Video games are big business, generating billions of dollars annually. The long-held stereotype of the gamer as a solitary teen hunched in front of his computer screen for hours is inconsistent with the current makeup of a diverse and vibrant gaming community. The rise of this cultural phenomenon raises a host of questions: Are some games too violent? Do they hurt or help our learning? Do they encourage escapism? How do games portray gender? Such questions have generated lots of talk, but missing from much of the discussion has been a Christian perspective. Kevin Schut, a communications expert and an enthusiastic gamer himself, offers a lively, balanced, and informed Christian evaluation of video games and video game culture. He expertly engages a variety of issues, encouraging readers to consider both the perils and the promise of this major cultural phenomenon. The book includes a foreword by Quentin J. Schultze.
"On a scale of one to ten, this novel is incomparable to any other of its kind; in fact this read is off the scale. To my knowledge, there has never been a novel quite like this. The writer is nothing short of brilliant. He is the abosolute best." -Bogeese (Chicago, IL)
As violence engulfs the streets of Asbury Park over the highly coveted G-pill, Sincere Wiggles, also known as Gab, is sucked into a brutal war with the dark and eerie Santana, head of the Renegades, a criminal organization made up of ruthless outlaws. Gab's clash with Santana escalates to new heights as he comes face to face with "Ambassador Truth," an unknown adversary of Santana. The face-off evolves into an epic battle of good versus evil, as Gab is forced to confront the truth about himself and the mysterious G-pill that he and so many others have been trafficking on the streets of his hometown. Bursting with imagination and rich language, The Gospel Game is full of suspenseful twists and heart-stopping action that will leave you breathless. Gab's journey of self-discovery provides both a chilling glimpse of society at its worst and an uplifting depiction of the redemptive power of truth.
Tired of finding yourself flat-footed and intimidated in conversations? Want to increase your confidence and skill in discussions with family, friends, and coworkers? Gregory Koukl offers practical strategies to help you stay in the driver's seat as you maneuver comfortably and graciously in any conversation about your Christian convictions.
This book gives biblical guidance on playing, watching, and discussing sports in a God-glorifying manner, helping believers grow in both their love for God and their passion for holiness. Scripture calls Christians to do everything for the glory of God. That means every thought, every word, and every deed are to be done in a way that brings pleasure and honor to him. Believe it or not, this includes playing, watching, and talking sports! But most of us fail to recognize how sports fit into the big picture of a God-glorifying life, unable to imagine that the God who created the universe might actually care about Little League games and Monday Night Football. So how do we play, watch, and talk sports for God's glory? Game Day for the Glory of God seeks to answer that question from a biblical perspective. Sports fan Stephen Altrogge aims to help readers enjoy sports as a gift from God and to see sports as a means of growing in godliness.
No matter which children's curriculum you use or what type of children's ministry program you have, Big Books will provide hours of creative Bible learning and fun! You'll find games, art activities, coloring pages, creative storytelling, object lessons, Bible talks, crafts, puzzles, science experiments, and more! Plus each Big Book is reproducible and comes with perforated pages and a Scripture index. Big Books are perfect for: Sunday School Children's Church Evening Programs Vacation Bible School Christian Schools Home Schools Camps Kids Explore and Investigate the Bible! This reproducible resource features: Ideas to help kids learn how to use the Bible Information that helps kids learn about Bible people and events Bible maps, Bible time lines, and a Bible dictionary Bible book cards, puzzles, coloring pages, and more!
In a globalized world full of uncertainty and injustice, Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games series has captured the imaginations of readers looking for glimmers of hope. The tale of Katniss Everdeen's journey of survival in the post-apocalyptic country of Panem, where bread and circuses distract the privileged and allow a totalitarian regime to oppress the masses, parallels situations in our world today. At the same time, the series' themes of resistance to oppression and hope for a better world, portrayed honestly as messy and difficult endeavors, echo the transformative way of life Jesus offered his followers. The Hunger Games and the Gospel explores these themes in The Hunger Games series that have resonated so deeply with readers by examining their similarity to the good news found in Jesus' message about living in the ways of God's Kingdom. Taking the rich statements of the Beatitudes, which serve as mini-pictures of God's dreams realized on earth as in heaven, each chapter reflects on how those pictures are exhibited both in the narrative of The Hunger Games, and in Jesus' time, and then explores their significance for our own world. Thought-provoking questions provide direction for personal reflection and group discussion. Readers are invited to allow the inspiration of The Hunger Games help them live in the ways of the Kingdom of God by discovering how they too can work toward the possibility of a better world. ***** PRAISE FOR "THE HUNGER GAMES AND THE GOSPEL" My favorite analysis of "The Hunger Games..". Clawson does a fantastic job of reminding readers that Collins' world of occupation, oppression, excess, and poverty is not so far removed from our own, and that it is exactly the kind of world in which Jesus himself lived. -- Rachel Held Evans, author of "A Year of Biblical Womanhood" It shouldn't surprise anyone that Julie Clawson finds everyday justice in the Hunger Games trilogy, but what may surprise and delight is that she reads the story so well and writes so beautifully about the lessons she finds there. Everyone who loves The Hunger Games should read this book. -- Greg Garrett, author of "Faithful Citizenship," "One Fine Potion: The Literary Magic of Harry Potter," and "The Other Jesus" Are we living in the United States of Panem? The Hunger Games trilogy's depiction of a wealthy, totalitarian regime that exploits its conquered neighbors is more than fiction. The series brings to life the Roman Empire of Jesus' day and suggests a searing indictment of contemporary American imperialism. Using a framing structure of the Beatitudes, Julie Clawson powerfully explores Katniss's suffering as a lens for understanding Jesus' passion for loving our neighbors and building a better world. -- Jana Riess, author of "Flunking Sainthood" and "What Would Buffy Do?" Julie Clawson writes with intelligence, thoughtfulness, and nuance. This is a collection of fascinating and insightful reflections, a set of mirrors that we as Christians must confront, even though they come to us from the unlikeliest of places: a story we've all read "for fun." -- Shauna Niequist, Author of "Cold Tangerines" & "Bittersweet" There is no question that the Hunger Games triology has touched something deep in the psyche of its millions of readers, stirring up questions and uncertainties that we all foster about our future. With sharp clarity and stunning insight, Julie Clawson helps us understand our visceral response to the series by interweaving the narrative with Jesus' Beatitudes. The result points to a realistic hope for today and tomorrow. -- Jamie Arpin-Ricci, author of "The Cost of Community: Jesus, St. Francis & Life in the Kingdom"
The older teens in your parish want a youth ministry program that exposes them to relevant, real-world topics in an active, engaging way. Horizons is an innovative, comprehensive approach to religious education. Its foundation is teacher-led, creative learning strategies that give students ample opportunities for discussion, reflection--and fun! Designed for grades 9-12, Horizons utilizes a module system so that you can combine courses and topics to meet the specific needs of your parish. Seven core courses set the stage for discussing central and foundational themes. Then choose from a wide selection of age-appropriate minicourses to round out your curriculum and craft summer courses, retreats, and youth-group activities. The Youth Ministry Strategies component features more than 65 creative youth activities to complement the Horizons curriculum. And on top of all that, Horizons includes outstanding training resources. You'll be able to create the most engaging and relevant youth ministry program for senior high that is available anywhere.
Kids will learn Bible facts and stories while they are having fun playing these 52 exciting games. The book includes quiet and active games, group games and games to be played alone. For ages 4-12. 64 pages.
Join Jody Seymour as he leads us on a journey through the Gospel of Mark. A Senior Minister in the United Methodist Church for many years, Jody has drawn from his learning and his lively imagination to introduce-or reintroduce-you to the hero of this Gospel. This devotional commentary will, when read alongside the Gospel itself, give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the story of Jesus' life and come closer to the heartbeat of God. Let the words of this first and oldest Gospel make a mark on you, as you discover in a fresh way its power to transform. Includes a guide for personal reflection or group discussion.
