In Living with God's Courage, the sixth study in the Jesus Calling (R) Bible Study Series, you will discover how God calls each of His children to not only resist fear but also move through life with courage. God's Word reveals that the Lord is always with you and always willing to empower you with strength from the Holy Spirit. When you walk in God's ways and recognize that He is on your side, it gives the confidence to proclaim to the world, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6). Each of the Jesus Calling (R) Bible studies includes devotional readings from Jesus Calling (R), selected passages of Scripture for reflection, Bible study questions, and additional questions to help you apply the material. This study can be used for personal reflection and Bible study or in a small-group setting.

In this six-session small group Bible study, The Christian Atheist, pastor and author Craig Groeschel leads you and your group on a personal journey toward an authentic, God-honoring life. This honest, hard-hitting, and eye-opening look into the ways people believe in God but live as if he doesn t exist is a classic in the making. You believe in God, attend church when it s convenient, and you generally treat people with kindness. But, have you surrendered to God completely, living every day depending upon the Holy Spirit? In this small group bible study, Groeschel encourages you and your group to be more than just Christian in name, to be honest before God, and to break free of hypocrisy to live a more authentic, God-honoring life. This Participant Guide is designed for use with The Christian Atheist DVD (sold separately). It s filled with helpful discussion starters, self-assessment tools, process questions and much more. Sessions include: 1. When you Believe in God but Don t Really Know Him 2. When you Believe in God but Don t Think He s Fair3. When You Believe in God but Aren t Sure He Loves You 4. When You Believe in God but Trust More in Money 5. When You Believe in God but Pursue Happiness at Any Cost 6. When You Believe in God but Don t Want to Go Overboard"

Few people have influenced the development of Christian schools in the Reformed tradition in North America and around the world as much as Nicholas Wolterstorff. As a tribute to his contributions, Calvin College education professors Gloria Goris Stronks and Clarence W. Joldersma have drawn together the world-renowned Christian philosopher's thoughts and reflections on Christian education over the last three decades. The guiding principle in making selections was the inclusion of pieces that discuss what makes education truly Christian. Wolterstorff's writings on education are divided into four sections that focus on the nature of Christian education, the criticisms of Christian education, Christian learning within a pluralistic society, and the goals of Christian education. Of special interest is Wolterstorff's increasing concern with the role of justice in Christian education. Educating for Life portrays Wolterstorff's evolving thinking on education while paying tribute to him as one of the premier Christian philosophers of our day. Nicholas P. Wolterstorff, longtime professor of philosophy at Calvin College, is Noah Porter Professor of Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School. His teaching and writing have influenced countless evangelical students and scholars throughout the years. He is the author of many books including Educating for Responsible Action, Until Peace and Justice Embrace, and Divine Discourse. Gloria Goris Stronks and Clarence W. Joldersma are professors in the education department at Calvin College

Are you searching for more than a surface reading of the Bible? These fifty-two weekly studies emphasize personal application and will draw you directly into God's Word ... in order to love Him more. In this roll-up-your-sleeves look at Scripture, each of the studies begins with a short reflection tied to the present day, providing you a springboard into the various passages presented from the Old and New Testaments. Then, in a refreshing departure from other Bible studies, the author doesn't explain what the passage means or offer support on what she feels God is trying to say through Scripture. Instead, Anne asks dozens of questions in each study, prompting you to personally dig into Scripture and discover God's specific message for yourself. Into the Word is more than surface deep ... it's a spiritual study guide that leads you to the heart of God's Word.

This revised and expanded version of Godly Play founder Jerome Berryman s 1995 handbook is for current and future users of Godly Play. With this revision, the book s original formatting has been redesigned to complement the eight volumes in The Complete Guide to Godly Play series. Illustrations have also been updated, and the text now better reflects the playful spirit of Godly Play. Up-to-date research in childhood development and instruction has also been incorporated in this comprehensive update. "

Jesus the Forgiving Victim offers something quite fresh in the field of introductions to faith and Christian orthodoxy by restoring to the Christian life the wonder and transformative power of discovering not some new Biblical fact or church doctrine, but that you are loved far more than you know. In reading these four books of essays, you will undertake a journey of discovery that will open your heart and mind to discovering new things about yourself and your faith. It is a journey from fake goodness, from a false and insecure self, to relaxing into a goodness and security not your own, but in which you discover yourself held by God. And it is a journey from a unity that needs to create victims toward a unity received from the risen and forgiving victim in our midst. James Alison hopes Jesus the Forgiving Victim will be a meaningful part of your journey toward a deeper faith and fuller life in Christ.

Your high school students probably think they know a lot about Jesus. But do they know how the stories of Jesus life relate to their own? If you want to get them thinking and talking about Jesus---who he really was, and what that means for them today---you have everything you need right here. The latest addition to the best-selling TalkSheets series, High School TalkSheets: Life of Christ gives you easy-to-use discussion starters and the tools to lead students into meaningful dialogue about Jesus. The one-page, reproducible handouts offer provocative questions in a compelling design that cover everything from the prediction of his birth to his ascension. Students will delve into each aspect of Jesus life while looking at it through the lens of their own world and applying it to their own lives. These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives. TalkSheets makes the Bible relevant and engaging for students, while offering helpful hints and optional activities to help your youth ministry team effectively facilitate great conversations---without a lot of prep work."

It s not hard to get middle schoolers to talk unless you re talking about something other than the latest band, movie, or the opposite sex If you want to get them thinking and talking about Jesus---beyond the flannelgraph, Sunday school Jesus---you have everything you need right here. The latest addition to the best-selling TalkSheets series, Middle School TalkSheets: Life of Christ gives you easy-to-use discussion starters and the tools to lead students into meaningful dialogue about Jesus. The one-page, reproducible handouts offer provocative questions in a compelling design that keep in mind the unique challenges of middle school discussions. These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives. TalkSheets makes the Bible relevant and engaging for students, while offering helpful hints and optional activities to help your youth ministry team effectively facilitate great conversations---without a lot of prep work."

Listening and speaking to God. Prayer is communication. It is not a formula that we have memorized, or an empty repetition of words and phrases, but our conversation with God-with us first speaking and then listening to what God has to say to us in return. However, as Dr. Charles Stanley reveals in Deepening Your Prayer Life, our prayers go beyond mere human interaction in that it gives us access into the very throne room of God. Our heavenly Father grants us the privilege to come before him with authority because of our position in Christ. When we do, we can be bold in believing that God will accomplish what He promised He would do in our lives. The Charles F. Stanley Bible Study Series is a unique approach to Bible study, incorporating biblical truth, personal insights, emotional responses, and a call to action. Each study draws on Dr. Stanley's many years of teaching the guiding principles found in God's Word, showing how we can apply them in practical ways to every situation we face. This edition of the series has been completely revised and updated, and includes two brand-new lessons from Dr. Stanley. Each lesson includes: Overview: A brief look at what is covered in the lesson Life's Questions: A teaching from Dr. Stanley that unpacks the topic of the lesson Living the Principle: Application and Bible study questions based on the key points Reflection: Key takeaways to put into practice today and tomorrow

Using Josef Pieper's Leisure as a point of departure, the contributors to this volume share a mutual concern for the diminishing role of the liberal arts in Catholic higher education. The overwhelming impression they share is that U.S. Catholic universities, with notable exceptions, have forgotten the very goal of university education, and especially Catholic university education: to aid in forming young men and women to pursue the truth and helping them to become freer persons.

Many people are obsessed with the approval of others. The problem is that living for what people think of you is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about you. In Altar Ego, author Craig Groeschel shows individuals and small groups how to abandon self-worth based on accomplishments and possessions, turning instead to the eyes of God to define them. Participants will learn to expose false labels and selfish motives as the roadblocks they are, going instead to the altar of God's truth and pursuing the higher values he sets above the world. You don't have to get caught up in your self-worth or lack thereof. Your worth is not based on your opinion of yourself. You are valuable because God says you are His. You are not your past. You are not what you did. You are not who others say you are. You are who Christ says you are. This study guide (DVD/digital video sold separately) offers discussion questions and other supplemental material to delve further into God's divine plan, and will ultimately help you sacrifice any old, unhealthy, untrue, and unbiblical thoughts about yourself and introduce you to your altar-ego-who you are in Christ. Sessions include: Overcoming the Labels that Bind You You Are God's Masterpiece Trading the Immediate for the Ultimate Living with Integrity Developing Spiritual Boldness Designed for use with Altar Ego Video Study 9780310894933 (sold separately).

The church across North America has struggled to minister effectively with children, teens, and adults with common mental health conditions and their families. One reason for the lack of ministry is the absence of a widely accepted model for mental health outreach and inclusion. In Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions, Dr. Stephen Grcevich presents a simple and flexible model for mental health inclusion ministry for implementation by churches of all sizes, denominations, and organizational styles. The model is based upon recognition of seven barriers to church attendance and assimilation resulting from mental illness: stigma, anxiety, self-control, differences in social communication and sensory processing, social isolation and past experiences of church. Seven broad inclusion strategies are presented for helping persons of all ages with common mental health conditions and their families to fully participate in all of the ministries offered by the local church. The book is also designed to be a useful resource for parents, grandparents and spouses interested in promoting the spiritual growth of loved ones with mental illness.

This volume brings together the work of a wide range of scholars to explore the long and complex history of the relationships between churches and education. Christianity has always been involved in education, from the very earliest teaching of those about to be baptised, to present-day churches' involvement in schools and higher education. Christianity has a core theological concern for teaching, discipleship and formation, but the dissemination of Christian ideas and positions has not necessarily been an explicitly didactic process. Educational projects have served not only to support but also to question and even reconfigure particular versions of the Christian message, and the recipients of education have also both received and subverted the teaching offered. Under the editorship of Morwenna Ludlow, this volume explores the ways in which churches have sought to educate, catechise and instruct the clergy and laity, adults and children, men and women, boys and girls.

In youthful yet tasteful comic-book style, Jesus comes alive for young readers with vibrant and expressive four-color illustrations and simple but engaging text. The moving story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is told in a way young readers will find both attractive and challenging; the Gospel is simplified without losing any of its saving power. "And what about you, who do you say that I am?"

Lent in 50 Moments comprises meditations on fifty daily moments - ideas, objects, or happenings frozen in time - offered as signposts and guidance for our Lenten journey. The moments have been chosen by Liam Kelly, who has written a reflection for every day, and a question for prayerful response. He has also chosen a quotation to prompt further thought, and provides biblical references for each day's readings at Mass in the Catholic Church. Each of the fifty moments has been skilfully illustrated by artist Ted Harrison. The book as a whole provides a unique, stimulating and visually memorable companion for faith and reflection during Lent and Eastertide.

There are many philosophies and strategies that drive today's youth ministry. To most people, they are variations on a single goal: to make faithful disciples of young people. However, digging deeper into various programs, books, and concepts reveals substantive differences among approaches. Bestselling author Chap Clark is one of the leading voices in youth ministry today. In this multiview work, he brings together a diverse group of leaders to present major views on youth ministry. Chapters are written in essay/response fashion by Fernando Arzola, Greg Stier, Ron Hunter, Brian Cosby, and Chap Clark. As the contributors present their views and respond to each of the other views, they discuss their task and calling, giving readers the resources they need to develop their own approach to youth ministry. Offering a model of critical thinking and respectful dialogue, this volume provides a balanced, irenic approach to a topic with which every church wrestles.