Parable Church


Book Description

In Parable Church, pastor and author Mike Burnette unpacks unique insights from Jesus' parables that can help us understand and experience the full, transformative life in community we are divinely intended to live. Christ never actually told us how to "do church." Yes, he had a lot to say about the church, but what he did say was mostly unrelated to stylistic issues or contextual trends. He never spoke about its leadership hierarchies or the pros and cons of denominational fellowships or the types of music. And yet, much of our time and energy as leaders and shepherds is consumed by chasing after tips, tricks, and secrets to "grow" churches. While we've tended to focus on church growth through strategies, programs, and metric-based insights, Christ always focused on the heart and the values of the Father, the values that actually change lives and increase the spiritual health of his people. By digging deeply into three important parables: The Parable of the Two Sons The Parable of the Sower The Parable of the Talents Parable Church weaves together personal narratives, unique cultural observations, and compellingly fresh biblical insights to paint a picture of something unimaginably greater than what most people think of when they think of Jesus' Church. Although Jesus never gave us directions for church, he did, through his parables, reveal what we should experience in our communities together--he revealed the culture of his kingdom.




The Parables


Book Description

The third volume in the Biblical Explorations series from bestselling New Testament writer Paula Gooder explores a major exponent of the Gospels: the parables of Jesus. Covering every parable, this volume focuses on some of the best-known stories in the gospels, mining their meaning afresh today. It considers why Jesus spoke in pictures and opens up the world behind the parables to reveal just how striking, memorable and challenging they were for their original hearers. Biblical Explorations is an exciting series that offers an accessible and informed study of the best loved texts in Scripture. Rooted in the conviction that greater understanding of the Bible leads to deeper discipleship, it is an essential resource for preachers, teachers and study group leaders, as well as those who simply wish to get to know the Bible better.




Lead Like Jesus for Churches


Book Description

eA moving story, told in Ken Blanchard's appealing parable style, of how a local church can be either a blessing or a curse to their community. In this newly revised version, Lead like Jesus for Churches (formerly The Most Loving Place in Town) is the story of two men; a disillusioned church elder and a gifted young pastor, who recognize that their church has lost sight of its number one priority: loving God and each other. They begin a search—independently at first—to recapture their lost love and then together lead their fellowship in a successful discovery of the secret to becoming a beacon of love in their community. By the end of the story you clearly see why this secret—so simple yet so profound—is vital and how to apply it to the life of your church.




Pearly Gates


Book Description

A man arrives at the gates of heaven holding a faith that’s not his own; another clutches a suitcase he’s unwilling to give up. One woman demands to be sent back, while another asks for a new name. Hands empty or full, hearts joyful or disappointed or appalled, these people and others approach the twelve open gates of heaven, only to discover the truth about their loves…




The Forty Parables of Jesus


Book Description

2022 Catholic Media Association first place award in scripture: academic studies In this book, which covers all of Jesus’ parables, award-winning author Gerhard Lohfink takes a closer look at the origins of each one—its shape, its realistic details, but most of all its original message and the situation into which it was once spoken. Jesus’ parables speak in bold images of the kingdom of God, making it present to us as they reveal something of the mystery of his own person. Lohfink also offers a review of some of the scholarship in this area—as this topic has sustained research on Jesus since the first telling of these stories—but not for the purposes of debate. His reflections interpret the forty parables and show how they speak of the coming of the reign of God, lead us to Jesus, and reveal the mystery of Jesus himself.




Parables at Work


Book Description

John C. Purdy looks at familiar aspects of daily work in an unfamiliar way, that is, in relation to the parables of Jesus. In each of twelve chapters, Purdy examines one of the parables to see what it has to say about God's kingdom--its present demands and future rewards. Then, he shows what the parable means in the workplace. Finally, in a refreshing and practical way, he combines insights from the parable and insights from work experiences to draw forth a concrete message, a distinct pattern for being faithful to God.




Lead Like Jesus


Book Description

Learn how to lead like Jesus, whether in the home, the church, the community, or the marketplace; moving not only from success to significance but taking a step beyond significance--surrender.




The Storied Church


Book Description

Matthew Gorkos begins The Storied Church with this compelling statement: "I believe in the church--in the power of faithful people serving a good and gracious God--and I believe in the power of a good story. Moreover, I believe, as this book will argue, that church and story--harnessed together--could be an even more powerful force for goodness in our world." Neuroscientists, anthropologists, archeologists, and psychologists all agree. Story is how our brains and our communities make sense of things. Storytelling helps us cope with change and loss. Storytelling helps us transmit lessons and life-skills to the next generation. As human beings, it seems we can't do without story. This book--indeed, this whole idea of story-centered church renewal--was born of a suspicion that the restorative, transformative, life-giving function that stories have for us as individuals may serve communities of faithful people as well. If stories help us survive as human creatures, why can't they help churches survive? The problem that story-centered renewal seeks to remedy has only become more prevalent and urgent in the age of Covid-19. Our churches need hope now more than ever. Writing from a pastor's perspective, Gorkos hopes to encourage and empower other pastors and lay leaders with both the hope and the tools they need to effect revitalizing change in their faith communities. Each chapter includes questions for reflection to help readers listen to and tell the stories that will lead to renewal and transformation.




Jesus' Parables of Life


Book Description

This six-session short-term study from Jim Moore is organized around the general theme of parables of life. Each chapter will focus on a particular parable, and will feature Dr. Moore telling readers what Jesus was saying through the parable, both to listeners of his day and to us today in our own lives. The chapters will focus on such stories as "The Laborers in the Vineyard," "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector," "The Weeds Among the Wheat," "The Ten Pounds," "Dives and Lazarus," and "The Unmerciful Servant." The book also includes a study guide.




Jesus' Parables of the Lost and Found


Book Description

This six-session short-term study series from Jim Moore is organized around the general theme of parables. This study serves as a third volume to Jesus’ Parables of Grace (Spring 2004) and Jesus' Parables of Life (Spring 2005). Each chapter focuses on a particular parable, and features Jim Moore telling readers what Jesus was saying through the parable, both to listeners of his day and to us today in our own lives. The planned parables include "The Lost and Found Sheep" (Luke 15:1-7), "The Lost and Found Coin" (Luke 15:8-10), "The Lost and Found Son" (Luke 15:11-24), "The Lost and Found Gifts" (Luke 15:11-24), "The Lost and Found Elder Brother" (Luke 15:25-32), and "The Lost and Found Celebration" (Luke 14:15-24). The book also contains a study guide.