The Ultimate Round-Up of Lenten Small Group Studies

With three snow days in a row, what better way to spend it than by curating the ultimate round-up of Lenten resources?? (Now, was it the wisest decision for me to do all this while the kids and I were all holed up in the house? Debatable.)

This year, I decided to compile ALL the curated resources from previous year’s round-ups (something I’ve been doing since 2013) and group them by theme in one glorious post.

This year, the first Sunday of Lent is February 18, 2018. Some groups may begin meeting as early as Sunday, February 11, so if you want to have plenty of time to promote your group, it’s time to nail down what type of study you want to offer this year (it turns out, there are a plethora of ways to do Lent!).

If you’ve ever used any of these resources in your own parish or group, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below 🙂 Happy 2018 and stay warm!!

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. 100% of the proceeds from sales in 2018 will be donated to Cornerstones, Inc. – JD]

A CONTEMPLATIVE APPROACH. Use Scripture and your everyday experiences to inform and inspire your spiritual walk this Lent:

A EUCHARISTIC APPROACH. Each of the studies below are designed as whole-parish programs, and include resources for adults, teens and children. Both are excellent resources, and I was honored to be part of the interviews for From Mass to Mission.

Living the Eucharist, Paulist Evangelization Ministries (2011)
From Mass to Mission: Understanding the Mass and Its Significance for Our Christian Life, Liturgical Training Publications (2016) – Participant’s Booklet | Leader’s Guide

FAITH IN ACTION. Engage in an active Lent this year, whether it’s by taking a fresh look at traditional Lenten practices or taking concrete steps to declutter your soul. One study even has soup recipes to inspire your small group gatherings: 40 Days of Lenten Soup Recipes

IF YOU NEED SOMETHING INSTANTLY. When time is of the essence, these resources are available to download online:

FOR THE ASPIRING SCRIPTURE SCHOLAR. Whether it’s reflecting more deeply on the person of Jesus through the eyes of the Gospel writers or taking a Scriptural pilgrimage with the disciples who were there with him, here are a number of Bible studies to help you do just that:

The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus – Study Set, Stephen Binz (Liturgical Press) (1992) (aff link)
Threshold Bible Studies by Stephen J. Binz (Read more about this series here.)
1. Threshold Bible Study: People of the Passion (23rd Publications) (2004) (aff link)
2. Threshold Bible Study: Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Jesus (23rd Publications) (2004) (aff link)
3. Threshold Bible Study: The Tragic & Triumphant Cross (23rd Publications) (2005) (aff link)

FOLLOWING IN CHRIST’S FOOTSTEPS. There are many ways to journey with Christ in his last days on earth. Here are a few:

LECTIONARY-BASED (i.e., uses Daily or Sunday readings). If your small group prefers the classics and likes to reflect on the Sunday readings for Lent, here are a number of great options: