General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations.

The design for the Preacher's Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author's approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher's Commentary because it combines with integrity the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Reverence for God is preserved in the capitalization of all pronouns referring to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Readers who are more comfortable with another translation can readily find the parallel passage by means of the chapter and verse reference at the end of each passage being exposited. The paragraphs of exposition combine fresh insights to the Scripture, application, rich illustrative material, and innovative ways of utilizing the vibrant truth for his or her own life and for the challenge of communicating it with vigor and vitality.

General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators to blend sound scholarship with life-related illustrations.

The design for the Preacher's Commentary gives the reader an overall outline of each book of the Bible. Following the introduction, which reveals the author's approach and salient background on the book, each chapter of the commentary provides the Scripture to be exposited. The New King James Bible has been chosen for the Preacher's Commentary because it combines with integrity the beauty of language, underlying Hebrew and Greek textual basis, and thought-flow of the 1611 King James Version, while replacing obsolete verb forms and other archaisms with their everyday contemporary counterparts for greater readability. Reverence for God is preserved in the capitalization of all pronouns referring to the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Readers who are more comfortable with another translation can readily find the parallel passage by means of the chapter and verse reference at the end of each passage being exposited. The paragraphs of exposition combine fresh insights to the Scripture, application, rich illustrative material, and innovative ways of utilizing the vibrant truth for his or her own life and for the challenge of communicating it with vigor and vitality.

Accepting the invitation begins with a few quiet moments each day spent on deepening your relationship with God. From this time of reading and reflection, you will then meet with your Sunday school class or small group and discuss how God is leading you to become more connected with your church family and ultimately how you will work with your congregation to be God s invitation to the world.

Each Week the Sunday sermon will reinforce the concepts in the reading book. This enables the individual reading to become part of a community experience.

To learn more about the overall program and order all the components visit our "Irresistible Invitation" web page, by clicking here.

Everyone participating in the study, older youth and adults, will need a copy of this book. Don t forget the companion resource, Participant s Workbook.

Accept the invitation today "

Many of us have heard the parables of Jesus all our lives, and we might even know them by heart. So why study them again? Why take another look at the parable of the talents, the parable of the prodigal son, the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, and nine others?
As our life experiences accumulate, we bring a fresh eye to the Scriptures. This is especially true of the parables, as they deal with people and life and everyday events. In many ways, reflecting on the parables in light of our own lives can bring us closer to Jesus.
Whether you are encountering these parables for the first time or for the first time again, you will find them leading you into the mind and spirit of Jesus and offering lessons for living in the kingdom of God.

Sessions:
Introduction "He Said Nothing to Them Without a Parable"
1. What to Do While Waiting for the Judgment
Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
2. The Power of Persistence
Ask, Seek, Knock (Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8)
3. How to Deal With Demons
The Empty House (Matthew 12:38-50)
4. Good for Nothing
The Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:1-9)
5. Serendipity
The Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46)
6. How to Escape Being Posessed by Possessions
The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-34)
7. Our Most Common Sin
Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-17)
8. Practicing Humility
Places at the Table (Luke 14:7-11)
9. How Do We Get Rid of Evil Without Destroying Good?
Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
10. What to Do When You Have Been Forgiven
The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35)
11. What to Do With Your Assets
The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
12. Lost and Found
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-32)