Program Resources
Showing 351–400 of 767 resultsSorted by latest
-
Miracles : Gods Presence And Power In Creation
$50.00Add to cartMiracles are not confined to the stories of Scripture; these signs of God’s presence and power in creation are experienced throughout our daily existence. Yet cultural challenges and modernity’s skepticism have marginalized belief in them as unreasonable and irrational, says Luke Timothy Johnson.
In this excellent resource for church professionals, Johnson reclaims Christian belief in miracles as integral to recovering a proper and strong sense of creation, recognizing the validity of personal experience and narrative and asserting the truth-telling quality of myth. His analysis includes:
a description of the competing symbolic worldviews that have framed the discussion on miracles, including secular debates and theological imagination;
interpretation of miracles consonant with the biblical construction of reality in the Old and New Testaments;
suggestions for four areas in the church’s life-teaching, preaching, prayer, and pastoral care-that can work together to shape a symbolic world, within which believers can expect, perceive, and celebrate the miracles in everyday life. -
Cultures In Conflict Discovery Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartHow do you live in a culture where the worldview conflicts with Christianity? Learn from Paul as he settled among the Greco-Romans of Corinth, who valued wealth and class, worship of multiple gods, and decadent pleasure seeking above all else. In this sixteenth volume of That The World May Know , discover how to live in your own Corinth-a dechristianized Western world-in a way that glorifies God.
Designed for use with the Cultures in Conflict Video Study (9780310085928), sold separately.
Video sessions, filmed on location in Israel and Greece, include:
Engaging the Mind-Paul in the Stoa of Athens (Athens)
Engaging the Heart (Athens)Turning Weakness into Strength (Timnah, Corinth)
The Lord’s Supper-Discerning the Body (Corinth, Delos)
Transforming the Chaos (Corinth)THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW Join renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan as he guides you through the land of the Bible. In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the That the World May Know film series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.
-
Life Of Paul
$11.99Add to cartAn archenemy of the early Christians who became a great Christian missionary and the author of thirteen books in the New Testament. Paul’s letters speak profoundly to us centuries later as the inspired word of God. The study brings to life the struggles and circumstances of Paul’s life, his courage in the face of persecution, and his relentless mission to spread the good news of Jesus. Capitalizing on the recognized excellence of Rose’s visual elements, Rose Visual Bible Studies are packed with charts, graphs, images, and fascinating facts. These Bible studies are easy enough that the new believer understands, but in-depth enough that the longtime churchgoer still comes away learning something new.
-
Who Is Jesus Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartWho is Jesus? Some people say he was a good man, a prophet, or a wise teacher. Some think he was a lunatic with delusions of divinity-if he even existed at all. Some say he was a liar bent on deceiving the world. Still others say he was the Son of God, the Lord. History, culture, and the Bible all agree that all of life centers on our answer to this question: Who is Jesus?
In this five-session video Bible study (DVD/downloads sold separately), Pastor Louie Giglio invites group members to meet God both in their intellect and their hearts by uncovering what history and Scripture have to say about Jesus. He encourages believers in Christ to ask the tough questions as to whether Jesus is truly God, truly a friend who loves us, and truly the King of kings. He encourages believers to explore whether Jesus is really the only way to God-as many people in our post-modern world doubt today-and whether his sacrifice on the cross truly provides the means for us to reconcile with God and experience eternal life.
This study is for everyone who has ever wondered whether Jesus is truly everything he said he was in the Bible. It will not only help new believers in Christ understand their faith, but also help those who have known Jesus for many years to have a better understanding of what they believe. And it will also help followers of Christ know how to better share the truth they have found with others.
Sessions include:
*Good or God?
*Friend or Foe?
*King or Pawn?
*A Way or the Way?
*The Lion or the Lamb?Designed for use with the Who Is Jesus? Video Study (sold separately).
-
Faithful Celebrations 2
$22.95Add to cartMany of our experiences in life happen when several generations are together–at church, at home, in our communities. Holidays and family events are times for celebration, learning, rituals, food, and fun. For each edition of Faithful Celebrations, you will discover plenty of activities to learn more about the season, holiday, or special day for church settings, at home, camp, or anywhere in between. This abundance of ideas allows you to create meaningful celebrations within a faith context throughout the year. Each event to be celebrated includes key ideas, a cluster of activities to experience the key ideas, materials needed, full instructions for implementation, background history and information, music, art, recipes, and prayer resources to use in a small, intimate or large multi-generational group. Making Time for God in Autumn includes Back to School, Labor Day, St. Francis International Day of Peace, Halloween, All Saints, and Thanksgiving.
-
Strengthening The Soul Of Your Leadership (Expanded)
$26.99Add to cartForeword By Gary A. Haugen
Introduction
1. When Leaders Lose Their Souls
2. What Lies Beneath
3. The Place Of Our Own Conversion
4. The Practice Of Paying Attention
5. The Conundrum Of Calling
6. Guiding Others On The Spiritual Journey
7. Living Within Limits
8. Spiritual Rhythms In The Life Of The Leader
9. Leadership As Intercession
10. The Loneliness Of Leadership
11. From Isolation To Leadership Community
12. Finding God’s Will Together
13. Re-envisioning The Promised Land
Afterword By Leighton Ford
Discussion Guide
Appendix: How Is It With Your Soul?
GratitudesAdditional Info
“I’m tired of helping others enjoy God-I just want to enjoy God for myself.”With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics such as
responding to the dynamics of calling
facing the loneliness of leadership
leading from your authentic self
cultivating spiritual community
reenvisioning the promised land
discerning God’s will togetherEach chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead.
This expanded edition includes a new appendix for self-evaluation, “How Is It with Your Soul?” and a flexible six- or twelve-week discussion guide for groups.
-
How To Lead When Youre Not In Charge Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAre you letting your lack of authority paralyze you?
One of the greatest myths of leadership is that you must be in charge in order to lead. Great leaders don’t buy it. Great leaders lead with or without the authority and learn to unleash their influence wherever they are. With practical wisdom and humor, Clay Scroggins will help you nurture your vision and cultivate influence, even when you lack authority in your organization. And he will free you to become the great leader you want to be so you can make a difference right where you are. Even when you’re not in charge.In this six-session video study (video sold separately), author and pastor Clay Scroggins explains what is needed to be a great leader-even when you answer to someone else.
Sessions include:
*The Oddity of Leadership
*Lead Yourself
*Choose Positivity
*Think Critically
*Reject Passivity
*Challenging UpDesigned for use with the How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge Video Study (9780310095958), sold separately.
-
Everybody Always Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartAs followers of Christ, there is question we need to be asking ourselves every day: How do we prove who we are? This doesn’t refer to what our driver’s licenses say we are, or what our careers suggest about who we are, or who other people tell us we are. Rather, this refers to what Jesus said we should be-and he said that his followers would be identified simply by how they loved people. Love isn’t something we just haphazardly fall into; it is someone we become. Jesus wants us to love everybody, always.
In this five-session video study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), bestselling author Bob Goff shares some of the stories from his life that have helped him understand what it truly means to love everybody the way Jesus loved them-without fear, insecurity, or restriction. This begins by loving people right where you are through serving and helping the neighbors God has placed into your world. It means loving people when they mess up and helping them move past the place of shame to acceptance. It continues by being courageous and following where God leads one step at a time-even if you feel you are flying blind. Above all, it means not just agreeing with Jesus but actually stepping out and doing what Jesus said.
Following Christ means more than just putting a toe in the water when it comes to loving others. It means grabbing your knees and doing a cannonball! And, as Jesus revealed, it means loving the difficult ones. Everybody, Always, will provide practical steps to help you take that journey.
Sessions include:
*Love People Where You Are
*Catch People on the Bounce
*Don’t Play It Safe
*Do More Stuff
*Love Even the Difficult PeopleDesigned for use with the Everybody, Always Video Study (sold separately).
-
Friend Of Sinners Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartIn the Bible, we find that Jesus was called a lot of names. Many of the religious leaders of the day were jealous of his success and wanted to discredit him in the eyes of the public, so they said all sorts of crazy things about him. They whispered that he was an illegitimate child. They accused him of being demon-possessed. They denounced him to the Roman authorities as a rioter, a threat to public peace.
However, in this five-session video study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), pastor and author Rich Wilkerson, Jr. reveals how one of their nicknames for Jesus was true: “Here is a . . . friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). In the religious leaders’ minds this was one of the greatest indictments imaginable, but for Jesus it was a sign of success because it was the very definition of his mission. Today, Jesus still calls us “friends” not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who he is. While he was on earth, he knew that people needed to belong before they would want to behave. He understood that the power within him was greater than the darkness around him, so he loved fearlessly.
Rich shows that by following his example, we can have the same clear conviction and compassion for the lost that Jesus did. His gospel of scandalous grace cannot be overestimated. When we embrace the truth that we all need Jesus equally and when we trust him to bring transformation in people’s hearts, we will walk as Jesus walked, experiencing the glory of God in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.
Sessions include:
*Missed Message
*Weight Shift
*Lost and Found
*Comfortably Uncomfortable
*How to Be GreatDesigned for use with the Friend of Sinners Video Study (sold separately).
-
Liking Jesus Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$10.99Add to cartWe all love the benefits of technology and social media, but even with the incredible upsides, many of us suspect there are unintended negative consequences beyond our control. The more we compare ourselves with others, the less satisfied we are. The more we interact online, the more we crave face-to-face intimacy. The more filtered our lives become, the more challenging it is for us to be authentic. The more information we receive about the pain and crises in the world, the more difficult it is for us to care.In this timely five-session video-based study (DVD/downloads sold separately), New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel taps in to some of the most up-to-date studies on social media to help us understand how it affects our emotions, our relationships, our attitudes, and our beliefs. He offers real-life examples to reveal the depths to which each of us battles with social media, how it masks our real struggles, and how we can reclaim a Christ-centered life. He encourages us to regain control over our lives by rediscovering the principles real life with Jesus brings: contentment, intimacy, authenticity, compassion, and rest.It’s time to refresh and rediscover what it means to be “like Jesus” and find true authenticity, a healthy self-image, and compassion for others in an age when we relate to each other so differently than ever before. It is time to no longer be defined by who follows you but by the One you follow.
Sessions include:
*Recovering Contentment
*Restoring Intimacy
*Revealing Authenticity
*Resurrecting Compassion
*Replenishing RestDesigned for use with the Liking Jesus Video Study (sold separately).
-
Diddy Disciples 1 September To December
$56.99Add to cartDiddy Disciples is a creative and playful new worship and Bible storytelling resource for babies, toddlers and young children. Diddy Disciples aims to encourage participation, discipleship and leadership from children’s earliest years, using storytelling, singing, colour, repetition, art and lots and lots of movement! Peer-learning is actively encouraged with many opportunities for young children to learn from each other. Groups are invited to build their own Diddy Disciples sessions, choosing from different options. Leaders can use the material to create a service to follow the pattern of their church’s Sunday worship, a simple midweek baby and toddler singing session, or anything in between! Book 1 includes: Over 20 weeks’ worth of fully worked-out sessions organized into 4-6 week units from September to December All the information you need to set up and run Diddy Disciples in your group Plenty of opportunities to tailor the material to your own context, resources and tradition All sorts of creative “starter ideas’ for using everyday art and play resources to sparkchildren’s imaginations and engagement as they respond to the biblical stories. The Units are: Jesus’ wonderful love: six weeks introducing some of Jesus’ most famous parables God the maker: six weeks on creation and caring for it, including a Harvest celebration In November we remember: four weeks including All Saints and Remembrance Sunday Getting ready for baby Jesus: five weeks journeying through Advent to Christmas
-
Boundaries Workbook : When To Say Yes How To Say No To Take Control Of Your (Wor
$16.99Add to cartThe New York Times bestselling book Boundaries has helped millions understand that being a loving Christian does not mean never saying no. This newly updated and expanded companion workbook provides practical exercises for setting boundaries in marriage, parenting, business, and friendships in a digital age.
Following the newly updated and expanded edition of Boundaries chapter-by-chapter, this interactive workbook helps you look at specific relationships in your own life. With those situations in mind, you can ask and answer:
Why do I feel guilty about setting clear boundaries?
What if the boundaries I set hurt the other person?
Is it difficult for me to hear no from others?
What are examples of legitimate boundaries at work and home?
How can I have good boundaries online?
How can I stay connected while still setting boundaries with my phone?
In what ways do I need to set better boundaries with social media?Boundaries Workbook gives a biblical foundation and practical tools for helping others respect your boundaries-whether you are not responding to a text message immediately or saying no when someone asks you to volunteer for one more activity.
Discover firsthand how good boundaries give you the freedom to live as the loving, generous, fulfilled person God created you to be.
-
Life Changing Prayer Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartIn this six-session video-based Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, unlocks the truths he has learned about prayer that transformed his church from a struggling inner-city congregation to a thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith. He reveals how prayer can likewise transform your life and your church when you “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 14:1), certain in the knowledge that will meet with you, answer your requests, and extend his mercy to you. It is at the throne of grace that you will also receive power to confront your problems without anxiety, and where the Holy Spirit will gradually shape you into a person who impacts others for Christ. Prayer is the force that binds believers together, and when God’s people unite and call on his name, powerful things happen in our world.
Sessions include:
Session 1: The Throne of Grace
Session 2: Receiving Mercy
Session 3: Perfect Peace from God
Session 4: Praying with Faith
Session 5: God Brings the Answer
Session 6: The Church that Prays TogetherDesigned for use with the Life-Changing Prayer Video Study (sold separately).
-
Draw The Circle Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartHave your prayers become stagnant? Do you long to see God move in fresh ways? Are you ready to move to new places in your walk with God? If so, it’s time to take the 40-day prayer challenge and press into God like never before.In this five-session video study, bestselling author and pastor Mark Batterson reveals how taking up this challenge will not only change the way you pray today but also dramatically impact the rest of your life. While this challenge won’t be easy, and you will certainly experience setbacks along the way, as you pray through you can be assured that God will come through for you in new and exciting ways. Miracles that happen in your life decades from now will trace their origin back to this season of prayer, and breakthroughs that occur will become generational blessings that will live on long after your time on earth is over.
Today is the day for you to not only draw your prayer circle but also form your prayer circle with other believers in Christ. Now is the time to join with the more than half a million people who have already accepted this 40-day challenge to pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on them. As you do, you will witness the miraculous results in your life, your church, your community, and your world that only God can bring.
The Draw the Circle Study Guide includes video discussion questions, personal reflection questions, and daily devotional readings for each of the 40 days in the challenge.
Sessions include:
*Drawing a Circle
*Dream Big
*Pray Hard
*Think Long
*The Ripple EffectDesigned for use with the Draw the Circle Video Study (9780310094685) sold separately.
-
Why Jesus Expanded Content (Expanded)
$5.99Add to cartThis booklet is a concise and easy-to-read study of the very real questions surrounding Jesus that your guests might be thinking about when first attending your church or Alpha: Who is Jesus? Why do we need Him? Why did He have to die? Why is He relevant to my life today? These booklets are an effective evangelistic tool to pass out to guests at your services or at Alpha, sharing the Gospel in a warm and relevant way.
Alpha is based on a pattern found in the New Testament of people bringing their friends, family, and work colleagues to meet Jesus. Alpha is an easy way to say to friends, “Come and see, come and explore your questions, come and hear about Jesus, come and see for yourself.” Everyone is welcome at Alpha, but the program is designed especially for people who would not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers.
-
Alpha Team Guide
$10.99Add to cartThis resource is for Alpha small group hosts and helpers. It includes notes for the new training sessions that can be found online or on the Alpha Film Series DVD. It also has suggested questions to help guide the discussion time for each session of Alpha.
Alpha is based on a pattern found in the New Testament of people bringing their friends, family, and work colleagues to meet Jesus. Alpha is an easy way to say to friends, “Come and see, come and explore your questions, come and hear about Jesus, come and see for yourself.” Everyone is welcome at Alpha, but the program is designed especially for people who would not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers.
-
Alpha Guide : Is There More To Life Than This
$11.99Add to cartThis discussion guide is designed to be used with the Alpha DVDs hosted by Nicky Gumbel. The guide is divided up by session with an easy-to-read outline so that guests can follow along during each talk. With simple bullet-point organization and plenty of room for notes, the guide functions as an invaluable resource to the guest during Alpha, and as a reference tool for individual reflection long after Alpha.
Alpha is based on a pattern found in the New Testament of people bringing their friends, family, and work colleagues to meet Jesus. Alpha is an easy way to say to friends, “Come and see, come and explore your questions, come and hear about Jesus, come and see for yourself.” Everyone is welcome at Alpha, but the program is designed especially for people who would not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers.
-
Freedom In Christ Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Add to cartA Life-Changing Discipleship Program from Bestselling Author Neil T. Anderson
Becoming more like Christ is a lifelong endeavor that may seem overwhelming–especially to those who don’t know the next steps. Whether you lead a group of people who have just begun their walk with Christ or those who want to go deeper, the Freedom in Christ curriculum will give you the simple, practical guidance to help others weave faith into every aspect of their lives.
-
Messy Easter : Three Complete Sessions And A Treasure Trove Of Ideas For Le
$25.99Add to cartChocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, colored eggs, and baskets are a lot of fun, but is that all this season is about?
The new resource Messy Easter offers your church a tool to bring together people of all ages and all stages of faith for a unique come-as-you-are experience of
creativity-allowing space for all to play and create
celebration-worshiping God for his redeeming work in Jesus
hospitality-sharing a meal where all are welcomeThese three once-a-month sessions help us learn more about Lent, Holy Week, and Easter in an excitedly messy way!
-
Signs Of The Christ Teachers Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$15.95Add to cartThe key to understanding the Gospel of John is an awareness of its purpose: to offer “proof” that Jesus is the Messiah. This Signs of the Christ Teacher’s Guide–and separate Book & Study Guide–help the reader, small group, university, or seminary class understand the theological significance of each of Christ’s signs recorded in John’s gospel.
-
Signs Of The Christ Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$15.95Add to cartThe key to understanding the Gospel of John is an awareness of its purpose: to offer “proof” that Jesus is the Messiah. This Signs of the Christ Study Guide–and separate Book & Teacher’s Guide–help the reader, small group, university, or seminary class understand the theological significance of each of Christ’s signs recorded in John’s gospel.
-
Signs Of The Christ Textbook
$18.95Add to cartThe key to understanding the Gospel of John is an awareness of its purpose: to offer “proof” that Jesus is the Messiah. The Signs of the Christ text–and separate Teacher’s Guide and Study Guide–help the reader, small group, university, or seminary class understand the theological significance of each of Christ’s signs recorded in John’s gospel
-
Daniel Dilemma Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartAs Christians, how do we not only stay engaged with the ever-shifting, ungodly culture around us but also influence it for good? How do we stand strong without becoming brittle and dogmatic? How do we love people vastly different in their attitudes and lifestyles without compromising our biblical beliefs? These questions are being asked by Christians today from breakfast tables to water coolers to Bible study groups.
The book of Daniel provides us with clear answers. At the young age of sixteen, the Babylonians enslaved Daniel and took him from his homeland. Yet for the next seventy years of his captivity, Daniel remained firmly dedicated to God and his faith without yielding to the pagan influences of the culture around him. In so doing, he demonstrates to us today how we can remain standing strong when everyone around us is bowing down to cultural idols.
And Daniel did it without becoming rude, insulting, or angry! He understood the goal wasn’t to be right but to have influence. Christians are likewise called to take a stand today to reveal God’s truth and light, not their own. Daniel showed grace and truth to the people around him-just like Jesus did, and just like we’re called to do to a world in desperate need of the gospel.
Sessions include:
*God Never Changes
*Maintaining Our Identity
*Keeping Our Focus
*Staying Free of Pride
*Making the Most of Our Time
*Imitating Christ in All We DoDesigned for use with the Daniel Dilemma Video Study (sold separately).
-
Sensible Shoes Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartIntroduction
Reading For Week One: Chapter One
Week One Group Discussion
Reading For Week Two: Chapter Two
Week Two Group Discussion
Reading For Week Three: Chapter Three
Week Three Group Discussion
Reading For Week Four: Chapters Four And Five
Week Four Group Discussion
Reading For Week Five: Chapters Five And Six>
Week Five Group Discussion
Reading For Week Six: Chapters Six And Seven
Week Six Group Discussion
Reading For Week Seven: Chapter Seven
Week Seven Group Discussion
Reading For Week Eight: Chapters Eight And Nine
Week Eight Group Discussion
Reading For Week Nine: Chapter Nine
Week Nine Group Discussion
Reading For Week Ten: Chapter Ten
Week Ten Group Discussion
Reading For Week Eleven: Chapter Eleven
Week Eleven Group Discussion
Reading For Week Twelve: Chapter Twelve And Epilogue
Week Twelve Group DiscussionAdditional Info
Have you enjoyed the journey with Meg, Mara, Charissa, and Hannah? This companion guide will take you deeper into their world and give you an opportunity to try out the spiritual practices that you’ve seen them engage at New Hope Retreat Center.Sensible Shoes Study Guide includes twelve weeks of daily Scripture reading, prayer, and reflection questions (five days a week) that correspond to the disciplines the women practice in the book. A group discussion guide concludes each week. Engaging the lives of these characters in their spiritual journeys will offer both a window and a mirror into your own life and relationship with Christ.
-
All Things New Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$10.99Add to cartAll Things New is a revolutionary four-session video Bible study built on a simple idea: heaven is not the eternal church service in the sky. It is, in fact, not religious at all. Jesus referred to the next chapter of our story as “the renewal of all things” (Matthew 19:28). This means, literally, the renewal of the earth we love in all its beauty, the renewal of our own being, and the renewal of all those things that make for a rich life-music, art, food, laughter. All that we hold dear shall be renewed.
Most Christians (and most people, for that matter) do not really look forward to their future because their views of heaven are vague, religious, and appallingly boring. Our hope begins to surge when we understand that for the believer nothing is lost. Heaven is not a life in the clouds; it is not unending worship services with singing. Rather, the life we long for-the paradise Adam and Eve knew-is precisely the life that is coming to us. And coming soon.
This study begins with a reframing of what “heaven” actually looks like. God does not say, “I am making all new things,” He says, “Behold-I am making all things new!” (Revelation 21:5). Familiar religious conceptions of heaven are gently dismantled, and the participant is invited into a new way of conceiving of their after-life. Imagery from fairy tales, books, and famous movies such as The Lord of the Rings is used to illustrate what “happily ever after” means in tangible, accessible, and-most important-desirable terms.As C.S. Lewis said, “We can only hope for what we desire.” The life we have been longing for is actually the very life that is about to be ours. The imminence of the coming kingdom of God is also clarified; living with an eager expectation of Christ’s return is the practical power of the Christian life.
-
Online Mission And Ministry
$14.99Add to cartMany clergy and churches are now taking to the internet and social media to promote their churches or ministries, but few have thought through some of the difficult pastoral and theological issues that may arise.’Virtual vicar’ Revd Pam Smith guides both new and experienced practitioners through setting up online ministries and considers some of the issues that may arise, such as:Are relationships online as valid as those offline? Is it possible to participate in a ‘virtual’ communion service? How do you deal with ‘trolls’ in a Christian way? What is it appropriate for a clergyperson to say on social media?
-
What Clergy Do
$18.99Add to cartClergy have a pivotal role in creating and nurturing church communities in which all people can grow up into Christ. This book explores the nature of that role by considering key similarities with the essential but often conflicting demands of motherhood. Like mothers, clergy need to preserve and hold people faithfully, while encouraging them to grow, take initiatives and become more confident and self-supporting. This book will help clergy to think about how this is achieved through the myriad of ‘small’ things they do from day to day, highlighting skills such as comforting, cherishing and multi-attending – skills that are centrally important but often unarticulated and undervalued.
-
Anxious For Nothing Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAccording the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are reaching epidemic proportions. In a given year, 17% of Americans will feel the effects of a panic attack. Anxiety-related issues are the number one mental health problem among women and are second only to alcohol and drug abuse among men. Between 1997 and 2004, Americans more than doubled their spending on anti-anxiety medications from $900 million to $2.1 billion.
We are tense. Why? Change is one reason. Sociologists speculate the world has changed more in the last thirty years than it has in the last three hundred! Every day seems to bring new change and threats. We also face personal challenges-job loss, cancer, divorce, addiction, bankruptcy. Add to personal challenges those of a global nature imported into our lives every few seconds thanks to smart phones, TVs, and computer screens. In our parents’ day, the nightly news caught them up on world events. Now it is a matter of minutes.
Anxiety just comes with life. However, as God’s Word reveals, it doesn’t have to dominate life. In this six-session video-based Bible study, bestselling author Max Lucado looks at seven admonitions from the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4-8 that lead to one wonderful promise: “The peace of God which surpasses all understanding.” As he unpacks each verse, he shows how God is ready to give comfort to help us face the calamities in life, view bad news through the lens of sovereignty, discern the lies of Satan, and tell ourselves the truth. We can be anxious for nothing, and discover true peace from God that surpasses all human understanding.
Sessions include:
1. Rejoice in the Lord Always
2. Let Your Gentleness Be Known to All
3. In Everything by Prayer… with Thanksgiving
4. The Peace of God… Will Guard Your Hearts
5. Meditate on These Things -
Because Of Gracia A Film And Faith Conversation Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartThe Because of Gracia Film and Faith Conversation Guide is a different kind of resource from most movie discussion guides, and it’s different from most bible studies. It’s a 45-day experience to spark conversations on the challenges students face every day as Christians. Based on the themes of Because of Gracia, each week’s conversation has info on group activities and then follows up with five days of devotional reflections for a student and his or her conversation partner. Topics and conversations include Practicing Friendship (teen dating and relationships), Choosing Life (pro-life values and ministering to those facing teen pregnancy), and Voicing Faith (defense of one’s faith in public). These Because of Gracia conversations will help students know how to handle the life-altering choices they face everyday– friendships and relationships, dating and falling in love, how to choose life and support those facing teen pregnancy, and how to confidently voicing your faith and beliefs in public. So let this film and faith conversation be a part of their faith journey, and get real with these real-life questions on God, friendship, and love.
-
Because Of Gracia A Film And Faith Leaders Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$9.99Add to cartBecause of Gracia: A Film and Faith Leader’s Guide equips youth pastors and small group leaders to explore the key themes in this award-winning film through a life-changing discipleship curriculum. The nine-week guide contains three weeks of “Conversations” on three core topics from the film, Practicing Friendship (God’s Design for Relationships), Choosing Life (Teen Pregnancy and the Sanctity of Life), and Voicing Faith (Defending Christianity in Public). The Because of Gracia Leader’s Guide is designed for use with the related Because of Gracia Film and Faith Conversation Guide for students, a unique hybrid experience that offers complementary material for small group sessions, as well as daily reflections for students to use throughout the week in “conversation partner” pairs. The resulting 45-day experience allows young Christians to pursue discipleship with others, while helping them to wrestle with the difficult issues they’re facing today. The Because of Gracia curriculum was created to affirm that with God’s amazing and empowering grace, young people CAN live in a new way.
Take your students on a spiritual journey alongside Gracia, Chase, and the rest of Eastglenn High as they face life-altering decisions, learning that grace is both the gift of mercy when we fail and our empowerment to live in truth and light.
-
Clash Of Kingdoms Discovery Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartLike the Roman Empire, today’s governments or organizations can become centered on power and believe their messages are the “good news.” As Christians, we’re called to proclaim God’s name in all the earth (1 Chronicles 16:8), but how do we to do that in the midst of false gospels?
In this fifteenth volume of That The World May Know , discover how Paul communicated the Good News of Christ to Philippi, a Roman colony that worshipped false gods. Can you live the message as Paul did while he encouraged the church in Philippi to consider itself a colony of heaven, not Rome? Consider your citizenship-and the message you convey to the world-as Ray Vander Lann takes you deeper into the culture of ancient Philippi.
Experience the Bible in historical context, as you walk in the footsteps of the second missionary tour of the Apostle Paul in Greece-in locations like Philippi, Thessaloniki, and Delphi.
-
These Are Our Bodies High School Participant Book (Student/Study Guide)
$11.95Add to cartThis book is the high school participant’s guide to use during each session of the These Are Our Bodies program. It is filled with prayers, scripture, and reflection questions designed to help the participant see the connection between their sexuality and their faith. With lots of space for journaling, a glossary of important terms and words are included, as well as appropriate websites for further learning or help.* An easily accessible, theologically progressive, mainline Christian Ed resource on human sexuality * A High School program resource to engage youth in connecting faith and sexuality in grades 9-12
-
These Are Our Bodies High School Parent Book
$11.95Add to cartA resource for parents or caregivers, this book will keep the parent informed about each session. In each chapter they will read about what their high schoolers is learning as well as journal questions that will help them connect faith with sexuality and with parenting. The adult reader will have an opportunity to reflect on the same scripture that their child has reflected upon so that all involved will learn new was to think about sexuality and how faith is relevant to understanding the complexities of sexuality and the responsibilities involved. In this program both participants and parents learn and grow together.* An easily accessible, theologically progressive, mainline Christian Ed resource on human sexuality * A High School program resource to engage youth in connecting faith and sexuality in grades 9-12
-
Ruth : Discovering Your Place In Gods Story
$8.99Add to cartBible study is an important spiritual discipline, but it can be intimidating and often difficult for newcomers. These four-session coloring Bible studies for adults are designed for group use and as outreach to new Christians and non-Christians. Incorporating coloring, the text of The Message, and a mix of study and reflection questions, the new Drawn In Bible Study series offers a unique on-ramp experience for those new to Bible study, and a refreshing holistic approach for seasoned Bible students.
In Ruth: Discovering Your Place in God’s Story, readers will get to know Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi-easily overlooked figures in the Bible who nevertheless play a critical role in the ancestry of Jesus. This study features pages for coloring, the earthy language of The Message, and questions that help you understand not just the text of the Bible but your own connection to Ruth’s story.
-
Christmas Plays And Biblical Skits
$28.95Add to cartWill Maudine ever stop being so bossy? Should Aunt Vera get a hearing aid for Christmas? Does Richard really miss his pink flamingo? Can John say anything other than uh-huh and huh-uh? Find the answers to these questions when you join Aunt Vera and her friends as they prepare for their Christmas pageants. Follow them as they find themselves in various situations involving lighthearted rivalry, mystery, and good-natured humor.
-
Christmas Plays And Biblical Skits
$13.95Add to cartWill Maudine ever stop being so bossy? Should Aunt Vera get a hearing aid for Christmas? Does Richard really miss his pink flamingo? Can John say anything other than uh-huh and huh-uh? Find the answers to these questions when you join Aunt Vera and her friends as they prepare for their Christmas pageants. Follow them as they find themselves in various situations involving lighthearted rivalry, mystery, and good-natured humor.
-
Know Why You Believe
$14.99Add to cartThe Christian life depends upon faith, but there are good reasons for that faith. In Know Why You Believe professor and author K. Scott Oliphint answers the “why” questions both Christians and non-Christians often ask, laying out a simple and convincing case for the core teachings of Christianity.
As part of the KNOW series, Know Why You Believe is designed for personal study or classroom use, but also for small groups and Sunday schools wanting to better understand the traditional defenses of Christian belief. Each chapter covers a foundational teaching and includes a rationale for that teaching, responses to common objections, reflection questions to prompt further consideration, and suggested readings for readers wanting to dig deeper.
-
Answers For Beginners And Teachers
$17.95Add to cartAnswers for Beginners and Teachers is filled with interesting Bible scriptures and the author’s comments on them. Ladonna shares her personal experiences, God’s audible voice, spiritual dreams, and visions, how she was healed of cancer, and two out-of-body experiences.
Teachers can use this book as a guide for Bible-study groups and sermons. Or it can be read through like a book.
It is written for new Christians and others who are thirsting for God’s Word. Expect to have your memory refreshed on the deeper things of God and find answers to questions you may have that are similar to those the author had for many years.
-
Are You In The Game Or In The Way
$14.99Add to cartA men’s ministry reality check: What is standing in the way of a vital men’s ministry in your church? The guy who should be at the forefront is often in the way of the program getting off the ground.
Are you, as pastor, the main obstacle to the growth of a vital men’s ministry?
Are you the guy who wants to start a men’s ministry in your church but don’t know how?
Is fear or a sense of inadequacy keeping you from starting such a ministry?
Pastor Ross Holtz tells his personal story of how he became a catalyst for growth, instead of an impediment will inspire pastors and men’s ministry leaders.What works, what doesn’t, and what is required in forming a vital men’s ministry. Practical and honest teaching filled with relevant and tested examples from recognizing the problem to finding the fix.
-
12 Women Of The Bible Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Add to cartIn this 12-session small group Bible study, Twelve Women of the Bible, Lysa TerKuerst, Elisa Morgan, Jeanne Stevens and other leaders look at the spiritual lessons learned from twelve biblical women and what they mean for your life today.
You’ll learn about the triumphs and failures of Mary Magdalene, Rebekah, Hannah, and nine other women, studying their lives and learning how to:
*Apply biblical lessons to their own modern-day struggles
*Live through their failures as well as successes
*Draw near to God in a world filled with trials
*Find lasting contentment
*Overcome rejection and insecurity and much moreEach of the 12 sessions focuses on one biblical character. You’ll also discover lessons from each of these women that will help you persevere through the circumstances you are facing today.
This Study Guide features discussion questions, background information on each character, space to write down thoughts, a helpful Leader’s Guide, and much more. It is designed for use with the Twelve Women of the Bible DVD (sold separately).
Sessions include:
1. Eve: Finding Lasting Contentment in the Truth (Lysa TerKeurst)
2. Rebekah: Breaking Free of Feminine Stereotypes (Jonalyn Fincher)
3. Leah: Overcoming Rejection and Insecurity (Naomi Zacharias)
4. Hannah: Surrendering in Waiting (Amena Brown)
5. Abigail: Dealing with Confrontation in Relationships
6. Gomer: Learning to Accept Unconditional Love (Jeanne Stevens)
7. Mary, Mother of Jesus: Moving from Comfort to Courage (Jeanne Stevens)
8. Mary Magdalene: Transforming from Outcast to Follower (Jonalyn Fincher)
9. Mary of Bethany: Putting Our Faith into Action (Elisa Morgan)
10. Martha: Finding Our Identity in Jesus (Amena Brown)
11. The Woman at the Well: Turning Our Messes into Messages (Lysa TerKuerst)
12. The Syrophoenician Woman: Approaching God with Persistency and Boldness (Naomi Zacharias) -
Marriage Preparation Workbook (Workbook)
$9.95Add to cartLife is filled with choices, but one of the most significant choices a person will ever make is the decision to marry someone. The questions in this marriage preparation workbook are designed to help you explore a number of issues that couples face as they contemplate life together.
-
Cherish Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartMost married couples survive by gritting their teeth and holding on. But what if husbands sought to truly cherish their wives? What if in social settings they did their best to make sure she was heard? What if they supported her goals so she could work in her gifts? What if they bought the things she needed to open up her home and put the beauty of her hospitality on display? And what if wives adopted the same attitude? What if she made sure her husband knew she was his strongest supporter? What if she were willing to support him, stabilize him, bind up his wounds-spiritual and emotional-and turn him so his strongest side was always showing? What if she helped him risk failure out in the world because she made it known to him that he would always be her courageous champion? What would that do to him? For the relationship? In the Cherish Him, Cherish Her video-based study, bestselling author Gary Thomas shows how marriages can not only survive but also thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another. How we can go from neglect and disrespect to cherish and adore. How we can send our marriages into a different dimension. How we can recalibrate our marriages when needed so we don’t suffer from apathy, indifference, and gradual drift. None of us want marriages where we grit our teeth and just tolerate each other because God’s Word says we don’t qualify for divorce. We don’t want marriages where our spouses really don’t like us, much less respect us. We want to be married to someone we cherish and who cherishes us, and it is possible to get to that point.
-
Creed : What Christians Believe And Why (Large Type)
$20.99Add to cartWe’re all searching. Sometimes the search is easy: simply type a question and the answer pops up. But sometimes our questions are complicated, and the answers are difficult to see and harder to articulate. How do we discover and examine the truths that give meaning and purpose to life? Adam Hamilton believes that some powerful answers are contained in the Apostles’ Creed, an early statement of foundational Christian beliefs. In this book for Lent, Easter, and beyond, Hamilton considers important questions of life, reality, and truth. He explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe it and why it matters. Chapters include: Is There a God? Jesus: More Than a Rabbi? The Holy Spirit: A Rushing Mighty Wind Death’s Funeral Holy? Catholic? Church? The Forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body Creed: What Christians Believe and Why is also part of a six-week church-wide program that includes a Leader Guide, DVD, and youth and children resources.
-
Way Of A Disciple
$19.99Add to cartThe Walking with God series was developed as the curriculum for small groups at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Since its release in 1992, it has been used by churches and small groups to help raise up devoted disciples of Christ. Group members who work through the program will lay a solid foundation for a lifelong walk with God.
While small groups may be formed for a variety of purposes, the goal of this curriculum is for groups to produce disciples-fully devoted followers of Christ-by studying God’s Word in community. To this end, the goal of the study is to produce disciples who walk with God, have a personal relationship with Jesus, and live in step with the Holy Spirit. It is also to produce believers who live the Word in all areas of life and contribute to the work that God is doing in the local church. Ultimately, the goal is to develop believers who impact the world and are prepared and eager to spread the good news of Christ to others.
This material will help develop these attributes in group members. Each lesson includes group Bible study and discussion questions in addition to devotions, reflections, and personal study for use by individuals between the group sessions.
-
Work Of A Disciple
$19.99Add to cartThe Walking with God series was developed as the curriculum for small groups at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Since its release in 1992, it has been used by churches and small groups to help raise up devoted disciples of Christ. Group members who work through the program will lay a solid foundation for a lifelong walk with God.
While small groups may be formed for a variety of purposes, the goal of this curriculum is for groups to produce disciples-fully devoted followers of Christ-by studying God’s Word in community. To this end, the goal of the study is to produce disciples who walk with God, have a personal relationship with Jesus, and live in step with the Holy Spirit. It is also to produce believers who live the Word in all areas of life and contribute to the work that God is doing in the local church. Ultimately, the goal is to develop believers who impact the world and are prepared and eager to spread the good news of Christ to others.
This material will help develop these attributes in group members. Each lesson includes group Bible study and discussion questions in addition to devotions, reflections, and personal study for use by individuals between the group sessions.
-
Prodigal Son Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartNearly two thousand years ago, Jesus told a simple parable about a father and his two sons. It was a story of rebellion, repentance, and unfathomable grace. This parable of the prodigal son stands out because it presents, in clear and inspiring terms, our struggle with sin, our need for repentance, and the Father’s inexhaustible mercy and love for us. Even those who know next to nothing else about the Bible know something about this tale. In this study, John MacArthur provides fascinating new insights into this parable and explores why so many of us recognize ourselves in its narrative. For believers, the prodigal son is a humbling reminder of who we are and how much we owe to God’s grace. For those who are conscious of their guilt but unrepentant, the prodigal’s life is a searing reminder of the wages of sin, the duty of the sinner to repent, and the goodness of God. For sinners coming to repentance, the father’s eager welcome and costly generosities are reminders that God’s grace and goodness are inexhaustible. For all of us, the elder brother’s attitude is a powerful warning that reveals how easily unbelief can masquerade as faithfulness. This five-session video-based study includes re-enacted vignettes from the parable with accompanying teaching from John MacArthur. With this study, experienced and new group leaders alike will be equipped to lead a life-changing study for their group members.
-
Way : Walking In The Footsteps Of Jesus (Large Type)
$19.99Add to cartExpanded Large Print Edition
Travel with Adam Hamilton as he retraces the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Once again, Hamilton approaches his subject matter with thoughtfulness and wisdom, just as he did with Jesus’ crucifixion in 24 Hours That Changed the World and with Jesus’ birth in The Journey. Read The Way on your own or, for a more in-depth study, enjoy it with a small group or part of a 40-day church-wide emphasis during Lent and Easter or anytime of the year. Using historical information, archaeological data, and stories of the faith, Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism to the temptations to the heart of his ministry, including the people he loved, the parables he taught, the enemies he made, and the healing he brought. This 40-day focus will help you and your group grow deeper in their faith, learn more about the life of Christ, spend time daily reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures, and invite families, through the children’s and youth studies, to grow together in their faith. This new large print edition includes devotions for each chapter and photos from Adam’s trip to the Holy Lands. Additional resources include a DVD, devotional, youth and children editions, and a worship download to help with sermon planning.
-
Because Of Bethlehem Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartEach year, the Christmas season compels people to ask the Christmas questions. What’s the big deal about the baby in the manger? Who was he? What does his birth have to do with me? Of all the responses to these questions, there is one that stands out from the rest: Because of Bethlehem, God knows what it is like to be a human. When we talk to God about our challenges, our struggles, and our tough times, he understands, because he’s been there. He’s been here.
Because of Bethlehem, we have a friend in heaven. We have a Savior in heaven. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the king on the cross. Because he did, there are no marks on our record, just grace. Because of Bethlehem, we have the promise God is always near us. Always for us. Always in us. We may forget him, but he never forgets us.
No day is accidental or incidental. No acts are random or wasted. Just look at the Bethlehem birth. A king levies a tax. Joseph is forced to travel. Mary, as round as a ladybug, bounces on a donkey’s back. The hotel is full. The hour is late. The event is one big hassle. Yet out of the hassle, hope was born. Christmas reminds us that “everything works together for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28). And long after the Christmas guests have left, the carolers have gone home, and the lights have come down, that promise endures.
Sessions include:
*God Has a Face (chapters 2, 4)
*Worship Works Wonders (chapters 5, 6)
*God Guides the Wise (chapters 7, 8)
*Every Heart Is a Manger (chapters 11, 12) -
Way : Walking In The Footsteps Of Jesus (Expanded)
$14.99Add to cartNewly released in paperback, travel with Adam Hamilton as he retraces the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Once again, Hamilton approaches his subject matter with thoughtfulness and wisdom, just as he did with Jesus’ crucifixion in 24 Hours That Changed the World and with Jesus’ birth in The Journey. Read The Way on your own or, for a more in-depth study, enjoy it with a small group or part of a 40-day church-wide emphasis during Lent and Easter or anytime of the year. Using historical information, archaeological data, and stories of the faith, Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism to the temptations to the heart of his ministry, including the people he loved, the parables he taught, the enemies he made, and the healing he brought. This 40-day focus will help you and your group grow deeper in their faith, learn more about the life of Christ, spend time daily reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures, and invite families, through the children’s and youth studies, to grow together in their faith. This new edition includes devotions for each chapter and photos from Adam’s trip to the Holy Lands. Additional resources include a DVD, devotional, youth and children editions, and a worship download to help with sermon planning.
-
He Chose The Nails Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartEvery gift from God reveals his love. But no gift reveals his love more than the gifts of the cross. They came not wrapped in paper, but in passion. Not placed around a tree, but a cross. Not covered with ribbons, but sprinkled with blood.
Much has been said about the gift of the cross itself, but what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns? The garments taken by the soldiers? The garments given for the burial? Have we taken time to open these gifts? Jesus didn’t have to give them, you know. The only act required for our salvation was the shedding of blood. Yet he did so much more.
The hill of the cross is rich with God’s gifts. So let’s examine them. Let’s unwrap the gifts of grace as if—or perhaps, indeed—for the first time. And as we touch them—as we feel the timber of the cross and trace the braid of the crown and finger the point of the spike—we need to pause and listen. Perchance we will hear him whisper: “I did it just for you.”
Sessions include:
*He Chose to Be One of Us (Crown of Thorns)
*He Chose to Forgive Us (Nails)
*He Chose to Love Us Forever (Cross)
*He Chose to Give Us Victory (Empty Tomb)