Applicability

The USO Small Group Series is offered to churches and Christian groups free of charge.  You may use the teaching/training materials provided in this series at your discretion in Sunday School or other Christian small group settings as desired.  

POTENTIAL FORMATS:

8 consecutive weeks: The series is formatted for 1-hour meetings with approximately 15-20 minutes for each video and the remaining time for small group discussion.  Discussion questions are available in the Study Guides and at the end of each video session.  This 1-hour format works best in Sunday School time slots.

OR    

4 consecutive weeks: Alternately, meetings could be formatted for 90 minutes (or 2 hours) with 2 sessions each week.  The discussion time would be shorted slightly with the 90 minute format. The 90-120 minute format works best for small groups that meeting at times away from a formal church setting.

Below are links to the eight video training session in this series and the downloadable PDF Study Guides (in full color or black/white formats). For maximum benefit, it is highly recommended that the sessions be viewed in the order presented.

Please do not download the videos or share the links with others.  You may, of course, invite others to our website and enjoy the materials from here.  

VIDEO LINKS

1. The Exchanged Life - A New Creation - Dr. Michael Wells

When were you first “saved” or became a “believer”? Did it happen gradually or all at once? Since then have you wondered, “What is salvation, really? or What am I saved “from”?  Is there a difference between being born again and being saved?

2. How God Builds Your Faith Through Tests  - Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

The grievous circumstances that occur in our lives have been orchestrated specifically for us by God. And, God has a purpose when He puts people through “tests or trials.” Why do you think He would do that? Shouldn’t believers be “happy” and “successful”? What happens when we “fail” the tests God sends our way – and, what happens when we “succeed”?

3. For Such a Time as This - A Time for Obedience - Dr. Henry Blackaby

The Scriptures are full of “commands” for believers. To God, disobedience or lack of obedience is fatal, it is as witchcraft and idolatry. God determines the consequences of your disobedience. God’s standard for the life of a believer is holiness measured by His holiness. Jesus “learned” obedience while on earth, how did He do it? How can you learn it – and how can you accomplish it?

4. Who is the Holy Spirit? - Dr. Michael Wells

Once we become “believers” we will be going to heaven when we die, that is clearly stated in the Scriptures. But, what about the here and now? How can we hope to pass the tests of faith that God sends our way? How can we obey His commands thereby demonstrating our love for Him? What if the commands became “natural” to us rather than difficult? Could the Holy Spirit help us with these issues?

5. Prayer - Empowering the Holy Spirit in You - Dr. Henry Blackaby

Want to be supercharged in your ministry “work”? You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit just like Jesus was. Don’t say, “He was God, and I am not.” The Holy Spirit desires to fill you and provide you with a sense of the divine assignment God has for you. Prayer is the secret. What is the Biblical pattern to follow”?

6. The Eternal Perspective of Leading a Company for Christ - Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

To what extent does our behavior really matter? Does it matter equally for believers and unbelievers? If it does matter, for how long will it make a difference? The Bible teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. Where do we get “faith” and what difference does it make?

7. The Foundation of Encouragement - Mr. Walt Wiley

 There is nothing more needed today than encouragement. What does the word “encourage” actually mean? Does it have a Scriptural connotation? What is the relationship between hope and encouragement? How and why should believers encourage one another (and non-believers)?  

8. Helping Others Fall More in Love With Jesus - Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

Since the role of an Old Testament Priest was to bring men to God, the Old Testament name for a believer was a “priest.”  As a “priest” what are your priorities? How do these priorities help you help others?