Pastoral Helps
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Not What I Signed Up For Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartA six-session Bible study for groups based on the story of Joseph.
Life can throw us off-kilter. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a season that you never would have expected.
In this six-session study guide, based on the book Not What I Signed Up For and its accompanying streaming video teaching series, Bible teacher Nicole Unice invites you into biblical story of Joseph-a man who lived an unexpected life and trusted God through it all. Grow in understanding God’s faithfulness even through your trials, know his love right in the middle of your suffering, and stand firm on his trust even when things remain paralyzingly uncertain.
Sessions include:
Session 1: The Joseph Blessing
Session 2: The Promises He Keeps
Session 3: The Tests of Your Character
Session 4: The Work of Patience
Session 5: The Results of Redemption
Session 6: The Story of SovereigntyCompanion video streaming series available from Right Now Media and Tyndale House Publishers!
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Know The Theologians
$22.99Add to cartKnow the Theologians is an introduction to the most important thinkers throughout church history and a demonstration of their ongoing relevance for believers today.
The Bible describes the church as a kind of family. Those who believe in Christ are sisters and brothers in the faith, whether they live at the same time or are separated by centuries. For that reason, believers today need to know our family members who have come before and shaped our beliefs and practices now. In Know the Theologians, professors and authors Jennifer Powell McNutt and David W. McNutt introduce the most significant thinkers in the church’s history.
McNutt and McNutt survey over a dozen primary figures, including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant theologians, who represent the breadth and depth of the church’s theology. The book explores how they fit into their own time period and also draws attention to the theological voices of women throughout the church’s history. Every chapter includes short sidebars on figures contemporary to the main theologians, bringing in additional important voices.
This book has everything you need for a full personal or group study experience.
As part of the KNOW series, Know the Theologians is designed for either personal study or classroom use, and it will also be an accessible resource for small groups and adult education in churches. Chapters end with reflection questions and recommended reading for further study.
An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don’t need to buy a DVD!)
Sessions and video run times:
1. Introduction (6:30)
2. Irenaeus of Lyons (17:00)
3. Athanasius of Alexandria (24:30)
4. The Cappadocian Four (16:00)
5. Augustine of Hippo (14:30)
6. John of Damascus (17:00)
7. Anselm of Canterbury (19:00)
8. Julian of Norwich (20:30)
9. Thomas Aquinas (19:00)
10. Martin Luther (22:00)
11. John Calvin (25:30)
12. Menno Simons (21:30)
13. Teresa of Avila (19:30)
14. The Wesley Brothers (21:00)
15. Friedrich Schleiermacher (12:00)
16. Karl Barth (14:00)
17. Gustavo Gutierrez (30:30)Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after April 2, 2029. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
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Pastor As Leader
$19.99Add to cartPractical, Biblical Advice for Effective Pastoral Leadership
Many pastors feel torn between preaching and leading, but both responsibilities are essential. Without faithful exposition of Scripture, churches risk straying theologically. Without strong leadership, teaching lacks spiritual zeal. How can pastors find balance and steward their calling effectively?
In The Pastor as Leader, John Currie equips pastors to be men of God who competently carry out their purpose: leading God’s people through the preaching of God’s word. Recognizing a common disconnect between the roles of preaching and leadership, Currie offers foundational principles for pastoring “under Christ’s appointment, conformed to Christ’s character, which exemplifies and implements Christ’s wisdom, preached from Christ’s word.” By integrating two primary roles of the pastorate, readers will learn how to faithfully and confidently proclaim the Scriptures as they communicate biblical vision and strategy for the church’s mission.
*Encouragement and Instruction for Pastors: Biblical advice for leading the church through preaching the gospel
*Biblical and Theological: Explores the role of a pastor by looking at the life of Jesus, the early church in Acts, and leaders throughout church history
*Practical: Takes pastors from principles to practice, with helpful advice and reflection questions
*A Thoughtful Gift for Working and Aspiring Pastors
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Good Kids Gone Bad
$17.99Add to cartGood Kids Gone Bad: Straight Talk from a Prodigal Who Came Home focuses on themes of addiction prevention and recovery geared towards caregivers, parents or individuals caring for those caught in the struggles of substance abuse. The text ties in practical and anecdotal stories along with how God can do the miraculous in helping to change and redeem lives caught in addiction.
Author Joe Maxim, has firsthand experience dealing with the darkness of addiction. Both he and his wife Chris, have sought to help others recover from their personal battles through their organization Young Overcomers United (YOU).
Maxim sees great benefit from sharing these prevention techniques. He testifies that, “Having witnessed hundreds of situations and from walking with recovering addicts, I believe there are clear warning signs and actionable steps that can be taken long before recovery is necessary.”
For those who may require additional care, steps to recovery are available, and it’s here that Maxim spends more time to better deal with this vital, difficult work. Maxim mentions, “All of the work I do in my ministry is in recovery. While you may not share my calling to help hundreds of young people recover from addictions, you may very well have an addict in your life who you long to see set free from the chains of addiction that bind them.”
This book from Joe Maxim is passion project that will be a great aid in ministering to the souls, minds, and bodies of those dealing with addiction and the people that care for them.
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Good Shepherd : Forty Biblical Insights On Leading And Being Led
$19.99Add to cartLearn from the Good Shepherd how to lead in your home, church, or community. After spending months among Bedouin shepherds in the Middle East, Tim Laniak offers 40 short readings that explore every leader’s responsibility to provide, protect, and guide. Each chapter begins with observations from Tim’s travels, continues with insights into Bible stories about shepherding, and concludes with what this means for you in your own spheres of influence.
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Abingdon Preaching Annual 2025
$30.99Add to cartThe local pastor’s go-to resource for weekly sermon planning.
The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2025 is Lectionary-based and follows the calendar year (January – December). It includes special days like Maundy Thursday and Ash Wednesday, and indexes for Scriptures and themes, to assist preachers with non-Lectionary sermons.
Each entry begins with a preacher-to-preacher prayer for preparation, then moves to the key feature: a commentary on one or more texts for the week, exploring themes and storylines, theological reflections, and thoughts about how the text and topic relate to our lives today. Also included are ideas for bringing the text to life–stories, illustrations, ideas for further reading, questions the preacher might pose to the congregation, and suggestions for a ‘call to action’ in response to the message.
Finally, for the preacher’s ongoing enrichment, the Annual includes excerpts from new books on preaching and homiletics. This helpful resource is written by every-week preachers who aim to come alongside you, offering a reliable starting point for your sermonic planning, writing, and delivery.
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Context Leader Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$15.99Add to cartExploring the Chapter Behind the Verse.
The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. Components include a book, Context: Putting Scripture in Its Place, and video teaching sessions featuring Josh Scott, making this perfect as a group study throughout the year.
Context looks at verses we know by heart but may not know the people, places, and times that give them meaning. Josh Scott delves into these well-known Scripture verses, exploring their true meanings by examining them in their original biblical context. Through this process, he unveils fresh and enlightening interpretations that are often missed when these Scriptures are taken out of context.
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Context : Putting Scripture In Its Place (Student/Study Guide)
$18.99Add to cartExploring the Chapter Behind the Verse Context looks at verses we know by heart but may not know the people, places, and times that give them meaning. Josh Scott delves into well-known scripture verses, exploring their true meanings by examining them in their original biblical context. Through this process, he unveils fresh and enlightening interpretations that are often missed when these scriptures are taken out of context. The book can be read alone or used by small groups anytime throughout the year. Components include video teaching sessions featuring Josh Scott and a comprehensive Leader Guide, making this perfect as a six-week group study.
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Matthew Leader Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$15.99Add to cartExplore the tenderness and the tensions in the teachings of Jesus.
The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. Components include the book, Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings, and video teaching sessions featuring Matthew Skinner.
The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as full of tender compassion and urgent warning. This six-part exploration of an enigmatic Gospel takes readers into the themes, topics, and tensions at the heart of Matthew’s story about the life and work of Jesus. Chapters focus on blessing and comfort, judgment and retribution, the meaning of discipleship, Jesus’ vision for the Church and world, conflicts and complaints, and how the Gospel of Matthew speaks to believers today.
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Matthew : The Gospel Of Promised Blessings (Student/Study Guide)
$17.99Add to cartExplore the tenderness and the tensions in the teachings of Jesus.
The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as full of tender compassion and urgent warning. This six-part exploration of an enigmatic Gospel takes readers into the themes, topics, and tensions at the heart of Matthew’s story about the life and work of Jesus. Chapters focus on blessing and comfort, judgment and retribution, the meaning of discipleship, Jesus’ vision for the Church and world, conflicts and complaints, and how the Gospel of Matthew speaks to believers today.
The book can be read alone or used by small groups anytime throughout the year. Components include video teaching sessions featuring Matthew Skinner and a comprehensive Leader Guide.
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Attentive Church Leadership
$25.00Add to cartThe world has changed, and we minister in places we have never been in before. As the world screams for our focus, it’s essential to become attentive to God, our congregation, and our community. Kevin Ford and Jim Singleton call for attentive churches with attentive leaders to discern cultural and organizational change and pivot accordingly.
The world has changed. The changes around us present daunting challenges to the church, and we minister in places we have never been in before. But there are no one-size-fits-all solutions because every church needs to attend to its specific situation and calling. We need to listen for not only what to do but also what not to do. In a world screaming in a thousand directions for our focus, it’s essential for us to become attentive to God, our congregation, and our community.
Kevin Ford and Jim Singleton call for attentive churches with attentive leaders who can discern cultural and organizational change and pivot accordingly. Healthy transformation starts with a posture of attention. We need to see what God is already doing in our midst: in our own soul, in our people, and in the communities and culture around us. Chapters explore key questions that attentive leaders ask and offer case studies of attentive churches that have navigated the issues and transitions facing them. As we practice habits of attention, God leads us through the highs and lows of change into the exciting adventure of being on mission with him.
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Gospel Of John Bible Study Book With Video Access (Student/Study Guide)
$30.75Add to cartLife. It seems to move at a break-neck pace. Days are filled with noise, screens, and appointments. Sometimes worry and fear are constant companions. The chaos can leave you looking for a place to be still, but that resting spot always seems to be an elusive destination. Jesus offers a different kind of life. He offers peace. He is peace.
In this 7-session study on the Gospel of John, Melissa Spoelstra will encourage you to slow down and linger with the living Word. You’ll appreciate the pace of the Savior who never hurried but completed all that the Father called Him to accomplish. As you turn the pages of John’s Gospel, you’ll be challenged to take on the posture of a learner-understanding that the peace Jesus offers is not an ease of circumstances, but a stillness of the soul. As a result, you’ll grow in intimacy with Him and learn to live, serve, and rest in His peace.
Video Sessions:
*Session One: Introduction (23:01)-Melissa begins the video teaching on the Gospel of John by setting the context for the study. She shares about who John was writing to and his purpose for writing the Gospel. She also gives an overview of the six remaining video sessions, noting the themes and memory verses.
*Session Two: Peace in the Plan of Jesus (25:59)-The video teaching for Session 2 centers on savoring peace in the plan of Jesus. Melissa focuses on John 1-3 to show us how God was the orchestrator of the salvation plan set before the beginning of time. This plan was accomplished by His power, evidenced His great love for us, and displayed His glory.
*Session Three: Peace in the Power of Jesus (25:28)-John 4-6 is the focal point of the teaching in Session 3 video as Melissa talks about savoring peace in the power of Jesus. She discusses three of the seven signs (miracles) found in John’s Gospel and points out three important truths for us to remember. She challenges us to rest in the truth that God is powerfully able and willing to help us in our time of need.
*Session Four: Peace in the Patience of Jesus (24:46)-In the Session 4 video teaching, Melissa focuses on savoring peace in the patience of Jesus. She’ll discuss portions of John 7-9 to reveal the big idea that when we look beneath the surface of our longings, we will find Jesus as our only source of satisfaction.
*Session Five: Peace in the Purposes of Jesus (31:11)-Savoring peace in the purposes of Jesus is the theme of the Session 5 video teaching. Melissa looks at portions of John 10-1
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Connections Worship Companion Year B Volume 2
$34.00Add to cartThe Connections Worship Companion is an essential resource for leaders and planners of Christian worship services. This volume offers complete liturgies–from the call to worship to the closing charge, with prayers and litanies for every need in between–for all worshiping occasions for the season after Pentecost of Year B. Part of the Connections commentary series, these worship resources help congregations illuminate the connections between Scripture and liturgical rhythms.
The Connections Worship Companion is a six-volume series, with each volume focusing on a different season of the Christian year. Each volume provides three kinds of materials to enhance your liturgical experience. First, there are “Making Connections” essays at the beginning of each major section, which introduce the primary theological themes of the Christian year, highlight particular biblical texts, point to distinctive features of the lectionary cycle, and offer practical and pastoral guidance. Second, there are seasonal/repeating resources, which are liturgical texts intended for multiple uses during a particular span of time in the Christian year, promoting diachronic connections from one Sunday to the next. Last, there are resources for each Sunday or festival in the Christian year, which promote synchronic connections between the liturgy and the lectionary. The combination of these resources assists worship planners in assembling complete orders of worship for the Lord’s Day.
Contributors to this volume include Claudia L. Aguilar Rubalcava, Mamie Broadhurst, Marci Auld Glass, Marcus A. Hong, Kimberly Bracken Long, Emily McGinley, Kendra L. Buckwalter Smith, Samuel Son, Slats Toole, and Byron A. Wade.
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Chaplaincy : A Comprehensive Introduction
$34.99Add to cartA practical, evangelical introduction to the vital role of chaplain in its many manifestations. Beginning by explaining the history and theological underpinnings of the position, Jumper, Keith, and Langston go on to explore how this time-honored “ministry of presence” functions in contemporary education, health care, the military, sports, and other contexts.
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Chaplaincy : A Comprehensive Introduction
$69.99Add to cartA practical, evangelical introduction to the vital role of chaplain in its many manifestations. Beginning by explaining the history and theological underpinnings of the position, Jumper, Keith, and Langston go on to explore how this time-honored “ministry of presence” functions in contemporary education, health care, the military, sports, and other contexts.
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Beyond The Clinical Hour
$28.00Add to cartThe global mental health crisis is growing faster than our existing mental health care system can address. To meet the scope of human need, we need new models of care. The good news is that there is an institution uniquely positioned with the resources and the heart to help: the church.
Psychologists James Sells and Amy Trout and journalist Heather Sells know firsthand the urgency of the situation-but they have also witnessed creative partnerships between churches and mental health professionals springing up across the United States. In this book, they call clinicians, students, and educators to collaborate with churches and lay leaders to envision and then create innovative solutions in their own communities.
Challenging the dominance of the traditional “clinical hour” as a one-size-has-to-fit-all model, Sells, Trout, and Sells give concrete guidance on how mental health professionals can work with churches to provide consultation, train lay leaders, and develop and evaluate programs to expand a continuum of care. They also explore the skills, theological foundations, and research-based knowledge that both Christian counselors and church leaders need to integrate their spheres of expertise.
Both a call to action and an encouraging roadmap, this book charts the way forward for combining the science of the mental health discipline with the service of Christian ministry.
Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.
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Deconstruction Of Christianity Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartA Study Guide that Helps You Respond Wisely to the Deconstruction Trend
Alisa and Tim will help you respond, both with arguments and with love and sensitivity. This is a timely book! — Carl Trueman, author of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
A movement called ‘deconstruction’ is sweeping through our churches and it is affecting our loved ones. It has disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed the faith of so many, and this study guide can help you not only understand what’s happening but also stand your ground and respond with clarity and confidence.
*Maybe you have a loved one who is deconstructing their faith, and you are struggling to know how to respond;
*Maybe you are trying to understand the radical spiritual makeover your friend or family member is going through;
*Maybe your relationship with a loved one has been strained or even cut off because of your “toxic” Christian beliefs and you don’t know what to do
*Maybe you’re experiencing doubt yourself and facing hard questions about God, truth, theology, and the gospel
This study guide is designed to be used alongside the book The Deconstruction of Christianity, written by Alisa Childers, bestselling author of Another Gospel?, and Tim Barnett, host of Red Pen Logic. This guide will help you understand what deconstruction is, the roots of the movement, why it is compelling to some, and how it disrupts the lives of so many. In this study, you will be able to think through all of the issues around this trend and explore wise and loving ways to respond from a biblical worldview.
Includes six sessions:
Session 1: What Is Deconstructionism?
Session 2: How Did We Get Here?
Session 3: Why Deconstruction?
Session 4: What Is Deconstructed?
Session 5: Who Are the Deconstructors?
Session 6: Where Do We Go from Here -
No Address An Interactive Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$17.99Add to cartA four-session interactive Bible study, based on the documentary Americans with No Address, that examines the biblical response to people experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness is not an “issue”; it’s an opportunity for the church to love our neighbors. In this four-session interactive Bible study, we examine what Scripture has to say on the topic. A companion to the documentary Americans with No Address and the full-length theatrical movie No Address (starring Ashanti, William Baldwin, Beverly D’Angelo, and Xander Berkeley), this study teaches participants:
*The root causes of different types of homelessness.
*How to engage rather than enable.
*The importance of collaboration among existing agencies.
*How to mobilize their church to follow Jesus’ call to serve.Each session includes:
*Facts, true stories, and background about the people who experience homelessness in America.
*QR code for quick link to online videos.
*Discussion questions for churches and small groups.
*Perspective from the Bible.
*”Go and Do” action steps.
*Ideas for further resources.
*Prayer prompts and reflection questions.
The government can’t solve homelessness alone. The nonprofit sector can’t solve it alone. But neighbors loving neighbors, working together, can make a difference for the people who are experiencing homelessness in America. No Address equips Christians to lead the way.
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God Of The Other Side Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Guid
$21.99Add to cartIn the Gospels, we often read of Jesus telling his disciples to travel to the “other side” of the Sea of Galilee. What we don’t often realize is what this other side represented. It was the region of the Decapolis, where many pagan religions were practiced. The disciples, under Jewish law, would have been considered unclean even to step foot there.
In this six-session video Bible study, Kathie Lee Gifford and Joanne Moody reveal how Jesus broke through social barriers and reached those on the “other side” whom society had abandoned. Through the stories of the Demoniac, Samaritan Woman, Prodigal Son, four friends of the paralyzed man, and Cornelius and Peter, you will discover the incredible lengths to which God will go to reach those who are lonely, lost, and left behind. You will be challenged to follow Jesus’ example and daily go to the other side for those who need his love.
Each session includes clips from The Way oratorios, featuring Kathie Lee Gifford and other well-known personalities, that bring the story of Scripture to life with contemporary orchestral arrangements, powerful narration, and stunning visuals.
This study guide includes:
*Individual access to six streaming video sessions
*A guide to best practices for leading a group
*Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time
*Personal study for deeper reflectionSessions and video run times:
1. The Other Side (23:00)
2. The Demoniac (24:00)
3. The Samaritan Woman (22:00)
4. The Prodigal Son (22:00)
5. Cornelius and Peter (23:00)
6. The Power of Unity (23:00) -
Doing Justice Together
$17.99Add to cartTransform your church with grace. Doing Justice Together introduces a process using Scripture as a souce of inspiration and instruction for pastors and church people to move through together, to re-envision and reorient themselves away from old, harmful habits. Beck and Hand show pastors how they can, over time, lead the congregation to become a place where racial harmony, justice, and liberation are intrinsic to the structure and life of the church. The authors lay out four pathways for discerning and correcting the unjust patterns that often sneak into church life unnoticed. They also share other leaders’ stories from a variety of settings where this process has led to healing, revival, and hope. Following the pathways, pastors and congregants will be equipped to thoughtfully transform their church. They’ll make changes with grace and care, honoring and including longtime members. And they’ll begin new ministries–perhaps reaching people they could never have imagined reaching before–becoming a fresh expression of church in their community.
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Untangle Your Emotions Conversation Card Deck
$22.99Add to cartWhat does the Bible tell us about our emotions?
Does the Bible really tell us that our emotions are untrustworthy? God made us to feel our emotions, to examine and share them–not manage or suppress them. We can learn what it means to live emotionally-healthy lives from studying Jesus’ life and how He cared for and responded to the people around Him.
Join Jennie Allen for the Untangle Your Emotions Bible Study as she helps you discover that emotions that are submitted to God and used for the purposes God intends connect us to each other and to Him.
This six-session study will equip you to:
*Be encouraged through the examples of emotion in Scripture by God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
*Identify the unhealthy ways you might be coping with emotions.
*Learn a biblical step-by-step method to help you process, name, and notice what you are feeling.
*Move from apathetic to articulate when it comes to sharing what you feel.
This Conversation Card Deck includes 113 cards — fifteen cards for each session with questions designed to start deep, honest conversations. The card deck is designed to be used with the Untangle Your Emotions Bible Study Guide, sold separately.
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Untangle Your Emotions Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Gui
$24.99Add to cartWhat does the Bible tell us about our emotions?
Does the Bible really tell us that our emotions are untrustworthy? God made us to feel our emotions, to examine and share them–not manage or suppress them. We can learn what it means to live emotionally-healthy lives from studying Jesus’ life and how He cared for and responded to the people around Him.
Join Jennie Allen for the Untangle Your Emotions Bible Study as she helps you discover that emotions that are submitted to God and used for the purposes God intends connect us to each other and to Him.
This six-session study will equip you to:
*Be encouraged through the examples of emotion in Scripture by God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
*Identify the unhealthy ways you might be coping with emotions.
*Learn a biblical step-by-step method to help you process, name, and notice what you are feeling.
*Move from apathetic to articulate when it comes to sharing what you feel.
This study guide includes:
*Individual access to six streaming video sessions
*Personal study between sessions
*Leader’s Guide -
Church For Everyone
$18.00Add to cartDiversity is a high value for younger generations-but too often, they’re not finding it in the church.
Emerging generations in the West are more diverse than ever-ethnically, socioeconomically, educationally, and politically. And as church attendance among younger generations declines rapidly, research shows that one of their primary sticking points is the lack of diversity in most churches.
In Church for Everyone, pastors Dan Kreiss and Efrem Smith address this phenomenon head-on. In this research-based, theologically informed, and practical book, they explore the younger generations’ expectations and disappointments with church and hold out a vision for true diversity taken from the pages of Scripture. As experienced church leaders themselves, Kreiss and Smith share a wealth of practical experience and stories from the trenches of multiethnic ministry.
The good news is that God has already called the church to diversity. As we seek to live out this calling in our own local contexts, we can become the demonstration of God’s love for all humanity that he has designed the church to be-and that the younger generation is so desperately looking for.
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Improvising Church : Scripture As The Source Of Harmony, Rhythm, And Soul
$28.00Add to cartPlenty of books diagnose our post-Christian malaise. Here’s a dynamic solution.
The post-Christian cultural turn is creating the conditions for a crisis of confidence in the church and in pastoral ministry. While such changes can be disruptive and disconcerting, our new cultural reality makes the present moment a uniquely exciting time to reimagine churches that bear witness to Christ. How do we move beyond cookie-cutter approaches (which may have worked in the past) to building the creative, compassionate, and incarnational churches we long for?
Biblical scholar and accomplished jazz pianist Mark Glanville plays with a metaphor of improvisation to chart twelve themes as the key “notes” on which Christian communities play as they bear witness to God in the world today. Building on these two dynamic traditions-jazz music and Christian community-Improvising Church unfolds a biblical, practical, and inventive vision for churches seeking to receive and extend the healing of Christ.
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Business Of Ministry
$15.99Add to cartWhen Jeff Simmons started in ministry, he was surprised at how much of his time involved business. Yet business was never a part of his theological education.
He’s not alone. Most people in ministry receive little or no training in this area. When faced with multiple business decisions and tasks a day, leaders can become discouraged or frustrated.
We need help and guidance to become effective and wise stewards of the money and resources entrusted to us by God. Pastor and entrepreneur Jeff Simmons equips you with the training you need to have the greatest kingdom impact. When pastors and nonprofit leaders are good at the business side of their ministry, more people can be blessed and supported.
Simmons explores topics such as:
*The Tension between Faith and Business
*The Importance of Strategic Planning
*Financial Transparency
*Resources and Buildings
*Work and Life Balance
*Developing a Community–and moreThis book will help every ministry, church, and nonprofit maximize their resources for greater kingdom impact.
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Sermon On The Mount Bible Study Book Revised And Expanded With Video Access (Stu
$34.75Add to cartIn His sweeping depiction of kingdom citizenship, Jesus utters some of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture. Most of us have only encountered the Sermon on the Mount in fragments, considering its subdivisions as complete teachings in their own right-a study on blessedness; a reflection on the Lord’s Prayer; a discussion of religious devotion, money, ambition, and relationships.
What if we navigated these three chapters in Matthew as they were originally heard? What if we read them as one cohesive, well-ordered message, intended to challenge us to think differently about what it means to be a follower of Jesus?
This 9-session study will give you the opportunity to do just that. Come and learn from Jesus, just as His disciples did. First released in 2014, this study is now updated with new teaching videos from Jen Wilkin.
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Worship Any Time Or Place
$16.99Add to cartBe prepared at a moment’s notice
This book equips the Methodist pastor, worship leader, or layperson to create meaningful worship moments for any group of people, any time, any place. It includes liturgies and prayers suitable for traditional settings such as worship services, funeral services, and administration of the sacraments. It includes words to use during hospital visits, retreats, church meetings, and other conventional settings. It provides words of blessing for departing members. It also provides language for other spaces and places, like home blessings, blessings for foster care families, words for times of transition, liturgies for fresh expressions of the church, prayers before the beginning of work, language for protests and vigils, ritual moments for difficult conversations, and prayers for interreligious and ecumenical events. It offers words of lament to use after violent events and natural disasters. From pulpits to pews, from altar tables to dinner tables, from sanctuaries to streets, the Compact Guide can be used by all ministers–clergy and laity–to employ worshipful words as the Spirit leads.
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New Anabaptists : Practices For Emerging Communities
$18.99Add to cartWhat does it look like to be an Anabaptist community in the modern world? And why does it matter?
A new incarnation of Anabaptism is emerging, but not where we might expect. In the United Kingdom–a post-Christendom context with little historical Anabaptist presence–Christian communities are embodying fresh expressions of Anabaptist faith and practice. In this companion to The Naked Anabaptist, author Stuart Murray identifies twelve common practices of such churches and communities that are shaped by an Anabaptist vision.
Murray explores how these practices–which include encouraging economic radicalism in the face of rampant consumerism, truth-telling in a “post-truth” society, and accountability in an individualistic culture that knows little about the Christian story–might shape emerging Christian communities and inspire those seeking fresh expressions as cultural changes accelerate. The book concludes with three on-the-ground reports from ministry leaders pursuing this Anabaptist vision in their own post-Christendom contexts.
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The New Anabaptists provides foundational resources for followers of Jesus in many different settings as they rise to the challenge of faithful and radical discipleship in local communities. -
Great Disappearance Bible Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Add to cartIt Will Be an Ordinary Day– Until, Suddenly, It Isn’t
For decades, Dr. David Jeremiah has searched the Scriptures for answers regarding the future monumental events known as the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, and more. The Great Disappearance compiles his prophetic research for curious believers who patiently await the triumphant return of Christ. This study guide reinforces Dr. Jeremiah’s dynamic, in-depth teaching to aid you in applying biblical truth to your daily life.
Drawing from his deep knowledge of biblical prophecy and passion for sharing the truth of God’s Word, Dr. Jeremiah skillfully unravels the mysteries surrounding the Rapture and the Second Coming. Designed for use with Dr. Jeremiah’s book, The Great Disappearance Study Guide dives into the promises of Jesus’ return in the Old and New Testaments. Whether you are a seasoned student of prophecy or new to the faith, this guide will expand your understanding, deepen your faith, and bring you one step closer to the future glory awaiting those who put their faith in Christ Jesus.
Each lesson includes:
*An outline of the main subjects and Scriptures covered during the lesson
*An overview of Dr. Jeremiah’s teaching on the topic being studied
*Application questions to help both individuals and small groups delve into the content and the Bible
*A Did You Know? section that adds a point of interest to the lesson
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Habits Of The Household Study Guide With DVD (Student/Study Guide)
$50.99Add to cartFIND MEANING AND PURPOSE IN THE DAILY CHAOS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD
Parenting happens in habits. We make meals, shuttle our kids to events, answer their questions, discipline them, and do bedtime. But did you know that even these ordinary routines can serve as extraordinary opportunities to live out God’s love in profound ways? In Habits of the Household, you will discover simple practices you can implement around your daily routines and seemingly mundane moments that will lead to a lifetime of growing closer to God–both for you and everyone in your home.
Each session includes practical examples of prayers, liturgies, and activities that you and your family can put into practice right away. As you create rhythms around your everyday routines, you will find your family has a greater sense of peace and purpose as your home becomes a place where you learn how to love each other and love God.
This pack includes one study guide and one DVD with:
*Individual access to five streaming video sessions
*A schedule for using as a weekend retreat
*A guide to best practices for leading a group
*Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time
*Personal study for deeper reflection between sessions
*Plans for hosting a weekend retreat for your group or church -
Reckoning With Power
$19.99Add to cartHistory is clear: Whenever the church has aligned itself with worldly, coercive power, it ends up on the wrong side of important justice issues.
But when the church cooperates with God’s power through his presence among the least powerful, its witness for Jesus transforms the world into a better place.
In Reckoning with Power, David Fitch unpacks the difference between worldly power, or power over others, and God’s power, which engages not in coercion but in love, reconciliation, grace, forgiveness, and healing.
In a world where we can see the abuses of power everywhere–in our homes, schools, governments, and churches–Fitch teaches readers how to discern power and avoid its abuses and traumas. By learning from the church’s historical pitfalls, Fitch empowers Christians to relinquish worldly power and make space for God to disrupt and transform our culture for his kingdom.
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New Anabaptists: Practices For Emerging Communities
$35.99Add to cartWhat does it look like to be an Anabaptist community in the modern world? And why does it matter?
A new incarnation of Anabaptism is emerging, but not where we might expect. In the United Kingdom–a post-Christendom context with little historical Anabaptist presence–Christian communities are embodying fresh expressions of Anabaptist faith and practice. In this companion to The Naked Anabaptist, author Stuart Murray identifies twelve common practices of such churches and communities that are shaped by an Anabaptist vision.
Murray explores how these practices–which include encouraging economic radicalism in the face of rampant consumerism, truth-telling in a “post-truth” society, and accountability in an individualistic culture that knows little about the Christian story–might shape emerging Christian communities and inspire those seeking fresh expressions as cultural changes accelerate. The book concludes with three on-the-ground reports from ministry leaders pursuing this Anabaptist vision in their own post-Christendom contexts.
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The New Anabaptists provides foundational resources for followers of Jesus in many different settings as they rise to the challenge of faithful and radical discipleship in local communities. -
Praying Like Monks Living Like Fools Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Stu
$21.99Add to cartPrayer is the source of Jesus’ most astonishing miracles and the subject of his most audacious promises. Yet most people-even most Bible-believing Christians-find prayer to be boring, obligatory, disappointing, confusing, or, most often, all of the above. But it doesn’t have to be this way!Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools is an invitation to step into the wonder of prayer and trade these misconceptions for a vital, sustaining, powerful, life-changing connection with God. In this study, Tyler Staton-author, pastor, and national director of the 24/7 Prayer movement-shares several common roadblocks to prayer that he faced in his own life and the biblical practices he implemented that enabled him to view his relationship with God in a completely new way.Through biblical teaching, storytelling, and insights on historic Christian practices, participants will: (1) learn how to express doubts and disappointments about prayer; (2) discover multiple postures of prayer, including silence, persistence, and confession; (3) embrace the wonder of prayer in everyday life; and (4) reopen lines of communication with their Creator and experience afresh his divine power on earth.This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader’s guide.An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. (You don’t need to buy a DVD!)Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
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Wounded Pastors : Navigating Burnout, Finding Healing, And Discerning The F
$25.00Add to cartSeasoned pastor Carol Howard Merritt and psychotherapist and former pastor James Fenimore join their expertise to offer validation, support, and guidance for pastors who have been hurt by the church. With wisdom that can come only from experience, they describe and define aspects of struggle and pain readers may have difficulty articulating or claiming for themselves, and they offer compassionate, informed guidance on how to find healing.
You’re not alone in your ministry. And you don’t have to suffer in silence. Ministry is a stressful vocation, with unspoken expectations, projected anxieties, and conflicting demands. After the pandemic caused a sudden shift to online worship and factions fighting over when and how to return to in-person worship, pastors have been leaving congregational ministry at even higher rates than usual. The emotional fallout of burnout and abuse at the hands of parishioners is something pastors carry for years, whether they stay or leave the congregation.
Seasoned pastor Carol Howard Merritt and psychotherapist and former pastor James Fenimore join their expertise to offer validation, support, and guidance for pastors who have been hurt by the church. With wisdom that can come only from experience, they describe and define aspects of struggle and pain readers may have difficulty articulating or claiming for themselves, and they offer compassionate, informed guidance on how to find healing. A systems approach to conflict sheds light on the dynamics of church conflict and how clergy can tend their own well-being amid leadership challenges. The final chapter helps readers consider their overall vocational path based on what they’ve experienced and decide whether they can remain in congregational ministry or need to pursue a different line of work.
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Habits Of The Household Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Gu
$21.99Add to cartFIND MEANING AND PURPOSE IN THE DAILY CHAOS OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD
Parenting happens in habits. We make meals, shuttle our kids to events, answer their questions, discipline them, and do bedtime. But did you know that even these ordinary routines can serve as extraordinary opportunities to live out God’s love in profound ways? In Habits of the Household, you will discover simple practices you can implement around your daily routines and seemingly mundane moments that will lead to a lifetime of growing closer to God–both for you and everyone in your home.
Each session includes practical examples of prayers, liturgies, and activities that you and your family can put into practice right away. As you create rhythms around your everyday routines, you will find your family has a greater sense of peace and purpose as your home becomes a place where you learn how to love each other and love God.
This study guide includes:
*Individual access to five streaming video sessions
*Schedule for using as a weekend retreat
*A guide to best practices for leading a group
*Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time
*Personal study for deeper reflection between sessions
*Includes plans for hosting a weekend retreat for your group or church -
Remember Leader Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$15.99Add to cartRemember the God who remembers us.
God’s covenants throughout the Old Testament show the character of God’s promises to God’s people. In this book, Susan Robb leads readers through the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Israel, and David, followed by the New Covenant established on Maundy Thursday. The Lenten story culminates with an examination of the cross as another example of God’s promise for a new world. Susan Robb teaches readers the basic lessons of the covenants through a mixture of biblical history and personal stories. Her pastoral character and warm tone provide a basis for understanding God’s promises through history and the role of Jesus’s passion and crucifixion in the history of the covenants. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. Components include the book, Remember: God’s Covenants and the Cross, and video teaching sessions featuring Susan(with closed captioning).
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Luke : Jesus And The Outsiders, Outcasts, And Outlaws
$18.99Add to cartJesus came for all.
Jesus came to lift up the lowly. In the Gospel of Luke, a first-century portrait of Jesus, we find stories of Jesus’ 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, Jesus brought the good news of God’s kingdom to those who most needed to hear it. That includes you and me.
In Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, pastor and bestselling author Adam Hamilton explores the life of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Through Luke’s stories we find Jesus’ care and compassion for all as he welcomes sinners and outcasts. As we study Luke and see Jesus’ concern for those who were considered unimportant, we hear a hopeful and inspiring word for our lives today.
Additional components for a six-week study include DVD/Video sessions featuring Adam Hamilton and a comprehensive Leader Guide.
– A six-week study on the Gospel of Luke, with an emphasis on Luke’s unique insights about Jesus.
– Works beautifully as a stand-alone book, or can be combined with the DVD, Leader Guide, and worship resources to create a churchwide study.
– Hear from best-selling author Adam Hamilton, in short teaching videos each week.
– Perfect study for Lent.
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Wrestling With Doubt Finding Faith (Large Type)
$18.99Add to cartDoes your faith make room for questions?
Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a heaven? How can we know? Often we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God. In Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, join best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as he discusses some of our most significant sources of doubt and shows how a steady trust in God can emerge from them. You will delve into questions like: “Does God exist? How can I know?” “Is the Bible true?” “Why do prayers go unanswered?” Hamilton approaches these sources of doubt with honesty and insight, drawing on the rich wisdom of the Bible, Christian tradition, and his experience walking with thousands of people on their spiritual journey. Whether you’re a longtime Christian or someone brand new to faith, this book will lead you to a trust in God that is unafraid of hard questions. Wrestle with doubt and find faith–belief and trust, not certainty; mystery rather than simple answers. The book can be used anytime throughout the year and can be read alone, used by small groups, or as an outreach gift for visitors. Components include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a six-session DVD featuring Adam Hamilton (with closed captioning), and a digital worship and sermon series, making this perfect as a group study and churchwide program done throughout the year.
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James Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Guide)
$24.99Add to cartUncover the deep riches of one of the Bible’s greatest calls to godly living.
“If there’s one book that has taught me that what I do matters, it’s the book of James.” Beloved author and speaker Margaret Feinberg has been teaching the Bible for over 25 years. In her newest Bible study (video streaming included), she leads you through this treasure trove of wisdom and timely teaching.
Join Margaret in a joy-filled, fresh study of the book of the Bible that sounds more like Jesus than any other letter in the New Testament. You’ll discover the genuine markers of true faith, develop new practices of spiritual maturity, and discover how much the Father of heavenly lights treasures you.
This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including:
*The study guide itself–with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader’s guide.
*An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (DVD also available separately).
*Scripture memory cards and coloring pages.
Sessions and Video Run Times:
1. How You Respond to Hardship Matters (21:00)
2. Your Response to God’s Word Matters (19:00)
3. How You See Others Matters (24:30)
4. What You Say Matters (23:00)
5. How You Live Matters (18:00)Watch on any device!
Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
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Hidden Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Guide)
$24.99Add to cartDiscover the gift found in a life that doesn’t seek to be seen.
In a world where excellence is equated to exposure, and legacy is equated to social media likes, what does it mean to embrace a hidden life?
What does it look like to exchange:
*Performance culture for unconditional love?
*Visibility for inherent value?
*Earthly accolades for heavenly reward?
*Enslavement to people-pleasing for freedom in Christ?
*Hiding from life for being hidden in God?In Scripture, Jesus presents us an astoundingly countercultural way of existing–one without the pressure to perform or make a platform. The life Jesus offers us is focused on him. Simply and surely. Living a concealed life, whether known by many or by none, is about resetting our motivations and focus.
In this study, we will learn from and relate our own stories to examples of multiple concealed characters in the Bible including the Sons of Korah, Cleopas, Huldah, the Daughters of Shallum, Pilate’s Wife, and Gideon. Join Allison Allen as she explores the power, purpose, and delight of hiddenness in Christ.
This study guide includes:
*Biblical context and character history lessons
*Group discussion questions
*Individual access to six streaming video lessons from Allison
*Personal Bible study between sessions for reflection and application -
Wrestling With Doubt Finding Faith
$17.99Add to cartDoes your faith make room for questions?
Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a heaven? How can we know? Often we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God. In Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, join best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as he discusses some of our most significant sources of doubt and shows how a steady trust in God can emerge from them. You will delve into questions like: “Does God exist? How can I know?” “Is the Bible true?” “Why do prayers go unanswered?” Hamilton approaches these sources of doubt with honesty and insight, drawing on the rich wisdom of the Bible, Christian tradition, and his experience walking with thousands of people on their spiritual journey. Whether you’re a longtime Christian or someone brand new to faith, this book will lead you to a trust in God that is unafraid of hard questions. Wrestle with doubt and find faith–belief and trust, not certainty; mystery rather than simple answers. The book can be used anytime throughout the year and can be read alone, used by small groups, or as an outreach gift for visitors. Components include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a six-session DVD featuring Adam Hamilton (with closed captioning), and a digital worship and sermon series, making this perfect as a group study and churchwide program done throughout the year.
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Wrestling With Doubt Finding Faith Leader Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$15.99Add to cartDoes your faith make room for questions?
Everyone has doubts. Where is God when bad things happen? Does God hear our prayers? Is there a heaven? How can we know? Often, we treat such questions as the enemy of faith. But uncertainty doesn’t mean our belief is lacking. Doubt can be a path to a deeper, richer encounter with God. In Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, join best-selling author and pastor Adam Hamilton as he discusses some of our most significant sources of doubt and shows how a steady trust in God can emerge from them. You will delve into questions like: “Does God exist? How can I know?” “Is the Bible true?” “Why do prayers go unanswered?” Hamilton approaches these sources of doubt with honesty and insight, drawing on the rich wisdom of the Bible, Christian tradition, and his experience walking with thousands of people on their spiritual journeys. Whether you’re a longtime Christian or someone brand new to faith, this book will lead you to a trust in God that gives you the courage to ask tough questions. Though you may wrestle with doubt, you’ll discover a faith that–rather than providing simple answers–includes belief and trust as well as uncertainty and mystery. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study, including session plans, activities, discussion questions, and multiple format options. Components include the book, Wrestling with Doubt, Finding Faith, video teaching sessions featuring Adam Hamilton (with closed captioning), and a digital worship and sermon series that make this perfect as a group study and church-wide program done throughout the year.
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Integrating Psychology And Faith
$23.99Add to cartThis textbook updates the conversation about models of psychology and faith integration, helping students understand the range of options for Christian engagement. Drawing from themes developed in Paul Moes’s well-received Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith (coauthored with Donald J. Tellinghuisen), Integrating Psychology and Faith develops a set of worldview dimensions that serve to organize a variety of psychology-faith integration models.
Paul Moes and Blake Riek set forth principles and themes and establish historical context to help students explore where different views fit on a continuum of approaches to integration and understand the perspectives of other Christians in the field of psychology. In this way, students come to better understand the organizing principles for various views about psychology that they encounter. The book also shows how theological traditions and positions shape views on natural science, social science, and psychology.
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Remember : God’s Covenants And The Cross
$17.99Add to cartRemember the God who remembers us. God’s covenants throughout the Old Testament show the character of God’s promises to the people of Israel.In this book, Susan Robb leads readers through the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, followed by the new covenantestablished on Maundy Thursday. The Lenten story culminates with an examination of the cross as another example of God’s promise for a new world. Susan Robb teaches readers the basic lessons of the covenants through a mixture of biblical history and personal stories. Her pastoral character and warm tone provide a basis for understanding God’s promises through history and the role of Jesus’s passion and crucifixion in the history of the covenants. Remembercan be read alone or used for a six-week group study and churchwideLenten program.Components include a comprehensive Leader Guide and video teaching sessions featuring Susan (with closed captioning).
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Disabling Leadership : A Practical Theology For The Broken Body Of Christ
$24.99Add to cartPeople with disabilities are often excluded from full participation in church communities. Accessibility is a key component of the biblical ministry of reconciliation-but it’s not enough. To truly work toward reconciliation, churches must both consider the theological implications of disability and also become places where people with disabilities lead.
Disabling Leadership presents a practical theology of disability for thoughtful church leaders and congregants. Written by practitioners and a scholar-pastor who are engaged in ministry together, this book encompasses cutting-edge theological ethics as well as stories of how such commitments are embodied in a real church community. The authors equip readers to explore key themes such as:
*what it means to be human
*how to understand suffering and healing
*how churches can be welcoming and accessible communities
*how to face common challenges and issues in resisting ableismDisabling Leadership moves beyond paternalistic views of disability that seek to extract “inspiration” from another’s story without engaging in the difficult work of just and dignifying relationships. When we foster genuinely inclusive leadership teams, the authors contend, our churches will be less likely to treat anyone as a “project” and will better reflect God’s love as the body of Christ.
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Preparing Sermons From The Page To The Pulpit
$22.99Add to cartA step-by-step guide to preparing effective expository sermons
Preparing Sermons from the Page to the Pulpit helps pastors move from study to sermon in seven clear steps.
Pastors love studying God’s word. But it can be difficult to take the things they’ve learned from exegesis and apply them to the soul of a congregation. Veteran pastor and seminary professor Wayne Baxter helps pastors move from study to sermon. He guides preachers on how to take their exegetical analysis of a Scripture passage and turn it into an effective expository sermon.
Preachers and seminarians will be helped by Baxter’s expertise as they grow in crafting compelling sermons.
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Discerning The Voice Of God Bible Study Book With Video Access (Student/Study Gu
$34.75Add to cartIf hearing God has seemed challenging, Priscilla Shirer invites you to explore a more intimate relationship with Him, one that can make hearing Him-His will, His heart, and His voice-your ongoing experience. Discover how you can listen with greater confidence, clarity, and discernment. This revised study now includes substantially expanded content plus weekly insights from author and pastor (and Priscilla’s father), Dr. Tony Evans.
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Redeeming Violent Verses
$25.00Add to cart“One the greatest challenges the church faces today,” writes Jerome F. D. Creach, “is to interpret and explain passages in the Bible that seem to promote or encourage violence” (Violence in Scripture, 1). In the past fifteen years, a number of books have been published to help people make sense of God’s violent behavior in the Bible. Yet very little has been written about how to use these (and other) violent texts constructively in church. This leaves religious practitioners-pastors, priests, Sunday school teachers, worship ministers, lay leaders, and others-at a real disadvantage. What should they do with stories that sanction genocide or praise individuals for killing others? How can they use these violent texts in sermons, liturgies, Christian educations classes, and elsewhere without promoting the violent ideologies they contain?
In Redeeming Violent Verses, Eric Seibert addresses these questions by focusing on a wide range of practical ways to use violent biblical texts responsibly in the church and beyond. With chapters devoted to using violent verses when preaching sermons, teaching Sunday school, and leading worship, this book is filled with guidelines and specific practices designed to help ministers use violent verses responsibly. Seibert includes numerous examples to illustrate specific ways these verses could be used in ministry settings and pays special attention to dealing with passages that portray God behaving violently. Rather than ignoring these passages or being intimidated by them, Redeeming Violent Verses tackles troublesome texts head-on. It charts a bold path forward, one that opens up new possibilities for ministers by equipping them to use these texts in life-giving and spiritually edifying ways. Religious practitioners of all stripes will find this book immensely helpful, and readers will benefit greatly from the many strategies and suggestions offered here.
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Faith Beyond Youth Group
$19.97Add to cartMost typical youth ministries today produce nice, obedient kids who behave themselves–and then leave the church and the faith. Even those who remain struggle to extend their own faith beyond youth group. They seem like “good kids,” but their lives and decisions outside youth group aren’t oriented towards Jesus. Clearly that is not our goal. So what are we doing wrong? And how can we better serve the unique needs of the most anxious, adaptive, and diverse generation in history?
If you’re tired of youth ministry that fails to change lives, it’s time to change youth ministry. Building on two decades of the Fuller Youth Institute’s work and incorporating extensive new research and interviews, Faith Beyond Youth Group identifies the reasons youth ministry often fails both short-term and long-term, and offers five ways adult youth leaders can cultivate character for a lifetime of growing closer to Jesus rather than drifting away. It shows leaders how to cultivate trust, model growth, teach for transformation, practice together, and make meaning so that the teenagers can become adults who hold fast to the truth 24/7 and boldly live out a robust faith in a watching world.
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Humility Illuminated : The Biblical Path Back To Christian Character
$22.99Add to cartThe modern church is immersed in a competitive, polarized, and status-driven society. It’s hard to have conversations about important issues when so many are defensive and unwilling to learn. Too often, Christians fall into these same traps. The health and witness of the church urgently depend on recovering an essential biblical virtue: humility.
New Testament scholar Dennis R. Edwards illuminates humility as a, if not the, distinctive identity marker of followers of Jesus. Tracing the theme throughout Scripture, he demonstrates how true humility is grounded in submission to God and becomes manifest in all areas of life. Edwards defuses common misconceptions about humility and explores its role in Christian community, conflict, leadership, suffering, worship, and stewardship.
As we learn from and honor the humble instead of the power-hungry, humility paradoxically empowers God’s people-including those who are often marginalized. Filled with stories from the author’s ministry experience, Humility Illuminated addresses common areas of leadership failure and how to avoid them, applies biblical texts on humility to multiethnic ministry and justice work, and issues a compelling challenge to the church.
Biblical humility is not a tactic, and it’s not just “being nice.” It’s a revolutionary path to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.