Men oftentimes suffer in silence during their time of midnight bondage. Many of our issues are secretly masked behind; academic achievements, fame, tittles, positions, and financial status. Our quiet screams knife through the atmosphere, but only to pierce the realm of our own frustrations. Is there a Samson in you? takes a candid look into the life of one of history's most famous and strongest men to draw a parallel between Samson's weaknesses and that of many men today. Men will uncover the need for inner healing and true masculinity. Women will discover male struggles as we gaze in the mirror of freedom.
A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.
This landmark commentary marshals the vast experience and brilliant insights of one of today’s most revered Old Testament scholars. To those familiar with the work of Bruce K. Waltke, the significance and value of Genesis will be instantly apparent. Others who are unfamiliar with Waltke have only to read the first few chapters to understand why he has earned the reputation of a scholar’s scholar, and why this masterful volume stands like a monolith among Old Testament commentaries. Exploring the first book of the Bible as "theological literature," Waltke illuminates its meanings and methods for the pastor, scholar, teacher, student, and Bible-lover. Genesis strikes an unusual balance by emphasizing the theology of the Scripture text while also paying particular attention to the flow and development of the plot and literary techniques--inclusion, irony, chiasm, and concentric patterning--that shape the message of the "book of beginnings". Genesis Models the way to read and interpret the narratives of the book of Genesis Provides helpful exegetical notes that address key issues and debates surrounding the text Includes theological reflections on how the message addresses our contemporary theological and social issues, such as ecology, homosexuality, temperance, evil, prayer, and obedience Addresses critical interpretive issues, such as authenticity, date, and authorship For all the author’s formidable intellect and meticulous research, Genesis is amazingly accessible. This is no mere study tool. Lucidly and eloquently written, it is a work of the heart that helps us not only to understand deeply God’s Word in its context, but also to consider how it applies to us today.
With no-holds-barred honesty and poignant storytelling, Nate Larkin introduces a model of community and friendship that is reinvigorating men's ministry across the country, a model he calls The Samson Society. Too many men see the biblical hero Samson as their model for manhood--a rugged individualist of the highest order. Yet, Samson's solitary successes were eventually overcome by moral weaknesses. Larkin, through the story of his own past and the stories of those in The Samson Society, offers a radical, refreshing alternative.
The story of Jesus interacting with the Emmaus disciples after his resurrection provides an outline for what a gospel-centered kids ministry looks like: gospel-centered teaching that points to Jesus in every session, gospel-centered transformation that positions the gospel to change a child's heart and then his or her behavior, and gospel-centered mission where kids join in on the big story of Jesus that continues to unfold. Seven out of ten kids will walk away from church after they turn eighteen. About five will return when they have families of their own. But two will never return. Clearly, something isn’t connecting with our kids. As kids ministry leaders, we need to take a hard look at what we are missing in our kids ministries and provide kids the one thing that will satisfy them and keep them connected to the church—the gospel. Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry also addresses how to communicate with and encourage gospel-centered leaders and parents as part of your ministry.
Why do some strong men fail while others succeed? Like the biblical character Samson, all strong menùthose who are successful, influential, self-confident, aggressive, or widely respectedùface twelve tendencies that can lead to sin and even personal tragedy. The adventurous and gifted Samsonùwhose story is told in four chapters of the book of Judgesùnever had the intention of fighting against God. He was just a fun-loving guy looking for a good time. Like so many strong men today, he didnÆt think his sin was any big deal. But itÆs clear as you read his story that the older he got, the more sin held him in its grip. The Samson Syndrome is a set of twelve tendencies or challenges that strong men will always face. Obstacles like lust, ignoring good advice, big egos, fears of authentic intimacy, losing sight of the big picture, and others, have the ability to be any manÆs undoing. AtteberryÆs mission is to remind men of the joy of living within GodÆs boundaries, because he believes thereÆs a little Samson in all of us. With GodÆs help weÆre capable of such great things. But weÆre never more than one bad choice away from humiliation. However, it doesnÆt have to be that way if you want to fulfill your God-given potential.
The story of Samson in the Bible is told in just four chapters of the Book of Judges, but the story of his life is composed of a mosaic of events. This book examines many aspects of the unique figure of Samson: Samson as the chosen of God, who is destined to save the Israelites from Philistine oppression, and who ultimately dies with the Philistines; Samson, who appears on the stage of history as a promising leader but whose leadership fails; Samson the dissolute Nazirite; a powerful man who rips apart a lion as though it were a lamb, who uproots the gates of the city of Gaza and pulls down a pagan temple - but at the same time he succumbs to his women and is ruled by them. This book invites the reader to contemplate Samson's highly contradictory personality, to take up moral issues, and to reflect upon love and betrayal, life and death, family and society - subjects that have concerned people from antiquity to the present.
