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Many people run scared from the middle school youth room. But (thankfully!) there are people out there who are actually drawn to those young teens. Although often times they're not equipped to deal with the unique challenges that middle school ministry presents, or they're just not sure what to do when a room full of young teens (who are "e;part child, but not quite adult"e;) are running around the youth room. Finally, there's a comprehensive guide to middle school ministry, from two veterans of this unchartered territory. Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin help youth workers understand the importance of middle school ministry, the development process for young teens and their implications for ministry, and how to best minister to these sometimes misunderstood students. They share their experiences (as middle school pastors and parents of middle schoolers), giving youth workers he encouragement, hope, and training they need to succeed in middle school ministry.

The Zondervan Essential Companion to Christian History gives you what it promises: the essentials.Following a brief introduction that outlines the key events of the New Testament era, there is a chapter devoted to each century of Christian history beginning with the year 100 and ending roughly at the year 2000. Each chapter flows chronologically featuring:A brief overview, highlighting the main threads and issues running through the relevant centuryKey historical developments explainedThematic connections between centuriesColor-coded sidebars on Persons, Ideas, or EventsPersons: key figures either within or without the Church who have impacted Christian history significantly or who otherwise deserve special mentionIdeas: important Christian books, as well as heresies, doctrines, or political movementsEvents: world-historical occurrences such as battles, natural disasters, inventions, or elections that have affected the development of Christianity in the worldThe final chapter, devoted to the present century concludes the companion identifying key themes that the Christian Church is presently dealing with and suggesting future issues. A select Glossary of terms is provided at the end of the book, as well as a bibliographic list of suggested reading.This highly informative, broad-ranging book provides vital facts on the growth and impact of Christianity from the apostles to the present day not only in the Western world but also globally, including the development of Eastern Orthodox and Armenian Christianity, as well as considering Christianity in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Baltic and Slavic states, and India. The companion is organized by century, going through the major events, ideas, and personalities that have shaped Christian history around the world.Whether you are a student or a lay person, a church-goer or unacquainted with Christianity, this book will help you grasp the global, multifaceted story of Christians.

Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, form a growing population in both numbers and influence. Yet few people have more than a passing knowledge of the document that defines and drives this important movement-the Book of Mormon. A former Mormon and an adult convert to Christianity, author Ross Anderson provides a clear summary of the Book of Mormon including its history, teachings, and unique features. Stories from the author and other ex-Mormons illustrate the use of Mormon scripture in the Latter-day Saint church. Anderson gives special attention to how the Book of Mormon relates to Christian beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible. With discussion questions to facilitate group use and a focus on providing an accurate portrayal of Mormons beliefs, Understanding the Book of Mormon is an indispensable guide for anyone wishing to become more familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its most formative scripture.

An engaging visual survey of Scripture's main lessons, this Bible companion makes Scripture accessible and memorable for students, laypeople, and anyone curious to know more about God's Wordand have it stick.Saint Augustine once referred to the Biblethis ancient collection of sacred documentsas our "e;letters from home."e;If Scripture feels daunting to you in some way. If its pages seem inhospitable. If the Bible isn't the kind of book you're likely to have on your coffee table, accessible to all who enter your homethan this resource may be your key to unlocking the true approachability of the Bible.Much human understanding occurs visually. When it comes to quickly grasping and retaining information, the human brain functions best with a combination of words and pictures. The Most Significant Teachings in the Bible is designed to visually communicate the wisdom of the Bible in an informative and understandable way.Organized into nine major themes that link biblical frameworks to everyday life--such as "e;Getting to Know God"e; and "e;Struggles and Suffering"e;this appealing Bible companion brings to vivid clarity the overarching message of Scripture.Inside you'll find:At-a-glance snapshots or infographics of biblical themes and Bible verses.Life application call-out boxes for easy reference.Easy-to-read written summaries of biblical topics and chapters.Useful lists, charts, and other visual aids.God's Word deserves our attention. After all, it's the greatest power on earth. But that doesn't mean it has to be a chore to read and understand. Because, as intimidating as it is, the Bible is our great "e;letter from home,"e; God's words to us, everything he needs us to know about himself.The Most Significant Teachings in the Bible is your gateway to a greater understanding and appreciation for those words.

The Rich Meaning Behind the Hebrew and Greek Words of the Bible Whether you're a pastor, a student, or simply a lover of the Bible, this book helps you get more out of God's Word by revealing the original meanings of key biblical words. The reader-friendly, narrative style makes it easy to explore the Hebrew and Greek words that lie behind the English words. You'll discover significant shades of meaning and nuances that bring depth to your understanding of Scripture. This highly accessible reference tool surpasses the well-known Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words in a number of ways: *; Thorough coverage of both Old and New Testaments gives you a firm grasp of the entire Bible. *; The Goodrick/Kohlenberger numbering system allows for accurate identification of Hebrew and Greek words. *; Top evangelical scholarship ensures current insights into the meanings of words. *; Biblical concepts are fully discussed, providing you not only with understanding, but also, where appropriate, with practical and devotional insights you can apply to your life. *; Entry words are taken from the NIV and the NASBrespectively, the best-selling contemporary translation and today's most literal word-for-word translation. *; Major KJV terms are cross-referenced to broaden your understanding of translational nuances and distinctions. *; Four indexes include: Hebrew words, Greek words, Scripture references, and topical index. ';Exceptional value . . . Clear, precise, and balanced.'James Montgomery Boice, Pastor, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia ';A milestone in Bible study aids.'Jerry E. White, Executive Director, The Navigators Zondervan's Understand the Bible Reference Series This six-volume series supplies users of today's most popular modern Bible translation, the New International Version, with scholarly, economical, and uncompromisingly evangelical study tools. It includes the New International Bible Commentary, New International Bible Dictionary, New International Bible Concordance, and New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words, New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, and the New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters.

Creative, engaging Bible study questions are hard to come by ... without rewriting questions for yourself. Each book of questions leads a small group through a book (or combination of books) in the Bible-helping students become more biblically literate, and allowing them to come face-to-face with God's Word. Students will be pushed, encouraged, and challenged by these studies. But more than all this, they will be changed. Each passage of Scripture sets the topic-and the questions are constructed to help students think deeply, talk openly, and apply what they are learning to their lives. Leaders will be able to pick it up and use it immediately with kids. Volunteers are looking for good "e;book of the Bible studies"e; they can pick up and use in their groups. Grab it and go, these studies will meet your students where they are and help them see how God's Word can speak to their world.

Why does God feel so far away? The reason--and the solution--is in your attachment style.We all experience moments when God's love and presence are tangible. But we also experience feeling utterly abandoned by God. Why?The answer is found when you take a deep look at the other important relationships in your life and understand your attachment style. Through his years working in trauma recovery programs, extensive research into attachment science, and personal experiences with spiritual striving and abuse, licensed therapist Krispin Mayfield has learned to answer the question: Why do I feel so far from God?When you understand your attachment style you gain a whole new paradigm for a secure and loving relationship with God. You'll gain insights about:How you relate to others--both your strengths and weaknessesThe practical exercises you can use to grow a secure spiritual attachment to GodHow to move forward on the spirituality spectrum and experience the Divine connection we all were created forYou'll learn to identify and remove mixed messages about closeness with God that you may have heard in church or from well-meaning Christians. With freedom from the past, you can then chart a new path toward intimate connection with the God of the universe.

What You Should Know about Islam's Holy Book How is it like the Bible? How is it different? Why is it important? Muslims believe the Koran exists as a literal book in heaven and was dictated to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. It is only the length of the New Testament, yet a fifth of the world claims it is the complete revelation of God. To most Americans, though, the Koran remains a mystery. Did you know that the Koran teaches the virgin birth and miracle-filled, prophetic ministry of Jesus? Claims to fully embrace his teachings? Reveres Abraham, Moses, Jonah, and other biblical prophets? Find out how the Koran resembles the Bible-and the drastic ways in which it differs. Understanding the Koran gives you a fascinating essential grasp of Islam's holy book: where it came from, what it teaches, how Muslims view it, and how the Allah of the Koran compares with the God of the Bible. Cherished as the final, perfect revelation of God's will by 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide, the Koran has become a part of American life. Today, those who read and memorize it may work in your town, shop where you shop, or send their children to the same school your kids attend. What do you know about the holy book that shapes the lives and eternal destinies of your neighbors and a fifth of the world's population? While some similarities exist between the Koran and the Bible, the differences are striking. Written by a pastor who was born to a Muslim father and raised in Saudi Arabia, Understanding the Koran gives you a fascinating, easy-to-understand overview that will show you: *Why the background behind the Koran is important *How the Koran came into existence *A summary of the main teachings of the Koran, including what it says about Jesus and the crucifixion *Similarities and differences between Muslim and Christian views of God *What the Koran teaches about Jihad and holy war *What the Koran teaches about heaven and hell More than furnishing you with an essential grasp of Islam's holy book, Understanding the Koran points you to the one thing that can draw your Muslim friends to Jesus-his love, demonstrated to them through you. Discussion questions enable you to use this book in group studies

Spiritual discernment is a key theme in the Scriptures. From the Garden when Adam and Eve turned away from the simplest terms of a relationship with God, to the Garden when John the Apostle wrote the book of Revelation to a distracted people anticipating eternity, discerning God has been the heart of the matter. In modern times, however, we have forgotten the basic premise of practicing a preference for God, out of which we then are invited to live for God. Instead, we have implanted strategic planning, head-to-head battling, and will-of-God knowing in its place. In The Discerning Life, Stephen A. Macchia seeks to upend the one-eyed and limited Christian understandings of spiritual discernment and invite readers and leaders to reconsider how they prioritize the care of their souls, the grace of their communities, and the mission of their lives, churches, and organizations. When we have a fuller understanding of how spiritual discernment matters to the whole of our lives, we will in turn encourage others to follow likewise and then lean fully into the mission, mandate, and message of the whole counsel of God.

This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters.After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough? Eventually Ora-Jay and Irene learned that grace-not works-was enough to ensure their place in eternity. But with that knowledge came the realization that they could no longer live in an Amish community that didn't share this precious belief. Could they sever their connection to the Amish family they loved?This is the story of their journey to the hope that is heaven, a hope stronger than the loss of children, family, and a way of life. Fans of Amish fiction will appreciate such a real-life look into the Amish community, co-written by bestselling author Tricia Goyer, and readers of all kinds will resonate with this tale of courage, resilience, and the redemption found in the grace of Jesus.

How cultivating a healthy fear of God liberates us from our fear of others, our fear of the future, and even our fear of death itself.At times the world feels like it's losing its mind. From politics to the pandemic, we live with an ever-increasing uncertainty, and many of us have grown to fear the rapid disintegration of our society and our own lives.Recovering Our Sanity is not another self-help book about how to beat your daily fears for a better life. It's a book that will show you the gravity and glory of a God who's worthy of our fear. It's a book that will reveal how these two biblical phrasesFear God and Do Not Be Afraidare not contradictory but actually one coherent message.Michael HortonProfessor of Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminaryshows us that we cannot fight our fears by seeking the absence of fear altogether, but by living with a fear of God that drives out the fear of everything else. Horton will walk you through the case for the fear of God by:Developing what it means to fear God, biblically and theologically, and what this kind of fear looks like in practice.Categorizing different types of fearsfrom cultural anxiety to pain and hardshipand what they stem from.Focusing on how to confront our earthly fears with our hope in Christ, rooted in the gospel.Reminding us that God does not exist for us; we exist for God.Humbling, thought-provoking, and hope-igniting, Recovering Our Sanity delivers a timely message that will help you shift your focus from a human-centered obsession with self-preservation to a fixation on Christ and his salvation.Rather than clinging to false securities and promises of immediate gratification, you can gain the lasting joy of knowing the One who has given himself to save us and who says to us, "e;Do not be afraid."e;

A Mindful Moment is a teen devotional that explores how to let go of negative emotions and restless thoughts and find the still, small voice of God deep within.

Love makes the world a beautiful place! Join everyone's favorite hippo, Fiona, as she visits her friends at the zoo, learning as much as she can about how animals show love.

Literary Critters soars with imagination as it introduces young readers to iconic authors like William Shakesbear, Beatrix Trotter, Crane Austen, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, and many more while promoting the importance of reading and storytelling in a whimsical and inventive way.

A refreshing read in the midst of discouraging times, The Art of Getting It Wrong by popular YouTube star Stephen Miller shares never-before-told stories that will guide you to a healthier perspective on life's failures, setbacks, and disappointments.

Dr. Myron Rolle--neurosurgery resident, Rhodes Scholar, former NFL player--shares how the strong work ethic, faith, and family values instilled in him by his immigrant parents and older brothers combined with a simple-yet-transformative life philosophy to enable him to overcome adversity, defy expectations, and build a life of meaning and purpose.

Welcome to Madison Park, a place of self-determination, hope, and the American dream. And meet Eric Motley, raised in this remarkable Alabama community founded by freed slaves, a place that taught him everything he needed to know on his journey to becoming Special Assistant to President George W. Bush at the Oval Office.

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book that imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug.

When you breathe in all the grace available to you and release everything that is outside of your control, you'll discover peace that surpasses your circumstances. All it takes is practice.If you feel overwhelmed with anxiety about the future, you're far from alone. For many of us, when we're not worrying about what is to come, we find ourselves wrestling with things from the past. Where does that leave us today?Morgan Harper Nichols has learned the answer to this question. She has examined stories from her own life and the lives of people around the world and noticed a common thread: we all long for peace. We're all seeking light and life. But these things don't happen passively. Peace Is a Practice invites you to become a peacemaker in your own life, starting right where you are, and in some of the most unexpected places. As these words and images inspire you to take daily steps toward peace, you'll uncover the key to:Embracing the beauty of the presentLetting go of regret of the past and fear of the futureDeveloping a path toward meaning and authenticityApproaching life's challenges with faith and a calm confidenceFeeling peace even in the midst of uncertainty or difficult times In every moment, there is something as deep and boundless as a winding river waiting to be found--a true peace that flows, beckoning you to rest . . . and be still.

Could sharing your faith be the secret to unlocking your spiritual growth?For many followers of Jesus, spiritual growth involves a series of spiritual practices that promise to deepen our connection with God and train us in the ways of Jesus. Unfortunately, these practices are often disconnected from the mission and purposes of God in reaching a lost world with the gospel message. But what if the secret to unlocking spiritual growth was as simple as infusing our spiritual practices with an outward focus?In the Organic Disciples Study Guide, Kevin and Sherry Harney walk ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our prayers, Bible reading, giving, and other practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry explain how God's plan for our own spiritual growth is intimately connected to his purposes for the church, unleashing God's power in our lives as we engage God's mission to the world.True spiritual growth and maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. And in a surprising twist, our own spiritual growth will often remain stunted and limited until we take the step of joining God in his mission to love others. This book will help you see how Jesus modelled a lifestyle of loving others, overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity, and design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission.Used together with the Organic Disciples book and the free video study and online assessment available at OrganicOutreach.com, churches and individuals can better identify where they are in their growth journey and what the next steps are in becoming more like Jesus.

Could sharing your faith be the secret to unlocking your spiritual growth?For many followers of Jesus, spiritual growth involves a series of spiritual practices that promise to deepen our connection with God and train us in the ways of Jesus. Unfortunately, these practices are often disconnected from the mission and purposes of God in reaching a lost world with the gospel message. What if the secret to unlocking spiritual growth was as simple as infusing our spiritual practices with an outward focus? What if we could learn from the example of Jesus and walk naturally in his footsteps as he leads us closer to the heart of God and the deepest needs of the world?In Organic Disciples, Kevin and Sherry Harney lead ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our Bible reading, prayer, community life, giving, service, and other biblical practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry explain how God's plan for our spiritual growth is intimately connected to his mission to the world.True spiritual growth and maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. And in a surprising twist, our own spiritual growth will often remain stunted and limited until we take the step of joining God in his mission to love others. This book will help you see how Jesus modelled a lifestyle of loving others, overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity, and design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission.Along with the Organic Disciples book, churches and individuals can utilize a free, self-directed online tool to help each person identify where they are in their growth journey. In addition, there will be an eight-week sermon series and small group curriculum to take congregations and Christians deeper on this journey.

This hardcover edition of the bestselling, full-color NIrV Adventure Bible for Early Readers is in a pack of 12, perfect for churches and ministries buying in bulk for outreach purposes.

A variety of perspectives exist within the Christian community when it comes to political issues and political involvement. This comprehensive and readable book presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life so Christians should be involved in political issues. In brief, this is an analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense. In this ground-breaking book, recognized evangelical Bible professor Wayne Grudem rejects five mistaken views about Christian influence on politics: (1) "e;compel religion,"e; (2) "e;exclude religion,"e; (3) "e;all government is demonic,"e; (4) "e;do evangel-ism, not politics,"e; and (5) "e;do politics, not evangelism."e; He proposes a better alternative: (6) "e;significant Christian influence on government."e; Then he explains the Bible's teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad government. Does the Bible support some form of democracy? Should judges and the courts hold the ultimate power in a nation? With respect to specific political issues, Grudem argues that most people's political views depend on deep-seated assump-tions about several basic moral and even theological questions, such as whether God exists, whether absolute moral stan-dards can be known, whether there is good and evil in each person's heart, whether people should be accountable for their good and bad choices, whether property should belong to individuals or to society, and whether the purpose of the earth's resources is to bring benefit to mankind. After addressing these foundational questions, Grudem provides a thoughtful, carefully-reasoned analysis of over fifty specific issues dealing with the protection of life, marriage, the family and children, economic issues and taxation, the environment, national defense, relationships to other nations, freedom of speech and religion, quotas, and special interests. He makes frequent application to the current policies of the Democratic and Republi-can parties in the United States, but the principles discussed here are relevant for any nation.

Improve your mental health by discovering God's promise of comfort for the most common sources of daily anxiety, including loneliness, anger, fear, relationships, and finances.God never meant for us to feel so alone in facing our emotions. Though they often steal our peace and cause us restless nights, too often we just try to press through. In forty days of readings from the world's most popular Christian meditation app, Abide, you can journey through their most popular content on attaining the timeless peace found throughout Scripture, and renew your heart with God's abiding love.Through simply practicing slowing down to reflect on God's Word and release one care each day, you'll find rest for your soul and a deeper appreciation of Jesus's parting gift to his followers: peace of mind and heart (John 14:27) in even the most trying circumstances of life.Begin a new daily habit of self-care and experience a renewed outlook through:Reflections on biblical passagesEngaging journal promptsExplorations of common sources of anxietyAnd suggested prayersYou don't have to shoulder the burden of life's worries alone. Cast your cares on God one day at a time and discover the reassurance available to all believers at any time.

The story of Ben Carson, M.D. will inspire readers as they watch an inner-city youngster rise to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

Do you often ask the question "e;What is my purpose in life?"e; Rich with black-and-white photography, powerful stories, and life-changing reflections from the book of Ecclesiastes, We Go On, by pastor and entrepreneur John Onwuchekwa calls you to find the true answer to the question: Why am I here?In a world that encourages us to find meaning in temporary things, we long to know that who we are makes a difference after we're gone. This hope-filled exploration of this biblical book of wisdom turns our attention to what our true purpose is and how to let that purpose shape our relationships, career, and life choices. Along with biblical insights, John Onwuchekwa weaves together meaningful challenges that even from difficult beginnings, we can continue to trust God's path.In this book, you'll discover a more meaningful, fulfilling life as you explore themes such as:work, wealth, and powersexuality, social relationships, and justicereligion and familyInspiring black-and-white photography paired with a modern cover make this a perfect gift to give to men and women for holidays, graduations, birthdays, new jobs, or to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God. We Go On will help men and women:experience deeper peace in a changing worldsee biblical imagery in a fresh waypersevere through difficult circumstancesfind new motivation for living with intentionThis unique book reminds you that deeper purpose is available as you look beyond your circumstances and find meaning in the God who never changes.

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary series provides a careful analysis and interpretation of the biblical text, rooted in a study of Hebrew text of the Old Testament and intended to track the flow of the argument in each book and passage.

A Guided Tour of One of the Greatest Theological Works of the Twentieth CenturyKarl Barth's Church Dogmatics is considered by many to be the most important theological work of the twentieth century and for many people reading it, or at least understanding its contents and arguments, is a lifelong goal. Yet its enormous size, at over 12,000 pages (in English translations) and enough print volumes to fill an entire shelf, make reading it a daunting prospect for seasoned theologians and novices alike.Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics for Everyone, Volume 1--The Doctrine of the Word of God helps bridge the gap for would-be Karl Barth readers from beginners to professionals by offering an introduction to Barth's theology and thought like no other. User-friendly and creative, this guide helps readers get the gist, significance, and relevance of what Barth intended for the church... to restore the focus of theology and revitalize the practices of the church.Each section contains insights for pastors, new theologians, professionals, and ordinary people including:Summaries of the sectionContextual considerationsAnd other visually informative features that reinforce the main points of the Barth's thoughtIn addition, each volume features the voices of authors from different academic disciplines who contribute brief reflections on the value of Church Dogmatics for creative discovery in their disciplines. Volume 1 reflections include:Douglas Campbell (biblical studies)Myk Habets (systematic theology)Richard Keith (pastors)Julie Canlis (ordinary people)James Chaousis (mental health)John Vissers (spiritual formation)Whether you are just discovering Barth or want a fresh look at his magnum opus, this series invites you to an enjoyable and insightful journey into the Church Dogmatics.