Churches have made many converts but far too few real disciples. Many Christians struggle to take hold of basic biblical truth and live it out. We often take a painfully long time to mature. This is not because we lack resources or teaching, but because we struggle to connect with truth This is where the Freedom in Christ course comes in. It is specifically designed to help Christians take hold of who they are in Christ, resolve personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance, and move on to maturity.
The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own.
We live in a culture that's all about self, becoming the best "me" I can be instead of becoming like Jesus. This me-centered message affects every area of our lives--our friendships, our marriages, even our faith--and it breaks each one in different ways. The self-focused life robs our joy, shrinks our souls, and is the reason we never quite break free of insecurity. In this book, Sharon Hodde Miller invites us into a bigger, Jesus-centered vision--one that restores our freedom and inspires us to live for more. She helps readers - identify the secret source of insecurity - understand how self-focus sabotages seven areas of our lives - learn four practical steps for focusing on God and others - experience freedom from the burden of self-focus Anyone yearning for a purpose bigger than "project me" will cherish this paradigm-shifting message of true fulfillment.
Each congregation has a unique mission field. Several tools for developing disciples and for engaging in discipleship are available to churches; however, the resources assume that the churches using them are similar to the church that created them. With Gospel Discipleship, individuals and churches learn how to engage in self-reflection, which then defines a path that fits their context. The discipleship path for each individual disciple is assessed and determined through the Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while this Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide guides the implemntation of the program and assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole. Therefore, the program leader(s) needs the congregation guide while individual particpants need their own participant guide. With Gospel Discipleship, churches can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each had a distinct approach to discipleship which can be applied to a given church's identity, vision, and mission. As disciples are encouraged by the church to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts, and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world.
“This book will prove to be a most effective weapon… against the debunking and skeptical attitudes toward the Gospels that are so prevalent, not only in academe, but also on the street, among young people who, sadly, are leaving the Churches in droves.” – Robert Barron, author of Catholicism For well over a hundred years now, many scholars have questioned the historical truth of the Gospels, claiming that they were originally anonymous. Others have even argued that Jesus of Nazareth did not think he was God and never claimed to be divine. In The Case for Jesus, Dr. Brant Pitre, the bestselling author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, goes back to the sources—the biblical and historical evidence for Christ—in order to answer several key questions, including: • Were the four Gospels really anonymous? • Are the Gospels folklore? Or are they biographies? • Were the four Gospels written too late to be reliable? • What about the so-called “Lost Gospels,” such as “Q” and the Gospel of Thomas? • Did Jesus claim to be God? • Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John? • Did Jesus fulfill the Jewish prophecies of the Messiah? • Why was Jesus crucified? • What is the evidence for the Resurrection? As The Case for Jesus will show, recent discoveries in New Testament scholarship, as well as neglected evidence from ancient manuscripts and the early church fathers, together have the potential to pull the rug out from under a century of skepticism toward the traditional Gospels. Above all, Pitre shows how the divine claims of Jesus of Nazareth can only be understood by putting them in their ancient Jewish context.
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
DVD 1: The Life of Jesus Do you ever feel dead--spiritually dead? Do you ever wonder, "If Christianity is supposed to be so great and Jesus' life was so perfect, why is my life so messed up?" It is only when we drink deeply from the life of Jesus--understanding the main events of his life and teachings--that we can then be rescued. These studies (along with "The Death of Jesus") invite us to see the behind-the-scenes truth of the main events of Jesus' life--so that his life can affect our lives...today...right where we live...in the midst of our weaknesses and failures. With maps and pictures, outlines, key scripture verses, discussion questions, plenty of room for note taking, and a personal five-day Bible study for each session, this participant's guide will help you get the most out of The Life of Jesus, both in your group and in applying what you learn to your life. TAKE A DEEPER LOOK The Deeper Connections series is unique. Unlike any other Bible study available, this visually stunning DVD series is written and taught by biblical experts--six professors with specialized areas of knowledge. Don't let the word deeper scare you. These engaging and accessible studies are for everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of God's Word and apply it more faithfully and effectively. In fact, a full one-third of each study is centered on modern application of Jesus' life and teachings. Hosted by Margaret Feinberg, who introduces each session from Israel, and filmed in locations as diverse as the Rocky Mountains, the Arizona desert, downtown Chicago, and Little Rock, Arkansas, each volume consists of six fascinating sessions. Each session is taught by a different teacher and emphasizes three components: 1. Historical and cultural background 2. An engaging, close look at the biblical text and its meaning 3. Accurate, encouraging, and challenging applications of the Bible's message to life today Are you seeking more from your Bible study? With three hours of teaching per DVD by Bible professors who know how to communicate the world of the biblical text to today's world, "Deeper Connections" will provide the depth for which you have been looking. Through alternating sections of teaching and group discussion or individual reflection, this Bible Study series will allow you to make DEEPER CONNECTIONS with three main areas: 1. Historical Background: Jewish, Old Testament, historical, social, and cultural backgrounds, along with New Testament parallels, will be examined in order to bring out the full and deeper meaning of the biblical text. 2. Biblical Text: Bible professors who teach this subject matter in Bible colleges and seminaries will teach the biblical text. This is not a study filled only with entertaining stories. It gets at the real meaning of the text through stimulating teaching. 3. Real-life Application: Challenging and accurate applications that come directly out of the biblical text will help you to live the truth of the Bible in today's difficult world. Dr. Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary Dr. Gary Burge, Wheaton College Dr. Scott Duvall, Ouachita Baptist Seminary Prof. Susan Hecht, Denver Seminary Dr. Mark Strauss, Bethel Seminary Dr. Matt Williams, Biola University
These six new study guides have six sessions each and enable small groups to explore the power and life application of Jesus teaching on the five biblical purposes of a Christian life by closely examining Christ s model in the Gospels."
Filmed on location in the Holy Land, Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus -- who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your entire life around him as you come to know and love him in an ever-deeper and more intimate way.
