning to Walk Like Jesus. The Cross Walk is an exciting new Children’s Curriculum that combines games, crafts, and hands-on activities with solid Biblical teaching. Perfect for Sunday School or mid-week gatherings, this brand-new resource is designed for Grades K-5, large group or small […]

Small groups can serve as catalysts for church growth, relational connectivity and powerful discipleship, but goals need to be preset to insure the health of your group. Here are our Top 8 goals to make your small group more effective:   1. Establish the “Why” Before doing anything else with your group, sit down and […]

We hear it every day: “You make time for the things that are most important to you.” But a 2012 LifeWay study found that 81% of Christians don’t read the Bible daily. If you’re one of the 81%, you’re clearly not alone, but now is the perfect time to do something about it! Here are […]

No two families have the same summer schedule, which is why many churches stay away from scheduled studies during the season, especially church-wide studies. While churches are right when it comes to specific ministries–like small group ministry–I’d argue that summer is the perfect time to enact a congregation-wide study! Here are 7 reasons why:   […]

Making the decision to lead a small group can bring both excitement and uncertainty to the first-time leader. Once you’ve decided that you are willing to lead a small group, here are the steps to take in getting your group off the ground. First Things First You first need to consider your own desires as […]

Are you interested in Small Group ministry, but would like to know more about its purpose and how to be a good leader? Read on for an outline of the who, what, and why for starting a small group! Why Small Groups?  Because Life IS Better Connected! God created us to be in relationship with […]

Coming Soon…The Cross Walk! We are very excited to announce the upcoming release of The Cross Walk: the companion curriculum to The Crucified Life – for kids in grades K-5! This project is still in design, but we are planning to have it ready for release in January, so that churches can do this curriculum […]

The Resurrected Life is a calling we have in Christ that sets us on an upward trajectory of transformation. Our citizenship is now in Heaven with the risen Lord Jesus. And it is toward Heaven that our life-orientation must turn.

Now that you have gotten a small group ministry launched during the season of Lent, there is an uncertain time approaching when the first small group Bible study series ends. You need to be intentional and strategic with a plan for how to continue your groups into the next season. On Tuesday, March 8, 2016 […]

Many people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ are spiritual invalids lying on a mat waiting for someone else to come along and do a miraculous work in their life. Instead, Jesus invites the willing to stand up and take a step in faith, like the man in the story of John 5.

Easter is one of the most powerful times of the church year. Church leaders are on the front lines when it comes to sustaining that excitement into a lasting life change. Use these 5 steps and The Resurrected Life materials to make the most of this upcoming season!

Easter is one of the most powerful times of the church year. Many people feel the greatest pull toward God at this time of year… As a church leader, you can be intentional about sustaining that excitement into lasting life change.

There are lots of things to think about when trying to get church small groups off the ground, and there could be some unpleasant surprises if you don’t plan ahead. Held on January 20, 2016, the final installment of our Small Group Ministry Webinar Series will help you answer the questions that separate the smooth […]

Involving your entire congregation in a simultaneous study of materials can have a tremendous impact on the lives of both your congregation as a whole and the individuals in it. However, making a church-wide effort can be an intimidating thought… And we are here to help! On Wednesday, January 6, The Rev. Charlie Holt, along […]

We are very excited to announce the upcoming release of The Cross Walk: the companion curriculum to The Crucified Life – for kids in grades K-5!

There is often a gap between recruiting small group leaders and actually starting groups. Sometimes new host recruits get scared or distracted, or they had good intentions but don’t move forward. Coaching will fill that gap by helping and encouraging new leaders to get groups started and sustain them over the long run. In the […]

Imagine for a moment the impact on your church if for 40 days every person in your congregation lived in alignment with God’s will in the pattern of Jesus’ call to pick up our cross and follow Him.

This is the first in a series of posts that I will be offering those who are planning or are considering planning a Christian Life Trilogy small group campaign launching with The Crucified Life on Sunday, February 10, 2016.

Do you have low participation in your small groups because people aren't motivated to get connected and stay connected? Do you wish you had a better way to plug people into a group they will love? In the fifth installment of our Small Group Ministry Webinar Series that was on November 17, 2015, Fr. Charlie [...]

Do you love the thought of having a vibrant small groups ministry at your church, but you struggle with finding the people willing to lead groups? Your congregation is actually FULL of dynamic leaders, even if they may not know it yet! In the fourth installment of our Small Group Ministry Webinar Series that was […]

Do you believe that it’s possible to engage 100% of your church’s weekly attendance in small groups? Believe it or not, it’s possible!! In the third installment of our Small Group Ministry Webinar Series that was held on September 30, 2015, Fr. Charlie Holt and guest speaker Allen White spoke about the best practices of […]

So after our first webinar, you felt the call to foster the small group life of your congregation — that’s great! But now you’re probably realizing what a truly God-sized task that is. How can one person initiate a church-wide movement alone? Well, we know from Scripture that God calls individuals and teams to complete […]

In this first webinar of our Small Group Ministry Series, conducted on June 29, 2015, The Rev. Charlie Holt and guest speaker Allen White spoke about how to align your vision with God’s intention for Lent and utilize small groups to build community and spiritual growth within your congregation. Our focus was on the 5 […]