Designed to help pastors and worship planners integrate four of the most important biblical themes into worship, each volume provides complete services for a number of different scripture passages. These resources can be used in conjunction with the new Bible Quest curriculum or in other worship contexts, including churches that follow the lectionary.

The services, written by pastors and lay leaders from several denominations, feature a call to worship, an opening prayer, a prayer of confession, words of assurance, prayers of the people, a children's sermon, two sermon starters, an offering meditation, an offering prayer, a communion meditation, and a benediction.

Nearly a decade after that classic study, congregations are still struggling with what quality Christian education is and how to build and maintain it.

In this concise and easy-to-use guide, Karen Tye offers practical help, addressing the vital areas that need attention when planning for and building a Christian education program.

Questions and exercises at the end of each chapter help pastors, Christian educators, seminary students, and laity apply the information to their own unique setting, building on the basics to renew and transform Christian education.

Many young Bible scholars are passionate for the Scriptures. But is passion enough? In A Little Book for New Bible Scholars, Randolph Richards and Joseph Dodson encourage young students of the Bible to add substance to their zeal-the kind of substance that comes from the sweat and toil of hard study. "Just as we should avoid knowledge without love," they write, "we should also avoid love without knowledge." Aimed at beginners, this concise overview offers a wealth of good advice, warns of potential pitfalls, and includes wisdom from a variety of other biblical scholars as well as stories from the authors' own long experience in the guild. Full of warmth, humor, and an infectious love for Scripture, this book invites a new generation of young scholars to roll up their sleeves and dig into the complex, captivating world of the Bible.

Fill the Gap! contains 120 easy-to-play Bible-based games with little or no preparation needed - perfect for picking straight off the shelf! The ideas are designed to help local churches fill up those awkward gaps of time in Sunday schools, midweek clubs, holiday clubs, after school clubs and children's camps. The games are divided equally across the Old Testament and the New Testament and offer a fun-filled way to reinforce a teaching point or help children unfamiliar with Bible stories. There are two games for each story, one aimed at 4-7s and the other at 7-11s, but many of the games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children to take part. Most of the games are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children and many can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories, allowing favourite games to be used again with a different emphasis.

In this four-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author and pastor Andy Stanley takes a closer look at one of the unique things Christians believe: God became one of us. Why in the world would God do that? Why would God leave the comfort and recognition of heaven to live on this ball of dirt in a time before morphine and indoor plumbing when the best of conditions barely paralleled the worst of modern-day conditions? Why?We think we know why He died. But what compelled him to live as one of us? Sessions include: To Communicate and Demonstrate Like Son, Like Father Classless Putting Religion in Its Place As the founder of North Point Ministries-comprised of six churches in the Atlanta area serving more than 36,000 people weekly, as well as a network of 30 churches around the globe-Andy Stanley is uniquely positioned to reach an engaged and ever-growing ministry. Designed for use with the Why in the World Video Study (sold separately).

Post-Holocaust Religious Education for German Women focuses on the experiences of second- and third-generation non-Jewish women, highlighting their dual roles as both descendants of a perpetrator community and victims of a patriarchal system. How can they learn to face this perpetrator heritage and integrate it into their identity as women, as Germans, and as Christians? Drawing from a review of literature and empirical field studies, Mayer concludes by offering a relational approach to religious education: an approach towards a more constructive interaction between Jewish and Christian communities.

This ten-session small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Death and Resurrection of the Messiah, from noted teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan, is volume four of the That the World May Know series. In it, Vander Laan illustrates how Jesus' call to follow him turned the world upside down, and learn how confronting evil can be loudly proclaiming the name of Jesus or quietly caring for someone in need. Filmed on location in Israel, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers. Each lesson: Focuses on passages of Scripture explored in the DVD Includes sidebars, maps, photos and other study tools Features questions that facilitate discussion and inspire personal reflection Includes 30 personal Bible studies to help you deepen your learning experience between sessions, and turn lessons from the past into applications that impact how you live out your faith today. These illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The Faith Lessons video series is ideal for use in small groups, personal and family Bible studies, and adult Sunday school. Individual believers and families will gain vital insights from long-ago times and cultures through this innovative approach to Bible study. Lessons include: When Storms Come - Sea of Galilee Piercing the Darkness - Kursi Gates of Hell- Caesarea Philippi City of the Great King Part 1 - The Temple City of the Great King Part 1 - Jerusalem The Lamb of God - Mount of Olives The Weight of the World - Capernaum/Gethsemane Roll Away the Stone - Garden Tomb Power to the People - Southern Stairs Total Commitment - Caesarea Designed for use with the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah Video Study (sold separately).

Recently, the German Science Council has affirmed the centrality of the public university system as a place to study and teach about Christian and non-Christian theologies. At this time, there is an active process under way to integrate Jewish and Islamic theologies into the German university system. This volume examines the tensions that can arise between confessional theology and the university tradition of freedom of thought.

In Developing Prophetic Culture, Phil Wilthew articulates Gods heart for creating vibrant Churches and Christians who know how to hear Gods voice with great clarity. Using more than two decades of experience, Phil unlocks some of the keys to building environments that develop prophets and prophetic people in a healthy, Bible honouring and Jesus-centred way. If you have a desire to grow in the prophetic, train and release prophetic people or develop radical Kingdom culture in the Church, reading this book is an absolute must. God is raising up a prophetic people who will carry the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth and in this book Phil inspires us to take our place in His purposes as we embrace the call to build healthy cultures that hear God's voice.

In light of the current popularity enjoyed by the subject of religion and questions about the consequences arising from this situation, especially for practical theology, the early essays on the sociology of religion by Volker Drehsen (born 1949) have once again become poignant. They continue to retain their power of illuminating the self-conception and tasks of practical theology. The collected essays, some of which were originally published obscurely, are now published together for the first time in this volume.

Better understand the original meaning of Scripture for deeper Bible study. Bring the words of Scripture to life and discover the richness and significance of the original languages of the Word of God. The NKJV Word Study Reference Bible includes in-text subheadings and 2,000 easy-to-use word studies with select Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words explained in every chapter from Genesis to Revelation. By looking into these ancient texts, we are able to read scripture as it was originally written and passed on from generation to generation. In addition, this Bible's Topic-by-Topic studies give a practical framework for understanding scripture, along with more helpful resources. Features include: Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read 2,000-word studies illuminating the biblical language 21 chain-linked topical studies for better theological understanding and application Study the Book provides helpful notes for reading each book of the Bible Word study indices by Strong's number, by English word, and by book help you find Greek and Hebrew word studies Extensive cross-references drawing connections between texts Concordance provides an alphabetical listing of important passages by key words Words of Christ in red quickly identify verses spoken by Jesus 16 full-color maps show the layout of Israel and other biblical locations for better context Ribbon markers make it easy to navigate and keep track of where you were reading Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print (R)

Join bestselling author Lysa TerKuerst for Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, a six-session small group Bible study that helps you figure out how to trade in going through the motions for the spiritual healthy and vibrant life for which you long. I really want to know God, personally and intimately. Do those words resonate with you? You re tired of just going through the motions of being a Christian: Go to church. Pray. Be nice. That spiritual to-do list just doesn t cut it. But what does? How do you step out of the drudger of religious duty to experience a living, moment-by-moment, deeply intimate relationship with God? Join Lysa in six small group sessions that will transform your walk with Go from lackluster theory to vibrant reality The most invigorating and rewarding journey of your life awaits you as you discover how to: Build personal, two-way conversations with God. Study the Bible and experience life change for yourself. Cultivate great authenticity and depth in your relationships. Make disappointments work for you, not against you. Find incredible joy as you live out your faith in everyday circumstances. This Participant Guide is filled with helpful discussion starters, video overviews, space for writing thoughts, a helpful Leader s Guide and much more. It s designed to be used with the companion Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl DVD (sold separately) which features six 10-15 minute teaching sessions."

Publishers Weekly starred review One of the Top 100 Books and One of the 5 Best Books in Religion for 2019, Publishers Weekly Christianity Today 2020 Book Award Winner (Spiritual Formation) Outreach 2020 Resource of the Year (Spiritual Growth) Foreword INDIES 2019 Honorable Mention for Religion This is not a book about Saint Augustine. In a way, it's a book Augustine has written about each of us. Popular speaker and award-winning author James K. A. Smith has spent time on the road with Augustine, and he invites us to take this journey too, for this ancient African thinker knows far more about us than we might expect. Following Smith's successful You Are What You Love, this book shows how Augustine can be a pilgrim guide to a spirituality that meets the complicated world we live in. Augustine, says Smith, is the patron saint of restless hearts--a guide who has been there, asked our questions, and knows our frustrations and failed pursuits. Augustine spent a lifetime searching for his heart's true home and he can help us find our way. "What makes Augustine a guide worth considering," says Smith, "is that he knows where home is, where rest can be found, what peace feels like, even if it is sometimes ephemeral and elusive along the way." Addressing believers and skeptics alike, this book shows how Augustine's timeless wisdom speaks to the worries and struggles of contemporary life, covering topics such as ambition, sex, friendship, freedom, parenthood, and death. As Smith vividly and colorfully brings Augustine to life for 21st-century readers, he also offers a fresh articulation of Christianity that speaks to our deepest hungers, fears, and hopes.

During times of rapid social and religious change, leadership rooted in tradition and committed to the future is the foundation upon which theological schools stand. Theological education owes itself to countless predecessors who paved the way for a thriving academic culture that holds together faith and learning. Daniel O. Aleshire is one of these forerunners who devoted his career to educating future generations through institutional reforms. In honor of Aleshire's decades of leadership over the Association of Theological Schools, the essays in this book propose methods for schools of various denominational backgrounds to restructure the form and content of their programs by resourcing their own distinctive Christian heritages. Four essayists, former seminary presidents, explore the ideas, doctrines, and ways of life in their schools' traditions to identify the essential characteristics that will carry their institutions into the future. Additionally, two academic leaders focus on the contributions and challenges for Christian schools presented by non-Christian traditions in a rapidly pluralizing landscape. Together, these six essays offer a pattern of authentic, innovative movement for theological institutions to take toward revitalization as they face new trials and possibilities with faithfulness and hope. This volume concludes with closing words by the honoree himself, offering ways to learn from and grow through Aleshire's legacy. Contributors: Barbara G. Wheeler, Richard J. Mouw, Martha J. Horne, Donald Senior, David L. Tiede, Judith A. Berling, Daniel O. Aleshire

It's possible to learn how to live with a faith that is so confident in God that it can't be shaken--even in the most unpredictable and chaotic times. In this five-session video Bible study, bestselling author and teacher Christine Caine invites you to move into a deeper intimacy with God than you have ever known--and let him heal your heart and take away your fear. Including video discussion questions, Bible exploration, and personal study material, Caine points out the way to developing a relentless faith so that the next time life throws you a curve ball--and life likely will--you will be able to navigate your way through, still living the adventure he planned for you...and maybe even a version of the adventure that's beyond what you could ever have imagined. Sessions include: Expect the Unexpected - Embracing God's control over our own. Unexpected People - Learning how to look and see what God is doing. An Unexpected Assignment - How God interrupts our carefully made plans and why. Unexpected Endings Bring New Beginnings - Focusing on what God has been up to in our lives. Unexpected Resurrection - Renewing our faith in the final hope. Many of us have been trained to fear the unexpected and want everything to be "under control," but God wants us to anticipate the unexpected with a faith-filled perspective rooted in trust. He has never been taken by surprise. This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.

In recent years, the study of psychology has become more prominent as technical terms, concepts, and theories have gained prominence and acceptance among laypeople. However, the prevalence of talk about psychology has not always led to greater understanding of the discipline itself. This introductory resource for Christian students examines the field from a distinctly Christian perspective. The first section looks to the history of psychological inquiry, focusing on thinkers such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, the influence of the Enlightenment and Darwinism, and the development of modernist psychology. In section two, readers interact with the "great ideas" of psychology, such as the origins of morality, nature vs. nurture, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the concept of personal identity.

The 40 Days of Community Study Guide-part of the Living with Purpose small group bible study by Rick Warren-is a dynamic individual or small group study guide that will help you learn how to fulfill God's five purposes for your life. By unpacking the biblical support for each of the five purposes (fellowship, spiritual growth, service, worship, and sharing the good News) you'll learn the ways it applies to you and your circle of influence, and how you can use this knowledge to benefit God's kingdom. Through it, Warren also explains how God planned for Christians to fulfill his purposes in community with each other in our church families, small groups, and in the world as a whole. Why did God plan it this way? Because we're better together! 40 Days of Community will deepen your understanding of how God uses community for your own good and growth, as well as help you cultivate deeper relationships with those around you. Learn to fulfill God's purposes ... discover how we are better together. Sessions include: 1. We're Compelled to Love God's Family 2. We're Commissioned to Reach Out Together 3. We're Chosen to Fellowship Together 4. We're Connected to Grow Together 5. We're Called to Serve Together 6. We're Created to Worship Together This study guide is designed for use with the 40 Days of Community Video Study and 40 Days of Community Devotional Journal.

Did God Name the Stars? What were the Original Names of the Stars? Why was Early Man so Preoccupied with the Heavens? What is the Secret Message Hidden in the Heavens? What Significance Does this Message Hold for Astrologers? This book is filled with amazing, documented proof of the earliest names of the stars, and the startling message contained in those names. The deciphering of the star names has given a revelation from the heart of the Intelligence behind creation. Research includes material from the British Museum dating back to before 2700 B.C. A clear explanation is given showing that early man had a sophisticated knowledge of the one true God

In these firsthand accounts of the early church, the spirit of Pentecost burns with prophetic force through the fog enveloping the modern church. A clear and vibrant faith lives on in these writings, providing a guide for Christians today. Its stark simplicity and revolutionary fervor will stun those lulled by conventional Christianity. The Early Christians is a topically arranged collection of primary sources. It includes extra-biblical sayings of Jesus and excerpts from Origen, Tertullian, Polycarp, Clement of Alexandria, Justin, Irenaeus, Hermas, Ignatius, and others. Equally revealing material from pagan contemporaries - critics, detractors, and persecutors - is included as well.

In this four-session small group Bible study, Andy Stanley shows you how to take authentic responsibility for the things in your life. RESPONSIBILITIES. We all have them. But we don't all take them as seriously as we ought to. Wouldn't it be great, though, if we all took responsibility for the things we are responsible for? Wouldn't it be great if you took responsibility for everything you're responsible for? It's time to stop the finger-pointing and excuse-making and to remove the ir in irresponsible. In this four-session small group Bible study, Stanley tells us it s time to ask ourselves, Am I REALLY taking responsibility for my life? This Participant Guide is filled with helpful discussion starters, video overviews, a helpful Leader s Guide and much more. It s designed to be used with the companion Taking Responsibility for Your Life DVD (sold separately). When used together they provide a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth. Session include: 1. Let the Blames Begin 2. The Disproportionate Life 3. This Is No Time to Pray 4. Embracing Your Response Ability"