Discovery Place Resource Center

Studies about Pentecost and the Early Church

The Efird Bible Study: The Acts of the Apostles. Relive the emotion and wonder of Jesus’ followers from Christ’s Resurrection to that Pentecost when all were filled with the Holy Spirit and passionate about leading others to Jesus. Learn about the formation of the New Testament church, see Peter and Paul grow into leadership, and discover how the Biblical story is also our story. This study consists of 19 lessons on 4 DVDs. Sessions could be done within an hour, 90 minutes, or 2-hour format and/or retreat format. This is considered a serious Bible Study. 

Faith Lessons on The Mission of Jesus by Ray Vander Laan. Enter the Chaos. In John 17:26 Jesus says: “I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known…” In this fourteenth volume of That the World May Know, you’ll deepen your understanding of this passionate revelation to a broken world God longs to redeem. Discover how Jesus triumphantly made God’s presence known on earth, and how he asks you to do the same -- bringing God’s shalom to the chaos of others. This is a five-session study, with each DVD segment being roughly 30 minutes long. The topics are:

1. Capernaum: Jesus Binds the Evil One

2. Decapolis: The Other Side -- Jesus and the Man from the Tombs

3. Crucifixion: The Coronation of a King

4. Ascension: The King Takes His Throne

5. Pentecost: God Changed His Address

Faith Lessons on the Early Church by Ray Vander Laan. The triumph of the Christian faith is nowhere more striking than in the ancient Roman province of Asia Minor. This video transports you to locations in Israel and Turkey from which the early Christian church, on fire with the message of Jesus, literally changed the world. By taking us into that immoral culture where the early Christian missionaries had such a dramatic impact, Ray Vander Laan reveals how Christians today can impact our culture for Christ.

5 Sessions:

1. Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain-Caesarea Philippi

2. The Salt Of The Earth- Sardis

3. Where Satan Lives-Pergamum

4. The Mark Of The Beast-Ephesus

5. Hot Or Cold-Laodicea

You can find many more FREE spiritual growth resources by searching the Discovery Place catalog.

Discovery Place: Lenten Bible Study Resources

Filmed on location in The Middle East, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God’s Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible’s fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into the Scriptures’ significance for modern believers. These illuminating “faith lessons” afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life.

Faith Lessons: The Path To The Cross by Ray Vander Laan. Five sessions include:

1. The Way of the Essenes 

2. The Way of John the Baptist

3. Into the Desert to be Tested

4. The Last Passover

5. The Fifth Cup–Our Way of Hope

Faith Lessons: The Death & Resurrection Of The Messiah by Ray Vander Laan. Nine sessions include:

1. When Storms come

2. Piercing the Darkness

3. Gates of Hell

4. City of the Great King (Parts 1 and 2)

5. The Lamb of God

6. The Weight of the World

7. Roll Away the Stone

8. Power to the People

9. Total Commitment

Who Needs Christmas/Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley. In Why Easter Matters Andy looks at the lives of several key people in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. The circumstances they faced are different than ours, but their actions and mistakes are, unfortunately, not different at all.Four sessions:

1. The High Cost of Following Christ
2. The Risk of Surrendering to God
3. The God Who Can Be Trusted
4. The Foundation of Our Faith

Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado. In He Chose the Nails, a five-session DVD Bible study, Max examines the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion. These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb. The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.” The session titles are:

1. He Chose to Be One of Us
2. He Chose to Forgive Us
3. He Chose to Invite Us into His Presence
4. He Chose to Love Us Forever 
5. He Chose to Give Us Victory

You can find many more Lenten study resources by searching the Discovery Place catalog using the keyword “Lent.” 

Discovery Place Resource Center

303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-766-7441
email:  discovery@susumc.org
web:  www.discovery-place.org

Discovery Place: Advent Resources

As you prepare for the Advent Season (Sun, Dec 3 – Sun, Dec 24), here are some suggestions for small group or study groups:

Faithful: Through the Eyes of Joseph – DVD 1702 (6 copies available)

From his beginnings as a carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. His courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God’s salvation plan for humanity.

This DVD contains four videos featuring Adam Hamilton teaching about Joseph and what we as Christians can learn from him. The sessions are:

1. A Carpenter Named Joseph (11:58)

2. Whose Child Is This? (8:55)
3. Raising a Child Not Your Own (10:50)
4. The Journey to Bethlehem (10:11)

The videos, when combined with the book and leader guide, provide an engaging -week group study. All video sessions are closed captioned.

Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent – DVD 8950 (3 copies available)

In The Angels of Christmas: Hearing God’s Voice in Advent, pastor and author Susan Robb explores the angelic visits surrounding the birth of Jesus with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in a four-week Advent experience. In this study, the reader will explore the visits and dive deep into the history of the angel Gabriel and other angels in the Bible. The messages of the angels hold meaning for listeners both then and now.

Four sessions:

1. Gabriel and Zechariah (10:59)
2. Gabriel and Mary (10:01)
3. Joseph and an Angel of the Lord (10:31)
4. The Shepherds and the Angels (10:31)

Includes DVD, 63-page leader guide, and 108-page book.

Prepare the Way for the Lord: Advent and the Message of John the Baptist – DVD 8961 (4 copies available)

For two thousand years, Christians have turned to the story and message of John the Baptist in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In this study, best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton explores the Advent themes of John’s life and ministry, and how John calls all followers of Jesus to prepare our hearts and lives for his coming.

Four sessions:

1. The Annunciation: “God Has Heard Your Prayers” (14:13)
2. Pregnancy, Birth, Circumcision, and Zechariah’s Prophecy (15:36)
3. John’s Ministry and Preaching (14:37)
4. Witnesses, Testifying to the Light (14:56)

Includes DVD, 61-page leader guide, and 157-page hardcover book.

Who Needs Christmas? DVD 9411 (7 copies available)

Are we too familiar with Christmas and Easter? The stories of Christmas and Easter are so familiar that we rarely dig into the details. But what if we did? We might find that they stop sounding like far-fetched fairy tales. In fact, the improbable details of these stories might even start to sound like real life - maybe even YOUR life.

In Who Needs Christmas Andy Stanley explains how the remarkable details of the Christmas story are what make it so believable. And he tells us why, after so many years, it took something unexpected to get people’s attention.

Four sessions:

1. The Story Behind the Story (20:00)
2. The Author of Life (18:00)
3. The Message of Christmas (23:00)
4. Ready or Not…He Is Coming (18:00)

This DVD also includes the sessions for Why Easter Matters, so you could reserve it through March 2024 and use during Lent.

Discovery Place Resource Center

303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

717-766-7968

email  discovery@susumc.org

web  www.discovery-place.org

Discovery Place: Discovering a New Path Forward

The Discovery Place ministry for the Susquehanna Conference has had a long and fruitful life! We particularly thank Joni Robison who nurtured this ministry of sharing resources so well during her tenure, and is now enjoying retirement! Well done Joni!

As the Discovery Place evolves into a new stage of fruitful use, we are working to evaluate resources and make sure that what we offer back to you is helpful for your growth and development as our Conference vision statement mandates: to grow spiritual transformational leaders, equip vital congregations and create new places for new people, and connect with each other and the world so that alive in Christ together, the Susquehanna Conference will embody the beloved community of disciple-making congregations.

In the months to come, please use the Discovery Place website catalog (www.rqmweb.com/search.asp?q=susumc) to find interesting resources for Bible study, small group study, and training resources for your local ministry. There are three ways to search: by key words, title, or author. It is acceptable to borrow resources for preview. As always, you can have resources mailed or, if you are in the neighborhood, pick them up at the Conference Office – 303 Mulberry Dr, Mechanicsburg, 17050. Connie Waggoner, our receptionist, will be happy to see you and connect you with your ordered resources. 

Contact Kim Shockley – kshockley@susumc.org – if you want to browse through the resources that are being deleted from active service. These resources are being deleted because they are not used well, are in a format that is not easily usable (VHS), or have simply aged out. 

Thanks for your continued support of Discovery Place!

Discovery Place Resource Center

303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-766-7968
email  discovery@susumc.org
web  www.discovery-place.org

Discovery Place: Spiritual Growth Resources for the Summer Months

I enjoyed meeting many of you at the Discovery Place table at Annual Conference. Several folks ordered resources that were on display, and those have been sent. On Friday we had two tables FULL of items to give away, some of which were donated to Discovery Place. I was glad to go home with much less than I brought!

Summer is often the time when folks are away on vacation quite often. It is important, therefore, to offer lessons that are self-contained in one session and not part of a weeks-long series. There are many options that fit this description.

Nooma – This series is comprised of 24 different DVDs, each with one-word titles and lasting 15 minutes or less. Each includes a study guide with thought-provoking questions and Scripture verses. Visit our online catalog at www.discovery-place.org and search by title Nooma for individual titles and a brief description of each.

36 Parables – Labeled by color, each DVD contains three parables. 

Lime: “Charlie” - Parable of the Mustard Seed; “Wise/Foolish” – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders; “Together” – Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds.

Cyan: “Spilt Milk” – Parable of the New Wine in Old Wineskins; “A Few Weeks Later” – Parable of the Rich Fool; “Beyond Beautiful” – Parable of the Two Sons.

Yellow: “Found” – Parable of the Lost Coin; “Buried Talent” – Parable of the Talents; “Buen Vecino” – Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Purple: “Out of Reach” – Parable of the Friend at Midnight; “The Car Lot” – Parable of the Shrewd Manager; “Sean” – Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

Amber: “After Life” – Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus; “Tractor Safety Tips” – Parable of the Leafing Fig Tree; “The Good Shepherd” – Parable of the Good Shepherd.

Blue: “The Music Box” – Parable of the Hidden Treasure; “Like Father Like Son” – Parable of the Two Debtors; “Gnobody’s Gnome” – Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.

More complete descriptions with Scripture references are in our online catalog. 

Both Nooma and 36 Parables are relatively short DVDs and are suitable for both youth and adult groups. Nooma study guides are in a separate booklet; 36 Parables study guides have been downloaded from their website, and printed copies are in the box with each DVD. 

Deeper Connections Series – These visually stunning DVDs are written and taught by biblical experts – six professors with specialized areas of knowledge. Don’t let the word “deeper” scare you. These engaging and accessible studies are for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and apply it more faithfully and effectively. 

There are six books in this series, each containing six lessons: The Prayers of Jesus, The Parables of Jesus, The Miracles of Jesus, The Forgiveness of Jesus, The Life of Jesus, and The Last Days of Jesus. The video portion of each lesson is 25-30 minutes, with breaks for discussion. Included is a leader’s guide and a participant’s guide. For further details on each study, search our online catalog by title Deeper Connections.

You may place an order through our online catalog at www.discovery-place.org, email discovery@susumc.org, or call 717-766-7968. (Your voicemail will send an email.) 

After being involved with Discovery Place for over 20 years and being Director since the spring of 2016, I am retiring in June. Discovery Place will remain open, so please visit our website for hours and more information. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve you all! 

Joni Robison

Discovery Place: Resources to Build the Beloved Community

Discovery Place is open to serve you, and we would love to help you find the perfect resource for your Sunday School class or small group!  

FEATURED RESOURCE THIS MONTH: Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws - NEW from Adam Hamilton.

Jesus came to lift up the lowly. In the Gospel of Luke, a first-century portrait of Jesus, we find stories of Jesus’s ministry with ordinary, unexpected people. They weren’t perfect. Many of them were struggling and didn’t have their acts together. Some of them were outsiders or even outlaws. Whoever they were, from those he healed to the outlaws with him at his crucifixion, Jesus brought the good news of God’s kingdom to those who most needed to hear it. That includes you and me. In this study, Adam Hamilton explores the life of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke’s stories we find Jesus’s care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus’s concern for those who were considered unimportant, we hear a hopeful and inspiring word for our lives today. 6 sessions (11-12 minutes each); includes leader guide and hardcover book. 

As congregations seek to continue to grow in Building the Beloved Community, there are many resources available to help you. Highly recommended is the DVD entitled Vital Conversations: Racism and the U.S. Church, compiled by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR). Subtitled “Vital Conversations on Race, Culture, and Justice,” this is an 8-session look at racism in the United States church. The final session is by our own Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. Copies of this DVD and accompanying study guide were handed out at the Discovery Place table at Annual Conference in 2022 and will be available again this year. We also have several copies in Discovery Place that you may borrow. 

  

There are also several books that will raise awareness in your church. We encourage you to use any of the following titles for book studies: White Fragility, White Awake, How to be an AntiRacist, When Helping Hurts, and I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. Use the “advanced search” option in our online catalog (see below) and search by subject “Racism” for descriptions of these and many other helpful books and DVDs. 

 

These studies and many other resources may be borrowed from Discovery Place through the online catalog on our website, www.discovery-place.org, or you may email discovery@susumc.org, or call 717-766-7968. Leaving a voice message when you call will send me an email and I will respond as soon as possible. 

Come visit our table at Annual Conference! Newer items will be on display at the beginning, and midway through the conference we will convert our table and give away resources that have been donated or that we no longer need. Stop by and see us!

It has been my privilege to assist in Discovery Place since the fall of 2002, and to serve as Director since the spring of 2016. I will be retiring in June 2023, but Discovery Place will remain open! Please refer to the homepage on our website for office hours and other important information. The contact info for Discovery Place will remain the same. 

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison

Discovery Place Resource Center

Spotlight on Financial Wellbeing and Max Lucado

Discovery Place is open to serve you, and we would love to help you find the perfect resource for your Sunday Church School class or small group!  Consider using one of the following resources:

FEATURED RESOURCE FOR THIS MONTH:

 

Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being – compiled by Wespath. This in-depth study helps people of faith create healthy relationships with money and bring their financial lives in line with their faith journeys. Weaving Wesleyan theology together with sound financial advice, Saving Grace offers six videos giving concrete guidance on saving, earning, giving, spending, debt, and how to build a sustainable financial plan. It is a faith-based, comprehensive system for getting off to a good financial start or for turning your finances around. Videos are hosted by pastors and experienced financial advisors. In addition to the six basic sessions, there are three sessions especially for clergy, five bonus videos, and a promotional video. (Includes DVD, Devotional Book, Leader Guide, Workbook, and Clergy Workbook.)

RESOURCES BY MAX LUCADO:

Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World. Do you feel weighed down with worry? Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Could you use some calm? This study explores God’s promises in Philippians 4:4-8 and shows that while anxiety is part of life, it does not have to dominate life. (5 sessions. Includes DVD, study guide with resources for group leaders in the back, and hardcover book.)

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear. Fear confronts us daily: layoffs at work, uncertainty in the housing market, upswings in global warming, and a multitude of other troublesome issues. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? (6 sessions. Includes DVD, discussion guide, leader guide, and CD-ROM.)

You Are Never Alone. We want to believe in a living, loving, miracle-working God who does not hesitate to step into the messes of our world and lift us out. In this study we are reminded that God’s presence and power are nearer than we think. We only need to look at the miracles of Jesus as told in the Gospel of John to know this is true. As we do, we will find Jesus is right there with us, caring about every aspect of our lives.  (6 sessions. Includes DVD, study guide, and hardcover book.)

Unshakable Hope: Building Our Lives on the Promises of God. Max Lucado will help you, your group, and your church see your problems in the light of God’s many promises in Scripture. There are things that seem unstable in this life and in the world. But when we belong to God, we can filter our problems through the promises of God. The stories of the men and women in Scripture were different, but the theme was the same: they were People of the Promise. Following their examples, we can also build our lives on God’s promises, and trust Him to keep them. (12 sessions. Includes DVD, study guide, and hardcover book.)

It is easy to place an order from Discovery Place!  Visit our website, www.discovery-place.org and place an order through our online catalog, send me an email at discovery@susumc.org, or call me at 717-766-7968; your phone call will send me an email. I will respond to all requests as soon as possible. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison

Discovery Place: Lenten Studies

Ash Wednesday is February 22, so it’s not too early to start planning for a Lenten study! Choose from the following resources. Quantities are limited, so reserve your first choice early.   

Revolutionary Kingdom: Following the Rebel Jesus – This study by Mike Slaughter will challenge all Jesus-followers to step out of our places of comfort as we step up, proactively and courageously, to address the economic inequalities and unjust policies afflicting the least, lost, and underserved. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book.)

The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life – How do we walk with Christ: daily follow Him, grow in Him, and faithfully serve Him? Join Adam Hamilton to discover five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book. Children and youth books also available.)

Why Easter Matters – Andy Stanley looks at the lives of several key people in the familiar story of Jesus’ crucifixion. The circumstances they faced are different than ours, but their actions and mistakes are not different at all. (4 sessions. Includes DVD and study guide.) 

Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple – Adam Hamilton studies the life of Simon Peter, an ordinary fisherman who heard an extraordinary call. Filmed on location in Israel and Italy, the DVD shows key sites in Simon Peter’s life. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book. Children and youth books also available.)

What Makes a Hero? The Death-Defying Ministry of Jesus – Looking at pop culture heroes through the lens of faith, author Matt Rawle shows how Jesus turned the concept of hero on its head. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book. Children and youth books also available.)

Restored: Finding Redemption in Our Mess – Author Tom Berlin encourages us to reflect and meditate on our own brokenness, showing us that it is only when we focus on the cross as a place to surrender control that we can leave our mess and find true redemption. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book. Youth book also available.)

Final Words from the Cross – Adam Hamilton examines Christ’s dying hours and His final words as seen and heard by those who stood near the cross. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book.)

24 Hours that Changed the World – Travel to the Holy Land with Adam Hamilton, visiting the sites where the earth-shaking events of the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life took place. (7 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, book, and 40 Days of Reflection booklet.)

The God We Can Know: Exploring the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus – Author Rob Fuquay explores the “I am” statements of Jesus found in the gospel of John. (7 sessions. Includes DVD and book.)

Creed: What Christians Believe and Why – Adam Hamilton believes that for Christians and others seeking faith, powerful answers are contained in the Apostle’s Creed. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book.)

The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus – Author Adam Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Jesus from His baptism to the temptations to the heart of His ministry. (6 sessions. Includes DVD, leader guide, and book.)

Complete descriptions of these and all our other resources can be found in the online catalog on our website: www.discovery-place.org. You may place an order directly through our online catalog, e-mail discovery@susumc.org, or call 717-766-7968. We look forward to hearing from you!

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison

Susquehanna Conference

303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

717-766-7968

email  discovery@susumc.org

web  www.discovery-place.org

Discovery Place Resource Center: Get Your Advent Bible Study Resources Now!

By Joni Robison, Director of Discovery Place Resource Center

Discovery Place is ready to meet your needs for resources for small groups or Sunday School classes.  The first Sunday of Advent is Thanksgiving weekend, so start thinking now about a study for Advent! Order early to avoid disappointment, as quantities are limited.

New to Discovery Place since last year:

 

Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, by Magrey R DeVega, Ingrid McIntyre, April Casperson, Matt Rawle. These four authors connect our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Peace, Hope, Love, and Joy. 4 sessions. 

The Wonder of Christmas, by Ed Robb, Rob Renfroe, Bert Snyder, Susan Kent. The true wonder of Christmas is explored through four elements of the Christmas story: a star, a name, a manger, and a promise. 4 sessions.

Resources that include an Advent Study and a Lent Study: 

(Borrow now and return after Easter.)

  

The Case for Christmas/The Case for Easter, by Lee Strobel.  Strobel reveals what he discovered as he sought to separate the holiday from the holy day, the facts from the fantasy, and the truth from the tradition. 4 sessions in each study.

Who Needs Christmas/Why Easter Matters, by Andy Stanley. Dig into the details of the familiar stories of Christmas and Easter. 4 sessions in each study.

Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails, by Max Lucado. In the Advent study Lucado explores how the One who made everything chose to make Himself nothing and come into our world. The Lenten study examines the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion: the cross, the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb. 4 sessions for Advent, 5 sessions for Lent.

General Advent Resources:

  

 

Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, by Adam Hamilton. Jesus was known by many other names throughout his life. Learn the meaning behind the names of Christ and the difference He makes in our lives this Christmas. 4 sessions.  (Also available – study books for children and youth.)

Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton. As the earthly father of Jesus, Joseph’s place in the Nativity story is sometimes overlooked, but contains valuable lessons for all of us.  4 sessions.  (Also available – study books for children and youth.)

All I Want for Christmas: Opening the Gifts of God's Grace, by James Moore. In the spirit of Christmas, we give and receive gifts, remembering the greatest Christmas gift of all: God's gift of the Christ Child, our Savior. 5 sessions.

The Redemption of Scrooge, by Matt Rawle. Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this study explores the world of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits, with an eye to Christian faith. 4 sessions. (Also available – study book for youth.)

Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam, by James Moore. This study explores how God comes to us amid chaos and how we can be the light that the world seeks, especially during the Christmas Season. Bethlehem or bedlam…which will you choose this year?  5 sessions.

Many other options for Advent can be found on our website,  www.discovery-place.org. Click on ONLINE CATALOG and do an advanced search by topic Christmas/Advent.  Place an order directly from the catalog, call us at 717-766-7968, or e-mail discovery@susumc.org.

God’s blessings to you as we celebrate the upcoming seasons of thankfulness, joy, and hope!

Serving Christ with you,

Joni Robison