Small Group Series

Small groups offer the space and support for people to discern their callings. As experienced ministers will testify, learning through stories is an effective approach to adult education and faith formation. Storytelling honors both knowledge and emotional understanding. It is accessible to all, regardless of education or background. It creates a hospitable, non threatening environment for conversations about faith. Check out a few small group programs on calling developed by and for the Collegeville Institute.

Called to Life

Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s the meaning of my life?” Do you struggle to juggle work, family and other responsibilities? Have you wondered where God is leading you next? Start a Called to Life group and explore God’s calling in your everyday life.

Called to Life is a 6-week program for small groups in parishes and congregations to explore questions of vocation and calling—how God works in our everyday lives.

Click here to access the Called to Life facilitator guide, participant guide, and more.


Called to Work

Have you ever struggled to connect your faith and your work? Do you feel pulled between work, family, and other commitments? Are you wondering how God is present in your professional life? Start a Called to Work group and explore how God calls in and through your work.

Called to Work is a 6-week program for small groups in parishes and congregations to explore questions of vocation and profession—how God calls in our everyday work.

Click here to access the Called to Work facilitator guide, participant guide, and more.


Questions of Calling

Living the questions — it’s the journey of a lifetime. But living the questions is a powerful way to understand discipleship, the call to life.

Developed by Marty Stortz, this small group series focuses on five questions central to vocational discernment:

  • Who are you?
  • Where are you?
  • Where are you going?
  • Who do you belong to?
  • What’s your story?

Click here to access the Questions of Calling small group guide.


12 Tiny Things: Finding Sacred in Our Ordinary Lives

Collegeville Institute board member Ellie Roscher co-authored the new book 12 Tiny Things: Simple Ways to Live a More Intentional Life. The spiritual practices Ellie offers provide ongoing, daily ways of relating to God – a basis from which good discernment comes. The CCI commissioned Ellie to develop small group guides for congregational use including:

Visit the 12 Tiny Things website for more resources.


Leading Lives That Matter

Leading Lives That Matter compiles a wide range of texts—from ancient and contemporary literature, social commentary, and philosophy—for those who are trying to decide what to do with their lives and what kind of human beings they hope to become.

Editors Mark R. Schwehn and Dorothy C. Bass selected eight texts and developed a small group series for use in congregations.

Click here to access author information, commentary, and discussion questions.

Participants can purchase the book from the publisher’s website and other booksellers.