What does it mean to love God and neighbor today, when things so often feel divided and in conflict? In Our Purpose Is Love, author David Field challenges us to recognize and reclaim love as the center of our identity and purpose as the church. Field presents a Wesleyan vision of the church as the embodiment of God’s love in the world and explores the implications of this vision for our life together. In this vision, the church is where we become creatures of love, learning to love God and neighbor ever more completely and authentically through the means of God’s grace. As a result, we bear witness to the world by reflecting God’s love more and more perfectly in the way we treat others and order our common life. With a special focus on the importance of unity for the church’s witness, Field invites us to consider the ways in which embodying God’s love can and should influence how we live as individuals and as communities of faith, calling us to reclaim and recommit to love as the center of who we are. This Leader Guide includes leader helps and complete session plans for facilitating an eight-week small group study using Our Purpose Is Love: The Wesleyan Way to Be the Church, by David N. Field.
Beautifully written and deeply poignant, The Making of Us allows readers to walk alongside author and radio personality Sheridan Voysey during a transformational moment in his life journey. Picking up where Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams Into New Beginnings left off, Sheridan helps us process what we can learn about our identities in the face of disappointment and change. Life had not gone according to plan for Sheridan Voysey and his wife, Merryn. When infertility ended their dream of becoming parents, they uprooted their lives and relocated from Australia to Oxford, England, so Merryn could pursue her professional goals. But the move meant Sheridan had to give up his well-established career in Christian radio, and though he was experiencing some success as a writer, he couldn’t reconcile his expectations for his life with the reality he was living. Lost and directionless, he came to a sobering realization: I don’t know who I am. Following the example of many a seeker, Sheridan decided to pair his spiritual journey with a literal one: a hundred-mile pilgrimage along the northeast coast of England. Inspired by the life and influence of the monk Cuthbert, who was among the first to evangelize northern England in the 600s, Voysey and his friend DJ traveled on foot from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to Durham, where the famed Lindisfarne Gospels were on display. What makes us who we are? What shapes our hopes and dreams, and how do we adjust when things don’t go as we hoped? Can we recover if we make a choice that’s less than perfect? Voysey tackles these questions and others as he deftly weaves together Cuthbert’s story, the history of early Christianity in England, and his own struggle to find his identity and purpose. His introspective writing leads readers to consider their own stories and reflect on how God calls each of us to an identity bigger than any earthly role or career. Part travel memoir, part pilgrim’s journal, The Making of Us is a quiet story including a chapter-by-chapter reflection guide, of trust in God’s leading for our lives, no matter where our paths take us.
Everyone needs help from time to time, especially in the midst of painful circumstances and difficult trials. In this short book, a highly respected biblical counselor and successful author offers practical guidance for all Christians—pastors and laypeople alike—who want to develop their “helping skills” when it comes to walking alongside hurting people. Written out of the conviction that friends are the best helpers, this accessible introduction to biblical counseling will equip believers to share their burdens with one another through gentle words of wisdom and kind acts of love. This book is written for those eager to see God use ordinary relationships and conversations between ordinary Christians to work extraordinary miracles in the lives of his people.
It can no longer be assumed that most people--or even most Christians--have a basic understanding of the Bible. Many don't know the difference between the Old and New Testament, and even the more well-known biblical figures are often misunderstood. It is getting harder to talk about Jesus accurately and compellingly because listeners have no proper context with which to understand God's story of redemption. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson takes seekers, new Christians, and small groups through the big story of Scripture. He helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. The companion leader's guide helps evangelistic study groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes make the best use of this book in group settings.
Are you ready for a fulfilling, prosperous career, a life you love and a better world? Unleashing your higher purpose is a scientifically-validated method to achieve breakthrough success, and change the world. Planet on Purpose takes you deep into the question of your higher purpose. Leveraging the extensive research on purpose (and it's relationship to leadership, impact, success, love and a better world), you'll be guided into a clear vision of what your life will look like when you are on fire with your higher purpose. This book will empower you to unleash the scientifically-validated benefits of higher purpose in your career, love life and health: CAREER: realize higher levels of income, wealth, abundance (+47%), leadership effectiveness (+63%), fulfillment (+64%), engagement (4x) and productivity (5x) LOVE LIFE: experience more attraction and love (+31%) HEALTH: unlock the secret to vitality and longevity (+7 years) Further, you will try on a vision for how we can purposefully regenerate our planet economically, politically, culturally and ecologically. Praise for Planet on Purpose: "If you imagine yourself as a world leader, let Planet on Purpose be your field guide." CHIP CONLEY, Founder, Joie de Vivre Hospitality, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Emotional Equations "Planet on Purpose is a MUST read for women as we emerge in powerful, impactful ways in the world." CHARLENE TOSI, Founder, Woman Within International, Author, Discover Your Woman Within: A Journey to Wholeness "...the most comprehensive book about higher purpose ever written." TIM KELLEY, Author, True Purpose, and Founder, True Purpose® Institute "Brandon Peele brings passion, insight, and data to the question of purpose." RACHEL SLAYBAUGH PhD, Asst. Professor, University of California, Berkeley, Program Director ARPA-E, US Department of Energy "The Purpose Economy is in full swing. Brandon's book articulates... how you can ride this wave to make your highest contribution." AARON HURST, CEO, Imperative, Author, The Purpose Economy "Brandon's personal embodiment of his purpose is proof positive that his big mind, wide-eyed, open-hearted vision is possible." SUSAN LUCCI, Purpose GuideTM, Co-author, Purpose Rising "My advice: devour this amazing book... It's that powerful. Come play, be legendary, the world needs you." BILL KAUTH, Co-founder, The ManKind Project, Author, A Circle of Men "Brandon's... arguments are compelling and, for the skeptics, he also includes the research that backs up what he asserts." SRIKUMAR RAO PhD, TED Speaker, Author, Finding Happiness at Work Please see link below for book trailer: https://vimeo.com/260072790
This introductory course has been designed for women who are brand new to Walking with Purpose as well as those with more experience in Bible study. The themes we'll explore are the timeless, foundational, core questions that people return to century after century. Delving into these topics will help fill holes in our spiritual foundations so that we have something firm to stand on when life gets shaky. A DVD series, Priorities complements the course. Immensely practical and encouraging, Opening Your Heart is the perfect starting point as you seek to grow closer to God.
" ... Pascal will illustrate the method by telling the story of the imaginary (but very real) Atlas Industries as it switches from traditional planning methods to rigorous strategy deployment. He will explain in detail how you and your organization can get the right things done by applying the method consistently"--P. vii, foreword.
A Pocket Guide to the Rosary helps Catholics deepen their prayer life and improve their ability to pray what St. Padre Pio called the weapon of our times. The Rosary. Drawing from the writings of the saints, the Bible, and Catholic tradition, Matt Fradd has produced a book that every Catholic should read. Its small size makes it easy to carry to adoration, keep around for family Rosary night, or hand out at your parish. Catholics who find it difficult to enter into the mysteries of the Rosary, or who need some encouragement and inspiration to pray this essential Catholic prayer, will deeply appreciate this small but powerful book. In this essential book, Matt Fradd explains: ● How to truly meditate on the mysteries on the Rosary. ● Major saints methods to pray the Rosary. Carefully chosen biblical passages to reflect on for each mystery. Here's how it works: 1. Overview of each mystery, with biblical quotes to help you establish context and focus your mind 2. Insight on each mystery from the writings of the saints and Church Fathers 3. Personal applications for each mystery, so you can further apply these mysteries to your own life and invite God to be a part of it
John Wesley gave the Methodist movement (and all Christians in general) a discipleship pathway to follow. Wesley began with Three Simple Rules (or “General Rules”), and followed this instruction a year later with the Five Marks of a Methodist (or “Character of a Methodist”). Wesley observed the need for continuous renewal of relationships with God and others, so he established a recurring annual process for God’s people to make One Faithful Promise: The Wesleyan Covenant for Renewal. The study by Heath turns to the practices at the center of Wesley’s understanding of spiritual growth: the means of grace. This book/study guides readers through the five means of grace that John Wesley called “instituted,” meaning these are spiritual practices in which Jesus himself participated and which he encouraged his followers to do. One of the beautiful aspects of Wesley’s theology is that spiritual practices are seamlessly integrated with practices of loving our neighbors well. This is why Wesley said there is no holiness but social holiness. A life of genuine prayer inevitably leads to a life of hospitality, mercy, and justice. Through this book/study participants will consider how each of the five means of grace help us as communities of faith to pray more deeply and live more missionally as followers of Jesus Christ. These means are the ordinary channels that God uses to draw us into a fruitful relationship. These five means or channels are: 1. Prayer 2. Searching Scripture 3. Receiving the Lord’s Supper 4. Fasting 5. Conferencing (communion, fellowship) "Surely John Wesley wanted his teachings to be presented in clear and understandable ways. Elaine Heath’s teaching on the Five Means of Grace are simple and engaging with deep truths. Your group will love it!" - Jennifer Cowart (Executive pastor at Harvest Church, a United Methodist congregation in Warner Robins, GA, near Macon. She co-preaches and directs Discipleship and Emerging Ministries at Harvest UMC.) "Elaine Heath is one of the church’s great teachers and prophets. With engaging stories and clear understanding of Scripture she invites us to experience God’s love through ancient practices that we desperately need. I will be using Five Means of Grace with my congregation as an invitation for those seeking a deeper pathway into discipleship." - Rev. Jacob Armstrong, Providence United Methodist Church, Mount Juliet TN. "Methodists are followers of Jesus who are guided by a “rule of life”, a set of common spiritual practices that put us in a place where we are more likely to experience God’s transforming grace. This brief volume is deceptively filled with guidance for those who would allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. I am grateful to Elaine Heath, who continues to lead us again to the ordinary channels where the streams of mercy, justice and righteousness flow.” - Ken Carter, Resident Bishop, Florida Area, The United Methodist Church and co-author, Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church for People Not in Church
