How many programs does it take to change a youth group? That question has bothered youth workers for decades, and the cracks in its logic are beginning to show. In place of the contrived, artificial mechanisms employed so widely in modern youth outreach and discipleship, Mike King proposes a ministry centered in the presence of God. Young people encounter Christ not in the flash and pop of arena ministry, but in the sacred shadow of his presence. They learn what it is to love and follow Christ by observing others loving and following Christ--letting Christ shape their worldviews, their habits, their virtues. Presence-Centered Youth Ministry gives shape to such ministry through the classic disciplines and potent symbols and practices that have sustained the church over the centuries. The sound and fury that has characterized youth ministry for so long has left too many youth workers tired and too many young people disillusioned. Come explore the deeper terrain; your students are sure to follow.

Parents and Children consists of a collection of 26 articles from the original Parent's Review magazines to encourage and instruct parents. Topics include The Family; Parents as Rulers; Parents as Inspirers; Parents as Schoolmasters; The Culture of Character; Parents as Instructors in Religion; Faith and Duty (a secular writer has useful suggestions for using myths and stories to teach morals; along with the Bible, these can give examples of noble characters to emulate); Parents' Concern to Give the Heroic Impulse; Is It Possible?; Discipline; Sensations and Feelings Educable by Parents; What is Truth? (Dealing with Lying); Show Cause Why; A Scheme Of Educational Theory; A Catechism of Educational Theory; Whence and Whither; The Great Recognition Required of Parents; and The Eternal Child. Charlotte Mason was a late nineteenth-century British educator whose ideas were far ahead of her time. She believed that children are born persons worthy of respect, rather than blank slates, and that it was better to feed their growing minds with living literature and vital ideas and knowledge, rather than dry facts and knowledge filtered and pre-digested by the teacher. Her method of education, still used by some private schools and many homeschooling families, is gentle and flexible, especially with younger children, and includes first-hand exposure to great and noble ideas through books in each school subject, conveying wonder and arousing curiosity, and through reflection upon great art, music, and poetry; nature observation as the primary means of early science teaching; use of manipulatives and real-life application to understand mathematical concepts and learning to reason, rather than rote memorization and working endless sums; and an emphasis on character and on cultivating and maintaining good personal habits. Schooling is teacher-directed, not child-led, but school time should be short enough to allow students free time to play and to pursue their own worthy interests such as handicrafts. Traditional Charlotte Mason schooling is firmly based on Christianity, although the method is also used successfully by secular families and families of other religions.

I was born at Fort Benning in Columbus Georgia. I have three children, Donnie, Missy, and Kellen . Six grandchildren, Bryttany Jeremy, Keilah, Jacob, Jeremiah, and Shawn, and would like to dedicate this book to them. Children are my passion. The Lord spoke to me one day and said He would teach me to teach, and has been faithful to His word. I have been a Sunday School teacher for many years from babies to adults. The Lord also inspired me with Christmas programs. I have had the privilege to minister to women in prison. Looking forward to many more years in service to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ... Gen. 1:31- And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold it was very good. KJ

"The time has come to reimagine how we picture and practice sharing the good news about Jesus. The time has come because the old pictures and practices aren't wearing well and aren't working well. People in our culture aren't responding. And people in the church aren't excited or engaged. . . . The time has come because our culture is shifting." (Rick Richardson, Reimagining Evangelism) Sometimes talking about Jesus with friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if we thought of it more like inviting friends on a spiritual journey? The Reimagining Evangelism Participant's Guide, in conjunction with the Reimagining Evangelism DVD and Rick Richardson's book Reimagining Evangelism, will help you to reframe evangelism as inviting friends on a journey toward meeting and following Christ. The seven one-hour sessions found in this Participant's Guide are 1. Do What You Love 2. Use Your Gifts 3. Ask Good Questions 4. Respond to Tough Questions 5. Share Your Story 6. Communicate the Good News 7. Invite Response Each session incorporates animated short or live-action video, an introductory discussion of the session's topic, a Bible study, a teaching video and interactive learning. If you are looking for a fresh way to share your faith, you will find the Reimagining Evangelism curriculum a freeing and insightful guide to evangelism in our rapidly changing culture.

"The finest statement of the Christian message I have read!" -Dr. Barry Bailey, retired pastor of one of America's largest United Methodist churches (First UMC, Ft. Worth)

"An exceptional challenge by a devoted Christian scholar!" -Dr. Robert Richardson, retired executive, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia

There are truths and falsehoods, treasures and trash, in what we call the Holy Bible and "Christianity." Separating those elements is not always easy. Through the centuries, our churches have added a multitude of beliefs and practices to the life and religion of Jesus of Nazareth. Some of those beliefs and practices are appropriate expressions of Jesus' mind and spirit. Others are far from, even caricatures of, what Jesus would want. For eighty years I have learned and taught about "Christianity," at personal, community, church, college, university, state, national, and international levels. I have learned that there are many "Christianities," some loving, some hateful, some intelligent, some stupid, some healing, some hurtful. If we are going to live our Christianity-in our small and big worlds-may God help us get it "right! "

The core idea of the book of Romans is that we are saved from sin by the grace of Christ. The apostle Paul unpacks the power of grace in a way that can completely change your life... In this six-session Bible study (streaming video included)-the first of the 40 Days Through the Book series-Max Lucado welcomes you and your group into the knowledge and freedom of grace with his exploration of Paul's letter to the Roman church. Throughout the study, you'll explore the book of Romans with Max to gain a deeper understanding of its context and content, focusing on central truths such as: The extent and power of sin. The amazing reality and availability of God's grace. The battle we're still in, and the hope we have despite the lies of the enemy. The grand story-from creation to restoration-that we're all a part of. The call to live in fellowship with each other and with Christ. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-a 40 Day reading plan through Romans with discussion and personal reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). When we truly understand the power of grace, it sets us free from having to do good, so that we can do good. A true understanding of grace should not shackle us to works but liberate us to live in the presence of Christ. 40 Days Through the Book series: Each of the studies in this series, taught by a different pastor or Bible teacher on a specific book of the Bible, is designed to help you more actively engage with God's Word by understanding its background and culture and applying it in a fresh way to your life. Throughout each study, you'll be encouraged to read through the corresponding book in the New Testament at least once during the course of 40 days. Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Learn to Preach Expository Sermons with Excellence Many sermons preached today lack the divine knowledge and spiritual understanding available only through dynamic expository preaching. In Preaching: How to Preach Biblically, John MacArthur's well-known passion for the Bible combines with the expertise of faculty members at The Master's Seminary to inspire and equip preachers in effective biblical preaching. Preaching: How to Preach Biblically flows from biblical foundations for expository preaching through a detailed process of developing expositions and creating sermons to the actual delivery of expository messages, connecting what pastors learn in seminary with the sermons preached in a local church. This volume shows how to progress purposefully from one phase to the next in preparing to minister to God's people through preaching. This book answers these questions and more: What is expository, biblical preaching? What are the theological and historical foundations for insisting on expository preaching? What are the steps involved in preparation for and participation in biblical preaching? What models exist for expository preaching today? The Master's Seminary faculty, with over thirty years' experience in preaching and seminary training of preachers, contributes a treasury of expertise alongside insights from expositor John MacArthur. While united on their commitment to exposition, the variety of individual expressions and methodological preferences discussed offers beneficial assistance for any preacher seeking a higher level of expository excellence.