Perhaps no one else has ever faced as much hardship, opposition, or relentless suffering as the apostle Paul. And yet, through it all, Paul stood firm in Christ and remained faithful—to the very end. The power of Paul's example has captivated veteran pastor John MacArthur for years, and here he outlines nine unwavering convictions that contributed to this remarkable perseverance. In an age when pastoral failure and burnout are increasingly common, this book is a call to endurance in ministry, encouraging pastors to stand strong in their role and not lose heart, regardless of what God sends their way.
Discover new ways of connecting with God by understanding how he uniquely created you to worship him. The Sacred Pathways video study will help you learn: How you naturally express yourself in your relationship with God How to develop new ways of drawing near to him Key biblical figures who share your spiritual temperament How to understand others who connect with the Creator differently As believers in Christ, many of us today fall into the trap of thinking we have to approach God in a certain way. But our Creator made us all unique, and he designed us to connect with him in our own ways. For some, this might look like quiet contemplation. Others express praise through caregiving or theological discussions. It's important to discover the particular pathway that will best help you to experience God's presence. Bestselling author and speaker Gary Thomas reveals nine distinct spiritual temperaments to give you insight into how you naturally worship and how your personal walk with God might look different from those around you. Unlike the Enneagram and other personality assessment tools, Sacred Pathways gives you tools to investigate how you naturally relate to God. You will discover the strengths and impulses in your devotional approach so that you can eliminate the barriers that keep you locked into scripted methods of worship and praise. There is one thing that each of us as Christians can do that nobody else can--give our personal love and affection to God. This Study Guide includes: Discussion questions, reflection questions, and a personal assessment test to discover your pathway Personal Bible study for between sessions A guide with best practices for leading groups Sessions include: The Journey of the Soul – Introduction to the Pathways Pathways of Wonder – the Naturalist, Sensate, and Traditionalist Pathways of Contemplation – the Intellectual, Ascetic, and Contemplative Pathways of Action – the Caregiver, Activist, and Enthusiast Tending the Garden of the Soul – How the Pathways Apply to Your Life Designed for use with the Sacred Pathways Video Study available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.
Now a New York Times Bestseller As a college student he spent 16 days in the Pacific Ocean with five guys and a crate of canned meat. As a father he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state. He made friends in Uganda, and they liked him so much he became the Ugandan consul. He pursued his wife for three years before she agreed to date him. His grades weren't good enough to get into law school, so he sat on a bench outside the Dean's office for seven days until they finally let him enroll. Bob Goff has become something of a legend, and his friends consider him the world's best-kept secret. Those same friends have long insisted he write a book. What follows are paradigm shifts, musings, and stories from one of the world's most delightfully engaging and winsome people. What fuels his impact? Love. But it's not the kind of love that stops at thoughts and feelings. Bob's love takes action. Bob believes Love Does. When Love Does, life gets interesting. Each day turns into a hilarious, whimsical, meaningful chance that makes faith simple and real. Each chapter is a story that forms a book, a life. And this is one life you don't want to miss. Light and fun, unique and profound, the lessons drawn from Bob's life and attitude just might inspire you to be secretly incredible, too. Endorsements: "If this book does not make your heart beat faster, book the next flight to Mayo Clinic " --Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, Chairman, Willow Creek Association "Bob Goff is a one-man tsunami of grace, a hurricane of love. He doesn't just talk about change, he really is change, as Love Does chronicles in such a vivid way. Yet, Love Does doesn't leave you feeling like you want to celebrate its author, it awakens a sense deep within that you, too, have an outrageous role to play in God's unfolding story or rescue and repair." --Louie Giglio, Passion Conferences/Passion City Church "An interesting and compelling story (with Young Life roots) that ends with a practical challenge and punch: 'love does' and God can use you to do it " --Denny Rydberg, President, Young Life "Every once in a while someone like Bob Goff shows up to remind us that some things matter a lot more than others. Love Does has a kind of 'north star' effect that will push you to refocus your life and energy on what is most significant. It doesn't just invite you to respond with your God-given potential, it invites you to become a part of what God can do beyond your potential." --Reggie Joiner, Founder and CEO of Orange "We liked the book a lot. Mostly, the balloons on the cover. The rest was pretty good too. Lots of stories about how God helps us." --Aedan, Asher and Skye Peterson ages 13, 12 and 9 "This may look like a book. It's not. It is an invitation to enter into the greatest adventure you have ever known--your life as it was meant to be lived. Hang on " --Michael Hyatt, Author, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, MichaelHyatt.com "Bob's ability to love people brings contagious hope and inspiration wherever he goes. The power of love showcased in this book will surely touch the hearts and souls of many people. Read Love Does and find a friend in one the world's best hidden secrets, a person who shows how love can create connection and make a difference--even across oceans." --George Tsereteli, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia (former Russian Republic)
The core idea of the book of Romans is that we are saved from sin by the grace of Christ. The apostle Paul unpacks the power of grace in a way that can completely change your life... In this six-session Bible study (DVD/video streaming not included)—the first of the 40 Days Through the Book series—Max Lucado welcomes you and your group into the knowledge and freedom of grace with his exploration of Paul's letter to the Roman church. Throughout the study, you'll explore the book of Romans with Max to gain a deeper understanding of its context and content, focusing on central truths such as: The extent and power of sin. The amazing reality and availability of God's grace. The battle we're still in, and the hope we have despite the lies of the enemy. The grand story—from creation to restoration—that we're all a part of. The call to live in fellowship with each other and with Christ. When we truly understand the power of grace, it sets us free from having to do good, so that we can do good. A true understanding of grace should not shackle us to works but liberate us to live in the presence of Christ. 40 Days Through the Book series: Each of the studies in this series, taught by a different pastor or Bible teacher on a specific book of the Bible, is designed to help you more actively engage with God's Word by understanding its background and culture and applying it in a fresh way to your life. Throughout each study, you'll be encouraged to read through the corresponding book in the New Testament at least once during the course of 40 days. Designed for use with the Romans: In the Grip of Grace Video Study available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.
Sherwood Pictures is the filmmaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, and the leading producer of church-based, independent Christian films. This book situates their work in the history of religion and film in America and shows how they bring to fruition early 20th century Protestant expectations for the use of film in the life of the church and their hopes for a vibrant Christian film industry. Also covered are the handful of churches, inspired by Sherwood, that have taken up their own cameras to create a growing church film movement. This book offers another examination of the relationship between conservative evangelical Protestant Christianity and the wider popular culture.
Sacred Pathways reveals nine distinct spiritual temperaments--and their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies--to help you improve your spiritual life and deepen your personal walk with God. It's time to strip away the frustration of a one-size-fits-all spirituality and discover a path of worship that frees you to be you. Experienced spiritual directors, pastors, and church leaders recognize that all of us engage with God differently, and it's about time we do too. In this updated and expanded edition of Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas details nine spiritual temperaments and--like the Enneagram and other tools do with personality--encourages you to investigate the ways you most naturally express yourself in your relationship with God. He encourages you to dig into the traits, strengths, and pitfalls in your devotional approach so you can eliminate the barriers that keep you locked into rigid methods of worship and praise. Plus, as you begin to identify and understand your own temperament, you'll soon learn about the temperaments that aren't necessarily "you" but that may help you understand the spiritual tendencies of friends, family, and others around you. Whatever temperament or blend of temperaments best describes you, rest assured it's not by accident. It's by the design of a Creator who knew what he was doing when he made you according to his own unique intentions. If your spiritual walk is not what you'd like it to be, you can change that, starting here. Sacred Pathways will show you the route you were made to travel, marked by growth and filled with the riches of a close walk with God. A Sacred Pathways video Bible study is also available for group or individual use, sold separately.
Jesus has called you. Called you to be different. Called you to love. Called you to restore. Equip your small group to answer the call of God on their life with this incredible 12-session DVD. The Gospel of John: Finding Identity and Purpose DVD Bible Study covers 12 passages from the book of John that will deepen your understanding of identity, calling, and God's purpose for you. Packed with leader tips, discussion questions, practical applications, and prayer points, this DVD study can be led by anyone! Sessions are taught by 6 professors with specialized areas of knowledge. This includes the Participant Guide only. DVD (ISBN 9781628627879) sold separately. Complete kit also available (ISBN 9781628628296). Designed to accompany the DVD study, The Gospel of John Participant Guide provides an outline of the video teaching with room for notes and includes photos, maps, additional information, and a five-day personal Bible study guide after each lesson. About the 12 Session Gospel of John DVD Bible Study for Small Groups Have you ever wondered what you were meant to do? What your purpose is? How can you answer God's call on your life? Deepen your understanding of what it means to be called by God with the events, miracles, and practical applications in the Gospel of John. Sessions Include: Called to Honor: Water into Wine John 2:1-11Called to Belong: Temple Cleansing John 2:13-22Called to Believe: Nicodemus John 3:1-16Called to Restoration: Samaritan Woman John 4:4-26Called to Healing Work: Healing the Paralytic John 5:1-18Called to Be a Temple: If You Are Thirsty John 7:37-44Called to Be a Light: I Am the Light of the World John 8:12Called to Testify: Blind Man John 9:1-18, 35-41Called to Shepherd: Good Shepherd John 10:1-16Called to Be a Living Witness: Lazarus John 11:1-27, 34-44Called to Serve in Love: Last Supper John 13:1-17Called to Bear Fruit: I Am the True Vine John 15:1-17Enjoy 12 New Testament Teaching Sessions from Expert Professors and Bible Scholars Six Bible professors with specialized areas of knowledge each emphasize three areas that will deepen your experience of Jesus and the Bible: Historical and cultural backgroundAn engaging, close look at the biblical text and its meaningAccurate, encouraging, and challenging applications to life todayHear truth from those who spend their life investigating the meaning of the Bible and are excited to bring the fruits of their knowledge and life experience to you. 12 Teaching Sessions Perfect for Bible Study on the Book of John The first part of each lesson delves into the meaning of the biblical text, using first-century historical background to bring out the text's deeper meaning, which involves investigating the historical, religious, and social background of first-century Jewish culture and their Greek and Roman neighbors. In the second part of each lesson, after making deeper connections to the biblical texts, instructors will help you and those you lead to apply the relevant lessons to your life in practical and rich ways. Life application in the church today is often shallow and many times unrelated to the real meaning of the biblical passage. In this series, the practical application derives directly from the biblical text. This DVD Study Is Perfect For: Individual studySmall groupsYoung adult Bible studyChurch congregationsHomeschoolChurch librariesAnd much moreAbout the Editor Matt Williams, PhD, is the associate professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California. A former missionary to Spain, Matt preaches and teaches at churches throughout the United States and Spain. He is general editor of Colección Teológica Contemporánea, a series of theological books in Spanish, and is the author of two books on the Gospels. Meet Your Teachers: Dr. Joanne Jung, Biola University, Talbot School of TheologyDr. Leon Harris, Biola University, Talbot School of TheologyDr. Sean McDowell, Biola University, Talbot School of TheologyDr. Mark Strauss, Bethel SeminaryDr. Jeremy Treat, Pastor, Reality LA, Los AngelesDr. Matt Williams, Biola University, Talbot School of Theology
Through this eight-week small group Bible study, Gospel in Life, Timothy Keller explores with participants how gospel can change hearts, communities, and how we live in the world. This pack includes one softcover 230-page Participant Guide and one DVD.
Growing by Grace is a study guide and sourcebook for those interested in understanding more about the subject of personal holiness and lifestyle dedications. This study has been a work in process over the last several years of my walk with God and ministry, the majority of that time has been in the pastoral office. As a church planter and pastor, God has had to slowly stir wisdom into my spirit on how to handle these subjects. The Lord of Heaven is still teaching me how to lead people into a greater walk of dedication and consecration, in this present world.
