Each of us is unique. And each one of us has been invited by God to participate in his kingdom work. Yet many times we hesitate to serve, uncertain of our gifts and of God's purpose for our life. In these studies we learn how to recognise our own spiritual gifts as well as those of others, and how to practically use them to glorify God in our relationships, our work and the world. Eight studies for individuals and small groups. The best-selling Lifebuilders series have helped millions of people dig deeper into the Bible, individually and in small groups. There are questions for stimulating group discussions, ideas for meeting God in personal reflection, and a now or later section in the revised format.Session 1 covers 1 Corinthians 12; Session 2 Ephesians 4:1-16; Session 3 Romans 12:1-13; and also 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; Session 4 studies 1 Corinthians 14:1-33; Session 5: Isaiah 61:1-9 and Luke 4:14-21; Session 6 Galatians 5:16-26; Session 7 Exodus part of chapters 31,35 and 36. The last Session 8 examines Acts 2.

In every age people have felt sure that the book of Revelation described events in their time. As nations arm themselves for war, we think of Armageddon. As evil rulers grow in power, we look for the antichrist. As the powers of darkness threaten to overwhelm us, we cry, 'Come, Lord Jesus!' Amid the uncertainties of our age, Revelation assures us of the ultimate triumph of God. This revised Lifebuilder Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, together with expanded leader's notes and an extra 'Now or Later' section in each study.

The authors draw on their combined experience to create an exciting model of congregational leadership that understands congregations as relational systems. Learn how relational processes can liberate members for ministry and mission in the world and release pastors for appropriate leadership.

Usually when we speak of service we refer to something done for the benefit of others. But in both languages of the Bible, Greek and Hebrew, ministry and service are the same word - ministry is service to God and neighbour. These ten studies, covering examples from Genesis to Revelation, explore service in a variety of contexts: family, creation, society, the city, neighbours, relationships, the church and the workplace. They examine examples of service that were motivated by imagination, passion, faith, hope and love.

Work has become for many people the central reference point in their lives and the main consumer of their time and energy. Whether people have much or little money is what much of life revolves around. There is an implicit theology in everyone's attitude to and handling of work. This book looks at the relationship between God and the marketplace, at work as a spiritual discipline, and at how to handle some of the main pressures and dilemmas that arise in a work setting. The combined wisdom of dozens of experts makes this volume a great place to start thinking about how Christians should approach subjects such as: . ADVERTISING . BUSINESS ETHICS. COMPETITION . COMPROMISE . CONTRACTS . CREDIT. DEBT. FIRING . GOSSIP . INSURANCE . INTEGRITY . INVESTMENT . LEADERSHIP . LOYALTY . MANAGEMENT . NEGOTIATING . NETWORKING. OFFICE POLITICS . PROMOTION . RETIREMENT . SHIFTWORK . STEWARDSHIP . STRESS . STRIKES . UNIONS . VOLUNTEER WORK . WHISTLE-BLOWING R. Paul Stevens is the David J. Brown Family Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership at Regent College in Vancouver and the author of many books on marriage, work and everyday life. His many books include The Other Six Days, Liberating the Laity, Marriage Spirituality, Living the Story and Down-to-Earth Spirituality. Robert Banks is past director and dean of Macquarie Christian Studies Institute in Sydney, Australia. He has written widely on work, community, and popular culture, including The Tyranny of Time and Redeeming the Routines.

Foreword by Eugene H. Peterson

This instructive, practical book explores the meaning of "biblical spirituality," a spirituality rooted in the Scriptures, in the grand story of God.

Writing to promote genuine discipleship and an everyday sense of God's presence, R. Paul Stevens and Michael Green show that biblical spirituality is based on down-to-earth principles meant to foster righteous living -- at home, at work, wherever one is. They highlight the importance of our being in relationship with the Triune God and discuss how we can be worshipers of Abba God, disciples of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit. The book proceeds through the Old and New Testaments, engaging readers with the discoveries and struggles of people of faith from Adam and Eve to those gathered around the Lamb in the new Jerusalem. Stevens and Green focus throughout on how we can truly "live" the Word of God so that our own stories become part of God's great story of love.

Filled with biblical wisdom and a pleasure to read, "Living the Story" is a winsome invitation to follow God wholeheartedly in every dimension of life.

Every church has far more work than any one person can do. Even a team of professionals is not enough. The New Testament solution was for every member to be a minister. Though the priesthood of all believers was a key idea in the Reformation, it is little practised today. Following secular models, churches usually organize around the clergy, who are paid by the laity to do the ministry. Paul Stevens argues that, according to Scripture, the primary task of a Christian leader is not to do the work but to equip the saints to do it. Exploring new options for pastors, tentmakers and laypeople, this book provides structures and strategies to best equip all the saints for ministry.

Stevens shows how churches today can be faithful to the New Testament model of every-member ministry. Specifically he focuses on how the laity can teach and learn the Bible, conduct small groups, pastor the sick and hurting, lead worship, evangelize neighborhoods and more. (Evangelism)

This study from Genesis to Revelation will help answer the question, What is a Christian view of work? It explores issues such as ethics, success and prosperity, creative rest, the value of homemaking, and meaningful ministry. Discovering God's design for modern-day work in the Scriptures is not simple because a new set of satisfactions exist today. Today jobs must be meaningful, appropriate to a person's talents, continually challenging, and adequately remunerated. 13 studies for individuals or groups.

Your emotions are soaring with the thrill of new love, exciting dreams, and a growing anticipation of one of the biggest events of your life. This is a time to enjoy. But it?

Adam and Eve worked. Jacob and Joseph worked. So did Ruth, David, Daniel, Jonah, Martha, Priscilla and Aquila, Paul -- and most people in the Old and New Testaments. In Work Matters marketplace theology expert R. Paul Stevens revisits more than twenty biblical accounts -- from Genesis to Revelation -- exploring through them the theological meaning of every sort of work, manual or intellectual, domestic or commercial. Taken together, his short, pithy reflections on these well-known Bible passages add up to a comprehensive, Bible-based theology of work -- one that will be equally useful for seminars, classes, Bible studies, and individuals seeking to grasp more fully the theological dimensions of their daily labor.

Instead of regarding work as a diversion from the spiritual life, R. Paul Stevens and Alvin Ung are convinced that it is an arena and an incentive for spiritual growth. However, they acknowledge that this is not without its challenges. Work in Progress examines life in the workplace through an innovative exploration of both the seven deadly sins and the ninefold fruit of the Spirit. This approach provides a framework to reveal how the Spirit has given Christians powerful gifts to overcome struggles the face in the challenges of daily work in a globalized world. The authors interact both with one another and with the wisdom of great spiritual writers of history in order to draw out real-life dilemmas and to suggest practical tips for becoming vibrant disciples in the workplace. In addition to filling a critical need for a resource on spiritual growth at work, Work in Progress has an intercultural approach -- the authors are from Canada and Malaysia -- that is particularly dynamic and engaging.

What does good theology have to do with good entrepreneurship? In this pioneering work, Richard Goossen and R. Paul Stevens have written what many are already declaring to be the essential resource for Christian entrepreneurial leadership, based on exhaustive research, practical experience and decades of teaching marketplace theology. Entrepreneurial Leadership addresses both the "how-come" and the "how-to," not only grounding the entrepreneurial calling in its proper source in the triune God but also providing practical guides for how to be an effective leader. Be inspired to find your calling and to make a difference in the marketplace, church and beyond.

Christians have likely been struggling with the place of business in the life of faith ever since Paul's days as a tentmaker. How do the spheres of private devotion and public business intersect in a meaningful way?

Paul Stevens has been struggling with this question since his earliest working days in his father's steel business. His thoughts in "Doing God's Business" provide lasting and satisfying meaning for marketplace involvement in the light of the Christian faith and tradition. He explores the potential of business as both a location for practicing everyday spiritual disciplines and a source of creativity and deeper relationship with God. "Doing God's Business" should encourage and challenge businesspersons in all segments of the marketplace to more faithfully integrate their faith and work lives.

Vocational discernment, says R. Paul Stevens, is a lifelong process - and it takes on even more significance in later life. In Aging Matters Stevens argues that our calling does not end with formal retirement; to the contrary, he maintains that we do well to keep on working, if possible, till life's end. Stevens delves into matters of calling, spirituality, and legacy in retirement, showing that we must continue to discern our vocation as we grow older in order to remain meaningfully engaged for the rest of our lives. He reframes "retirement" as a time of continued calling and productivity and points to biblical wisdom about turning aging into an extraordinarily fruitful season of life. Aging Matters offers older readers informed perspective, guidance, hope - and a powerful Christian vision for personal and spiritual growth.