Jesus came to give us life. Jesus called twelve men to be His disciples, but three fishermen-Peter, James, and John-shared a special relationship with Him. They were given direct access to some of the more pivotal events in Jesus' ministry, such as the transfiguration, His raising of Lazarus from the dead, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. John's account thus gives us a unique glimpse from one of Jesus' closest disciples into the significance of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. John reveals how Jesus came to provide "living water" to quench our deep spiritual thirst for the things of God. He shows how Jesus is the "bread of life" who satisfies our deep spiritual hunger. And he reveals how Jesus is the only way we can obtain that living water and bread of life, for "no one comes to the Father" except through Him. The Jeremiah Bible Study Series captures Dr. David Jeremiah's forty-plus years of commitment to teaching the Word of God. In each study, he will help you understand what the Bible says, what it meant to the people at the time it was written, and what it means to you today. Along the way, you will gain insights into the text, identify key stories and themes, and be challenged to apply the truth you find in your life.

This revised edition of the best-selling 2006 title now includes end-of-chapter questions for the readers as well as updated material sprinkled throughout to reflect what has occurred in the past 10-years in the church and world. The Five Marks of Mission and what it means to be a disciple of Christ will be a focus of this new version, which also models student-centered learning as opposed to teacher-driven instruction. For teen study and confirmation preparation, this book can serve as a curriculum for helping teens discover Scripture, church history, sacraments, the meaning and practice of prayer, and what ministry means in the lives of real teens today. A framework for small-group gatherings for each chapter is included as a new section in the back of the book. Bestseller revision to release in time for Confirmation season and in advance of the 2015 General Convention of the Episcopal Church Includes study guide questions, plus a new companion Leader's Guide Foreword by Dr. Lisa Kimball, Virginia Theological Seminary

The 2013 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in Evangelism Everybody loves a good story. In an age when prepackaged gospel formulations leave people cold, well-told Bible stories can be used powerfully by God to touch people's hearts and draw them to himself. After ministry in both Western and non-Western contexts, church planter Christine Dillon has discovered that Bible storying is far more effective than most other forms of apologetics or evangelistic presentations. In fact, non-Christians actually enjoyed storying and kept coming back for more. Storying provides solid biblical foundations so listeners can understand, apply and respond to the gospel, and then go on to fruitful maturity in God's service. This book includes practical guidance on how to shape a good story, how to do evangelism through storying and how to lead Bible discussions. With particular insights for trainers and those working in crosscultural contexts, this guide provides you with concrete steps for sharing the Story that everyone needs to hear.

The Robertson Family Helps You Build a Faith-Shaped Life ... Korie Robertson and Chrys Howard explore five values from the Bible's most-loved parables of Jesus as they tell stories of the Robertson Family of the hit television show Duck Dynasty (R). In Willie's Redneck Rodeo VBS, you and your church will learn how to build a legacy of faith and apply five faith-shaped values into the lives of children. With their trademark humor and commitment to faith in Jesus, the Robertson family will challenge children to live a new kind of life. The five values are: Redonkulous Faith Radical Forgiveness Ravenous Prayer Real Obedience Rowdy Kindness The Willie's Redneck Rodeo VBS Director's Guide includes everything you need to run a five-day Vacation Bible School at your church. The guide includes: Planning timelines, supply lists, and rotation schedules to help you determine everything you need to do the VBS at your church Helpful tips on recruiting and training volunteers Registration sheets, budgeting worksheets, and sample promotional materials Detailed information and scripts for the opening and closing sessions including skits featuring the Robertson family and friends from the hit show Duck Dynasty (R) Detailed materials on how to conduct each of the stations SPECIAL NOTE: There is also an accompanying Faith Commander Children's Curriculum DVD that includes a second DVD for Willie's Redneck Rodeo that includes activity sheets, instructional materials, forms, photos, scripts, and more. It is only available in the Faith Commander Church-Wide Curriculum kit - ISBN: 9780310820307

Joy is closer than you think because God is better than you may believe! We live in a culture that either tries to connect feelings of joy to empty and broken pleasures, or else it makes us feel guilty for feeling joyful at all. But both extremes are corruptions of the call to gladness that God gave us. With infectious humor, delight, and unfaltering wisdom, Candace Payne (aka "Chewbacca Mom") reveals biblical insights that lead to unshakable joy and freedom in every circumstance. Dispel the myths that joy is frivolous, laughter immature, and happiness unbiblical or undeserved; and open your heart to receive the freedom and joy that God created you to live in. John 15:11 says, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), learn what it is to live a life expressed by the joy of knowing how much you are loved by God! The Defiant Joy Bible study challenges groups to get honest and real in their discussion time and to explore the truth in what Scripture says about happiness. It also includes a personal "Joy Lab" that makes homework a new daily practice in the art of encountering the abundance God intends for each of us when we know joy. Sessions include: Laugh It Up, Live It Out Know Hope, Know Joy Joy Is a Fighter Joy Is Not Arrogant, But She Is Confident Joy Embraces Sorrow You're Full of It Designed for use with the Defiant Joy Video Study (9780310090557) sold separately.

Martina Kumlehn undertakes the first study of the chequered history of the reception accorded to St Johna (TM)s Gospel in 20th century conceptions of religious education; in five individual studies she describes an arc from liberal religious education to symbol didactics. The sixth study proposes its own approach to bible didactics which engages with Paul Ricoeura (TM)s narrative theory to take up the particular narratology of St Johna (TM)s Gospel and reflect on it didactically. Placed within the area of conflict between phenomenology and semiotics, St Johna (TM)s Gospel is presented as a school of perception and a catalyst for pluralist readings.

The Walking with God series was developed as the curriculum for small groups at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Since its release in 1992, it has been used by churches and small groups to help raise up devoted disciples of Christ. Group members who work through the program will lay a solid foundation for a lifelong walk with God. While small groups may be formed for a variety of purposes, the goal of this curriculum is for groups to produce disciples-fully devoted followers of Christ-by studying God's Word in community. To this end, the goal of the study is to produce disciples who walk with God, have a personal relationship with Jesus, and live in step with the Holy Spirit. It is also to produce believers who live the Word in all areas of life and contribute to the work that God is doing in the local church. Ultimately, the goal is to develop believers who impact the world and are prepared and eager to spread the good news of Christ to others. This material will help develop these attributes in group members. Each lesson includes group Bible study and discussion questions in addition to devotions, reflections, and personal study for use by individuals between the group sessions.

This brief introduction to making effective arguments helps readers to understand the basics of sound reasoning and to learn how to use it to persuade others. Practical, inexpensive, and easy-to-read, the book enables students in a wide variety of courses to improve the clarity of their writing and public speaking. It equips readers to formulate firmly grounded, clearly articulated, and logically arranged arguments, avoid fallacious thinking, and discover how to reason well. This supplemental text is especially suitable for use in Christian colleges and seminaries and includes classroom discussion questions.

Of all the books of the Bible, few are as fascinating or as intimidating as Revelation. Four grim horsemen, the Antichrist, the ten-horned beast, the ultimate battle at Armageddon, the "mark of the beast." It's no wonder that these images have griped the imagination of so many--and have been variously interpreted as symbolizing everything from Hitler and Gorbachev to credit cards and the Internet. Is the book of Revelation a blueprint for the future? A book of powerful symbolic imagery with warnings for the church? Is it essentially an imaginative depiction of historical events in the first century? Four Views on the Book of Revelation explores four interpretations of the book of the Apocalypse: Preterist - a historical interpretation, arguing that most of John's prophecies occurred in the first century, soon after his writing of them. Idealist - a spiritual or symbolic interpretation, arguing that the events in Revelation are not literal, and that apocalyptic literature requires a different approach than the Gospels or Epistles. Classical dispensationalism - a literal interpretation based on a reading of Revelation that pays close attention to the rules of grammar and the separate eras of covenantal history. Progressive dispensationalism - a modification of classical that has its root in the understanding of Christ's reign beginning immediately after the resurrection. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Godly Play (R) is an imaginative approach to working with children, an approach that supports, challenges, nourishes, and guides their spiritual quest. Revised and updated, The Complete Guide to Godly Play, Volume 2 offers new concepts, new terminology, new illustrations, and a new structure that stem from more than 10 years of using Godly Play with children across the world. 30 to 40 percent of the text is new or revised, including a new lesson, revised Introduction, and a new full Appendix.

"Fasting" has been called the forgotten spiritual discipline. Although it is found throughout Scripture, it is often neglected by modern Christians. Is there power in fasting? Does it really make a difference? How does fasting relate to prayer? In this study, Ashlee Alley considers the biblical basis for fasting and explores ways modern Christians can make this ancient discipline part of their faith walk. "Converge Bible Studies" is a series of topical Bible studies based on the "Common English Bible." Each title in the series consists of four studies on a common topic or theme. "Converge" can be used by small groups, classes, or individuals. Primary Scripture passages are included for ease of study, as are questions designed to encourage both personal reflection and group conversation. The topics and Scriptures in "Converge" come together to transform readers relationships with others, themselves, and God."