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Pastoral Helps
Showing 101–150 of 372 results
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Mental Health And Your Church
$16.99Add to cartMany people are struggling with mental-health conditions, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and life in our image-conscious culture. Statistics tell us that, worldwide, one in six of us will have experienced a mental-health struggle in the past week, and serious depression is the second-leading cause of disability (Mental Health Foundation).
That means there are brothers and sisters in our church families battling with thoughts, feelings, impulses and even voices that distract, drag down and nudge them towards despair. But when it comes to helping, it can be tricky to know where to begin, especially if we have very little knowledge of mental illnesses and are afraid of making things worse by saying and doing the wrong things.
This wise, compassionate and practical book is written by Steve Midgley, psychiatrist and Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK, and Helen Thorne, Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. It will help readers understand and respond with biblical wisdom to people who are struggling with their mental health.
While acknowledging the importance of liaising responsibly with medics and counsellors, this book focuses on equipping readers to play their part in making churches places where those who struggle with mental-health conditions are welcomed, understood, nurtured and supported: a foretaste of the new creation.
This is a useful book for anyone who cares for others pastorally: pastors, elders, small-group leaders and congregation members.
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Gideon Bible Study Book With Video Access
$24.99Add to cartWhen we hear the name Gideon, most of us think about his 300 soldiers or the fleece he laid out under the evening sky. But Gideon’s story is so much bigger than that-bigger than any one man and his mark on Israel’s history. Like everything else in the Bible, this is a story about God and His people. His love for them, as well as His strength operating in spite of their weakness-even through their weakness. And because God’s people includes you and me, Gideon’s story is also about us-our lives, our doubts, our struggles, and our possibilities as believers. From a state of fear, weakness, and insecurity, Gideon emerged as Israel’s hero, filled with God’s presence and His passion for deliverance. This 7-session study by Priscilla Shirer will encourage you to recognize your weakness as the key that the Lord gives you to unlock the full experience of His strength in your life. In what ways do you feel insufficient? Those places create the greatest opportunity to experience the sufficiency of God. Instead of ignoring, neglecting, or trying to escape your weaknesses, see them as the gifts that they are, given specifically and strategically by God to unlock the door of God’s strength.
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Acrostic Of Scripture
$16.99Add to cartThe Acrostic of Scripture gives parents and teachers a unique way to teach theology to children and makes catechism fun! An alphabet of words introducing biblical theology, written to a rhyming beat, paints a detailed and varied portrait of the unfolding story of the Bible, as it is fulfilled by Jesus.
Authors Jonathan Gibson and Timothy Brindle have created The Acrostic of Scripture, to help children ages five to eleven learn theology so their “knowledge of God’s big picture is better.” The fourth release in the Acrostic Theology for Kids series, this book is fun to read, simple to memorize, and features illustrations from C. S. Fritz that shine with creativity.
The Acrostic of Scripture includes a QR code in the back that can be scanned to listen to the audio version of the book which Timothy Brindle reads in rap style.
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Christian Counselors Medical Desk Reference 2nd Edition
$39.99Add to cartHow do certain medical conditions impact counseling needs? Biblical counselors and pastors often have questions when a counselee is struggling with a mixture of physical, emotional, and spiritual difficulties. Dr. Charles Hodges and a team of contributing physicians set out to answer some of those questions and offer solid biblical principles for counseling those with medical issues. While inspired by the original edition, _The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference 2nd_Edition contains all new content, including up-to-date information on the medical conditions highlighted and medications currently used to treat them, helping counselors to look past the labels and give counselees biblical hope and help.
In the first section, doctors and healthcare professionals with biblical counseling experience offer guidance for the extra challenges inherent with certain medical diagnoses. The second section examines some of the specific challenges associated with a variety of physical and mental conditions such as autoimmune disorders, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and more, helping counselors better understand the specific counseling needs that are often associated with each condition.
Readers will learn more about the basics of these disorders and conditions and how sufferers need specific reminders of gospel truth as they journey a long road. Counselors will also become better equipped to better encourage caregivers and loved ones also impacted by these diagnoses.
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Shepherding The Pastor
$16.99Add to cartShepherding the Pastor helps new and upcoming pastors understand the common challenges and pitfalls that arise in the early years of ministry and to face difficulties with faith, wisdom, and patience.
Many pastors feel isolated and helpless, especially those beginning pastoral ministry. Phil Newton and Rich Shadden know what this road is like, and they want to share what they have gained from pastoral mentoring Rich, a young pastor receiving support and guidance from Phil, an older, more experienced shepherd.
Using real life examples of their mentor/mentee relationship, they identify four key practices that will help pastors thrive despite the stresses of ministry: a deepening walk with Christ, faithful exposition of Scripture, continual learning from mentors, and growth in skillful patience with their flock.
*Pastors will learn from the real-life struggles of a young pastor and the grace-filled help of an older pastor.
*Common ministry struggles are identified and readers will learn how to live with faith and wisdom as they shepherd a church.
*New and more experienced pastors will be encouraged that mentoring relationships are an antidote to pastoral burnout and are vital to thriving in ministry.
*Published in partnership with 9Marks.
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Valleys : Finding Courage, Conviction, And Confidence In Life’s Low Points
$16.99Add to cartThese studies guide you through the storyline of Scripture-each following a person, place, or thing in the Bible. Maybe you are practiced in dissecting a passage and pulling things out of the text to apply to your life. But now you may feel as though your faith is fragmented. The Storyline Bible studies help you put the pieces back together. You’ll discover cohesive, thematic storylines with literary elements and appreciate the Bible as the masterpiece that it is.
Each study is five weeks long and can be paired with its thematic partner for a seamless ten-week study to fit in a church semester. Every study features:
*Gospel presentation at the beginning of each Bible study
*Full Scripture passages included in the study so that you can mark up the text and keep your notes in one place
*Insights from female scholars and scholars of color
*Free resources for preaching and leading small groups
Valleys in the Bible have far more meaning than just as geographical markers or pins on an ancient map. In his literary genius, God repurposes valley settings throughout Scripture to signal tests of faith–and deepening of confidence in the One who is with us in the valley. In Valleys, we’re going to explore:
*Numbers 13-14: the Valley of Eshkol, where spies scouted the Promised Land
*Judges 4-5: the Valley of Kishon, where Deborah and Jael defeated the enemy
*1 Samuel 17: the Valley of Elah, where David fought Goliath
*Psalm 23: the Valley of Death, where God comforts scared people
*Ezekiel 37: the Valley of Dry Bones, where Ezekiel prophesied of Israel’s restoration -
Mountains : Rediscovering Your Vision And Restoring Your Hope In Gods Prese
$16.99Add to cartThese studies guide you through the storyline of Scripture-each following a person, place, or thing in the Bible. Maybe you are practiced in dissecting a passage and pulling things out of the text to apply to your life. But now you may feel as though your faith is fragmented. The Storyline Bible studies help you put the pieces back together. You’ll discover cohesive, thematic storylines with literary elements and appreciate the Bible as the masterpiece that it is.
Each study is five weeks long and can be paired with its thematic partner for a seamless ten-week study to fit in a church semester. Every study features:
*Gospel presentation at the beginning of each Bible study
*Full Scripture passages included in the study so that you can mark up the text and keep your notes in one place
*Insights from female scholars and scholars of color
*Free resources for preaching and leading small groups
In the ancient, symbol-driven world of the Bible, location didn’t just matter–it had meaning. The Mountains Bible study will guide you through five mountaintop Bible stories because mountains are holy ground for connecting with God. We will explore:
*Genesis 1-2: Mount of Creation, where God created the world
*Exodus 19-20: Mount Sinai, where God gives the Israelites the Mosaic law
*Matthew 5: Mount of the Sermon, where Jesus’ delivers his most famous message
*Matthew 17: Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed his glory
*Matthew 28: Mount of the Great Commission, where Jesus commissioned his disciples -
Abide Bible Study Book With Video Access
$24.99Add to cartHow can we hold onto assurance of our faith? How can we discern the truth from a lie? How can we know God loves us?
In this 10-session study of 1, 2, and 3 John, Jen Wilkin will help you discover how 2,000 years later, the apostle John’s words call to Christians in similar challenges to recall a great salvation and to abide in the truth. He reminds an early church facing division, deception, and doubt to hold fast to what they know and to live like they believe it. And he reminds us as well.
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Welcome : Loving Your Church By Making Space For Everyone
$16.99Add to cartWalking into church can be intimidating, whether for the first time or after a period of absence, whether you are a non-believer or a believer. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your church was a place where everyone received a warm welcome? A place where newcomers can quickly feel at home and where non-believers receive the welcome of God’s people alongside the welcome of Jesus?
This warm, practical book by Jen Oshman explores what the Bible says to help readers discover how to make space for others, however different they are to them, in their church and in their lives. She also gives practical advice, drawing on good practice from churches around the world in a range of situations. In a world of division, individualism and isolation, readers will see that their church can witness to Christ by being a place of welcome, community and connection.
Chapters include how Jesus welcomes us, the impact of welcoming in the early church, the effect of being siblings in Christ, how to welcome beyond Sunday, helpful systems and strategies, how our joy in Christ causes us to be outward-looking, and mirroring the glorious vision set out in Revelation.
Whether you’re a pastor looking to encourage your congregation to welcome others or a church member wanting to see unbelievers come to faith and help everyone feel part of the family, this book is for you.
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Gather : Loving Your Church As You Celebrate Christ Together
$16.99Add to cartWhy do we meet on Sundays?
Now that technology allows us to access services remotely, many see little need to meet face to face every week. Others think that because we have a personal relationship with Jesus as Christians, church is an optional add-on. For some, they know deep down that there is a reason why gathering on Sundays is important, but they are weary and don’t feel excited about it. So what is the purpose of corporate worship, and what is our role in it?
In this book, Tony Merida highlights how in-person Sunday gatherings are central to God’s plans and to our faith and joy. He reminds believers of their privileges as citizens of heaven, members of God’s family and stones in God’s temple.
Readers will see how each part of a church service (preaching, praying, singing, baptism, Lord’s Supper and building each other up in conversations) are ways to enjoy and share God’s grace, and are therefore essential for spiritual endurance. You’ll also be reminded that your presence in corporate worship matters because you have a part to play in encouraging your brothers and sisters and spurring them to love and good deeds:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Read this book to renew your understanding and enjoyment of going to church and to be excited by the ways in which your presence can encourage others.
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Belong : Loving Your Church By Reflecting Christ To One Another
$16.99Add to cartAuthor Barnabas Piper states in the first chapter of his book:
“We are looking for something personal, something deeply meaningful, something with which we can identify. And this book is an invitation to find that in the church, because God wants us to …Part of God’s perfect strategy is offering hurting, tired, worn out, needy sinners like you and me a place to belong in … A place in which to encounter the profound, transformative, healing, restoring grace of Jesus Christ.”
This book explores how you can help to create a church where everybody feels at home: a place where fellow believers build genuine, honest, meaningful Christian relationships and enjoy deep fellowship as a community of believers.
You may be a new believer and wonder what it means to belong to a church; you may be reluctant to commit to your church because of past experiences; you may have recently relocated and want to find a church where you feel at home; or you may love your church and desire to commit to it more deeply and serve it more fully. Whatever the case, this book will help you to see that belonging to a church is a good gift from God, the outworking of our identity as brothers and sisters in Christ, and worth your time, love and commitment.
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Trustworthy Bible Study Book With Video Access (Student/Study Guide)
$22.99Add to cartWhen hard times come and it seems God is deviating from the plan we assume our life should follow, we’re much more likely to want to tame God, not trust Him. It’s then that we begin to press into our ways and our own timing. No human can carry the weight of being their own god, but so many of us try.
In this 6-session study of 1 & 2 Kings, you can join Lysa TerKeurst in Israel as she honestly reveals the places of distrust in her own heart while exploring the deeply personal applicable Scriptures that will teach us how to truly trust God.
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I Guess I Havent Learned That Yet Study Guide With DVD (Student/Study Guide)
$27.00Add to cartI Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet is a journey of both unlearning what is no longer helpful, embracing curiosity, and accepting the unknowns of midlife, heartbreak, and chronic pain. Bestselling author Shauna Niequist speaks with characteristic candor and grace about the challenges and delights of a move from the Midwest to Manhattan, and also the challenges and delights of releasing our expectations for how we thought our lives would look.
In this five-session study, follow Shauna on her journey to understand grief, to reshape her faith, to practice courage when all she wanted to do was hide. This video study is about learning how to live in a new city, learning how to get back up, and learning how to trust God’s goodness in a deeper way.This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.
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Disciple : How To Create A Community That Develops Passionate And Healthy F
$16.99Add to cartCan you identify the key qualities of a committed, passionate, and healthy disciple of Jesus? Chuck Lawless, a respected professor, pastor, and church consultant, discovered that many pastors haven’t thought deeply about that question. He wrote this book to provide answers and transform churches for the better.Many church leaders know their communities well and who they are aiming to make disciples of Christ. But too often they haven’t thoroughly articulated their goals and painted a vision for what a disciple looks like within their specific communities. In this book, Dr. Chuck Lawless provides a model for church leaders to build committed disciples of Christ.In Disciple, Chuck LawlessDefines biblical discipleship and explores why church leaders sometimes neglect to teach what a faithful and committed disciple of Jesus isGuides pastors and church leaders in developing an effective discipleship model and process for their churchesExplains the potential obstacles to a thriving discipleship program and how to overcome themWhen a church is filled with passionate and healthy followers of Jesus, there’s a sense that something special is happening. Are you ready to unleash that power in your congregation?
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I Am A Christian Participants Guide (Student/Study Guide)
$12.99Add to cartWhat 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!)
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Ruth Bible Study Book Updated Edition With Video Access
$21.99Add to cartMost of us like a good rags-to-riches story, especially one that includes a bit of intrigue and a moving tale of love. We can easily get lost in a narrative where, at the beginning of the story, heartache reigned, but it was soon replaced by joy. Perhaps we’re drawn to these tales because they not only provide an escape, but hope.
Many of us struggle through seasons of bitterness, tears, and loss, wondering if there could ever be a happy ending to our stories. The story of Ruth affirms that yes, there is hope. However, it’s not found in a happy ending scribed by a novelist’s pen, but in the power and protection of a sovereign God who never takes His eyes off of us for even a moment.
In this 7-session study from Kelly Minter, we’ll examine Ruth’s journey of unbearable loss, redeeming love, and divine legacy. We’ll see how God proves Himself faithful as the One who rescues, revives, and restores. First released in 2009, this study is now updated with fresh content and new teaching videos from Kelly.
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Pastoral Visitation : For The Care Of Souls
$19.99Add to cartChrist comes to, and through, his people
Many consider pastoral visitation antiquated and impractical. People seem busier than ever, and technology appears to trivialize personal contact. As a result, personal visits are often reserved only for the gravest of situations.
Tyler C. Arnold argues that pastoral visitation is essential to the pastoral role. In Scripture, God visits his people to show his personal interest and concern. This is seen most clearly in the incarnation. Christ’s ministry is one of presence. But Jesus is not only an example of visitation ministry; he is the embodiment of it. And in visitation, pastors and laypeople continue Jesus’s ministry by bringing Christ to the individual in their very place of need.
Established in strong theological foundations and sensitive to contemporary concerns, Pastoral Visitation exhorts pastors to return to this classic method of individual soul-care.
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Spiritual Warfare : For The Care Of Souls
$19.99Add to cartJesus Christ is the light that no darkness can overcome.
Spiritual warfare isn’t always obvious. It’s normally not scary or spooky; it’s usually rather mundane. Yet it’s real and always miraculous.
In Spiritual Warfare, Harold Ristau shows how faithful spiritual warfare isn’t about secret methods and rituals. Rather, for the care of souls, pastors already have all they need in God’s word. The Spirit’s gifts equip Christians for whatever challenges await them in ministry–even fighting against the wiles of the devil. Spiritual Warfare helps pastors inform, prepare, and equip the saints for the battle. The good fight is fought in prayer and worship. As the church preaches the forgiveness of sins, the darkness is pierced with the light of Christ and those in bondage are freed.
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Uncommon Unity : Wisdom For The Church In An Age Of Division
$29.99Add to cartOur world is facing increasing hostilities. Political and cultural differences rage, even among people who otherwise show goodwill. And the church is no stranger to extreme polarization, theological backbiting, and political squabbling. Jesus’s prayer in John 17–that the church be one as he and the Father are one–seems increasingly unattainable.
But what if Scripture actually provides the key for thinking about unity in diversity?
In Uncommon Unity: Wisdom for the Church in an Age of Division, Richard Lints explores the nature of diversity and how Christians can think more clearly about unity in an increasingly polarized age. Drawing on theological, historical, and sociological resources, Lints exposes problems with the inclusion narrative of democracy and shows a better way forward for fostering unity in the midst of extreme diversity. If we are to think rightly about diversity, wisdom is required for the church in our late modern world. Through wisdom, Christians can display real unity in diversity and bear witness of the God who made them for himself as diverse members of his one body.
Readers of Uncommon Unity will be heartened that Scripture and Christian tradition provide an antidote to division.
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From Beginning To Forever Bible Study Book With Video Access
$21.99Add to cartMany Christians today are daunted by the Bible, seeing the size and scope of Scripture as intimidating and overwhelming. The result is often a fragmented understanding of parts of the Bible, which leads us to view it through the lens of our individual stories, primarily looking for different verses or passages to help us live our everyday lives. But, in our search for personal truth, we fail to see how the entirety of Scripture works together to show a bigger story-God’s work to redeem and restore the entire world.
In From Beginning to Forever, Elizabeth Woodson guides you through the story of the Bible, showing how all 66 books combine to form one unified narrative. Weaving together the rich theological truths found in Genesis through Revelation, this 8-session study shows the eternal significance of what God is doing in the world and how he invites us to be a part of it.
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Embracing Complementarianism : Turning Biblical Convictions Into Positive C
$17.99Add to cartIt can be tempting to shy away from addressing the issue of gender roles in church because it’s often controversial. But this can result in churches either being increasingly influenced by secular culture or simply sticking with the status quo when it comes to what men and women do in church.
Building on the belief that complementarianism is both biblical and positive, this book focuses on what these convictions look like in practice. Moving beyond the familiar discussions around and leaving room for variety in how readers implement these ideas, it will encourage a church culture where men and women truly partner together-embracing their privileges and responsibilities, and maximizing their gifts, in joyful service of God’s kingdom.
This book provides a great opportunity for church leadership teams to think intentionally about complementarianism and how it manifests itself in their church context.
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Women Of The Bible New Testament Bible Study
$11.99Add to cartEncounter fascinating women from the New Testament in this six-session Bible study. Their lives challenged what society said women like them “ought” to do–or not do–but social traditions do not constrict God! Discover these women’s tenacious faithfulness to their Lord, their seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and the unique roles they played in bringing others to Jesus and the new life he offers.
Each session unpacks the history, culture, and geography that forms the backdrop to these women’s lives, giving you a deeper understanding of their stories and insight into what we can learn from them for today.
This study will challenge what you thought you always knew about these women. Read their stories anew with this easy-to-use Bible study incorporating helpful visuals, thought-provoking questions, and practical life application.
The six sessions include:
*Mothers of Jesus from the genealogy in the gospel of Matthew
*Mary and her warrior song in the gospel of Luke
*Anna the prophetess at the temple
*The Samaritan woman at the well
*Sisters Mary and Martha
*Women of the early church in Paul’s letters to the RomansRose Visual Bible Studies are packed with full color visuals that show key information at a glance! With their easy-to-use format–read it, know it, explore it, and live it–these 6-week inductive studies are perfect for gaining a deeper insight into God’s Word.
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Confronting Jesus : 9 Encounters With The Hero Of The Gospels
$14.99Add to cartAward-Winning Author Rebecca McLaughlin Explores Who Jesus Really Is in This Follow-Up to Confronting Christianity
Jesus is the most famous human being in all of history. But while many people have a basic sketch of Jesus in their minds, comparatively few have taken time to read the four biographies of his life in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
In Confronting Jesus, Rebecca McLaughlin shares important biblical context to help all readers see why the Gospels should be taken seriously as historical documents. Exploring eyewitness testimony about Jesus, McLaughlin points to him as a first-century Jewish man who is the Son of God, King of the Jews, mighty healer, greatest teacher, lover of sinners, suffering servant, perfect sacrifice, and universal Lord. This follow-up to her first book, Confronting Christianity, helps readers understand the message of the Gospels and explore who Jesus really is. Individuals and groups can work through the book together with the Confronting Jesus Study Guide and the Confronting Jesus Video Study.
*Winsome and Informative: Mixes thorough research with an approachable writing style and cultural references to help readers grasp biblical truths
*Great for Apologetics and Evangelism: Presents the gospel clearly and invites readers to study with a friend
*Companion Resources for Personal and Small-Group Study: Confronting Jesus Study Guide and Confronting Jesus Video Study also available
*Follow-Up to Rebecca McLaughlin’s Confronting Christianity: This book offers readers a next step and a helping hand as they explore who Jesus is
*Accessible: Assuming neither knowledge of the Bible or belief on the part of her readers, McLaughlin provides a clear explanation of the 4 Gospels
*Published in partnership with the Gospel Coalition
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Fan The Flame
$12.50Add to cartChurches across the country are floundering and many pastors are deeply discouraged. They work hard and with great sincerity but their efforts don’t seem to be helping their churches to flourish. Their congregations are split over political issues. Their faith is low. Finances are tight. Many leaders want to love their flocks, but find themselves in endless arguments with people they are trying to serve.
The pressing need of our time, especially for leaders, is not to focus on transforming the culture, but on reviving the church. Yet sadly, when it comes to the work of ministry, few pastors turn to Scripture. Instead, they follow the latest church growth trends based on business models rather than the New Testament, and they become frustrated and disheartened when these fail.
The first Christians had no money and no leverage. The Roman government opposed them at every turn. The Jewish establishment persecuted them. They had no buildings and no New Testament. Yet the church exploded, proving that the Gospel is built for the hardest of times.
In Fan the Flame, New York Times best-selling author and pastor Jim Cymbala looks at the pressing need for spiritual leadership by focusing our attention on Acts 20–Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian church. He examines how Paul led the church–so that we can follow his lead. Along the way, Jim includes stories from his own experience at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, a church he has led for more than forty years. He offers ground-level, faith-driven, nitty-gritty, biblically-wise advice that will encourage, inspire, and equip leaders in the church, wherever God has planted them.
When leaders begin to understand and practice true spiritual leadership, they will find that their lives are transformed and they discover fresh energy and peace as God leads the way in building his kingdom. Filled with practical insights on developing a practice of prayer and leading others into the presence of God, Fan the Flame will help you to become the kind of leader God can use to reignite revival in today’s church.
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Amos Bible Study Book With Video Acces
$30.75Add to cartAmos is often called a prophet of doom. And when you begin to read his prophecy, it doesn’t take long to realize that nickname fits. On the surface, his prophecy doesn’t sound like a happy formula for the good life. However, every condemnation he gives serves as an invitation, a cry for us to “seek God and live” (Amos 5:4). You’ll be invited to live assured, faithful, chosen, humble, justly, prayerful, and hopeful. This kind of living will bring us and others around us peace and true prosperity.
Amos is promoting the God life, and, the God life is the good life!
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Lead Like It Matters
$28.99Add to cartDiscover the secret to igniting a life-giving, soul-transforming, people-inspiring movement in your organization, church, or ministry.
New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, an innovative multisite church known around the world and an organization that Glassdoor has named a #1 U.S. Best Place to Work. But it didn’t happen by accident. In 1996, a handful of congregants worshipped together in a two-car garage. Today, the church welcomes tens of thousands of attendees in multiple states across the country and globally at Life.Church Online.
Lead Like It Matters presents Groeschel’s transformative insights on how to effectively build a thriving, enduring ministry and organization. Using his skills as a top leader, he combines straight-talk and wry honesty with biblical and leadership principles to equip you with the tools to:
*Recognize when your organization or ministry has the indefinable but tangible it that leads to success
*Identify and implement seven leadership principles for a church that lasts
*Ignite a fire in your team to leave behind what we’ve always done for the meaningful ministry you know is possible
*Discover the three areas every leader must master for success
Lead Like It Matters reveals the secret for building ministry momentum and then keeping it going.
*This is a completely revised and updated version of the book previously published as It.
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Preaching To A Divided Nation
$24.99Add to cartWe live in angry times. No matter where we go, what we watch, or how we communicate, our culture is rife with division and polarization. Unfortunately, Christians appear to be caught up in the same animosity as the culture at large. While our faith calls us to Christian unity, the hard fact remains: our churches are tragically divided across class, ethnic, gender, and political lines. As these social chasms grow–both inside and outside the church–the role of the preacher becomes paramount.
This book issues a prophetic call to pastors to use the influence of their pulpits to promote reconciliation and unity in their churches and communities. Two scholar-practitioners who are experts in homiletics and reconciliation present a practical, 7-step model that empowers faithful leaders to bring healing and peace to their fractured churches and world. The book includes questions for reflection, salient illustrations, and an accountability covenant. It also includes useful appendixes on preaching themes, preaching texts, and sample sermons from three leading preachers: Ralph Douglas West, Rich Villodas, and Sandra Maria Van Opstal.
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Saving Your Church From Itself
$16.99Add to cartAs a coach and mentor to hundreds of pastors, Chris Sonksen has had a front-row seat to the unfortunate outcomes when a team member begins to drift from the vision of the church and the leader they serve. But the good news is, these situations never come out of left field. There are always warning signs that, if heeded, allow church leaders to rise to the challenge of keeping their team healthy, unified, and moving forward together.
In this powerfully practical book, Sonksen unpacks six subtle behaviors that undermine team unity and lead to problems that can derail your ministry and even split your church, including:
– pride
– artificial harmony
– isolation
– a critical spirit
– divisiveness
– disrespectBeyond merely identifying the problems, this book offers you a blueprint for what to do when you see or feel evidence of these behaviors creeping into team dynamics.
Alignment of vision and purpose doesn’t happen by accident, and it isn’t maintained without careful attention and proactive strategies. But with Chris Sonksen’s help, you can save your church from itself.
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Calling Of Eve
$16.99Add to cartA solid biblical foundation for women in local church ministry, grounded in a celebration of women of the Bible.
In The Calling of Eve, Jacki C. King explores what God has accomplished through the unique talents and contributions of women of the Bible, drawing inspiration and lessons for all women in ministry today. From the beginning pages of Scripture to contemporary ministries across the globe, women have had a vital and active role in the story of redemption. Jacki reminds and challenges women in every season of life to uncover their distinct design, purpose, and mission for the glory of God.
Jacki has spent years in many ministry settings, serving others and pointing people to God. In this book, she highlights and celebrates the contributions, gifts, and strengths that women display as image bearers of God, and she paints a vivid picture of women surrendered to God’s calling in their lives.
You will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of the courageous women of faith that Jacki honors in this book.
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How To Lead A Healthy Small Group
$16.99Add to cartThis book shares all you need to know to lead a healthy small group.
You have agreed to head up a small group in your church. Now what? How to Lead a Healthy Small Group is your complete guide to managing a small group effectively. From dealing with conflict to knowing how to direct difficult discussions, this book will be an invaluable resource to you as you lead your small group and encourage it to thrive.
In this book, Pastor Kevin Mills:
*explores the characteristics of a healthy small group and many of the issues you will face as a leader;
*explains how to address common issues that arise in small groups; and
*offers insights into how to equip your members to love God and love one another.
This book includes the biblical basis for a small group ministry, inspirational stories, encouragements, creative ideas, and informative steps on how best to minister to your group members.
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Understanding The Bible As A Whole
$16.99Add to cartEverything you need to grasp God’s big picture in Scripture so you can dive deeper into each book of the Bible.
Every single word in the Bible is powerful and purposeful. But too often we can be guilty of thinking that the details of God’s plan for us must be buried in obscurity somewhere in the vastness of the Bible–as if we’re missing God because we missed that tiny iota subscript in the original Greek. What if it is the opposite? What if our daily purpose, our next step tomorrow, our discernment in the moment comes from a broad understanding of God’s revelation in the Bible? When you grasp God’s Word holistically, your life begins to make more sense each and every day. In this book, Sam Rainer will help you:
*Understand God’s big picture as revealed in the Bible
*Explore the major themes of Scripture
*Know quickly and easily the subject and purpose of each book of the BibleSee the entire masterpiece instead of focusing on the brushstrokes. Understand the broad themes that occur from Genesis to Revelation to find God’s purpose and plan for your life.
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Unwavering Pastor : Leading The Church With Grace In Divisive Times
$16.99Add to cartLeadership is hard. Pastoring through divisive times is even harder. How do we lead well when criticized? How do we keep loving the church when hurt by her? What does it look like to remain committed to the gospel in cultural division?
Seasoned pastor Jonathan Dodson comes alongside struggling pastors and ministry leaders to guide them into the comfort of Christ. But he doesn’t stop there. Full of wisdom drawn from 2 Timothy, this book will equip you to lead the church with grace, charity and spiritual power through divisive times.
Great for pastors and ministry leaders who need encouragement and insight, or are wrestling with their calling. Makes a thoughtful gift.
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Mark For You
$17.99Add to cartMark’s fast-paced, action-packed Gospel portrays Jesus in a way that is stunningly compelling-and deeply challenging too.
Join Bible teacher Jason Meyer as he unpacks Mark verse by verse. He unveils how the book fits together, marvels at important details, and highlights key themes. Most of all, he helps you to turn your eyes to Jesus-his power, his wisdom, and his compassionate heart.
This accessible, absorbing expository guide is more applied than a typical commentary, making it a great resource for personal devotion, as well as useful for leading small-group studies or for sermon preparation. Contains foreword by Thomas R. Schreiner.
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Jude Bible Study Book With Video Access
$28.00Add to cartWhile often overlooked, the book of Jude remains as relevant today as the time it was written. God has commanded His beloved church to do the necessary work of contending for the faith in a world of unbelief, and as we do, He will keep us from falling into the same deception.
In this 7-session study from Jackie Hill Perry, dive into themes of being called, loved, and kept, and learn how to point others to Jesus in grace and truth. We serve others well when we share the whole gospel with them, not just the parts deemed attractive by our culture
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Nehemiah For You
$17.99Add to cartThe book of Nehemiah chronicles a key moment in the history of God’s people: the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the return from exile.
Understanding this book doesn’t just mean knowing about a rebuilt wall. Nehemiah helps us think through any type of rebuilding we might do for God–from our homes and families to our local church, our communities and our world. It teaches us, ultimately, about Jesus and his mission.
A pastor with decades of experience in cities, Dr. Eric Mason unpacks this rich book verse by verse. He explains the context, gives plenty of application for our lives today, and shows us what it looks like to get involved in God’s work to build his kingdom.
This expository guide can be read as a book; used as a devotional; and utilized in teaching and preaching.
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Uncovery : Understanding The Power Of Community To Heal Trauma
$16.99Add to cartWhen it comes to Christ-centered recovery, we, the church, have work to do.
Our legalistic, box-checking, one-size-fits-all programs produce astonishingly high failure rates–which means far too many people are left to fight addiction, mental health problems, and suicidal thoughts on their own.
This begs some critical questions of the church:
– Do we really believe transformational recovery and healing is possible?
– Do we really have the right systems and structures to support struggling people?
– Do we really carry a kingdom responsibility to restore people gently?
– Do we really take time to ask God what more He would have us do in the recovery space?This book is for anyone who can’t offer a resounding yes and amen to each of those questions.
With hearts that beat for those struggling with addictions and mental health issues, authors George A. Wood and Brit Eaton present:
– A critical reframing of the word “recovery” and an invitation to answer God’s call for more spirit-led, trauma-informed ministry
– Deeper exploration into the origins of addiction, mental health problems, and suicidal thoughts–and the church’s responsibility to bring God’s healing
– Powerful supernatural testimonies and stories of hope, healing, and life restoration as a result of embracing The Uncovery
– Practical strategies to help Christ-centered recovery leaders bridge the gap between spiritual and scientific communities to better serve struggling people
– A loose and helpful framework for embracing The Uncovery message
– Inspiration for recovery leaders to love and lead in a more inclusive, sacrificial, and Christlike manner while maintaining healthy self-care
The goal of The Uncovery is to help the church–and the world–see recovery through a grace- laced, gospel lens. Some say recovery is the civil rights movement of our generation because believe it or not, recovery is for everyone. And if that statement bothers you? Recovery might be for you, too.
Every single one of us has some trauma or issue from our past that may still be affecting our life today. This book offers readers a not-so-subtle nudge to go deeper in the recovery space for a transformative encounter with Father God to heal from those wounds and lead the promised land life He has planned for us.
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Jesus And Women Bible Study Book With Video Access
$34.75Add to cartImagine walking the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus of Nazareth-braving jostling crowds just to touch the edge of His cloak and hear Him say, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”
Those words, once meant to comfort a hurting woman’s soul thousands of years ago, were also meant for you.
Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. Over 7 sessions, examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today.
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Isaiah Bible Study Book With Video Access
$21.99Add to cartIsaiah served as God’s mouthpiece to the nation of Judah but also to the surrounding nations. His message echoes into our lives today as we read his call to rely on the Lord. Using the genres of poetry, narrative, and prophecy, Isaiah communicated clearly that followers of God could trust in Him.
As you study the chapters Isaiah wrote-from his challenging words to the nation of Israel to his prophecies of the Messiah to come-learn to rest in God’s promises and grow in trust. Unpacking Isaiah’s words will reveal that you can trust God more than your own human effort or the counterfeits the world suggests. You won’t be striving harder, but instead trusting more deeply the Faithful One who is so worthy of our utter dependence. In Him you’ll find the comfort and peace you need to sustain you.
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Gospel On The Ground Bible Study Book With Video Access
$34.75Add to cartCome along with biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland as she unpacks the life of the early church in the book of Acts and shows us that the kingdom of God is always on the move, always looking outward to bring meaning and joy to a world searching for true fulfillment and hope. Explore the call of Jesus to His disciples then and to us today. See how God’s Word can sustain us even in the most difficult of times and embrace the transformative grace we experience as children of God in His kingdom of celebration.
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Teamwork Cross Culturally
$22.00Add to cartFollowing Sherwood Lingenfelter’s successful books on ministering, teaching, and leading cross-culturally (with combined sales of over 200,000 copies), Teamwork Cross-Culturally casts a vision for how teams made up of diverse peoples can serve in unity as the body of Christ despite the complicated problems that arise. The book equips leaders to respond to divisive issues so that multinational mission teams can do the work of ministry in ways that honor God. Real-life examples of teamwork challenges from around the world demonstrate that “in Christ” responses are achievable.
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Experiencing God Bible Study Book With Video Access
$30.75Add to cartExperiencing God Bible Study Book includes revised printed content for 12 sessions, personal study between group sessions, and applicable Scripture. Also, each Book contains unique codes that enable you to access teaching videos for each session.
Over the years, God has used the truths of Experiencing God to awaken believers to a radically God-centered way of life. As a result, millions have come to know God intimately, to recognize His voice, and to understand His will for their lives. This new edition is revised, updated, and ready to help you again-or for the very first time-experience your Creator.
God is inviting you into an intimate love relationship through which He reveals to you His will, His ways, and His work. When you recognize where God is working, you can join Him in what He is doing. Carefully listening to His voice will anchor you in His plan and set you free to live it with boldness and freedom. Then you will experience God doing through you what only He can do.
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Ministry Survival Guide
$19.99Add to cartA Ministry Survival Guide: Straight from the Heart explores the joys and challenges of life in the spotlight of ministry. Relatable stories, survival tips, biblical mentors, and a Bible study guide provide a valuable resource for pastors’ wives, women in ministry, and anyone who desires to thrive, not just survive in the Christian life. This book will help you, live a public-private life, fortify your marriage, balance family and ministry, prevent burnout, navigate transitions, manage painful relationships, grow through personal challenges, build a godly support system, discover blessings beneath burdens, nurture your soul.
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Armor Of God Bible Study Book With Video Access
$24.99Add to cartAll day, every day, an invisible war rages around you – unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny.
But his battle plan depends on catching you unaware and unarmed. If you’re tired of being pushed around and caught with your guard down, this study is for you.
The enemy always fails miserably when he meets a woman dressed for the occasion. The Armor of God, more than merely a biblical description of the believer’s inventory, is an action plan for putting it on and developing a personalized strategy to secure victory.
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Finding I AM Bible Study Book With Video Access
$32.00Add to cartWhat is the deep cry of your heart? The ache in your soul just waiting to be fulfilled? The prayer you keep repeating without end? Jesus not only cares about this deep, spiritual wrestling, but He also wants to step in and see you through it.
Join Lysa TerKeurst on the streets of Israel to explore the I AM statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John, ultimately trading feelings of emptiness and depletion for the fullness of knowing who Jesus is in this in-depth Bible study.
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Find Your People Study Guide Plus Streaming Video (Student/Study Guide)
$22.99Add to cartThis Study Guide includes:
*Individual access to 7 streaming video sessions
*Discussion and reflection questions with video notes
*Personal study between sessions
*Leader’s GuideNever in the history of civilization have we been more connected and felt more alone. We are all so lonely. What if fundamentally the ways we have set up our lives is broken? We’ve withdrawn rather than moved through it. We want supper clubs and friends, instead of war partners. We have a wrong view of community.
This 7-session video Bible study begins with a look at the original community in Genesis, the Trinity, and the creation of people to see what God had planned for us all along. We will also discover throughout the study the five life patterns required to build deep, connected relationships:
*Proximity
*Shared Mission
*Transparency
*Accountability
*ConsistencyThe seven sessions include:
*Week 1: Introduction / God’s Plan It is not good for man to be alone. (Creation)
*Week 2: Shame / The Disruption of Community Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. (Shame)
*Week 3: Sitting Around the Fire / Proximity I will make My dwelling among you. (God’s Presence)
*Week 4: Working Together / Shared Mission Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. (Jesus and the Disciples)
*Week 5: Open Doors / Transparency And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (Acts)
*Week 6: Tribal Elders / Accountability Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (The Church Grows)
*Week 7: Meals Together / Consistency Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (The Kingdom of God / New Heavens)
Designed for use with the following items, each sold separately:
Find Your People Video Study
Find Your People Conversation Card Deck*Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2026. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Eligible only on retail purchases inside the United States. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
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3:16 Study Guide With DVD Updated Edition (Student/Study Guide)
$25.00Add to cartIn this updated classic, bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado unpacks the meaning behind John 3:16, one of the best-known and most-beloved passages in the Bible. This simple verse came out of an unusual conversation that Jesus had under the cover of night with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. From the start, Nicodemus made it clear he inhabited a land of good efforts, sincere gestures, and hard work. Give God your best, his philosophy said, and God does the rest. Jesus’ response? Your best won’t do. Your works don’t work. Unless you are born again, you can’t even see what God is doing.
Born again. The word born, by definition, implies a passive act. The enwombed child contributes nothing to the delivery. Postpartum celebrations applaud the work of the mother who does the delivery. And the Greek term that Jesus used for again implies that the one who did the work the first time will repeat it. In other words, the original Creator will re-create his creation! Born: God exerts the effort. Again: God restores the beauty. We don’t try again. We need, not the muscle of self, but a miracle of God.
The thought bewildered Nicodemus. “How can this be?” he asked. Jesus answered by leading him to the Hope diamond of the Bible: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” A twenty-six-word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. A verse brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment . . . yet solid enough to weather 2,000 years of storms and questions. As this study will reveal, the heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God’s treatment for the human heart is prescribed in John 3:16: “He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.”
The five sessions include:
1. The Most Famous Conversation in the Bible
2. Hope for the Hard Heart
3. The Heart He Offers
4. Heaven’s “Whoever” Policy
5. The Last Word on LifeThis pack contains one study guide and one DVD.
*Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2026. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Eligible only on retail purchases inside the United States. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.
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Garden The Curtain And The Cross Sunday School Lessons
$14.99Add to cartThis six-session Sunday School curriculum is based on the bestselling storybook The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and takes kids on a journey through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, thrilling them with God’s loving determination for his people to enjoy life with him.
Featuring age-differentiated lesson plans for 2-4s, 5-8s, and 9-12s, this flexible resource will work for any size of kids’ group and is easy to use for any leader.
Includes activity, craft, game and music ideas, along with an exclusive link and password for free downloadable resources.
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God And The Transgender Debate
$16.99Add to cartIn the West, more and more Christians are coming across the topic of gender identity in their everyday lives. Legislative changes are impacting more and more areas of life, including education, employment and state funding, with consequences for religious liberty, free speech and freedom of conscience that affect everyone. So it’s a crucial moment to consider how to engage lovingly, thoughtfully and biblically with one of the most explosive cultural discussions of our day.
This warm, faithful and compassionate book that helps Christians understand what the Bible says about gender identity has been updated and expanded throughout, and now includes a section on pronoun usage and a new chapter challenging some of the claims of the transgender activist movement.
Andrew T. Walker also answers questions such as: What is transgender and gender fluidity? How should churches respond? What does God’s word actually say about these issues?
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40 Days To Excellence In Church Management
$16.99Add to cartThe modern church is being poorly managed but does not know it. The level of inefficiency and waste in today’s churches is staggering. 40 Days to Excellence in Church Management was written specifically for churches to convey basic business wisdom, management principles, and the best business practices. Unlike intimidating business textbooks, it includes forty short vignettes designed to be read like a daily devotional. Each chapter deals with everyday challenges and offers real-life examples derived from the author’s more than thirty years of experience. It shows how to (and sometimes how not to) handle each situation of conducting business for the church.
