Short Stories by Jesus Participant Guide


Book Description

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives. In this Bible study based on her Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later. This participant guide provides an introduction to the main text as well as further Scripture commentary and reflection questions.




Short Stories by Jesus


Book Description

The renowned biblical scholar, author of The Misunderstood Jew, and general editor for The Jewish Annotated New Testament interweaves history and spiritual analysis to explore Jesus’ most popular teaching parables, exposing their misinterpretations and making them lively and relevant for modern readers. Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus’ stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives. In this wise, entertaining, and educational book, Amy-Jill Levine offers a fresh, timely reinterpretation of Jesus’ narratives. In Short Stories by Jesus, she analyzes these “problems with parables,” taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. Levine reveals the parables’ connections to first-century economic and agricultural life, social customs and morality, Jewish scriptures and Roman culture. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later.




The Difficult Words of Jesus


Book Description

As well as telling parables and stories, giving teachings on how to discern questions of ethics and human nature, and offering beatitudes for comfort and encouragement, Jesus also spoke words and flung insults that followers then and now have found difficult, to say the least. He instructs disciples to hate members of their own families (Luke 14:26), warns that unending fire awaits some people, says body parts should be cut off if they offend. He calls a foreign woman a ‘dog’, the Jews ‘offspring of vipers’ and his closest disciple ‘Satan’. Preachers often gloss over these or avoid them altogether as they are still so shocking. In The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine sheds vital light on understanding these by exploring how these sayings sounded to those who first heard them. She reveals Jewish modes of expression, humour and the long tradition of Jewish insults and what they mean, and how we might interpret these sayings today within a gospel of love and reconciliation.




3:16 Participant's Guide


Book Description

Experience the essential truth of the Christian faith as Max Lucado unpacks one of the most beloved scriptures in the entire Bible—John 3:16. Best-selling author Max Lucado leads readers through a word-by-word study of John 3:16, the passage that he calls the "Hope Diamond" of Scripture. Now available in a smaller, more affordable format, the study includes 12 lessons that are designed to work with both the trade book and the DVD for a multi-media experience. Features include: Scripture-focused lessons Interactive questions for reflection and meditation 12 weeks of study Leader's Guide for shepherding small groups (for download online) Designed for use with the 3:16 DVD-Based Small Group Study (ISBN 9781418548940).




Real Women, Real Faith


Book Description

Unearth fresh insights for your life from women who lived thousands of years ago. In this DVD study participant s guide, learn how God moved in the lives of six women in the New Testament whose struggles to live with faith and courage are not unlike your own."




Live Deeply


Book Description

Ever read one of Jesus' parables and ask, "What is He talking about?" If so, you're not alone. Jesus' own disciples were also perplexed by the enigmatic stories Christ told. Now you—alone or with your small group—can dig deeper into the meaning of these parables to uncover their important meaning for your walk with Christ. Designed with today's busy woman in mind, each lesson can be completed in as little as 20 minutes per day, but leave you with a lifetime of valuable insights. Based on the inductive Bible study method, each lesson conjures vivid imagery of the sights and sounds of ancient Israel alongside poignant application questions for today. There's something here for Christians of all shapes and sizes. Everyone will leave with a more profound understanding of Christ's amazing parables.




Short Stories by Jesus Leader Guide


Book Description

Jesus was a skilled storyteller and perceptive teacher who used parables from everyday life to effectively convey his message and meaning. Life in first-century Palestine was very different from our world today, and many traditional interpretations of Jesus' stories ignore this disparity and have often allowed anti-Semitism and misogyny to color their perspectives. In Short Stories by Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine analyzes these "problems with parables" taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. With this revitalized understanding, she interprets these moving stories for the contemporary reader, showing how the parables are not just about Jesus, but are also about us—and when read rightly, still challenge and provoke us two thousand years later. 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.




Made to Crave Bible Study Participant's Guide


Book Description

God created us to crave more of Him in our lives. . .but it's so easy to misplace that craving, overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. What would happen if you started listening to your cravings for your Creator? In this Participant's guide (designed for use with the Made to Crave DVD, sold separately), bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst with teach you how to identify your cravings and understand how they point you up to God. For a woman struggling with unhealthy eating habits, Made to Crave will equip you to: Break the 'I'll start again Monday cycle' and start feeling good about yourself today. Stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale and make peace with the body you've been given. Discover how weight loss struggles aren't a curse but, rather, a blessing in the making. Replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. Eat healthy without feeling deprived. Reach a healthy weight goal while growing closer to God through the process. Made to Crave session titles include: Session 1: From Deprivation to Empowerment Session 2: From Desperation to Determination Session 3: From Guilt to Peace Session 4: From Triggers to Truth Session 5: From Permissible to Beneficial Session 6: From Consumed to Courageous Bonus Session: Moving the Mountain The Made to Crave Participant's Guide is designed for use with the Made to Crave DVD.




The Misunderstood Jew


Book Description

In the The Misunderstood Jew, scholar Amy-Jill Levine helps Christians and Jews understand the "Jewishness" of Jesus so that their appreciation of him deepens and a greater interfaith dialogue can take place. Levine's humor and informed truth-telling provokes honest conversation and debate about how Christians and Jews should understand Jesus, the New Testament, and each other.




Sermon on the Mount Leader Guide


Book Description

How is the follower of Jesus to understand the words of the Old Testament? How are those words relevant to the New Covenant he is establishing? What might the words of the Lord’s Prayer have conveyed to his initial followers, and why is that historical information essential to the prayer two millennia later? In Sermon on the Mount, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine takes a detailed and colorful overview of Matthew 5-7, collectively known as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Through Dr. Levine’s engaging method of biblical interpretation, readers will come away with a solid understanding of the Sermon on the Mount in its historical and theological context. Chapters include: The Beatitudes The Extensions Practicing Piety Our Father Finding Your Treasure Living into the Kingdom Explore the major topics in the most popular sermon ever delivered and unpack how Jesus makes his points using a solid knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures and moral teachings. The Leader Guide includes session outline for each group meeting with Scripture, prayer, opening activity, discussion questions, activity, and ending call to action.