Understand that your past does not define who you are, that your fears and insecurities can be replaced with the truth of God's Word, and that when you truly encounter God, you will discover who you are.
In the I Am Second DVD-Based Study, your small group will encounter story after story of notable people throughout culture who have had a radical, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, and will be challenged to share their own "Second" stories with the world around them.
What does it really mean to be a Christian? In a world where everything from sports to politics, social media to podcasts, and movies to television vies for our attention, we need to get back to what is essential. I Am a Christian Participant's Guide helps people grasp who they are in Christ and what their participation means to their local church through an eight-session workbook designed for use with the companion DVD experience (sold separately). Based on the book I Am a Christian, by respected author and church consultant Thom Rainer, this guide is a great resource for any Christian. Designed to be used with groups or individually, I Am a Christian Participant's Guide will help you clarify your purpose and mission encourage you to become a committed church member help Christian communities become healthy places so they can make a significant impact on the world (Don't miss the companion I Am a Christian DVD Experience!)
Somewhere along the way, our culture lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made them men. It's into this "no man's land" that New York Times bestselling author Mark Batterson declares his mantra for manhood: play the man. In this inspiring call to something greater, he helps men understand what it means to be a man of God by unveiling seven virtues of manhood. Mark shares inspiring stories of manhood, including the true story of the hero and martyr Polycarp, who first heard the voice from heaven say, "Play the man." Mark couples those stories with practical ideas about how to disciple the next generation of men. This is more than a book; it's a movement of men who will settle for nothing less than fulfilling their highest calling to be the man and the father God has destined them to be. Play the man. Make the man.
Across the United States and the world, hundreds of thousands of people are proclaiming a new anthem: “I Am Second.” They have discovered that God has a plan for their life, a plan that starts with making God First. They learned that whether it was money or relationships or the pleasures of life, nothing brought satisfaction and peace until God was First in their lives. Hear their stories and discover the powerful message of their journeys. With this Conversation Guide, you and your small group will encounter story after story of notable people throughout culture who have had a radical, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, and will be challenged to share your own “Second” stories with the world around you. Conversation Guide includes: Six biblical lessons focused on Scripture passages and stories of those living “Second” Topics with which every person can relate, such as relationships, struggles, and success Small group discussion questions that will equip group members to put what they've learned into practice Intended for use with I Am Second Video Study (ISBN: 9781401675783).
In Just Say Yes! Robert Schnase shows church leaders how to unleash people for fruitful ministry. He teaches leaders to spot their own nay-saying, and gives specific instructions for reversing the culture of ‘No’ that has become so prevalent in many churches. Step by step, Schnase shows readers—pastors, other church leaders, and congregants—how to make significant change in their attitude and actions, to become a permission-giving church. This set of resources is the next step in the author’s effort to reshape church leaders across the mainline denomination. Just Say Yes! Becoming a Permission-Giving Church give church leaders what they need in order to begin implementing the principles in the original book. It starts with a group study experience for church leaders, facilitated by a senior leader (typically the pastor). The study can be done in as little as 3 hours or, if groups watch all the videos and do all the optional exercises and activities, up to 6 hours total. The sessions can be used as a single-day retreat or broken up into 3 or 6 separate sessions. They can be stand-alone sessions, or incorporated into meetings for staff and lay leaders. The Leader Guide includes instructions and guidance for leaders in planning, hosting, debriefing and following up after the experience. Using this resource, plus the included customizable PowerPoint slides and the video Stories of Permission, a pastor or other key leader can effectively facilitate an extraordinary group experience resulting in transformation for the congregation. The Participant Guide is a complete workbook and devotion guide for church leaders—staff and laity—who participate in the Permission-Giving group experience. These will typically be church councils, staff teams, committee chairs, ministry team leaders, and the like. The Guide includes prompts to reinforce the material shared in the videos and by the facilitator, questions for reflection and discussion, and specific action steps for becoming permission-giving leaders in the church. It includes plenty of room for writing and note taking during the group experience. It also includes a 7-day Devotional, which the participant can complete either during or after the group experience. The group experience includes 6 inspiring and compelling videos from real church settings. Several additional video clips are also available, for groups wanting to spend more time exploring ideas together. A printed 4-Week Devotional is also available, and can be used by individual church members autonomously, or (ideally) used by every member as a personal study guide accompanying the 4-Week Sermon & Worship series. The material is flexible and accessible for all adult readers, and can be done in one sitting or spread throughout the week. This study consists of a Leader Guide, Participant Guide, DVD, a Devotional Guide and free Customizable Downloadable Resources. The DVD has 8 video stories showing the Permission-Giving Church in action, 3 brief videos essays demonstrating the essentials of a permission-giving church and 1 video promo for inviting participation in the Just Say Yes! experience.
Practical Solutions to the Issues Stepfamilies Face The Smart Stepfamily Participant's Guide provides discussion questions to use before and after watching the DVD, space to take notes, and bonus reading material. Includes leader instructions and guidelines for facilitating effective groups.
Implement a long-term plan of action for healthy living. In this six-session small group bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author Lysa Terkuerst helps you discover how to put into action what you learned through the Made to Crave book and small group study. Trying to get healthy can seem overwhelming and complicated. Eat carbs… don’t eat carbs. Eat fish… don’t eat fish. Pay attention to calories… don’t pay attention to calories. All this conflicting information can be daunting and confusing. The Made to Crave Action Plan makes it all clear. You’ll be encouraged by Bible teachings from Lysa, uplifted by testimonies from women like Christian music chart-topper Mandisa, and empowered with healthy living tips from Dr. Ski Chilton, an expert in molecular medicine – all while charting a permanent course for successful, healthy living. This curriculum will help women who found their “want to” by participating in the Made to Crave study master the “how to” of living a healthy physical life as well as cultivate a rich and full relationship with God. Sessions include: TAKE ACTION: Identify Your First Steps (27:00) EAT SMART: Add Fish and Increase Fiber (26:00) EMBRACE THE EQUATION: Exercise and Reduce Calories (30:00) MAXIMIZE KEY NUTRIENTS: Increase Nutrient-Rich Fruits and Veggies (29:00) PRACTICE THE FIVE PRINCIPLES: Keep Working Your Plan (24:00) MAKE A COURAGEOUS CHOICE: Direct Your Heart to Love and Perseverance (25:00) Designed for use with the Made to Crave Action Plan Video Study (sold separately), to further encourage group discussion, document your personal journey toward healthy living, and to reference the quick healthy living tips that will help make your journey a success.
The disruption of strong emotions can feel jarring. It can feel like you're coming unglued...but you can learn how make your emotions work for instead of against you. New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst admits that she knows what it feels like to praise God one minute and in the next yell and scream at her child. She, too, wonders why she can't always be serene and control her reactions. In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), learn how to process emotions and resolve conflicts in ways that lead to wisdom, composure, and a more peaceful life. Filled with honest personal examples and biblical teaching, the Unglued Participant's Guide will equip you to know with confidence how to: Resolve conflict with wisdom and patience. Learn how to balance honesty and kindness when personally offended. Identify what type of reactor you are and how to improve your communication with others. Respond without regrets by managing your tendencies to shut down or explode. Sessions include: Grace for the Unglued Freedom for the Unglued Four Kinds of Unglued A Procedure Manual for the Unglued Lingering Words for the Unglued Imperfect Progress for the Unglued Gain a deep sense of calm by responding to situations out of your control without acting out of control. Designed for use with the Unglued Video Study (sold separately).