As you begin counting down to your wedding day or find yourself in the midst of the early years of marriage, it's important to invest time and energy into building a lifelong partnership. Over 8 sessions, learn to develop your foundation as individuals and a couple while growing in your understanding of Christ and His divine goal for marriage. Allow Him to be your teacher, guide, counselor, and coach as you discover biblical principles behind living life to the fullest as a couple. Features: Interactive questions and tools to guide discussion and make the study personal for couples Tools and suggestions for pre-marital education and counsel Seven weeks of personal study segments to complete between eight weeks of group sessions Benefits: Understand God's biblical purpose for marriage to establish a foundation that provides stability and oneness in your relationship Learn that following God's principles leads to freedom in the roles and responsibilities of husband and wife Follow God's stewardship principles for financial freedom Challenge thinking regarding needs, intimacy, and oneness in marriage Keep Christ first and grow in spiritual maturity as a couple Learn the necessary skills to effectively communicate and manage conflict Create healthy expectations for marriage
In America, the average amount of money, time, and energy spent on a wedding are astronomical. While thousands of dollars are spent for the wedding day, little if any money, time, and energy are spent in preparation for the marriage itself. To Have & To Hold: Preparing for a Godly Marriage offers a different approach from "pre-marital counseling." It is more of a marriage education helping and equipping couples to build smart marriages and healthy families. The days prior to a wedding can be busy and hectic. This Bible study book format maximizes the time couples have by focusing on important information in a simplified and condensed version. One of the biggest mistakes couples make is collecting great resources and then becoming overwhelmed by the amount of information gathered with little time to complete the reading. Oftentimes, those resources are put on the shelf for later, only to be pulled down when a crisis hits ... often too little, too late. This study may be used in a variety of ways including: For couples to do on their own as a pre-marriage study. For pastors or others to use in pre-marriage counseling with couples. For small groups where a leader has a group of young couples preparing to wed. For couples or small groups in the early years of marriage who did not receive pre-marriage preparation and counseling. Some of the weekly preparation is fun, creative, and light. It is a good escape from the wedding plans for a while helping couples find a balanced approach will help them gain insight during the fast-paced days. These weekly interactive prep activities will be focused on the specific topic for the week. They will encourage couples to look at scripture passages, do biblical words studies, listen to podcasts, go to a romantic place, or do some other activity to creatively challenge their thinking. These assignments are not a major time commitment, but they are vital as a couple works through issues. God''s purposes for marriage are much higher and greater than our own. In Genesis 2:18, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone," He created Eve as an answer to that aloneness. Even though Adam had a perfect relationship with God, a perfect environment, and had all the possessions he wanted, there was still a void of intimacy. Blending two individuals into oneness was the Divine goal. They were made to become suitable helpers, counterparts who could balance and back one another in every way. God ordained marriage to be an earthly picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Jesus Christ''s love for the Church, according to Ephesians 5, is sacrificial and unconditional. He laid down His life to present the church, His bride, whole, and complete. Likewise, when a husband and wife love each other as they do their own bodies, nurturing and caring for each other, they live out the beautiful picture of Christ''s oneness with the Church. Features: Interactive questions and tools to guide discussion and make the study personal for couples Practical and simple to equip couples for marriage not only the wedding Tools and suggestions for pre-marital education and counsel Bible study book for couples (sold separately) is included in the Leader Guide for Pastors, church staff, small group leaders, or facilitators Benefits: Understand God''s Biblical foundation and purpose for marriage in order to establish a foundation that provides stability and oneness in the marital relationship. Following God''s principles leads to oneness and freedom in the roles and responsibilities of the husband and wife. Help couples understand and follow God''s stewardship principles as they work to experience financial freedom. Challenge the thinking of couples regarding needs, intimacy, and oneness in marriage Encourage and challenge each partner to individually keep Christ as the first priority as well as to grow together in spiritual oneness as a couple Equip couples with tools to learn the necessary skills to effectively communicate through expressing oneself, listening, and managing conflict. Create healthy expectations for marriage and set a course action for the future. Join Byron and Carla Weathersbee in this eight-session study To Have & To Hold: Preparing for a Godly Marriage as they explore and focus on the keys to a healthy marriage.
Christians who want to take the next step in their faith walk need look no further. It's time to ante up and go all in with God. The Gospel costs nothing. You can't earn it or buy it. It can only be received as a free gift, which is compliments of God's grace. It doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go "all in," putting all that we have into God's hands. But why do so many Christians hesitate to do that? And when did we start believing that the Gospel is an insurance plan? We're afraid that if we go all in that we might miss out on what life has to offer. But Jesus did not die to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous. So, let's step out of spiritual no man's land and kneel at the foot of the cross of Christ and surrender to his lordship. It's time to dethrone yourself and enthrone Christ as king, and Pastor Mark Batterson is here to show you how. Using his customary vivid, contemporary illustrations, as well as biblical characters like Shamgar, Elisha, Jonathan, and even Judas, you will be challenged to trade what Batterson calls "inverted Christianity" for true discipleship as you strip away your excuses and inhibitions and follow God completely. It's now or never. Are you ready to go all in and all out for God? Also available: All In student edition, video curriculum, and study guide.
How's your marriage?Often, once the honeymoon is over, a marriage slowly becomes lukewarm. Each spouse gradually begins to take the other for granted. Days turn into months, and months turn into years. What began as a close and intimate relationship disintegrates. Often two people are simply living under the same roof-sharing a bed, bathroom, and a closet-physically in the same home, yet miles apart emotionally. Sometimes when our marriage wanes, it feels like at any time it could collapse?or has collapsed. If you find yourself in this place, this study is for you. There is hope. If your marriage is "great," then this study is also for you. We all need encouragement. Our world needs Godly marriages, so join seasoned marriage educators Byron and Carla Weathersbee along with Amy Castellow in a 9-session Bible study designed for small groups to create conversations centered around God's call to selflessness, acceptance, perseverance, and intimacy.This study will help you love like never before as you establish healthy rhythms in your marriage.
The Word of God. It is undoubtedly the key resource for a faithful, fulfilling Christian life. Has your study of the Bible been consistent and fruitful or do you struggle to be energized and disciplined? Experiencing Pleasure and Profit in Bible Study gives you a unique opportunity to be encouraged, challenged, and inspired by Dwight L. Moody, one of the most renowned evangelists and Bible teachers of all time. He recognized the common struggle people have to regularly and thoroughly study the Bible. He passionately addresses fundamental topics such as: How to Deepen Your Love for the Bible The Inspired Word of God How to Study the Bible Studying Great Bible Doctrines and Topics Knowing God's Word is essential for you to have a vibrant, growing Christian life. This classic work, refreshed and updated, will renew your enthusiasm to discover the life-changing truths contained in the precious Word of God.
“Women of the Word will help all who read it to find their way deeper into the Word of God without having to be seminary educated, a genius, or even an especially good student.” —Kathy Keller We all know it’s important to study God’s Word. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible? With over 250,000 copies sold, Women of the Word has helped countless women with a clear and concise plan they can use every time they open their Bible. Featuring the same content as the first edition, and now with added study questions at the end of each chapter, this book equips you to engage God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.
365 Gospel-Centered Devotions for the Whole Year Mornings can be tough. Sometimes, a hearty breakfast and strong cup of coffee just aren't enough. Offering more than a rush of caffeine, best-selling author Paul David Tripp wants to energize you with the most potent encouragement imaginable: the gospel. Forget "behavior modification" or feel-good aphorisms. Tripp knows that what we really need is an encounter with the living God. Then we'll be prepared to trust in God's goodness, rely on his grace, and live for his glory each and every day.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The late, beloved Rachel Held Evans answers many children's first question about God in this gorgeous picture book, fully realized by her friend Matthew Paul Turner, the bestselling author of When God Made You. Children who are introduced to God, through attending church or having loved ones who speak about God, often have a lot of questions, including this ever-popular one: What is God like? The late Rachel Held Evans loved the Bible and loved showing God’s love through the words and pictures found in that ancient text. Through these pictures from the Bible, children see that God is like a shepherd, God is like a star, God is like a gardener, God is like the wind, and more. God is a comforter and support. And whenever a child is unsure, What Is God Like? encourages young hearts to “think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel loved, and what makes you feel brave. That's what God is like.”
Are you struggling today? Do you look back and long for what used to be, or are you looking ahead and have no idea what's coming? Are you stuck in the middle of a mess because life has not turned out as you expected? When you run to God for answers, do you often feel like you aren't getting them--or at least aren't getting the answers you want? Are you holding on . . . but not sure how much longer you can? In times of not knowing, Sheila Walsh offers a lifeline of hope. With great compassion born of experience and hardship, Walsh comes alongside the hurting, fearful, and exhausted to remind us that we serve a God who is so much greater than our momentary troubles, no matter how insurmountable they feel. She doesn't offer a quick fix. She offers a God fix. Sharing from her own painful struggles and digging deep into biblical stories of rescue, hope, and miracles, she gives you the strength to keep going, to keep holding on to God in a world turned upside down. The accompanying study includes 10 lessons to help individuals or groups dive deeper.
Live intentionally and embrace abundant life! Imagine waking up every single day convinced that the twenty-four hours ahead of you are a precious gift to be used wisely. Now imagine that you know exactly how to spend them to be a force for God’s good. All too often we wander through life without appreciating the gift of every moment we’ve been given. The result? An unsatisfying life, missed opportunities to experience the joy of being in sync with God, and days marked with apathy instead of passion. Our time on earth is measured. We should want to make every moment count—not only because we aren’t guaranteed the next one, but also because this is exactly how our Savior spent His time here. How, then, do we walk out unwavering joy-filled faith every day, determined to let go of the things that keep us from experiencing abundant life and fulfilling the plans God has for us? The answers are found in following the footsteps of the One who lived fully, because He was determined that we might do the same. In this six-week study of Luke, we will follow the life and ministry of Jesus as we consider the choices He made on His way to the cross. We’ll intimately connect with a Savior who remained laser-focused on His mission to love the world. In return, we’ll receive a model for intentional living that we can replicate to ensure we are living each day to the fullest and making a difference for God’s kingdom. And together we’ll determine to embrace the abundant life we are promised in Jesus. The participant workbook includes five days of lessons for each week, combining study of Scripture with personal reflection, application, and prayer. It’s time to stop wandering and start living!
