In Ephesians Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne offers a clear exposition of this letter that takes seriously both its first-century context and what it means for us today.
The stories in the first half of the book of Daniel are Sunday School favorites, and the visions of the second half are sometimes hard to understand. How do either of them relate to the world today, with its frequent news of conflict, injustice, and human suffering? In Glimpsing the Mystery, Barbara M. Leung Lai succinctly takes readers through Daniel, showing throughout how God responds to the needs of his people in difficult times. In a world that seems out of control, God provides glimpses into the mystery of his glory and sovereignty, showing that he has not stopped working and reassuring us that he is still the God of gods and Lord of lords. It is a message that is as necessary today as it was in Daniel's time.
The disciples and early Christians faced doubt, opposition, and threats--just like many Christians do today. In Together with the World, Michael Wagenman shows how the book of Acts can help modern Christians respond to crisis and critique in our contemporary world. The book of Acts is about more than simply the beginning of church history. In Together for the World we find a group of disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, following God's call to spread the good news.
If God asked you to live faithfully in the midst of upheaval, even if the cost was high, how would you respond? What if he made extraordinary and difficult demands? The prophet Habakkuk struggled with these very questions as he tried to follow God step-by-step during a time of unrest. "Living by faith" sounds great on the surface, but when we face hardship and opposition, it's easy to seek security and stability instead of God's will. In Faith Amid the Ruins, Heath Thomas walks us through the book of Habakkuk, revealing the heart of this story about living by faith in light of God's own faithfulness toward us.
Family devotions can be hard to schedule and plan--and doing so in a meaningful way can be especially difficult during the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. As you guide your family through this season, Anticipating His Arrival helps you and your family remember his first advent on Christmas and prepare for his second coming, celebrating and anticipating both events. Each day's Scripture reading includes discussion questions with accompanying responses to make it easy for you to engage the themes of preparation, anticipation, joy, and incarnation throughout the season of Advent. The reading schedule--which begins the first Sunday of Advent and ends on Christmas Day--has been adapted from the Revised Common Lectionary and includes devotions for all three years in the liturgical cycle, with every year drawing on the Synoptic Gospels.
Study the book of James with a new kind of commentary. This highly visual volume allows you to follow the flow and structure of James, tracing literary and linguistic clues to identify the big ideas in each passage. Stunning graphics further articulate these ideas, and personal illustrations help you apply them, as Steven E. Runge leverages his expertise in discourse analysis to help you understand James' appeal to the church. The High Definition Commentary series helps you discover insights that were once out of reach. Each volume analyzes plot twists, shocking moments, and the development of ideas. Study the Bible as it's always been--in a whole new way.
Revelation is often considered one of the most confusing books of the Bible, and consequently it's regularly overlooked or ignored. But no longer. In Between the Cross and the Throne, Matthew Emerson walks us through the book of Revelation, unpacking its complex imagery and pointing out major themes. In conversational tone, he reminds us that Christ died, but he has risen. The Lord reigns, but evil persists. We live between Christ's ascension and his final conquest--and that should give us hope.
A systemic problem plagues the local and global church: we habitually lose the gospel. The gospel has been equated with everything from personal prosperity to laws for virtuous living. But all such perceptions paralyze the mission of the church, which is aimed at finding true abundant and joyful life in Christ. In Galatians, the Apostle Paul engages in a passionate defense of the gospel. It may be a short book, but the consequences of its teaching are truly enormous. Martin Luther found such joy and peace in its pages that he said, "The Epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine"--Luther's beloved wife. The critical message of Galatians takes us into the heart of an experience--the enjoyment of God's presence and everlasting peace--one which sets us free to love and be loved. In Live in Liberty, Daniel Bush and Noel Due bring out the spiritual message of Paul's words, helping you apply it to your mind and soul so that you may experience the liberating presence of God. Also included is a study guide by Lee Beckham.--Publisher description.
How did the Apostle Paul view the Church? And where does Israel fit in? How are the promises to Israel fulfilled? In Heirs of Promise, P. Chase Sears discusses this relationship between the Church and Israel, and he explains how that affects our understanding of the Old Testament. Using a biblical-theological approach to the book of Romans, Sears argues that Paul understood the church not as a replacement of Israel, but as the new Israel--the continuation of Israel reconstituted in Christ. And Jesus, as the Son of God, is the true Israel who fulfills all of God's purposes for Israel and creation. Sears shows how the Old Testament promises to Israel are being fulfilled in the Church.
Romans 9--11 has long been an interpretive battleground. While many scholars understand it to be a treatise on election, Aaron Sherwood argues that Paul is primarily interested in defending God's covenantal faithfulness. The first major passage of this section includes a long series of Old Testament citations, and Paul uses these texts to explain what God is doing with Jews who have rejected Jesus. In The Word of God Has Not Failed, Sherwood presents a fresh reading of Romans 9:6--29, focusing on Paul's use of Scripture. Since this passage contains such a high concentration of Old Testament quotations, it is vital to explore how Paul understood and interpreted those texts. Only then can we really understand the thrust of Paul's message. According to Sherwood, Paul sees the rejection of the gospel by unbelieving Jews as idolatry. He explains how God's judgment on them is working to fulfill his covenantal promises. And he shows that the inclusion of believing Gentiles is a fulfillment of God's promises to bless Israel and to make them a blessing to the nations.--Publisher description.
Spurgeon Commentary: Hebrews collects Charles Spurgeon's thoughts on the letter to the Hebrews a commentary format and includes sermon illustrations and applications.
You have permission to do something incredible.Whether you'd like to start a different career, earn greater income, or perhaps accomplish something unrelated to your job, you can do it! And now is the time to start.In Start Next Now, successful entrepreneur Bob Pritchett shares his guiding principles, which have grown his company to over 440 employees today. You won't find mere inspirational puffery here. This fast-paced book provides you with an actual plan to start achieving your goal before you even finish reading. So what are you waiting for? It's time to start next now.
What does it really mean for the church to have unity? When Jesus prayed for his followers to be one, he prayed that this unity would demonstrate the truth of his claims to an unbelieving world. Sadly, the world often sees a church that is divided. Some of our divisions are based on legitimate theological concerns, yet many others are simply matters of opinion. To the world, it's all another reason to doubt God. What are the differences worth dividing over? How should we handle diversity? Mending a Fractured Church, edited by Michael Bird and Brian Rosner, seeks to answer such questions, looking to the Bible for examples of how to behave when Christians differ. Speaking to pastors, churches, and seminary students, the contributors provide a guide to maintaining unity without compromise.
Spurgeon Commentary: 2 Thessalonians, 2 Timothy, Titus collects Charles Spurgeon's thoughts on these letters in a commentary format and includes sermon illustrations and applications.
Revised edition of doctoral dissertation Fuller Theological Seminary, 1997.
Discover new meaning in the life of Abraham. Dig up the nuggets you might have missed. Discuss questions you've never thought to ask. Infuse your sermons with energy and conviction. Learn new ways to apply Abraham's story in your life. Get connected with others in your church. Abraham: Following God's Promise is perfect for small groups, and it's best used in conjunction with the complete curriculum package for your entire church. The topics in each small group Bible study integrate with your pastor's sermons. Everything is centered on the Word, so you get a complete, shared Bible study experience with your entire church.
Joseph was favored by his father. But his life took a tragic turn when his brothers sold him in to slavery. Joseph: Understanding God's Purpose will help you gain insights into Joseph's story as you explore the themes, context, and cultural background of the text. Discussion questions will help you apply what you've learned to your own life. This Bible character study, edited by Michael R. Grigoni and written by Derek R. Brown, Miles Custis, Douglas Mangum, and Matthew M. Whitehead, will help you dig deep into the life of Joseph. Walk with Joseph and discover what it means to trust God no matter what your circumstance. Contents: Setting the Stage Explore theme, literary context, and the histrical and cultural backgrounds of Joseph's story.A Closer Look Explore the narrative while considering issues of interpretation, original language, and theology.Throughout the Bible Examine references to the narrative elsewhere in the Bible.Beyond the Bible Consider references to the narrative in ancient documents and extracanonical texts and references and by theologians, the church fathers, and contemporary thinkers.Application Explore the event's relevance to your journey of faith.
Chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Mary played a singular role in God's plan of redemption. And her life, relationships, and faith continue to hold significance for believers today. By responding faithfully to God's call, Mary began an extraordinary journey of transformation from Jesus' loving mother to one of His devoted followers. In this 8-week study, authors Miles Custis, Michael R. Grigoni, Douglas Mangum, Matthew M. Whitehead, Rebecca Brant, John D. Barry, and Elizabeth Vince help you discover new meaning in the life of Mary. Each chapter of Mary: Devoted to God's Plan is structured to maximize your study by exploring the themes, context, and background of events Mary's life, as well as offering biblical parallels, extra-biblical references, and insights into how Mary's experiences are relevant to your journey of faith. Walk through life with Mary, learning along the way how her story is like your story. Contents Each chapter of Mary: Devoted to God's Plan is structured to maximize your study: Theme Introduces the meaning and relevance of an event in Mary's lifeLiterary Context Illustrates the conditions surrounding that eventHistorical and Cultural Background Presents relevant data about the ancient worldA Closer Look Gives a walk-through of the event while exploring issues of interpretation, original language, and theologyThroughout the Bible Examines discussion of the event elsewhere in the BibleBeyond the Bible Treats references to the event in ancient documents and extracanonical texts and references and by theologians, the church fathers, and contemporary thinkersApplication Concludes the chapter by exploring the event's relevance to your journey of faith You'll also find Quick Tips offering insight into difficult passages, historical information, original language wording, and ancient thought.
As the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of 1 Peter coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike. Peter shows us that we are refugees. His letter, written to persecuted Christians, is one of hope. Although we may face trials and experience pain and confusion in our life journeys, our inheritance is "kept in heaven." Like early Christians, we are en route to a far greater kingdom. And we are not alone in our journey--Jesus shows us the way. He bears our burdens and teaches us how to live. Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life. This is not your average Bible study!
The doctrine of the Trinity confounds many Christians. Because they do not have a proper understanding of this truth, they therefore lack the means to make it meaningful in their theology, worship, and everyday life. Resurrecting the Trinity wants to change this. In non-academic prose, this book explains the fuzziness and apathy surrounding the Trinity. It provides a fascinating and erudite journey as to how it got this way, and then goes on to show how it is the center of everything and how this glorious doctrine exudes with love, vitality, and richness. An expert in historical and systematic theology, the author contends that "the existence of God as Trinity was the central affirmation of the ancient church and the truth from which all other theological understanding flowed. However, for us Western Christians (both Protestant and Catholic) the Trinity has faded into obscurity, the light shed by its reality dimmed to the point of nearly flickering out. While we still verbally affirm the truth of the Trinity, for all practical purposes we have lost its meaning, and in the process lost the biblical picture of Jesus Christ as Lord of creation as well. Were we to deny the Trinity altogether, it is doubtful much would change in our churches on a day-to-day basis."
In Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World--and Why it Matters, Michael S. Heiser uses his expertise and 15 years of research to tackle questions about what the Bible really says about the unseen world.Ronn Johnson's Supernatural: A Study Guide will help you further explore the ancient worldview of the Bible. Johnson walks through main themes and big picture ideas from Supernatural, while connecting each with practical applications. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter are designed for individual study or discussion with a small group.
"Race is one of the most pressing issues of our time; How should pastors tackle it from the pulpit? In this collection of essays, issues of race and ethnicity are explored from a variety of perspectives, offering guidance to pastors on how to address those topics in their own contexts. Each builds on a foundational passage of Scripture. With contributions from Bryan Loritts, Ray Ortlund, J. D. Greear, and more, Ministers of Reconciliation offers practical and biblically faithful approaches to the subject of race"--
"If a sermon is preached in a church and no one is listening, does it make a difference?" There are many expository preachers who forego dynamic delivery and many dynamic preachers who lose sight of faithfully communicating the biblical text. Too often preachers feel they have to choose one or the other. But dynamic delivery and faithful exposition are not mutually exclusive. In Preaching to Be Heard, Lucas O'Neill shows pastors that presenting engaging sermons that are biblically focused is not an impossibility. In fact, the key to commanding attention lies in the text itself. Rather than relying on tricks or gimmicks, his approach to sermon writing focuses on maintaining tension throughout while sticking close to the biblical text. Using practical examples and a step-by-step method, O'Neill shows pastors how relying on the inherent anticipation within Scripture can lead to sermons that are powerful-and heard.
enGendered celebrates the God-given distinctions between a man and a woman. It concludes that the more distinction is embraced, the closer a man and woman become. Thus gender, rightly understood, is a tool for intimacy. Written in a compassionate tone and winsome style, the volume speaks to Christians who want to know what the Bible says about gender differences and why. This theology of gender is also of value for people who struggle with same-sex attraction but want to follow Christ.
"Christ 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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