Rest and War


Book Description

Struggle well. Fight for progress. Know the one who has fought for you. You don’t have to live in this world long before discovering that the pursuit of intimacy with God occurs within the context of adversity. It is a fight. Yet it is a fight in which our King has won the decisive victory! You have been set free…into a raging battle! But there’s good news: your struggles do not mean you’re doomed, rather they’re actually a sure sign that you are alive. Now you must learn to struggle well, for Jesus did not free you from the fight, he freed you for the fight. Rest & War is a field guide for the spiritual life; a book of ancient methods of transformation transposed into a modern key. Borne out of pastor Ben Stuart’s personal life-experiences and decades in ministry, Rest & War offers biblical and practical guidance for: Battling what’s holding you back while building what will propel you forward Trading patterns of thinking that diminish intimacy with God for ones that encourage it Fighting sin and cultivating an environment that allows you to flourish Designing your everyday schedule based on your God-given purposes to bring more meaning into your routines God has called you into the good fight of life; step into it boldly, strategically. Flee evil and pursue intimacy with your Creator. Uproot what is broken and cultivate what is life-giving. Make war on what is destructive, and rest in the God who loves you. Are you ready to walk elegantly through the battlefield of life?




Rest and War Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video


Book Description

Struggle well. Fight for progress. Know the One who has fought for you. The writer of Hebrews says that we are to "throw off everything that hinders" and run “the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). We are called to action and empowered to struggle well. And yet, as we navigate life, we realize there are difficulties without and discouragements within. Not only do we feel ill equipped to thrive . . . we don’t even know how to survive. In this six-session video study, Ben shares how this knowledge led him to develop a practical strategy of resting in God's strength and warring against the enemy's attempts to keep him locked into patterns of sin. He helps group members to likewise develop strategies that will enable them to: (1) overcome the deceptive strategies of sin aimed at their weaknesses; (2) orient their lives and loves around a God who cares for them, (3) recognize that under their misdirected affections and motivations is a deep longing for God, and (4) discover methods of overcoming personal shortcomings that do not rely on shame-based motivation. Life is hard, but there are promises to grip. Strategies and tactics to employ. Progress to be made. Are you ready? This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with video notes, personal study and group discussion sections, and a guide to best practices for leading a group. An individual access code to stream all five video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Sessions and video run times include: FREED TO FIGHT (20:30) AWAY AND TOWARD (17:30) DOWNSTREAM AND UPSTREAM (21:00) CONSISTENCY AND CREATIVITY (19:30) FOCUS AND UNITY (20:30) KEEP IN STEP (20:30) Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. 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. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.




I Am Restored


Book Description

When the challenges you've faced threaten to destroy your life, how do you find your way back to the truths you thought you believed? I Am Restored tells the untold story of how Lecrae's past nearly ruined his future--until he learned that the wounds we carry can have the potential to be unlikely guides to healing and freedom for ourselves and others. Throughout I Am Restored, Lecrae documents the shattering yet hopeful story of how he faced the scars of his past--sexual abuse, physical trauma, addiction, and depression--and emerged more fully human than ever before. With remarkable transparency and vulnerability, Lecrae reveals that at the height of his professional success, his life was spinning out of control, driven by a past that he had never confronted and a religious perspective that was incapable of meeting the challenge. I Am Restored takes an unflinching look at the personal and public spaces that are too often at the societal core of our pain and heartache--culture, politics, family, church, and more--and teaches us that forgiveness can be the birthplace of the life that God has created for us. Throughout this powerful, deeply personal account, Lecrae shares the life lessons he's learned about: Confronting the pain and trauma that has shaped your story Breaking the cycle of sin and shame and embracing joy and authenticity Finding hope and healing in the midst of chaos The simple practices that can change your mental, emotional, and spiritual health Leading a life that's bursting with creativity and true freedom I Am Restored is a hopeful, inspiring charge to start your journey to lasting healing today. No matter what your past has held, God is near you, he hears you, and he's not done writing your story.




So Long, Normal


Book Description

In the shifting (or even collapsing) of everything familiar in life, you don’t have to wring your hands in fear. Push past the loss of your “normal” with bestselling author and Bible teacher Laura Story, and step into the new story God is writing for you. You've been faced with circumstances beyond your control. Your plans are altered. But you have the blessing of a Father who loves you enough to take off the training wheels and place his beloved child in the best possible scenario for your good and growth. So Long, Normal guides you to leave behind the idols of comfort, caution, and routine so you can live strong and well, even when life takes an unwelcome turn. In her confessional, conversational style, worship leader, Bible teacher, and Christian recording artist Laura Story weaves her own personal stories with examples from Scripture of characters whose lives were upended by unexpected (and undesired) change. So Long, Normal will help you: Process the trauma of the loss of your “normal” Learn to rest in God’s plan for you instead of trying to control your circumstances Find true community and encouragement in your struggle with uncertainty Discover three great comforts and three gifts to steady you on your journey Face the future with fresh spiritual eyes and find joy in the unwavering strength of Christ Losing your “normal” is not the end of the world but the beginning of a new adventure. It is possible to grow with grace through tough times, navigating the unknown secure in the knowledge that God is with you—every step of the way.




How (Not) to Read the Bible


Book Description

Is Reading the Bible the Fastest Way to Lose Your Faith? For centuries, the Bible was called "the Good Book," a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says. Whether you are a Christian, a doubter, or someone exploring the Bible for the first time, bestselling author Dan Kimball guides you step-by-step in how to make sense of these difficult and disturbing Bible passages. Filled with stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for individuals who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible. It also works great as a small-group study or sermon series.




Revolt Bible Study Guide


Book Description

God's Perfect Plan to Rescue Imperfect People. In this beautiful Bible study series—brought to you by the makers of The Jesus Bible—you will dive in-depth into each of the six acts of God's story and discover a deeper understanding of your own unique story by learning how the two are intricately tied together. The opening chapters of Genesis reveal God's perfect creation and the people he created to reflect his image in the world. But it isn't long before tension emerges. The man and woman rebel against God, reject his authority, and bring sin into the world. Everything that follows is God's plan to put what's been broken back together and restore humanity. Through six weeks of interactive lessons, REVOLT will usher you through the second act of God's unchanging story, weaving together key passages from the Old and New Testaments to help you get a better image of our restoring God. The Jesus Bible Study Series is designed to lead you through the six main acts of Scripture: Beginnings Revolt People Savior Church Forever The series reveals how Jesus plays a key role in each and every story told throughout the Bible, and helps you discover God's purpose and plan for your life in his great story.




Single, Dating, Engaged, Married


Book Description

God has given us a specific, compelling reason for each of the four seasons of relationships: singleness, dating, engagement, and marriage. This book unlocks each season’s God-given purpose and shows you how to thrive within it. In a society where everyone is supposedly more connected, why do people feel so lonely? Even as marriage rates decline, recent studies find the overwhelming majority of single adults still hope to get married. But how can we navigate life and love in this disconnected culture? Has social media eroded the institutions that brought us together—and the deeper emotional intimacy they provided? Pastor and bestselling author Ben Stuart will help you navigate through the four stages of a relational life and show you how to look at the truths and intentions God has established for each. As you embark on this journey, you will discover how to: Use singleness to make an impact for the kingdom of God Pursue dating with clarity and purity Use the season of engagement wisely to prepare for marriage Maximize your life as a married couple for shared ministry Continually seek God and His will throughout each stage Discover how to embrace God's design, invest your life in what matters most, and find meaning in whatever season of life you're in.




Beginnings Bible Study Guide


Book Description

God Has Included You in His Unchanging Story. In this beautiful Bible study series—brought to you by the makers of The Jesus Bible—you will dive in-depth into each of the six acts of God's story and discover a deeper understanding of your own unique story by learning how the two are intricately tied together. From the dawn of creation, God was thinking of you and designed your life to play a key role in the outworking of the grand story he's writing. He says to us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5). But if you're like most of us, it may sometimes seem as if your story is hopelessly off course. Through six weeks of interactive lessons, BEGINNINGS will usher you through the first act of God's unchanging story, weaving together key passages from the Old and New Testaments to help you get a better image of our creating God. The Jesus Bible Study Series is designed to lead you through the six main acts of Scripture: Beginnings Revolt People Savior Church Forever The series reveals how Jesus plays a key role in each and every story told throughout the Bible, and helps you discover God's purpose and plan for your life in his great story.




Crazy Faith Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video


Book Description

Stay far away from normal when it comes to matters of faith. Will you be remembered as a person who claimed to follow God but liked to play it safe? Or as a person who lived your life out on the limb and trusted God enough to act with crazy faith? In this five-session video Bible study (video streaming included), bestselling author and pastor Michael Todd reveals how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. There are many things that seem normal today that at one point in time seemed crazy. History-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. People who risked everything to stand up for what they believed. But our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith—one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines. But it's crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals his promises. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: An individual access code to stream all five video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time. Sessions and run times include: Starting Out (Baby Faith and Maybe Faith) (18:00) Getting Stronger (Waiting Faith and Wavy Faith) (17:30) Obstacles to Avoid (Lazy Faith and Fugazi Faith) (16:00) Moving to the Next Level (Trading Faith and Stating Faith) (18:00) Finishing Strong (Fading Faith and Saving Faith) (18:30) Even if we have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, we can become empowered to let go of our lazy faith, trust God through our hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. 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. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.




God the Creator Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video


Book Description

Heaven and earth are woven more closely together than we might think. In this 8-session video Bible study (streaming included), enter the creation of the world and the first movements of God's perfect plan to deliver his people. Throughout the Bible—from its very first pages to the culmination of Christ's return—there are two parallel dramas unfolding: The lower story, which describes the events from our human perspective. The upper story, which reveals how the events unfold from God's perspective. The objective of God the Creator—the first in a series of three small-group studies in The Story series—is to introduce you to these lower and upper stories as told in the Old Testament books of Genesis through Ruth. As you read these narratives—featuring characters such as Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and Ruth—you will see how God has been weaving our lower story into the greater upper story that he has been writing. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and Scripture readings. An individual access code to stream all eight video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Sessions include: The Beginning of Life as We Know It (Genesis 1–11) God Builds a Nation (Genesis 12–36) From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh (Genesis 37–50) Deliverance (Exodus 1–17) Wanderings (Exodus 18–Numbers 27) The Battle Begins (Joshua 1–24) A Few Good Men . . . and Women (Judges 1–21) The Faith of a Foreign Woman (Ruth 1–4) The God the Creator Study Guide is part of The Story Bible Study Series: a three-part Bible study drawn from Randy Frazee's bestselling The Story, which reveals the Bible as a single, continuous narrative of God and his people. Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. 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. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.