Small Group

Last updated January 4, 2026

Current Study: What I’ve Learned: A Theologian Looks Back by N.T. Wright #

This course distills 50 years of N.T. Wright’s learning. You’ll discover what one of the modern era’s most well-respected Bible scholars wished he’d been taught when first starting out. Prof. Wright will introduce you to the biblical story as he understands it, how that shapes his views on the Christian hope, and showcase why recognizing historical context is so important for the life of faith.

In this course, you will be invited to:

challenge common assumptions of Western Christianity.
trace God’s promises throughout the biblical narrative.
examine Jesus within his historical context.
assess the role of the church, past and present.

Course preview link: What I’ve Learned: A Theologian Looks Back

Tentative Schedule: #

January 11: Begin study

FYI #

2026 Front Porch dates:
- February 1
- July 5
- December 6

Planned Future Studies #

Something on theodicy, suffering, and the problem of pain. Suggested by Nick.
Come Follow Me by Asbury Church Tulsa. Suggested by Kelly.

Possible Study Suggestions #

Studies people have mentioned include the following (bring your own ideas and we can keep a running list):

James & Jude Bible Study: Discover 40 Practical Insights from Jesus’s Brothers by Peter DeHaan. Suggested by Holly. This is part of Peter DeHaan's 40-Day Bible Study Series (13 books).
The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics. This is a free video small group curriculum, and also a book, though curriculum looks like reading the book is not necessary. There are six 90-minute sessions with about 35-40 minutes of video per session. Perhaps we could expand it to twelve sessions and cover half of a session each time. Suggested by Matt.
The Bible Project. I (Matt) had a student tell me about this website. Looks like the content is pretty good.
Mere Christianity, suggested by Matt Cleaver. Potential discussion guides:
- PDF study guide from the C.S. Lewis Study Program for every chapter.
- Discussing Mere Christianity: 8-week study guide includes videos.
Daily Scripture Guides from Andrew Forrest at Asbury Church Tulsa (We did their Romans study, but there are lots more). Suggested by Kelly Barnes.
Group Studies from Tim Keller. Suggested by Adrianna Hinds. Tim Keller was the longtime pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. Some of these studies are on books of the Bible, others are topical.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth E. Bailey. Suggested by Matt Cleaver. This is a book, not a study. Great book that takes a Middle Eastern cultural approach to gospel texts, primarily Luke. It is a bit dense, but understandable for the layperson.
N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides. Suggested by Matt Cleaver. These look like pretty good, standalone, no-homework discussion guides for every book in the New Testament (here’s a link to each study and how many sessions they are: NT Wright For Everyone Study Guides). N. T. Wright is one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars.
- While these Bible Study Guides can be used by themselves, they can also be paired with his series of New Testament devotional commentaries: New Testament For Everyone series. These commentaries also contain their down study and discussion guide, but they are different than the Bible Study Guides, and I think the Bible Study Guides are better suited to our group.
- An alternative, or supplement to these studies would be his series of video studies on Udemy.
Amy-Jill Levine video studies. AJL is a very popular New Testament scholar; she is Jewish and takes a Jewish perspective to her teachings. I haven’t read her, yet. She has video studies over a lot of different Gospel topics, most are 6-weeks long:
- The Bible With and Without Jesus (completed)
- Gospel of Mark
- Gospel of John
- Signs and Wonders (miracles)
- Good Friday
- The Difficult Words of Jesus
- Sermon on the Mount
- Advent
- The Passion of Jesus
- The Parables of Jesus
Resources from Scot McKnight. Suggested by Matt Cleaver.
- Everyday Bible Studies by Scot McKnight. These are very similar to the New Testament for Everyone series. These go through an entire book of the New Testament and include brief commentaries followed by questions.
- Following King Jesus: How to Know, Read, Live, and Show the Gospel. This is a 24 week series that includes both personal and group study, based on the writings of Scot McKnight.
- Jesus and the Gospels video series. Free video series with leader guide and workbook.
Didn't Nick mention his cousin wrote a book?
"Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a House Divided and a World on Fire" by Dr. Lori Brandt Hale.
Eugene Peterson's spiritual theology series. These are all great books, and each has its own discussion guide. It would be best to read the book alongside the study, but the discussion guides provide summaries and quotations from the reading, so it could be done without also reading the book.
There are no-prep, stand-alone lectionary-based and topical lesson books in the cabinets in our meeting room.

Past Studies #

Embracing Joy: An 8-Week Transformational Bible Study of Habakkuk by Jean Wilund. April-June 2024. Selected by Camille.
Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges. July-August 2024. Selected by Kelli.
Romans: Do Not Conform. Be Transformed. From Asbury Church in Tulsa. Selected by Kelly.
- Part One, Romans 1-7. September-October 2024.
- Part Two, Romans 8). November 2024.
- Part Three, Romans 9-16 (Red Cover). December 2024.
Surprised by Hope Video Study by N. T. Wright. January-February 2025. Selected by Matt.
How the Bible Actually Works Video Study. March-May 2025. Selected by Bethany
The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently by Amy-Jill Levine, September-October 2025. Selected by Alicia.
AI & Being Human from Feed, November-December 2025. Selected by Nick.