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A Moment with God for Sunday School Teachers
by Sarah McGinleySometimes a moment with God is all a person needs as they move through their day. Whether preparing for Sunday’s class or dealing with students and parents, the fifty-eight prayers with accompanying Scriptures found inside are perfect for you or any Sunday school teacher you know. The prayers allow you to center and know God is with you as you work to serve. Now using the Common English Bible translation, you can easily use the prayers for group devotion as well as for personal reflection time. The beautiful design and size make it a keepsake to treasure and remember. Some of the prayers included are: As I Prepare My Sunday School Lesson On Communicating with Parents When I Pray in Class Coping with a Difficult Child Laughing with the Children Praising Each Child in My Class and more!
Guidelines Trustees: Manage the Resources of the Congregation
by General Council On Fin & AdmnYour role as trustee is governed by The Book of Discipline. Being a trustee of your local church is an important role and one in which you can take great pleasure. This Guideline is intended to be a guide as you begin fulfilling your responsibilities, and a reference throughout your tenure as trustee.This is one of the twenty-six Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020 that cover church leadership areas including Church Council and Small Membership Church; the administrative areas of Finance and Trustees; and ministry areas focused on nurture, outreach, and witness including Worship, Evangelism, Stewardship, Christian Education, age-level ministries, Communications, and more.
The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024
by No Proposed ContributorsUnited Methodist take a stand, make a difference, and shape a better future.Discover the power of an active faith as United Methodist in your daily life with The Book of Resolutions. This new edition offers models for making a real impact on the world around us, as decided at the latest General Conference.Explore over 200 carefully curated positions on a wide range of subjects, conveniently organized into seven sections:The Natural WorldThe Political CommunityThe Nurturing CommunityThe World CommunityThe Social CommunityThe Economic CommunityOther ResolutionsWith a fully indexed format, finding the information you need is a breeze. Whether you're searching by resolution title, Scripture reference, or topic, this book has you covered.Available in English only.
Introducción al Antiguo Testamento AETH: Introduction to the Old Testament Spanish AETH
by Association for Hispanic Theological EducationEl Estudiante avanzado del Antiguo Testamento podrá encontrar en esta introducción un análisis sobrio del estado actual de la disciplina, y los pastores y pastoras, al igual que los maestros y maestras de escuela bíblica—descubrirán en sus paginas buenas ideas para elaborar estudios que ayuden a las congregaciones a entender y disfrutar la importante literatura bíblica veterostestamentaria.
Lose Control - Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: The Way to Find Your Soul (Lose Control)
by Mary Shannon HoffpauirLearn to live in total dependence on God through a study of 1 Samuel.Have you ever thought you had life under control—until you didn’t? Perhaps thinking “God is in control” but living as if you are. It's like walking around with a hot cup of coffee, afraid that with one wrong move it will spill and be a burning hot mess. Then you realize what little control you have and how dependent on God you truly are.In Lose Control, Mary Shannon Hoffpauir takes you on a six-week journey through the Book of First Samuel, which is an epic story about a fight for control. Despite God’s warnings through the prophet Samuel, the nation of Israel was determined to take control by having their own king. As you dig into the saga of King Saul and David, who would become the next anointed king of Israel, you will discover that no plan or purpose of God can be thwarted by human beings. Even the worst of circumstances can be used by God to accomplish His purposes in your life.In her no-nonsense, authentic teaching style that endears her to women of all ages, Mary Shannon encourages you to lose control so that you can find your soul through a trusting relationship with your faithful God.Components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook, a Leader Guide, and a DVD with six 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
Into the Deep: Diving into a Life of Courageous Faith
by Lauren GaskillFollowing Jesus doesn’t guarantee sunny skies and smooth sailing. In fact, the waters of life are often tumultuous, crashing over us. Sometimes we can feel that we’re drowning in a sea of confusion, division, frustration, complacency, or disillusionment. We need more than a shallow faith to survive these deep waters. Into the Deep is an invitation to dive headfirst into a life of courageous faith. With endearing warmth and authenticity, Lauren Gaskill shares how she and others have learned to swim with Jesus in the deep waters of life—facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and chronic illness—only to discover a more authentic, enduring faith that cannot be shaken by circumstances. In addition to examining the character of God and the lives of women and men of the Bible who chose to dive deeper with God, she provides practical examples and tools that help us take our faith to the next level by learning to make decisions by faith alone, control our reactions to overwhelming situations, and live a life rooted in love. Get ready to exchange fear and frustration for the boldness, courage, and holy confidence that lead to a life of deep faith and joy!
A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader
by Rueben P. JobA Wesleyan Spiritual Reader provides resources for a 26-week devotional experience. The volume includes Scripture, spiritual readings (primarily quotes from the writings of John Wesley), and an essay by the author. This material is woven into a pattern for daily prayer and reflection. This devotional experience will lead readers to live with Wesley's ideas and spirit as a window or vehicle for reaching God. Among the 26 themes explored are: Scriptural Christianity; Life in Christ; Reaching Out to the Poor; The Means of Grace; Holiness of Life; Justifying Grace; The Ministry of All God's People; Sanctifying Grace; and God's Love and Ours. While intended for devotional use by both clergy and laity, pastors will also find this a helpful resource for sermon preparation. This wonderful guide to deeper spirituality will become a cherished companion for all who seek to grow in faith and knowledge of God.
Calendar: Christ's Time for the Church
by Laurence Hull StookeyA probing but clearly written book, Calendar will find an appreciative audience beyond academia and clergy to the laity of the church: choirs and their directors, worship planners, adult study groups, and others who want to understand better the church's times of preparation and celebration. Calendar centers largely on theological meaning and parish practice in relation to liturgical time. Deliberately, almost no attention is given to detailed historical development, much of which is exceedingly complex in its origins and technical in its detail. An appendix entitled "Forgetting What You Were Always Taught (Or, This Book in a Nutshell)" aptly describes the radical reordering that Stookey believes occurs when our understanding of time and the story of Jesus takes its bearings from the Incarnation. So, just as the Christian week begins with Sunday, the day of Resurrection, Stookey follows the Christian year beginning with the season of Easter, and only then Lent; Christmas, then Advent. Illuminating discussions of Ordinary and Extraordinary Time, and the Sanctoral Cycle follow.
Immersion Bible Studies: Genesis (Immersion Bible Studies)
by Dr J. Ellsworth KalasHow can something be created from nothing? How does Genesis relate to the New Testament and Christian faith? In this eight-week study, homiletics professor and pastor J. Ellsworth Kalas approaches Genesis as a very personal and almost intimate book. Instead of viewing it as an academic study or as a puzzle to be solved, the author reads Genesis in a very personal, up-close way. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions for leading a group are provided, as well as questions to facilitate class discussion. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation—the Common English Bible—stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
Bounty: Ten Ways To Increase Giving At Your Church
by Kristine Miller Scott McKenzieChurch leaders struggle with issues related to financial giving every year, in every economic climate. Most do not want to preach about the topic, and some don’t even like to think about it. The topic of financial giving is, for many, a perennial headache and an energy drain. Many church leaders have not considered the single most important aspect, however. Bounty explores the critical spiritual aspects of stewardship development, and clearly instructs pastors and laity how to lead congregations to grow in generosity. The authors provide ten immediately do-able and ultimately transformative steps that church leaders can take in any church setting. These steps are laid out with sound rationale and the wisdom of real-church experience, so that leaders are equipped to shift their congregants’ hearts as well as their pocketbooks.
The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century
by Doug Anderson Michael J. CoynerMost church members would tell you that theirs is a friendly congregation, eager to welcome visitors and new members into their midst. Yet far too many of these same congregations have trouble translating this intention into action. Offering a friendly greeting to a new face is important, but it is only the first of many steps that congregations must take in order to turn visitors into members, and new members into committed disciples.The authors believe that to assimilate newcomers into the life and ministry of the congregation, the whole church system must be involved. Anderson and Coyner demonstrate how to identify and respond to visitors in a nonthreatening, yet interested way; how to share information about them with the leaders of those ministries and programs in which they would be most interested; how best to help them in their decision to become church members; and how to help them understand and fulfill their own call to ministry in the congregation. They insist that churches be motivated, not by a desire for institutional survival or advancement, but by a passion for people and their place in the kingdom of God.
Seven Simple Steps to Green Your Church
by Rebekah Simon-PeterYou’re concerned about care of Creation, and you want to help. Start by greening your church!This little handbook takes you, step by step, through the process of making your church more environmentally friendly. Areas of focus include: The Resurrected Life: Recycling Let There Be Light: Lighting Praise the Lord: Worship Jesus Saves: Electricity and Energy Efficiency To Everything There is a Season: Heating and Cooling The Wells of Salvation: Water Train Up a Child: Christian Education What Would Jesus Drive: Vehicles and Travel Bread of Life: The Kitchen Gifts of Administration: The Office Go and Do Likewise: Missions The Gardener of Eden: GroundsRebekah Simon-Peter, an ordained United Methodist pastor with a degree in Environmental Studies, worked as an acid rain researcher and volunteer naturalist before receiving her call to ministry. After more than a decade of pastoring churches, she is now a sought-after presenter, sharing the “green” gospel with churches, interfaith groups, and community groups. She lives in Rawlins, Wyoming, where she is the director of BridgeWorks, a ministry that specializes in building bridges of understanding.
Looking for God in Messy Places: A Book About Hope
by Jake Owensby“This is beautiful and brilliant stuff, profound and plain, incredibly human, wise and charming. I trusted and enjoyed every word.” –Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author about Looking for God in Messy PlacesFor any who feel frustrated and world-weary, and who want more than just wishful thinking or superficial spirituality, this book is for you! In these pages, my friend Jake Owensby poignantly shows how LOVE is what can truly give us hope to carry on: real love, God's love for us, our love for each other, right here, right now in all the struggles of this messy life. And God knows, we need this book NOW!—Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling TimesLife is messy. We can get discouraged by setbacks, overwhelmed by busyness, and shaken by worry. Hope is the power that gets us out of bed in the morning and gives us the courage to face adversity. Looking for God in Messy Places by Jake Owensby is a book about how love gives us an inextinguishable hope.This book is for anyone who has ever been frozen in place by loss or regret, anyone who has endured suffering, cruelty, or rejection. From word to word and page to page, readers will experience themselves as God’s beloved—so that they can be hopeful. From the introduction[This book is] For those whose struggles have been long and for those who are growing weary from heavy burdens. For those facing an unforeseen crisis or for those enduring a slow personal train wreck. For those whose throats have grown raw from crying for justice and for those whose wounds have gone unhealed. This is a book about hope, and I have written it especially for those who refuse to yield to discouragement and despair.Topics include:- The power of love to give us hope- The ways that God shows up in our daily lives- Recognizing God’s call in our lives- Becoming your true self - Having a sense of belonging- Forming a friendship with Christ- Contemplative faith
Groove: Inside Out Leader Guide (Groove)
by Tony AkersIn our media-saturated world, images and messages about appearance, love, and romance bombard teenagers daily. These often unrealistic and unhealthy representations of the normal teen life can be confusing to teenagers as they attempt to follow Christ.Inside Out challenges the values of the world and affirms that our real value begins in understanding that we have a God who loves us. Over the course of the study, teenagers will learn to see themselves and how they live as a reflection of the spiritual life happening deep inside their hearts and minds.This study isn’t designed to give answers about holiness, forgiveness, humility, and giving thanks as much as it is designed to challenge youth to resolve to develop those character traits from the deepest part of their beings and outward into the world. The Groove: Inside Out Student Journal will challenge youth to consider their own core character and learn to make choices that are consistent with their faith.The Groove Bible study series invites teens to learn the essentials of their faith, own their story, and engage the world in serving Jesus. Each topical study consists of four weekly sessions that are easy to lead and relate to life issues teens face. With up to 48 weeks available, Groove is great for Sunday and mid-week gatherings for both large and small groups as well as retreats. The leader guide contains everything needed to lead teens through a Groove study, including teaching outlines, leader notes, Bible background, reflections, and parent communication.
Revolutionary Kingdom Leader Guide: Following the Rebel Jesus (Revolutionary Kingdom)
by Mike SlaughterWhat exactly is a disciple, and how will we know if we have made one? There are three core values that a disciple embodies: undiluted devotion to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, a Kingdom of God worldview, and a missional lifestyle.In Revolutionary Kingdom: Following the Rebel Jesus, author and Pastor Mike Slaughter explores why we must exchange comfortable cultural worldviews and values for the radical requirements of living out the Kingdom of God on Planet Earth. When God’s people get serious about this call, it’s revolutionary. Jesus himself was the most radical revolutionary who ever lived and provided us a vision of a kingdom worth dying for.Welcome to the revolution!The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Mountaintop Moments Leader Guide: Meeting God in the High Places (Mountaintop Moments)
by Ed RobbMountaintop moments—those moments when we experience the power, love, and grace of God in a way difficult to capture with words. They give us a sense of God's presence in our lives and often changes our perspective of who God is and who we are.In this book, Dr. Ed Robb connects personal mountaintop experiences in our spiritual life with the mountains in the Old and New Testament and the events related to this sacred places.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.
Medical Judgment: Patient-centered Collaborative Care
by Richard L. Mabry M.D.Someone is after Dr. Sarah Gordon. They’ve stalked her and set a fire at her home. Trying to recover from the traumatic deaths of her husband and infant daughter is tough enough, but she has no idea what will come next. Her late husband’s best friend and a recovering alcoholic detective are trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but both appear to be vying for her affection as well. Sarah finds herself in constant fear as the process plays out. As the threats on her life continue to escalate, so do the questions: Who is doing this? Why are they after her? And with her only help being unreliable suitors in competition with each other, whom can she really trust?
Ask Leader Guide: Faith Questions in a Skeptical Age (Ask)
by Scott J. Jones Arthur D. JonesWe live in a skeptical age. People—especially young people—expressdoubts about Christian faith. In this thoughtful eight week studyBishop Scott J. Jones, author of The Wesleyan Way, partnerswith his son Rev. Arthur Jones, to address hard questions that all of usface when considering faith, religion, and the church.This Leader Guide includes everything a group leader needs to planand facilitate the eight sessions, helping participants to explore whatthey have read, to view a video, and to discuss the reading and videowith the group. The guide walks leaders through the study format andprovides options for tailoring sessions to the time-frame and style ofeach group.
Believe In Me: Sermons On The Apostles Creed (Protestant Pulpit Exchange Ser.)
by James A. HarnishEleven sermons on the beliefs affirmed in the Apostles' Creed. The sermons are designed to help people apply their beliefs to their daily lives and to provide pastors with fresh insights, rich illustrations, and new approaches for preparing meaningful, moving sermons on classic themes. Key ideas are framed and highlighted to help pastors imagine and construct parts of their own sermons.
Is There More?: Heaven, Hell, and the Eternal Life that Begins Now
by Leslie D. Weatherhead A. Kingsley WeatherheadThink you know everything there is to know about the life that lies beyond this one? Think again. Questions about life beyond death are always with us. In this classic volume, Leslie Weatherhead answers personal and important questions about heaven, hell, and the future God has in store for us."Eternal life is . . . a quality and not just a quantity; . . . a quality of communion with God that clearly begins now. You know, people talk about the afterlife and they say, ‘He’s gone to be with God.’ But he has always been with God, and the highest heaven doesn’t mean that God exists in any fuller measure. It can only mean that our power of communion deepens. But one of the marvelous things about the Christian gospel is that the offer of eternal life is here and now." –from chapter 1Check out other resources by Dr. Weatherhead, including The Will of God, in the Related Products Section below.
The Bible Year Devotional: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days
by Magrey deVegaThe Bible. 365 days. You. Yes, you! Not the type to sit down and read the entire Bible? Yes, the goal is to read the whole Bible in a year, but think about it in terms of smaller, daily goals. Think about a commitment to read a short selection from the Bible plus a concise devotional every day. You can do that – especially since The Bible Year has it all mapped out for you day by day. Plus, you’ll also get summaries of key themes and ideas to help you better digest and understand your readings. So you’re not just reading verse after verse, you’re enriching your spiritual life, developing a deeper faith and forming a closer connection to God and to each other. The Bible Year is also a wonderful way for small groups or even individuals to grow closer to God, while providing a common thread that will promote new and deeper friendships among members. Additional resources sold separately include a Leader Guide with discussion questions for small groups and a Pastor's Guide for a church-wide emphasis. Daily Bible goals start here! Praise for The Bible Year When it comes to read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year programs, The Bible Year is a game changer. Packed with devotionals, discussion guides, and resources for pastors, this beautifully written book makes journeying through Scripture less daunting and more rewarding. It’s the perfect companion for those who wish to read through the Bible for the first time or those seek to go deeper in their study of Scripture together with others. – Ryan P. Bonfiglio, Director of the Candler Foundry and Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Candler Theological Seminary With a pastor’s devotion to God and the people he serves, deVega has structured a truly helpful guide for reading the Bible in the span of a year. The thoughtful format is well designed to encourage steady progress in reading, and provoke thoughtful reflection. Brief section summaries allow the reader to stay on top of the larger story line, and thoughtful questions and blank spaces support a meditative encounter. This book is a welcome gift for anyone who wants to grow in faithfulness and devotion. – Melody D. Knowles, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Old Testament, Virginia Theological Seminary
The Blessings of Motherprayer: Sacred Whispers of Mothering
by Barbara MahanyInspired by her book Motherprayer: Lessons in Loving, Barbara Mahany presents The Blessings of Motherprayer a lovely gift book featuring wisps of inspirational writings to carry you through the day, the hour, and whatever comes your way. The book is a patchwork quilt of inspiration and prayer, with a smidge of recipes. These meditative notes on mothering magnify the wonders and wisdoms of loving with a wide-open heart. They reveal that no matter which way you look at the motherhood role and parenthood, it is essential that every stitch along this broadcloth of hope, faith, and unwavering trust be knotted with and held firm by prayer. The devotional is rich in reminders to slow time, and savor the blessing of each and every hour of each and every season of mothering, be it the rare quietude of time alone, or amid the cacophony of the daily bustle. Discover powerful quotes, heart-scripted prayer, and stories that invite you to pay attention, cradle your loved ones in prayer, and see the sacred lessons in loving. Be inspired to view life through a magnifying lens in search of God, to probe the nooks and crannies of our everyday, and find opportunities to infuse and focus on the holy in our extraordinary ordinary day-to-day.
The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World
by Adam HamiltonA fresh encounter with the words of Jesus.More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, how many actually know what he taught? In fact, much of what people think Jesus taught, he never said. In this six-week study, pastor and best-selling author Adam Hamilton explores six of the most important themes in Jesus's teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. The book will explore Jesus’s preaching on the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the “I am” sayings in John, and more. Jesus's message is not only life-changing, but world-changing. Join Adam Hamilton in studying The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World. Other components for the study include a leader guide, teaching videos, and sermons and worship.
Thrive Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Living Faithfully in Difficult Times
by Jennifer CowartWalking in Faith…even when times are tough.In Thrive, author and teacher Jen Cowart helps women develop the habits and attitudes necessary to thrive, whatever their circumstances. Leading readers through the Book of James, a letter written about enduring hardships, she lifts up six characteristics of mature Christians. From endurance and humility to controlling our words, Jen helps participants find the divine and the practical in living faithfully.Jen’s teaching has inspired thousands of women across the country. Her authenticity inspires others to open their hearts and minds. One reviewer wrote, “Her ‘realness’ and her vulnerability just work together to open your heart to dig deeper and deeper.”Through this study, women will find inspiration and tools around six traits:Endurance – Embracing obstacles as a means to maturity.Wisdom – Using a heavenly perspective on earthly issues.Action – Living a life where actions match faith.Control – Taming the tongue.Humility – Developing the attitude of Christ.Prayer – Exercising the power tool of the faith.Additional components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, are a Leader Guide and six video sessions, 8 to 13 minutes long (with closed captioning).
Our Purpose Is Love Leader Guide: The Wesleyan way to be the church
by David N. FieldWhat does it mean to love God and neighbor today, when things so often feel divided and in conflict?In Our Purpose Is Love, author David Field challenges us to recognize and reclaim love as the center of our identity and purpose as the church. Field presents a Wesleyan vision of the church as the embodiment of God’s love in the world and explores the implications of this vision for our life together. In this vision, the church is where we become creatures of love, learning to love God and neighbor ever more completely and authentically through the means of God’s grace. As a result, we bear witness to the world by reflecting God’s love more and more perfectly in the way we treat others and order our common life. With a special focus on the importance of unity for the church’s witness, Field invites us to consider the ways in which embodying God’s love can and should influencehow we live as individuals and as communities of faith, calling us to reclaim and recommit to love as the center of who we are.This Leader Guide includes leader helps and complete session plans for facilitating an eight-week small group study using Our Purpose Is Love: The Wesleyan Way to Be the Church, by David N. Field.