This document exists to serve Forge coaches and small group leads by offering trusted recommendations for Catholic small-group resources that have borne fruit in the past. It is not meant to be exhaustive, prescriptive, or limiting. Rather, it is a starting point—a curated list of resources that have helped men encounter Christ, grow in virtue, and take responsibility for their families and the Church. Groups should feel free to use any resource that effectively builds TAO men (Thriving, Apostolic, Orthodox). These recommendations are offered as guides, not guardrails.

At Forge, we often speak about small groups using the framework of Find, Form, and Fight. These three “buckets” help us think clearly about where men are and what they most need next. They are not rigid categories. In reality, most men—and most groups—are finding, forming, and fighting all at the same time. Nevertheless, we have found this paradigm extremely helpful for mission clarity, group composition, and leadership expectations. At its core, Forge’s mission is to find and form men so that they can fight for the family. In that sense, our long-term goal is always to help men move from the first bucket toward the third.

Find groups are oriented toward evangelization and invitation. These groups are best suited for men who are on the fringes of the faith, just returning after time away, or newly serious about becoming virtuous husbands and fathers. Find groups are often a man’s first experience of intentional fraternity, and they frequently emerge after a large event, a personal invitation, or a moment of awakening. Leading a Find group is often the most challenging—and the most rewarding—form of leadership, as it requires patience, clarity, and a strong sense of accompaniment.

Form groups consist of men who are meaningfully committed to the faith but still in the process of conversion and growth. These men may be learning the foundations of Catholic teaching, rooting out habitual sin, or restructuring their lives around prayer, sacrament, and virtue. Formation groups help stabilize and deepen a man’s interior life so that he can eventually bear fruit for others.

Fight groups are composed of men who are actively pursuing sanctity and mission. These men are responding intentionally to the Great Commission, seeking not only their own holiness but also the renewal of their families, parishes, and communities. Fight groups emphasize leadership, sacrifice, spiritual fatherhood, and apostolic boldness.

The resources that follow are organized according to this Find–Form–Fight framework. Again, the categories are porous, and many resources will serve men across multiple stages. Use this document as a tool for discernment and discussion within your leadership team. Finally, please note that groups using Forge-produced resources may reach out to their Forge City Director if a scholarship code or access assistance would be helpful. Our desire is always to remove barriers so that men can encounter Christ and grow into the men God is calling them to be.

FIND RESOURCES

Small group resource recommendations for men just getting started in the faith. These resources are for men who are being “Found”.

1. Forge, “Men and Work” Series (See HERE)
   
   This Forge series begins where most men already live: their work, ambition, pressure to provide, and desire for meaning. Rather than starting with abstract theology, it helps men ask deeper questions about why they work, what success is for, and how work relates to God, family, and virtue. For men new to the faith, this is disarming and accessible—faith is not presented as an “add-on,” but as something that speaks directly into daily life. The series helps men see that Christianity does not suppress masculine drive, but orders it toward purpose and holiness. It is especially effective for skeptical or high-achieving men who want faith to feel real and relevant.
   
   
2. Forge, “New Adam” (available on the Forge website starting February 16^th, 2026)
   
   New Adam introduces men to a bold, integrated vision of masculinity rooted in Scripture, especially Genesis and the life of Christ. It helps men see their own struggles—work, relationships, temptation, responsibility—within the larger story of fallen and redeemed manhood. For men just being “found,” this framework is powerful because it gives coherence to their experience rather than moralizing it. The resource avoids clichés and instead offers depth without heaviness, conviction without condemnation. It helps men begin to understand who they are as men before asking what they must do. It also helps men understanding the vision and motivation for Forge as it also addresses the crisis of manhood and masculinity and is authored by Forge’s founder, Dr. John Bishop. 
   
   
3. Chris Stefanick’s “The Search” (available for free on Formed.org and Heroic Men)
   
   This is the single most effective resource for Forge “Find” groups outside of our own curriculum. It has been used by many, many groups across the Forge community. The Search is designed for people who are asking big questions about meaning, suffering, happiness, and God—often before they are ready for doctrine. The videos are professionally produced, emotionally engaging, and structured to spark conversation rather than demand prior knowledge. For men just starting out, this resource lowers the intimidation factor and creates space for honest questions and doubts. It helps men articulate what they are already feeling but may not yet have language for. Small-group leads will find it especially helpful for mixed-background groups with varying levels of belief.
   
   
4. Knights of Columbus, “Into the Breach” (available for free HERE)
   
   Into the Breach speaks directly to men’s instincts for courage, responsibility, and protection. Drawing on Bishop Olmsted’s pastoral letter, the series frames Catholic faith as a call to heroic, sacrificial masculinity rather than passive religiosity. For men early in the faith, this is powerful because it reclaims strength and leadership as Christian virtues. The tone is direct, challenging, and unapologetically male—without being partisan or ideological. It helps men see that faith is not a retreat from the world, but a summons to engage it well. Next to Forge internal resources and Stefanick’s series (#2 above), this resource has also been exceptionally helpful for Find groups. 
   
   
5. Acts XXIX, “The Rescue Project” (see HERE)
   
   The Rescue Project presents Christianity as a rescue story—a dramatic narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Rather than assuming men know the Gospel, it reintroduces it as something urgent, personal, and world-changing. This is especially effective for men who have “heard it all before” but never grasped why it mattered. The content is clear, compelling, and emotionally resonant, helping men encounter Jesus not as an idea, but as a living Savior. It often produces genuine conversion moments in early-stage groups.
   
   

FORM RESOURCES

Small group resource recommendations for men who are meaningfully committed to their faith and ready for formation. These resources presume a willingness to endure difficulty for the sake of truth, virtue, family leadership, and the good of the Church.

1. Forge, “Home Church” (see HERE)
   
   This course introduces some of the concepts and Church teachings that are most central to Forge’s mission. As an organization, we highly encourage Forge groups to take this course at some point along a group’s development. Home Church helps men recover a vision of the family as the primary place of discipleship, prayer, and mission. Rather than outsourcing spiritual leadership, this resource calls men to take responsibility for cultivating a culture of faith within their own homes. It is especially formative for men who are practicing their faith but unsure how to lead spiritually as husbands and fathers. The content is concrete, actionable, and rooted in Catholic theology of the domestic Church. For Form-stage men, it bridges belief and lived responsibility.
   
   
2. Fr. Dave Pivonka’s “The Wild Goose” (available on Formed.org and Heroic Men)
   
   The Wild Goose series invites men into a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit—the often-neglected Person of the Trinity. This resource is particularly helpful for men who are faithful but spiritually dry, over-intellectualized, or unsure how to grow beyond duty-based Christianity. The series challenges men to surrender control and allow the Spirit to heal, convict, and empower them. For Form groups, it often unlocks deeper prayer, repentance, and courage. It pairs well with honest discussion and personal testimony within a brotherhood setting.
   
   
3. Forge, “Patriarchs” (see HERE)
   
   This small group series introduces many of the same themes as the Home Church series, but the content is tailored to grandfathers. If you’re a grandfather, you’re probably very interested in answering the question, “How do I pass my faith to my grandkids? There is no simple answer to that question, but this course will take you a long way! In a world full of busy parents combatting our present culture, grandparents have never been more important! In preparation for this course, FORGE interviewed world-renowned experts in psychology, sociology, theology, and ministry. We then distilled the best of their advice to bring you five, data-driven lessons on passing the faith to future generations. Each lesson includes a 25-minute video and written leader guide. Our faith teaches that families are “churches in miniature,” or domestic Churches. Grandfathers will leave equipped to create a strong family culture, speak to their grandkids about Church teaching, and lead their families in faith.
   
   
4. Forge, “Fathers and Sons” (see HERE)
   
   This is Forge’s very first internally developed resource, and it is very powerful! This resource focuses explicitly on the formative relationship between fathers and sons—biological and spiritual. It places a particular emphasis on the sexual formation of young men in the midst of a sexually toxic culture. It challenges men to confront their own experiences of fatherhood, both received and given, and to grow in intentional presence, affirmation, and discipline. For men already committed to their faith, Fathers and Sons helps translate interior conversion into relational fruit. It is particularly effective for groups made up of fathers or men preparing for fatherhood. 
   
   
5. Jon Tyson’s “The Intentional Father” (available on Amazon HERE)
   
   The Intentional Father offers a clear, structured vision for purposeful fatherhood in a disordered culture. While not explicitly Catholic, the content resonates strongly with Catholic anthropology and virtue-based leadership. It is best suited for men who are already serious about faith and family and want practical frameworks for raising children with conviction. For Form groups, this resource sharpens intentionality and pushes men beyond vague good intentions. When paired with Catholic teaching, it can be a strong catalyst for growth. The chapters are very easy reads and very practical with discussion questions at the end. 
   
   
6. Exodus Challenges (exodus90.com)
   
   Exodus Challenges can be extremely effective when framed correctly. When pitched not as a badge of intensity but as a temporary challenge to do a difficult thing, they become accessible and fruitful for men across many stages of maturity. For Form-stage men, these challenges build discipline, solidarity, and self-mastery. They also reveal areas of attachment and weakness that need further formation. Used prudently, Exodus Challenges can deepen fraternity and accelerate growth without becoming performative or discouraging.
   
   

FIGHT RESOURCES

These resources are for TAO men who are firmly committed to living the faith together and are ready to embrace sustained discipline, shared sacrifice, and real accountability. While all Forge internally developed resources are well-suited for TAO groups, the following recommendations are especially effective for men who are prepared to contend seriously for virtue, freedom, and spiritual leadership.

1. He Leadeth Me – Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ (see HERE)
   
   This spiritual classic is an exceptional resource for men in a more advanced place spiritually, particularly those seeking growth in obedience, trust, and interior freedom amid suffering. Written from the perspective of a Jesuit priest imprisoned for decades in Soviet labor camps, He Leadeth Me offers a bracing meditation on abandonment to Divine Providence. Several high-quality discussion guides are available, including those produced by Hallow.
   
   
2. Consecration to Saint Joseph (see HERE)
   
   Consecration to St. Joseph is a powerful practice of entrusting oneself to the fatherly care, protection, and guidance of the earthly father of Jesus. Complementary to Marian consecration—not competitive—this devotion emphasizes Joseph’s virtues of obedience, humility, silence, courage, and prudent leadership. Most programs involve a 33-day preparation of readings and prayers, culminating in a formal act of consecration, often on a feast day. For many men, this has proven to be a decisive step toward deeper spiritual fatherhood and responsibility.
   
   
3. Exodus 90 (Exodus Challenges)
   
   This works well for Form or Fight, so including here again for the value Exodus has for TAO men. The Exodus challenges are among the most demanding and fruitful formation tools available to Catholic men. While best known for the 90-day program leading to Easter, Exodus also offers shorter challenges throughout the year. When pitched correctly—not merely as a devotional but as a shared ascetical effort—these challenges can be transformative for men at nearly any stage of formation, especially when undertaken in fraternity.
   
   
4. Confessions – St. Augustine (see HERE)
   
   For groups ready to engage deeply with a Church Father—and arguably the most influential theologian in Western Christianity—Forge recommends reading Books I–IX of Augustine’s Confessions. These books trace Augustine’s intellectual conversion, moral struggle, and eventual surrender to God, offering men a demanding but profoundly human account of desire, repentance, grace, and friendship. If any group actually goes after reading Augustine together, don’t hesitate to contact John Bishop directly for discussion guides particular to each chapter. When considering translations, the Sr. Maria Boulding would work very well for these purposes. 
   
   
5. The Rule – Devin Schadt(see HERE)
   
   The Rule is a demanding and highly practical resource for men who are ready to move from aspiration to ordered living. Drawing on Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, and the monastic tradition, Schadt guides men in crafting a personal Rule of Life oriented toward prayer, discipline, virtue, mission, and fatherly leadership. This book is particularly well-suited for TAO groups that desire structure, accountability, and intentional rhythms of life. When worked through together, The Rule helps men concretize their commitments and sustain long-term spiritual momentum rather than relying on short bursts of motivation.
   
   

Forge coaches and small-group leads are entrusted with more than content selection—they are entrusted with men. For that reason, these resources should never be approached mechanically or chosen simply because they are popular or readily available. Discern them prayerfully, with an attentive eye toward the concrete men in your group: their level of commitment, their wounds, their readiness for sacrifice, and their capacity for sustained fraternity. TAO is not built by forcing men into the deep end prematurely, nor by leaving them comfortable for too long. It is built through wise sequencing, honest assessment, and the courage to call men higher at the right moment.

Above all, remember that TAO is not primarily the result of the right program but of right leadership. Men become Thriving, Apostolic, and Orthodox when they are invited into shared discipline, real accountability, and common pursuit of holiness—together. Choose resources that demand something of your men, and be willing to demand something of yourself as a leader. When groups pray together, suffer together, and contend together for virtue, TAO ceases to be an ideal and becomes a lived reality.