Profound and practical spiritual insights on cross-cultural ministry and mission, at home and abroad.

Explore and discuss the top 10 most difficult questions raised against Christianity. You may be skeptical of Christianity yourself. You may have grown up in the church and never questioned your beliefs. You may be somewhere in the middle or unsure where you stand. But wherever you are, this ten-session study guide (DVD/streaming video sold separately) is designed to take you and your group through the biggest questions people raise against God and the Christian faith. Based on the explorations of his book, The Problem of God, Mark Clark uses an engaging mix of theology, philosophy, science, and story to investigate the essential questions that weigh on the human mind: God's existence, the veracity of the Bible, evil and suffering, hell, sex, hypocrisy, exclusivity, and the claims of Jesus. This video-based study is designed to be experienced in a group setting or any small gathering. Throughout the ten sessions, you'll take part in a number of activities, including: Watching the video teachings from Mark (The Problem of God Video Study, sold separately). Group discussion questions. Written responses and personal reflections. Scripture readings and prayers. The Problem of God Study Guide provides a safe space to wrestle intentionally with the questions, the ideas, and the evidence-and, ultimately, to wrestle with faith and doubt. Sessions include: The Problem of Science The Problem of God's Existence The Problem of the Bible The Problem of the Christian Myth The Problem of Evil and Suffering The Problem of Hell The Problem of Sex The Problem of Hypocrisy The Problem of Exclusivity The Problem of Jesus The Problem of God Video Study (9780310108399) sold separately.

Most people focus on pastoral ministry--the activities, programs, and outreach connected with the life of the church--when considering the work of a pastor. But one of the most important parts of a minister's job is pastoral care--activities such as compassion, healing, sustaining, guiding, and reconciling people to one another and to God. People today earnestly seek a minister who knows their names and cares about their hurts. Foundations of Pastoral Care introduces both clergy and laity to the ministry skills and personal qualities needed to provide effective care for people inside and outside the church. With thorough examination, Professor Bruce Petersen traces the historical development of soul care from the primitive church and on through the centuries to the church of today. In unit one, he introduces the place of pastoral care in the local church. He emphasizes the unique responsibility of church leaders and pastors to provide spiritual guidance while caring for the physical and emotional needs of their people. In unit two, he examines the pastoral care roles clergy are asked to fill--shepherd, counselor, collaborator, and spiritual leader. In unit three, he addresses the need for a pastoral presence in the life of the church, and in unit four, he concludes with a discussion about the pastor's personal life and the importance of personal spiritual formation. Foundations of Pastoral Care provides the fundamental elements pastors and church leaders need to care for people in meaningful, personal ways with the love, compassion, and grace Christ showed during His ministry on earth.

Jesus trained a handful of ordinary people to follow Him as He established God's kingdom on earth. His primary training method was intimate, personal conversations on a friend-to-friend basis. As they walked along, in the daily routines of life, He taught them the practical principles of the Kingdom. He then commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations by teaching others what they had learned. He still calls believers today to accept this 'great commission', but at times it seems that the work of discipleship is more about public proclamation than personal relationships and conversation. Churches today house hundreds of believers, but few true disciples. Making disciples is more than witnessing to nonbelievers. It is about building authentic relationships with our Christian friends and helping each other follow Jesus one discussion, one conversation, one heart-to-heart talk at a time. Making Disciples-One Conversation at a Time discusses the importance of having redemptive conversations and demonstrates how to turn our meaningless chatter into a means of grace, helping our friends become all God intends them to be and enriching their lives and ours in the process. Author Michael Henderson explains how practicing the disciplines of attentive listening, appropriate questioning, Scripture application, and praying with our friends, will allow us to not only fulfill Christ's request to make disciples but also follow His commandment to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. Making Disciples-One Conversation at a Time challenges us to examine how we use our words and presents ways to bring Christ into the conversations of our everyday lives to give those around us a better understanding of God and His love for them.