Adult Christian Formation...there is so much to choose from! Where do we begin? There are different models for teaching and learning, and you will decide what best fits your parish style. Don't hesitate to contact us for direction or with questions about anything you see here. These resources are comprehensive and trusted resources recommended for use in this diocese.
Adult Faith Formation
St. Stephen's in Birmingham invites everyone to join their Spring Christian Learning Program - click the button below to download the guide
Alpha Online: https://alphausa.org/alpha-online
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. Alpha is now offering an online version. They have produced three guides to assist in running Alpha Online: Moving Alpha Online, Hosting Alpha Online, and Alpha Online In Action. Alpha Online: https://alphausa.org/alpha-online
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. Alpha is now offering an online version. They have produced three guides to assist in running Alpha Online: Moving Alpha Online, Hosting Alpha Online, and Alpha Online In Action.
Amplify Media: https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/home (Subscription)
Amplify Media is a subscription streaming service with a vast library of videos and small group programs for adults.
BibleProject (https://bibleproject.com) and The Bible Project TV (https://bibleproject.com/stream)
BibleProject is an animation studio that produces short-form, fully animated Bible videos, podcasts, and Bible resources to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. People can now stream BibleProject videos on their television at home using the most popular streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV.
Chuck Knows Church (Videos): https://chuckknowschurch.com
Chuck Knows Church who helps people learn more about our church while inviting them to have deeper conversations. The Original Series is all the objects, symbols and terms we often hear in church. There are more than 100 episodes (2-6 minutes in length) available on a variety of topics that can easily be combined into multi-session programs.
Church Next - Online Adult Faith Formation: https://www.churchnext.tv/p/churchnext
ChurchNext provides a wide variety of adult faith formation courses from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics for a small fee. Adults can interact in a safe, online environment that’s convenient, engaging, and affordable. They also have videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChurchNext.
Daily Discipleship and Daily Faith Practices (ELCA): https://www.elca.org/Resources/Bible-Studies
Daily Discipleship and Daily Faith Practices are downloadable Bible studies based on the lectionary used at Sunday worship (Revised Common Lectionary). These two-page Bible Studies connect the Word of God with daily life experiences and strengthen faith practices in everyday living.
Faith Gateway: https://www.faithgateway.com
Faith Gateway is an online community for readers to discover great content and engage with Christian authors. Faith Gateway brings together content in many different forms: daily blog posts, book excerpts, devotionals, free downloads, videos, giveaways, contests, author chats, and more.
Forward Movement: https://www.forwardmovement.org
Forward Movement provides resources online, and for smartphones and tablets: ebooks, downloadable resources, apps, online engagement opportunities through Twitter and Facebook, and even a Forward Day by Day podcast.
FULLER Formation: https://formation.fuller.edu
Whether you are seeking ways to grow deeper in your faith or looking to learn with your small group or congregation, FULLER Formation provides access to a variety of guided lessons from Fuller experts. With anytime-access to spiritual formation content, you can start engaging your faith on a deeper level today. The library of content created exclusively for FULLER Formation includes topics such as integrating your faith and work, and discerning your calling. There are over 60 resources. The subscription is $10 per month.
FULLER Studio: https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu
Fuller Studio provides free resources for churches, communities, and individuals committed to a deeply formed spiritual life. Guided by an editorial team and advisory board, FULLER studio produces and curates content drawn from our outstanding faculty as well as from the worldwide Fuller community, translating this wealth of scholarship into high-quality videos, podcasts, articles, and the award-winning FULLER magazine. All content on this website is free for your use.
Good Ground Press: https://goodgroundpress.com/resources/
Good Ground Press offers free online retreats for adults.
Group Publishing Free Resource Hub: https://www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/free-resources.do
Group Publishing’s Free Resource Hub has resources for children, youth, & families.
Learn25: https://www.learn25.com
Learn 25 has over 450 titles in religion, psychology, spirituality, health and living, biographies, and more in video and audio courses, talks, audiobooks, and podcast-style programs. Their lectures fit conveniently into people’s schedule, learning for 25 minutes a day. Courses are taught by some of the world’s most inspiring professors, subject matter experts chosen by Learn25 and customers. All programs can be purchased separately, but they have made the audio versions of programs available through Learn25 Unlimited subscription.
Life.Church Open Network Small Group Studies: https://open.life.church/categories/319-small-groups
Life.Church Open Network makes available the entire library of Life.Church resources for adults including over 100 small group studies on a wide range of topics.
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life (LifelongFaith Associates): Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life presents twelve essential practices for a Christian way of life: Caring for the Body, Celebrating Life, Discernment, Dying Well, Eating Well, Forgiving, Keeping Sabbath, Managing Household Life, Participating in Community, Praying, Reading the Bible, and Transforming the World. Each chapter presents the Biblical foundation of the Christian practice and a variety of practical suggestions for living the practice in everyday life.
Milestones Ministry: https://milestonesministry.org
Milestones Ministry has produced 18 Milestone resources for children and youth; and 12 Milestone resource for adults. They have also produced dozens of Milestone Moments that connect significant occasions in people’s lives (birthday, blessing animals) with the ongoing journey of faith. All are available as digital downloads.
The Pastoral Center: https://pastoral.center/adult-faith-formation
The online Pastoral Center produces a wide variety of digital faith formation resources for adults: individual study, small groups, retreats, or more.
Theology Live Podcast: https://theologylive.podomatic.com
Once a month, the 20s and 30s community of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church gathers over food and drinks to engage Memphis' most compelling theological minds. The Theology Live Podcast incorporates the presentation and interaction for each program.
Theology of Work Project: https://www.theologyofwork.org
The Theology of Work Project (TOW) is the deepest, largest, and most trusted source of biblical, theological, and pastoral material related to work. Most of our materials are available free of charge on this website. Their cornerstone resource, the Theology of Work Bible Commentary, is the only commentary covering what the entire Bible says about work.
Thoughtful Christian: https://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com
The Thoughtful Christian.com is an ecumenical site dedicated to helping Christians and seekers understand, share, practice, and be challenged in their faith. Their digital offerings include downloads for individual and group studies for adults and youth. TheThoughtfulChristian.com also offers all-access subscriptions to downloadable group studies for adults and high-school youth.
Spirituality & Practice: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com
This website is devoted to resources for spiritual journeys. The site is organized around "The Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy," 37 essential practices of the spiritual life. The "Spiritual Practices Toolkit" is compilation of links to articles, reviews, and instructions for more than 260 ways people practice their spirituality. The site includes dozens of e-courses on topics in spirituality, explorations into spiritual traditions, and reviews of books and films.
Yale Bible Study: https://yalebiblestudy.org
The mission of the Yale Bible Study is to engage people in small group Bible study by providing studies of biblical books, deepened by insights from Yale Divinity School professors. There are over 25 bible courses of 8 sessions each with videos and study guide. These materials form an accessible, free, and deeply thoughtful and informed group Bible study program. All course materials available freely without registration; sign up for additional tools and discussion
YouVersion Bible Reading Plan(s) for Adults: Reading Plans Online
The YouVersion Bible App (https://www.youversion.com) has dozens of Bible Reading Plans online and in the App. Adults can download the App (for iOS and Android) and then select a reading plan. You church can focus on a reading plan for all adults and then organize a Facebook Group to connect everyone.
The Work of the People—Films for Discovery and Transformation: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com
The Work of the People is an eclectic, ecumenical, and growing collection of provocative short films and interviews with spiritual leaders and thinkers, authors, practitioners, and theologians. Films are available individually, in multi-session thematic series, in contemplative themes (visual prayers, poems, and benedictions), and as e-courses. There is a small fee for purchasing the films.
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. Alpha is now offering an online version. They have produced three guides to assist in running Alpha Online: Moving Alpha Online, Hosting Alpha Online, and Alpha Online In Action. Alpha Online: https://alphausa.org/alpha-online
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. Alpha is now offering an online version. They have produced three guides to assist in running Alpha Online: Moving Alpha Online, Hosting Alpha Online, and Alpha Online In Action.
Amplify Media: https://my.amplifymedia.com/amplify/home (Subscription)
Amplify Media is a subscription streaming service with a vast library of videos and small group programs for adults.
BibleProject (https://bibleproject.com) and The Bible Project TV (https://bibleproject.com/stream)
BibleProject is an animation studio that produces short-form, fully animated Bible videos, podcasts, and Bible resources to make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. People can now stream BibleProject videos on their television at home using the most popular streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV.
Chuck Knows Church (Videos): https://chuckknowschurch.com
Chuck Knows Church who helps people learn more about our church while inviting them to have deeper conversations. The Original Series is all the objects, symbols and terms we often hear in church. There are more than 100 episodes (2-6 minutes in length) available on a variety of topics that can easily be combined into multi-session programs.
Church Next - Online Adult Faith Formation: https://www.churchnext.tv/p/churchnext
ChurchNext provides a wide variety of adult faith formation courses from expert teachers in Scripture, liturgy, and important Christian topics for a small fee. Adults can interact in a safe, online environment that’s convenient, engaging, and affordable. They also have videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChurchNext.
Daily Discipleship and Daily Faith Practices (ELCA): https://www.elca.org/Resources/Bible-Studies
Daily Discipleship and Daily Faith Practices are downloadable Bible studies based on the lectionary used at Sunday worship (Revised Common Lectionary). These two-page Bible Studies connect the Word of God with daily life experiences and strengthen faith practices in everyday living.
Faith Gateway: https://www.faithgateway.com
Faith Gateway is an online community for readers to discover great content and engage with Christian authors. Faith Gateway brings together content in many different forms: daily blog posts, book excerpts, devotionals, free downloads, videos, giveaways, contests, author chats, and more.
Forward Movement: https://www.forwardmovement.org
Forward Movement provides resources online, and for smartphones and tablets: ebooks, downloadable resources, apps, online engagement opportunities through Twitter and Facebook, and even a Forward Day by Day podcast.
FULLER Formation: https://formation.fuller.edu
Whether you are seeking ways to grow deeper in your faith or looking to learn with your small group or congregation, FULLER Formation provides access to a variety of guided lessons from Fuller experts. With anytime-access to spiritual formation content, you can start engaging your faith on a deeper level today. The library of content created exclusively for FULLER Formation includes topics such as integrating your faith and work, and discerning your calling. There are over 60 resources. The subscription is $10 per month.
FULLER Studio: https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu
Fuller Studio provides free resources for churches, communities, and individuals committed to a deeply formed spiritual life. Guided by an editorial team and advisory board, FULLER studio produces and curates content drawn from our outstanding faculty as well as from the worldwide Fuller community, translating this wealth of scholarship into high-quality videos, podcasts, articles, and the award-winning FULLER magazine. All content on this website is free for your use.
Good Ground Press: https://goodgroundpress.com/resources/
Good Ground Press offers free online retreats for adults.
Group Publishing Free Resource Hub: https://www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/free-resources.do
Group Publishing’s Free Resource Hub has resources for children, youth, & families.
Learn25: https://www.learn25.com
Learn 25 has over 450 titles in religion, psychology, spirituality, health and living, biographies, and more in video and audio courses, talks, audiobooks, and podcast-style programs. Their lectures fit conveniently into people’s schedule, learning for 25 minutes a day. Courses are taught by some of the world’s most inspiring professors, subject matter experts chosen by Learn25 and customers. All programs can be purchased separately, but they have made the audio versions of programs available through Learn25 Unlimited subscription.
Life.Church Open Network Small Group Studies: https://open.life.church/categories/319-small-groups
Life.Church Open Network makes available the entire library of Life.Church resources for adults including over 100 small group studies on a wide range of topics.
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life (LifelongFaith Associates): Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life presents twelve essential practices for a Christian way of life: Caring for the Body, Celebrating Life, Discernment, Dying Well, Eating Well, Forgiving, Keeping Sabbath, Managing Household Life, Participating in Community, Praying, Reading the Bible, and Transforming the World. Each chapter presents the Biblical foundation of the Christian practice and a variety of practical suggestions for living the practice in everyday life.
Milestones Ministry: https://milestonesministry.org
Milestones Ministry has produced 18 Milestone resources for children and youth; and 12 Milestone resource for adults. They have also produced dozens of Milestone Moments that connect significant occasions in people’s lives (birthday, blessing animals) with the ongoing journey of faith. All are available as digital downloads.
The Pastoral Center: https://pastoral.center/adult-faith-formation
The online Pastoral Center produces a wide variety of digital faith formation resources for adults: individual study, small groups, retreats, or more.
Theology Live Podcast: https://theologylive.podomatic.com
Once a month, the 20s and 30s community of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church gathers over food and drinks to engage Memphis' most compelling theological minds. The Theology Live Podcast incorporates the presentation and interaction for each program.
Theology of Work Project: https://www.theologyofwork.org
The Theology of Work Project (TOW) is the deepest, largest, and most trusted source of biblical, theological, and pastoral material related to work. Most of our materials are available free of charge on this website. Their cornerstone resource, the Theology of Work Bible Commentary, is the only commentary covering what the entire Bible says about work.
Thoughtful Christian: https://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com
The Thoughtful Christian.com is an ecumenical site dedicated to helping Christians and seekers understand, share, practice, and be challenged in their faith. Their digital offerings include downloads for individual and group studies for adults and youth. TheThoughtfulChristian.com also offers all-access subscriptions to downloadable group studies for adults and high-school youth.
Spirituality & Practice: https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com
This website is devoted to resources for spiritual journeys. The site is organized around "The Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy," 37 essential practices of the spiritual life. The "Spiritual Practices Toolkit" is compilation of links to articles, reviews, and instructions for more than 260 ways people practice their spirituality. The site includes dozens of e-courses on topics in spirituality, explorations into spiritual traditions, and reviews of books and films.
Yale Bible Study: https://yalebiblestudy.org
The mission of the Yale Bible Study is to engage people in small group Bible study by providing studies of biblical books, deepened by insights from Yale Divinity School professors. There are over 25 bible courses of 8 sessions each with videos and study guide. These materials form an accessible, free, and deeply thoughtful and informed group Bible study program. All course materials available freely without registration; sign up for additional tools and discussion
YouVersion Bible Reading Plan(s) for Adults: Reading Plans Online
The YouVersion Bible App (https://www.youversion.com) has dozens of Bible Reading Plans online and in the App. Adults can download the App (for iOS and Android) and then select a reading plan. You church can focus on a reading plan for all adults and then organize a Facebook Group to connect everyone.
The Work of the People—Films for Discovery and Transformation: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com
The Work of the People is an eclectic, ecumenical, and growing collection of provocative short films and interviews with spiritual leaders and thinkers, authors, practitioners, and theologians. Films are available individually, in multi-session thematic series, in contemplative themes (visual prayers, poems, and benedictions), and as e-courses. There is a small fee for purchasing the films.
Adult ConfirmationA course of Adult Catechesis in the Diocese of Alabama
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Published by The Episcopal Church and designed to follow the Revised Common Lectionary, these lesson plans are written by experienced church school teachers using practical approaches to respond to the needs of volunteer teachers. Key Resources
Center for the Ministry of Teaching at VTS Resources for Teaching All Ages |
Youth ConfirmationA course of Youth Catechesis in the Diocese of Alabama
CHRISTIAN FORMATION The Diocesan Department of Christian Formation invites you to consider ChurchNext online Christian Formation in your parish. Use it on Sunday morning, for small group study, and Confirmation to learn and build community in the process. Exploring The Bible: Free Downloadable Course (adult/youth) From our friends at Forward Movement |
Mature Adults & Seniors
The Facts Behind Senior Hunger
Nearly one in every six seniors in America faces the threat of hunger and not being properly nourished, according to The National Council for Aging Care.
Nearly one in every six seniors in America faces the threat of hunger and not being properly nourished, according to The National Council for Aging Care.
The Senior Care website offers resources and practical advice on long-term care concerns, retirement issues, assisted living, nursing homes, home care, and more to help seniors and their families make more informed decisions.
Senior Wellness Guide - Healthy Aging
Two out of 10 U.S. citizens will be seniors in a little more than two decades. Seniors already account for 14 percent of the population. Aging brings physical, mental and financial concerns. Download the guide below
Two out of 10 U.S. citizens will be seniors in a little more than two decades. Seniors already account for 14 percent of the population. Aging brings physical, mental and financial concerns. Download the guide below
Find Senior Care and Living Options Near You Looking for senior care can be stressful and confusing, and you may be unsure where to start. Whether you’re looking for a senior living community or help with in-home care, we’re here to help you understand your options, learn about financing and guide you through the process.
Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that causes significant memory loss and impairs a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks. Scientists have not found a cure for the disease, and experts continue to research what causes the disorder and how to prevent it. But researchers have identified some potential risk factors as well as medications and lifestyle changes that may help patients manage behavior problems and slow progression of the disease.