Adult Ministries
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Making Sense Of Scripture Participant Book (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAcknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Is The Bible?
Chapter 2: Is The Bible True?
Chapter 3: How Is The Bible The Word Of God?
Chapter 4: Where Did The Bible Come From?
Chapter 5: How Can I Read The Bible With Greater Understanding?
Chapter 6: Is There A “Center” To Scripture?
Chapter 7: What Kind Of Authority Does The Bible Hold?
Conclusion
For Further ReadingAdditional Info
In Making Sense of Scripture, David Lose invites the reader to engage in a conversation, one that he imagines discussing around his kitchen table, about seven major questions of the Bible. More than a standard biblical reference book, Making Sense of Scripture is a dialogue that encourages readers to bring their questions or doubts to the table when reading Scripture. During this conversation, there are different opportunities for the reader to interact with the Bible, ultimately leaving room for personal transformation of the heart and mind. -
Making Sense Of Scripture Leader Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$19.99Add to cartIntroduction
Welcome
Convictions
Overview Of The Leader Guide And Session Components
Advice And Counsel
About The Book Of Faith Initiative
Session Schedules And Variations
Using A Retreat Format
Covenant
Invitation Letter
Session 1: What Is The Bible?
Session 2: Is The Bible True?
Session 3: Is The Bible The Word Of God?
Session 4: Where Did The Bible Come From?
Session 5: How Can I Read The Bible With Greater Understanding?
Session 6: Is There A “Center” To Scripture?
Session 7: What Kind Of Authority Does The Bible Hold?Additional Info
Lead your small group as they ask questions and engage in conversation about seven big questions of the Bible. Making Sense of Scripture is a flexible course, and this leader guide contains suggestions for a variety of session times. Options for using this study in a retreat format are also included. -
Easter Experience Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartPaint yourself into the story and transform Easter into a truly life-changing experience. Once you experience the story of Easter, absolutely everything in your life changes. The Easter Experience is a unique, DVD-driven study which brings the passion and resurrection of Jesus to life through dramatic storytelling and challenging teaching. This companion to The Easter Experience small group DVD follows the six 20-minute episodes, providing additional information, discovery questions, and tips for helping your small group grow spiritually and bond with each other as well as with the eternal message of Easter. Also available are the Easter Experience Church Program and the Easter Experience Ministry Devotional.
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From Anger To Intimacy Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$15.00Add to cartDid you know that spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational exhaustion lead to anger? And unresolved anger leads to sin. All couples deal with anger and how they respond (stuff it, spew it, or study it), can make all the difference in their relationship and in their lives. In From Anger to Intimacy, Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham explore this often maligned and God-given emotion that, unless dealt with, can strip us of everything we love.Now couples can learn the skills to:-resolve conflict, hurt, and pain in a healthy way-master their internal buttons so as to overcome feelings of anger, frustration, and rage-use five specific tactics to deal with anger and rage when they rear their ugly heads-walk in the freedom God intends by learning the three essentials of forgiveness and five keys to nurturing a forgiving spirit-craft the perfect apology-remove the roadblocks to forgiveness once and for all-break sexual addiction and heal after an affair-and find answers to big questions about anger and forgiveness in their marriage
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Simple Small Groups (Reprinted)
$13.99Add to cartOver the past two decades, small groups have gone from spontaneous gatherings among friends to a major and elaborate phenomenon in the church. Many evangelical churches have some form of small groups ministry in place. But there’s just one problem, says Bill Search–what started as a simple get-together has become a complicated process, especially for small group leaders. They are often not sure what is expected of them or what to expect from their groups as a result of their efforts. In Simple Small Groups, Search lays out the three C’s of small groups–connecting, changing, and cultivating. This paradigm helps to simplify leading small groups in a way that is helpful, rewarding, and life changing. Unlike many other books geared toward small group leaders, Simple Small Groups does not require a church-wide adoption of an intricately designed system of assimilation, making it useful to any small group leader looking for guidance.
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Spiritual Direction : A Practical Introduction
$36.99Add to cartSpiritual direction has been an intrinsic part of the Christian tradition since the earliest days of the church when desert mothers and fathers were sought out for their wisdom and guidance. Today, the popularity of retreats and renewed interest in monastic spirituality has put spiritual direction in the spotlight. It is shedding its rather exotic, mystical associations and is increasingly regarded as a core component of Christian ministry. This guide aims to equip clergy and laity engaged in this task, or in training for it. It includes, Part One: What is spiritual direction? This is an exploration of biblical, historical and contemporary models of spiritual direction. What makes a good spiritual director? Part Two covers listening and responding to God, prayer, paying attention, discernment, interpreting religious experience, recognising God in the every day, journalling, and holy leisure. Part Three covers listening and responding to others, listening to stories and experience, looking for signs of grace, pain
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Aging And Ministry In The 21 Century
$13.00Add to cartAging faithfully is a blessing and a challenge and Richard Gentzler is an expert on the subject. In his newest book on aging, Gentzler offers church leaders a structured approach to implementing strong ministries by, with, and for older adults. In addition to the practical issues of programming, the book takes on more difficult topics of aging including chronic conditions, depression, and death. He also recommends that churches pay special attention to the needs of the boomer generation, since they are now becoming the older adults who will determine the church’s path for years to come.
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Fireproof Your Marriage Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$8.95Add to cartFireproof Your Marriage will challenge you to love better, love first and love for a lifetime. This six-week study is founded on Biblical principles for strong, God-centered, lifelong marriages. The Fireproof Your Marriage study integrates movie clips from FIREPROOF, along with key Scriptures, thought-provoking questions and devotionals, including concepts from The Love Dare book. For use with the Fireproof Your Marriage Leader’s Kit or Couple’s Kit. Great for small groups or sunday school class. Fireproof Your Marriage includes these six sessions:
He Said/She Said: appreciating the God-designed differences between men and women. He First Loved Us: God’s love for you and how it enables you to love others.
Love for a Lifetime: marriage as a lifelong covenant.
Breaking Free: freeing yourself from temptations that can destroy a marriage.
Forgiveness: offering and receiving forgiveness.
A Better Way of Loving: unconditional love -
Dog Training Fly Fishing And Sharing Christ In The 21st Century
$18.99Add to cartTed Haggard presents a successful and tested model for a small group ministry here that can be implemented by a church of any size. By enabling members to embrace and capitalize on their own unique abilities, the diverse groups create an environment where people meet mentors that can disciple and guide them. This need-and interest based approach redefines the model for powerful church growth.
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Language Of Sex Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$13.00Add to cartIn The Language of Sex Study Guide and The Language of Sex DVD, Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham go beyond the book and take a deeper, biblical look at the topic of sex in the marriage relationship. What does the Bible say about great sex? Does Scripture tackle gender differences, emotions, creativity, romance, and creating security and intimacy in our marriages? This Bible study and companion DVD are a fantastic resource for couples to do together, and it is equally useful for individuals, small groups, pastors, and leaders.
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Prayer Participants Guide
$14.99Add to cartIn this six-session ZondervanGroupware video curriculum, award-winning author Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat-the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect-of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? How does
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Christianitys Family Tree Participants Book (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Add to cartIn this book, Adam Hamilton presents a welcoming, inspiring vision of eight Christian denominations and faith traditions. Comparing the Christian family to our own extended families, he contends that each denomination has a unique, valuable perspective to offer on the Christian faith.
The traditions he examines are Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and Methodism. For each group, Hamilton gives a brief history, outlines major beliefs, and describes some things we can learn from that tradition to strengthen our own Christian faith.
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Confronting The Enemies Within (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Living As A Christian (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Embracing The Good News (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Building A Christ Centered Home (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartBased on the culmination of a lifetime of experience in ministry, Billy Graham guides the reader through a study guide series that explores the joys, triumphs, and conflicts that you will encounter along the journey of your spiritual life.
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Epic Study Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$2.99Add to cartIn Epic, a retelling of the gospel in four acts, John Eldredge invites us to revisit the drama of life, viewing God not only as the author but also as the lead actor, exploring His motives and His heart. Eldredge examines the power of story, the universal longing for a “plot” that makes sense deep inside us, our desire for a meaningful role to play, our love of books and movies, and how all of this points us to the gospel itself.
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Hand Me Another Brick Bible Companion
$9.99Add to cartMost of us could benefit from wise advice on how to be a more effective leader at work and at home. In Hand Me Another Brick Bible Companion, Charles Swindoll delves deep into the life of Nehemiah to show how to handle the issues of motivation, discouragement, and adversity with integrity. Features include: Perfect for small group study or individual study alike Questions for reflection Helpful and insightful discussion of Scripture Discussion questions to facilitate group study
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Triangular Teaching
$12.99Add to cartThe book is a training manual that elaborates and illustrates Bruce’s methods of “triangular teaching,” an integrated approach involving multiple intelligence theory, brain research, and creative and critical thinking.
Stating that the purpose of this book is “to help teachers and leaders to engage their adult students into immersion in the Scripture so that it becomes life-changing,” Bruce encourages teachers and leaders to learn and use her methods as they lead Sunday school classes and Bible study groups, or as they train teachers to lead groups.Includes an appendix with reproducible worksheets.
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Reaching Single Adults (Reprinted)
$19.00Add to cartAlthough 44 percent of all adults are unmarried, most churches are focused on marriage and families–and so miss many opportunities to reach out as well as to benefit from all that singles can offer to the church. Here at last is an up-to-date, comprehensive handbook to single adult ministry. Based on his over twenty-five years of experience, Dennis Franck offers church leaders guidance on all aspects of this often-overlooked ministry, including: -understanding singles’ diverse life situations and needs -developing a biblical philosophy of ministry -the practical aspects of building a ministry Pastors and lay leaders will gratefully welcome this new in-depth resource to guide their ministry to, for, and through single adults
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Direct Hit : Aiming Real Leaders At The Mission Field
$22.99Add to cartThe second Abingdon publication by Paul Borden, whose first book, Hit the Bullseye has sold 11,000 copies.
A new pastor sees himself or herself as a leader who anticipates a better for the congregation. However, the congregation tends to perceive the new pastor as someone who ministers who their needs and fulfills a chaplain-type role. The pastor must therefore lead the congregation through systemic change if new life is to be brought into the culture of the congregation.
Three teams must be created: TEAM ONE is the prayer team that prays regularly for change and reproduction. TEAM TWO is the dream team that helps the pastor communicate urgency. TEAM THREE consists of leaders who recruit and train other leaders who are committed to urgent change.
I. Chapter One – Introduction and Overview
II. Chapter Two – Essentials for Leaders
(It is important to note that this book assumes a pastor is new to a congregation which like many congregations, is on a plateau or in decline. This pastor sees himself or herself as a leader who anticipates a better future for this congregation. However, the congregation sees the role of the new pastor as someone who will minister to their needs and fulfill the traditional chaplain role that is typical for most pastors and most congregations. Therefore this pastor is going to need to take three to five years to lead the congregation through systemic change (change the culture of the congregation). The book is how the pastor and key lay leaders develop the communication strategies required to lead such change.III. Chapter Three – Developing a Vision and a Communication Strategy for its Implementation
A. The basic assumptions about the congregation and the pastor’s role are discussed.
B. The pastor must first spend time developing vision.
C. The pastor must then begin to develop a communication strategy that will be employed over the next three to five years to prepare the congregation for changeIV. Chapter Four – Creating and Communicating Urgency
A. Creating and communicating urgency is as crucial as casting vision
B. The pastors’ responsibility is to determine the urgency for which the vision is an answer.
C. The pastor must now develop a communication strategy to create urgency in the congregation over the next three to five years in order to provide motivation for embracing the vision.V. Chapter Five – Developing Key Teams in Preparing for Change
A. While the pastor is working on visi -
Living Fully Dying Well Leaders Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$31.99Add to cartOur best decisions about life’s important events are seldom made in a time of crisis. Living Fully and Dying Well is a resource designed to assist us in making careful, wise and prayerful preparation for meeting life’s most important moments. In this study, participants will learn how to face openly and unafraid the benefits and limitations of aging and end of life decisions.
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Living Fully Dying Well Participants Book (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartOur best decisions about life’s important events are seldom made in a time of crisis. Living Fully and Dying Well is a resource designed to assist us in making careful, wise and prayerful preparation for meeting life’s most important moments. In this study, participants will learn how to face openly and unafraid the benefits and limitations of aging and end of life decisions.
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Encounter God In The City
$26.99Add to cartIVP Print On Demand Title
God is at work in the city. And he invites his people to join him. But the city is not merely a mission field for Christians to target. The city is also the environment where Christians are discipled and lives are forged into the image of Jesus.
Urban ministry veteran Randy White shows how God transforms you when you answer God’s call to the city. Urban life peels away your sin and self-deception and challenges your unexamined assumptions about privilege, race, class and power. Experiential discipleship moves you from abstract theory to hands-on learning and on-the-ground action, revolutionizing your perspective and making a difference in local neighborhoods and beyond.
Passionate and practical, White’s vivid narratives of experiencing God in the city show you how your spiritual health is intertwined with the health of the metropolis. Seek the welfare of the city, and both you and the city will be transformed.
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3 Months With Paul (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAvailable in English for the first time, Three Months with Paul is popular author Justo Gonzalez’ study of the Gospel of Paul. Eminently readable, the study uses the “see-judge-act” method to bring readers closer to the text, informing and challenging them to apply the biblical material to their own lives.
These thirteen studies can be used for Sunday school, for evening Bible study, for home study meetings, for faith communities, for retreats, and for personal Bible study. In addition, Three Months with Paul can easily be used as a daily Bible study, as each lesson is divided into seven parts.
This is the fifth Gonzalez title to be translated from the Spanish. Previous titles include: Three Months with Matthew (published Spring 2002), Three Months with the Spirit (Spring 2003), Three Months with Revelation (Spring 2004), and Three Months With John (Spring 2005).
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Money Matters Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$17.99Add to cartThe Celebration Of Creation
The Freedom Of Simplicity
The Life Of Generosity
The Trust Of Rightful Ownership
The Joy Of Faithful Stewardship
The Faith In Promised Provision
The Commitment To Ultimate SacrificeAdditional Info
A complete stewardship study to help congregations discover the art of generosity.Proven principles of financial management found in the Bible, such as debt-free living, simplicity, planning, and generosity. Ideal for use as a self-study guide toward personal Bible-centered financial freedom, or as a small-group participant’s guide.
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Practicing The Faith (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartSessions include:
What is the church supposed to be?
Why should I go to church?
What is Christian commitment?
What are the sacraments?
What can I do to get closer to God?
What happens when I pray?
How does God answer prayer?
Why should I pray?
How can I develop a personal prayer life?
Is suffering God’s will?
Does God care when I suffer? -
Seeing God In Diversity
$15.95Add to cartHere readers will find a parish study resource that promotes tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness by looking at two biblical stories from multiple points of view – the story of the returning Jews in the Book of Exodus and the story of the new Christian community in the Book of Acts. The lessons of these ancient communities – and the way they dealt with many of the issues we face today – lead readers to put themselves in the place of each group and re-examine their faith and work for greater inclusiveness in their own communities.
Lessons are arranged as six two-hour sesssions, and include background commentary for study leaders, readings, activities, and discussion questions. -
Finding Jesus Discovering Self (Student/Study Guide)
$24.95Add to cartThis book invites readers to see Jesus with new eyes and then explore, know, experience, and live questions about how 2,000-year-old stories and events happen in the world and in our lives today.
Each chapter focuses upon a passage from the Gospels. A narrative by one of the authors recalls a personal experience reflecting the ancient text. Questions to which there are no “right” answers offer multi-dimensional opportunities to explore the stories and wonder. -
7 Deadly Sins Of Small Group Ministry
$22.99Add to cartAssessment and solution for seven common obstacles to building small groups. It’s one thing to start a small group ministry. It’s another to keep the groups in your church healthy and headed in the same direction. Whatever your church’s approach may be-whether it is a church with groups or of groups- sooner or later, as a leader, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting. That’s when the expert, to-the-point guidance in this book will prove its worth. The beauty of this book lies in its unique diagnostic process. It allows you to assess, diagnose, and correct seven common “deadly sins” that can drain the life from your church’s small group ministry. In The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry, what would take you years to learn through trial and error is distilled into some of the most useful information you can find. Drawing on the knowledge they’ve gleaned from working inside Willow Creek Community Church, from consulting with hundreds of churches, and from conducting conferences and seminars worldwide, small group experts Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson furnish you with proven, real-life solutions to the toughest problems in your small group ministry. This is not theory-it is hands-on material you can read and apply today.
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3 Months With John (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAvailable in English for the first time, Three Months with John is popular author Justo Gonzalez’ study of the Gospel of John. Eminently readable, the study uses the “see-judge-act” method to bring readers closer to the text, informing and challenging them to apply the biblical material to their own lives. These thirteen studies can be used for Sunday school, for evening Bible study, for home study meetings, for faith communities, for retreats, and for personal Bible study. In addition, Three Months with John can easily be used as a daily Bible study, as each lesson is divided into seven parts. This is the fourth Gonzalez title to be translated from the Spanish. Previous titles include: Three Months with Matthew #0687094550, Three Months with the Spirit #0687045991, and Three Months with Revelation #0687088682.
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Leadership From The Heart Participant Workbook (Student/Study Guide)
$13.99Add to cartA 10-session small-group program that explores gifts and skills needed to be a leader in the church community. Each class session is built around head, heart, and hands – background content, group sharing, and action steps. Issues include: servant leadership, spiritual disciplines, maturity, spiritual gifts, calling, God’s purpose for one’s life, transformation of individuals and community, team building, and team leading. Sessions are designed for 90 minutes, but are adaptable.
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Many Servants : An Introduction To Deacons (Revised)
$17.95Add to cartIn this newly updated and revised introduction to the permanent diaconate, Plater includes a history of deacons in the early church, a survey of deacons from the Reformation to the present, stories of modern diaconal ministries, including first-hand accounts, and a discussion of the formation, training, and deployment of deacons. A basic, essential text for discernment committees and commissions on ministry, and a comprehensive look at a vital ministry in the church today.
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Transform Your Church With Ministry Teams
$23.99Add to cartThe concept of “ministry teams” is rapidly taking hold in churches, but what are they and how do they work? This book outlines what effective ministry teams look like, describes what they have to offer local congregations, and gives concrete advice for making them happen. According to Stanley Ott, the power of ministry teams lies in their unique capacity to generate genuine Christian fellowship, grow disciples, develop leaders, and mobilize people for ministry. Where traditional church leadership organizations concentrate almost exclusively on task, policy, and program, ministry teams are designed to enhance faith development and, therefore, ministry effectiveness. Transform Your Church with Ministry Teams offers clear guidance for building the leadership of a mission or church into a true ministry team. The book enables readers to form ministry teams and, through them, to transform the life of their church or Christian organization.
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Prayer (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartThis book will explore and define biblical and contemporary images of prayer. All the sessions exploring prayer will be based upon God’s relationship with humans as the ground of all prayer and the essential human need to reach toward God that leads to prayer. Readers will explore definitions of prayer, a variety of scriptures that show Jesus’ teachings and practices related to prayer, methods of prayer, aids to prayer, the varieties of individual and communal words, needs, and emotions that form the content of prayer, ways people interpret answered or unanswered prayer, and the unity between prayer and human action. The book will invite readers to reflect upon questions like: Why do we pray? What is God’s role in prayer? the human role? How is God’s grace involved in prayer? What is prayer? What did Jesus teach about prayer? How do we pray? What do we pray? What is an attitude of prayer? How does God answer prayer? What difference does prayer make in our lives? Have I been praying all along? What happens in the quiet times of my week? in the busy times?
Is prayer possible in both quiet and busy times? Why do I feel like I don’t have
time to pray? Do I need to make time for prayer? How? The book will affirm
persons and groups who struggle with an understanding of prayer or with
a style of prayer. It will provide opportunities for transforming encounters with
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3 Months With Revelation (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAvailable in English for the first time, Three Months with Revelation is popular author Justo Gonzalez’ study of Revelation. Eminently readable, the study uses the see-judge-act method to bring readers closer to the text and informs and challenges the daily life of the Christian. These thirteen studies can be used for Sunday school, for evening Bible study, for home study meetings, for faith communities, for retreats, and for personal Bible study. In addition, Three Months with Revelation can easily be used as a daily Bible study, as each lesson is divided into seven parts. This is the third Gonzalez title to be translated from the Spanish
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Family (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartWhat, exactly, is a family? Is it a married couple with 2.3 children, a dog, and a minivan? Couples without children? Single adults? Friends> Church groups? Colleagues? The notion of “family” encompasses these forms and more. In this study, family is shaped and nurtured by our relationship with God, a relationship that encourages mutual growth in love of God, self, and neighbor through our interactions with those whom we identify as “family.” This resource helps users explore their questions about family with insights, images, and stories from Scripture. Each session delves into specific issues about family and contains suggestions about how an individual or group can use the session ot look at family form a Christian perspective.
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On Being A Priest Today
$16.95Add to cartThis important book on priestly identity embraces the many contemporary and denominational varieties of priestly ministry; male and female, paid and unpaid, parish and work-based, catholic, evangelical, charismatic. Examining the “root,” the “shape,” and the “fruit” of priestly identity, On Being a Priest Today is essential reading for priests, priests in training, and everyone considering the ministry. Part One “roots” a priest’s human and church life in the theological convictions derived from the Christian understanding of God as being for and with others. Part Two explores the “shape” of priestly life in relation to worship, word, and prayer, each supported by the three key virtues of love, faith, and hope. Part Three examines the “fruit” of priestly life by focusing on three fundamental features of priestly identity: holiness, reconciliation, and blessing.
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What Does The Lord Require
$16.95Add to cartContemporary life is filled with a host of contentious moral and social issues. There are many thorny topics, both personal and political, which bring out a cacophony of opinions that can overwhelm us. While we are inundated with questions, there often seem to be no clear answers. So how should we respond? As Christians, we must constantly ask ourselves, “What does the Lord require of me?”
In this outstanding collection of meditations, James Killen examines many of today’s hot-button issues with an eye toward helping readers think through their beliefs and responsibilities. Mindful of our call to live in faithfulness to God’s purpose, each essay draws on the Bible and the Christian faith to discern how God would have us respond to the emerging situations of our world’s history.
What Does The Lord Require? is topical, inspiring reading — and with thoughtful discussion questions at the end of each meditation, it’s an excellent resource for adult classes or study groups, as well as for a sermon series that is sure to connect with congregations.
Among the issues addressed are:
* religious pluralism
* economic justice
* materialism
* environmental stewardship
* gender roles
* suicide
* abortion
* personal integrity
* homosexuality
* AIDS
* race relations
* war -
Big Book On Small Groups (Revised)
$25.99Add to cartSmall groups can make a BIG difference by encouraging individual growth, strengthening the church, and involving the community! In this revised bestseller, Arnold explores the basics of “Body Life” and explains how to start a group, develop relationships, train leaders, launch outreach programs, and more. Includes a “small-group starter kit” and training resources.
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Walking The Small Group Tightrope
$12.99Add to cartA time-tested resource for pastors and small group leaders to help them understand how to manage the tensions that result when a variety of good objectives compete for a group’s attention Foundational resources such as Building a Church of Small Groups and The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry were written for those who launch and lead small group ministries. Now there is a proven resource from Willow Creek created specifically for small group leaders who serve in the trenches of small group life. Walking the Small Group Tightrope applies “polarity management” training to group life. Polarity management teaches that in every area of life we must learn to manage the tension that exists between two good things rather than choosing one over the other. There are six challenges or “tensions” every small group leader faces and must learn to manage well. Each challenge must be met by managing two good values that exist along a continuum: * Learning Challenge: Truth_Life Continuum * Relational Challenge: Friendship_Accountability Continuum * Development Challenge: Care_Discipleship Continuum * Reconciliation Challenge: Kindness_Confrontation Continuum * Impact Challenge: Task_People Continuum * Connection Challenge: Openness_Intimacy Continuum
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Ushering In Todays Churches
$12.49Add to cartUshering in Today’s Churches was written to assist usher ministries to serve God in an effective and excellent manner. The contents of this book are for any churches that desire to take their usher ministries to the next level. The book will give ushers the knowledge to serve God with a spirit of excellence and elevate God with a well-organized ministry. I offer my assistance as a workshop instructor to any church organization that has the desire to further educate its usher ministry. The workshop will equip the usher ministry with knowledge and techniques that God has blessed me with. To have a workshop at your church, please refer to the workshop information page at the end of this book.
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Afterlife (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartAfterlife: Finding Hope Beyond Death is targeted to adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s. Author David deSilva says, “The extent to which we can come to terms with our own death directly impacts our psychological stability and well-being. The denial of death leads to all manner of personality disorders and ultimately to an insecure, inauthentic life.” The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims the hope of life in the presence of God forever and the invitation to live in and for this hope. Seven easy-to-lead sessions with clear teaching helps on every page challenge you to examine this powerful biblical theme and will encourage to look at your own questions and beliefs as you study the Scriptures.
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3 Months With The Spirit (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartIn his lively writing style, renowned author Justo Gonzalez makes this material, formerly available only in Spanish, available to an English-speaking audience. Consisting of 13 Bible studies–each in 7 parts–Three Months with the Spirit can be used for individual or group study.
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Principles Of Prison Ministry
$14.99Add to cartMany churches have sent teams of ministers into prisons, and nearly two-thirds of them have returned to their churches defeated. The Principles of Prison Ministry serves as a manual for such teams, giving volunteer chaplains a far better view of what prison ministry is all about. Dr. Seay’s twenty-three years of experience will help navigate you through some of the trouble areas in this difficult world of prisons.
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Mystery
$9.99Add to cartThis book targets adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s. It will challenge you to examine the mystery of God and offers you the opportunity to delve into Christian mystery questions in order to experience the great mystery of Christian faith revealed in Jesus Christ. While God is ultimate mystery, no part of life is outside of God’s love and care.
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Preaching John
$25.00Add to cartThe Gospel of John and 1 John exhibit a peculiar Christian language and thought that need to be understood and employed in the preaching ministry. The preacher’s task involves penetrating the thick and often confusing language of the Gospel and comprehending its frequently paradoxical theology. The preacher can find new and powerful resources for preaching in Johannine language and thought, as well as its use of narrative and discourse. These discoveries facilitate preaching John in ways that are consistent with recent trends in homiletic theory. The method of this book is to combine the practical (how to preach John) with proposals for understanding the Gospel and 1 John. The author offers a variety of sermon ideas and designs throughout each chapter based on numerous passages selected from the Revised Common Lectionary.
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Grace (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartHave you ever felt that you wanted to get closer to God but didn’t derserve even to try? This book explores God’s love for us and how it isn’t something we earn, but something that is; how that love leads us into relationship with God and with others; and how our hearts and lives are changed as we use the gifts God has given us to build community, growing toward perfect love.
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3 Months With Matthew (Student/Study Guide)
$14.99Add to cartAvailable in English for the first time, Three Months with Matthew is popular author Juso Gonzalez’s study of the Gospel of Matthew. Eminently readable, the study uses the see-judge-act method to bring readers closer to the text and to inform and challenge the daily life of the Christian. These thirteen studies can be used for Sunday school, evening Bible study, home study meetings, retreats, or personal Bible study. It can easily be used as a daily Bible study, as each lesson is divided into seven parts.
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Fire For The Choir
$14.95Add to cartOne of the eternal challenges facing church choir directors is how to recruit new members, and then, how to keep them interested and retain them. No matter how large or small the congregation, it is the energy and commitment of a music program’s participants that ultimately determines how successful it is.
While there are plenty of books about the musical techniques of choir directing, there are precious few that deal with the organizational nuts-and-bolts and the people skills required for a smoothly functioning music program. Ellis Dillard Thompson, a veteran choir director and music educator, shares his tried and proven methods for getting choir members excited — to keep them serving and loving it! He focuses on the role of a church musician as a spiritual leader, and stresses that the road to true success involves basing a music program on spiritual values that uplift, inspire, and motivate participants. And as a bonus, Thompson includes three original choral responses that you can copy and use.
This is an excellent guide that is designed for anyone who participates in music ministry: choir directors, choir members, organists, pastors, music committee members, and worship committee members.
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Step At A Time
$12.95Add to cartIn his practical and easy-to-follow book Glenn Borreson offers a plan for increasing giving in a congregation through personalized stewardship letters. His example, timeline, and step-by-step procedures will provide an excellent resource for any pastor who wants to help his or her congregation grow in Christian stewardship. Borreson’s suggestions not only help to increase giving, they also do it in a non-threatening way. I recommend his program enthusiastically.
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This Book We Call The Bible
$21.00Add to cartNeither a traditional study of specific books or sections of the Bible, nor a doctrinal study that concentrates on such issues as revelation and authority, This Book We Call the Bible helps lay people focus on the use of Scripture. By dealing with the Bible as a written work and its impact on our hearts, this study provides an increased sense of what the Bible actually is and how we can derive more benefit from reading and studying the Scriptures. Great for individuals and for small- or large-group settings, This Book We Call the Bible includes questions for reflection and discussion with each chapter.
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Balance
$9.99Add to cart20/30 Bible Study for Young Adults targets adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s. Each volume in the series challenges you to examine a powerful biblical image that defines and shapes your life. The 20/30 volumes honor your experience and encourage you to look at your own questions, goals, and beliefs as you study the Scriptures that expand on the biblical images. You juggle multiple demands-school work, family, friends, church, day-to-day “stuff” like paying bills and dealing with junk mail-but do these activities each receive the proper priority at the proper time? Balance: Living With Life’s Demands will help you sort through various claims on your life and put your priorities into a healthy and manageablle perspective.
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Peace Skills (Teacher’s Guide)
$24.95Add to cartPart of the Peace Skills Set, this Leaders’ Guide is designed to prepare people to lead Peace Skills workshops in their communities. It contains several suggested workshop designs to accommodate different workshop goals, lengths, and formats; clear guidelines for teaching with role plays, case studies and sacred texts; and a broad variety of cases, role plays and specific faith texts for group discussion.
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Peace Skills : Manual For Community Mediators (Student/Study Guide)
$28.00Add to cartPart of the Peace Skills Set, this Manual is designed as a take-home resource to support workshop participants as they return to their communities and both apply their mediation skills and share their insights with others. It covers conflict analysis, the role of mediation, the stages of mediation, communication skills, and working with group conflicts and in cross cultural settings.
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Love
$9.99Add to cartExciting contemporary Bible study series designed to meet the needs of adult learners in their 20s and 30s. Each volume in the series examines a powerful biblical image and includes: * Bible background * Articles on group leadership, and teaching options * Case studies throughout the text to use as discussion starters * Seven easy-to-lead sessions with clear teaching helps on each page * Options for service projects Love is the fifth book in the series. Chapters deal with love in its many forms, such as romantic, family, community and church, and God. The book also explores “Sacrificial Love” and “Expressions of Love.”
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7 Ways Of Teaching The Bible To Adults
$18.99Add to cartBarbara Bruce helps teachers and learners understand seven different learning styles, or “intelligences,” and how these learning styles can be used to bring the Word of God alive for adult students. Chapters include suggestions of activities to incorporate a specific intelligence into lessons, questions for the teacher on his or her own preference for the particular intelligence, a lesson focusing on the intelligence and a prayer demonstrating the intelligence. In addition, the book contains suggestions for teacher training, bibliographies, a glossary, and a self-discovery sheet.
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Be Still : Designing And Leading Contemplative Retreats
$23.00Add to cartMany people long for a deeper relationship with God, yearning for silence in a noisy world and a respite from busyness. Written for lay and ordained leaders who wish to bring the gift of space and silence to members who feel called to the contemplative journey, the book introduces the purpose of retreats, provides a theological and biblical understanding of the model, and offers guidance for designing and leading these gatherings. Sample retreats, a design for home retreats, and suggested resources are included.
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You Can Start A Bible Study (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartHave you taken a good look at your neighborhood, church, office, or dorm, and wondered whether God wants you there for a specific purpose? Maybe you’ve been involved in Bible studies before. Now it’s your turn to reach out and get a Bible discussion group goint. “But where do I start, and how do I keep it goint?” you ask. Drawing on personal experiences and her own insight, Gladys Hunt shares how you can start and lead an inductive Bible study group. Whether you are a beginner who needs to know the basics or an experienced leader who wants fresh motivation and ideas, you’ll find what you need in this “how-to” book for Bible study leaders.
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Life Worth Living Leaders Guide (Teacher’s Guide)
$7.99Add to cartNew Heart
New Purpose
New Attitude
New Responsibilities
New Friendships
New Confidence
New Ambitions
New Resources
New GenerosityAdditional Info
Manual
A manual designed to assist leaders and helpers in running the A Life Worth Living course. Contains sample discussion questions for each session of the course. (See related A Life Worth Living DVD set, book and manual.) -
New Banner Book (Revised)
$21.95Add to cartThis is a wonderful book with written and illustrated by Betty Wolfe. She writes about the importance of banners including places to use a banner, how to make a banner and how different factors determine the effectiveness of a banner. Everything you need to know about making your own banners whether they be for church or school, is right here in this well-put-together book.
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Biblical Foundations For Small Group Ministry
$45.99Add to cartIf you think small groups are some newfangled gimmick—think again! Icenogle examines both Old and New Testament texts to explain the basis for small groups, emphasizing the early church. He reveals why small groups are a crucial part of any ministry, shows how to apply biblical principles to set up small groups, and includes suggestions for training leaders. This is an invaluable resource for anyone who works with, or plans to work with, small groups.
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Crosses Of Many Cultures
$19.95Add to cartIn Crosses of Many Cultures: Designs for Applique, Joyce Mori provides historical explanations along with easy-to-understand instructions and line drawings for twenty international cross designs for applique. Includes several applique’s techniques, including hand and machine sewing methods, plus no-sewing techniques.
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Sewing Church Linens
$19.95Add to cartThe classic book on sewing linens for the church is back in a revised edition. This complete explains the materials and equipment needed, a variety of hemming options, special instructions on the small linens such as purificators and palls, working with fair linens, white work embroidery, and caring for church linens. New to this edition are directions for rolled hems, chalice veils, more specific directions and an improved worksheet for planning shrinkage, special advice specifically for beginners, an updated “Source and Resource” section, and new patterns.
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Exodus (Student/Study Guide)
$9.99Add to cartExodus is a say out. It is a decisive act that leaves behind and moves on. Exodus and wilderness experiences significantly define the identity and existence of communities and individuals. How important have decisions to leave behind and move on been in your life? This study helps readers appreciate learning how God is in the midst of the movements and changes of life, no matter how minor or how transformational. Seven easy to lead sessions with teaching helps for adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s.
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Discover Your Spiritual Type
$29.00Add to cartFrom Urban T. Holmes’ spiritual typology and her own experience as a spiritual director and pastoral counselor, Ware provides a framework for people to name and understand their spiritual experience-in much the same way Myers-Briggs typology provides a framework for understanding personality type. Readers explore four spiritual types-head, heart, mystic, and Kingdom-and exercises allow individuals and groups to assess their type. Additional help for clergy to use this tool with congregations is included, which will help them gain greater understanding of how members learn about, worship, and celebrate God-and why there may be tension about such issues as the form or content of the worship service
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Attending Parishioners Spiritual Growth
$23.00Add to cartIn this clarion call to tend to spiritual growth, Williamsen provides a much-needed resource for clergy. Discover how to assist parishioners in their prayer and spiritual life. Learn how individual spiritual growth can flow back into the congregation’s growth as a community. Explore new ideas and practical approaches to using Christian education, worship, retreats, devotional guides, and church meetings as tools to achieve spiritual growth. Learn about spirituality gender differences; the importance of your own spiritual life; spiritually grounding lay leaders; encouraging spiritual friendships and study groups. For clergy interested in developing spirituality at the individual level; seminary professors who want to help their students explore this aspect of parish ministry; and judicatory executives who wish to encourage their clergy in this area.
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Faith
$9.99Add to cartYou may have faith, but may also realize that it can mean many things. Is it belief or trust or waiting or moral behavior or something else? Or is it all those things? This resource targets adult learners in their 20’s and 30’s. It challenges you to examine a powerful biblical image that defines and shapes your life, and includes these helpful features: Bible background on the particular image: faith. Articles on group leadership, organizing a study group, using small Break-Out groups, and choosing teaching options. Case studies throughout the text and in the appendix to use as discussion starters or as a bridge to your own experiences. Seven easy-to-lead sessions with clear teaching helps on every page. Options for service projects.
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Small Groups In The Church
$20.00Add to cartThis planning and leader training handbook offers a distinctive broad-based, small-group approach to building community. From the Jewish havurot to Christian koinonia, you will gain a thorough understanding of community, learn how to plan an effective small-group ministry, how to select and train leaders for all kinds of small groups, and how to start small groups that are a part of and not apart from their congregations. Appendices provide an overview of the sociological, psychological, and biblical theological literature on community and a wealth of presentation and leader training resources.
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Catch The Age Wave
$19.99Add to cart1. The Church Of Tomorrow
2. The Senior Surge
3. Developing A Christian View Of Life And Aging
4. Ageism – Is It Real In The Church?
5. New Beginnings For Your Senior Adult Group
6. Target-Group Evangelism
7. Practice Oikos Evangelism
8. Incorporate Newcomers
9. Establish A Small-Group Network
10. Stimulate Spiritual Growth
11. Provide Recreational, Social, And Physical Activities
12. Stimulate Intellectual Development
13. Make It Happen
184 PagesAdditional Info
Senior adult ministry isn’t what it used to be. The comfortable assumptions and recycled programs that were the basis for local church ministry are being challenged. Baby boomers are hitting middle age and retirement. And their own parents are living longer. Authors Win and Charles Arn have updated and supplemented Catch The Age Wave with ideas, examples, and advice to help the local church leader start and maintain a senior adult program. In addition, they have added practical program ideas to use in any local church setting. New challenges for a new day. Catch the Age Wave won’t let you miss the boat. -
Favorite Bible Passages 1 Student (Student/Study Guide)
$8.99Add to cart: This Bible study is a 26 lesson study of Bible texts that gives participants in Bible study groups refreshing insights into popular, well-loved Scripture passages. Each lesson offers a biblical basis for facing life’s decisions and encourages a deeper personal faith. Each volume contains 26 lessons that may be studied in any order. Use with school classes of Bible study groups. Written by Brady Whitehead Jr., Howard M. Ham
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Favorite Bible Passages 1 Leader (Teacher’s Guide)
$8.99Add to cartThis book provides enough lessons for a twenty-six-week study, following the biblical order from Genesis through Revelation. However, each lesson stands on its own. It is not necessary to study the lessons in sequence. For each session, teachers are provided with the session’s stated purpose, Bible background, a step-by-step teaching plan, and a closing prayer.
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Favorite Bible Passages 2 Student (Student/Study Guide)
$8.99Add to cartThis Bible study is a 26 lesson study of Bible texts that gives participants in Bible study groups refreshing insights into popular, well-loved Scripture passages. Each lesson offers a biblical basis for facing life’s decisions and encourages a deeper personal faith. Each volume contains 26 lessons that may be studied in any order. Use with school classes of Bible study groups. Written by Brenda Stobbe, Jerry L. Mercer
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Favorite Bible Passages 2 Leader (Teacher’s Guide)
$8.99Add to cartThis Bible study is a 26 lesson study of Bible texts that gives participants in Bible study groups refreshing insights into popular, well-loved Scripture passages. Each lesson offers a biblical basis for facing life’s decisions and encourages a deeper personal faith. Each volume contains 26 lessons that may be studied in any order. Use with school classes of Bible study groups. Written by Brenda Stobbe, Jerry L. Mercer.
