The Gift of the Nutcracker Leader Guide


Book Description

The Nutcracker is a delightful and whimsical Christmas classic that children and adults look forward to every year. First performed in 1892, the music, dance, and story of this classic hold a special place in our cultural Christmas celebrations. Matt Rawle, author of The Redemption of Scrooge, explores the story to help us understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom he came to establish. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study, including session plans and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.




The Gift of the Nutcracker Youth Study Book


Book Description

The Nutcracker is a delightful and whimsical Christmas classic that children and adults look forward to every year. First performed in 1892, the music, dance, and story of this classic hold a special place in our cultural Christmas celebrations. In The Gift of the Nutcracker, Matt Rawle, author of The Redemption of Scrooge, explores the story to help us understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom he came to establish. This Youth Study Book takes the ideas presented in Matt Rawle’s book and interprets them for young people grades 6-12.




The Gift of the Nutcracker


Book Description

The Nutcracker is a delightful and whimsical Christmas classic that children and adults look forward to every year. First performed in 1892, the music, dance, and story of this classic hold a special place in our cultural Christmas celebrations. In The Gift of the Nutcracker, Matt Rawle, author of The Redemption of Scrooge, explores the story to help us understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom he came to establish. Additional components for a four-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a DVD featuring Matt Rawle, a Worship Resources Flash Drive, and youth and children resources.




The Heart That Grew Three Sizes Youth Study Book


Book Description

Rediscover the gift of Advent that comes without packages, ribbons, and bows. We don’t know why the Grinch hated Christmas. We just know he did. In this new Advent study, Matt Rawle explores the faith themes in the Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! including, how did the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes come Christmas morning? How did Christmas save the Grinch? Could it be that the very thing we think we hate is the one thing that changes our lives? This Advent and Christmas season, look at a familiar classic through the lens of faith and see how Christ speaks to us through our culture. The Youth Study Book interprets the Grinch, his struggles, and his redemption in a way that youth can relate to and understand, using humor, down-to-earth discussion, and examples from contemporary culture. For young people grades 6-12. Includes leader helps with discussion questions that can be used with the adult-level DVD.




Jesus Revealed Leader Guide


Book Description

Discover Jesus' character through the "I Am" statements in Jesus Revealed by pastor and author Matt Rawle. Light. Bread. Shepherd. Life. The Gospel of John uses these and other symbols to paint a picture of who Jesus is. Through the I Am statements Jesus describes himself with rich images, showing us that he is both fully human and fully divine and calling us as his followers. In Jesus Revealed: The I Am Statements in the Gospel of John, author Matt Rawle explores the "I Am" statements in John as works of art that resonate throughout the Gospel and all of Scripture. He shows how these words point beyond themselves to the deep mystery of Jesus Christ. Join Matt on this journey and experience the profound truth at the heart of the "I Am" statements: that Jesus is light and life, and he calls us to himself and offers us the hope of resurrection. Chapter topics include: 1. I am the bread of life (John 6:48) 2. I am the light of the world (John 8:12) 3. I am the good shepherd (John 10:11) 4. I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) 5. I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) 6. I am the true vine (John 15:1) 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. Praise for Jesus Revealed "Matt Rawle, the master of discerning connections between Christ and culture, turns now to explore with us how Jesus pioneered how to know the heart of God via the most basic icons of his own culture. Symbols in stories matter, and Matt guides us into Jesus’ with aplomb, wisdom, and joy." - James Howell, Senior Pastor, Myers Park United Methodist Church "Reading Jesus’ “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John can be mystifying, yet much like the gospel writer himself author Matt Rawle is able uncover a deeper meaning from these powerful metaphors. Jesus Revealed invites the reader to step into the ordinary work of God’s extraordinary creation. Calling out the artist within, readers will find their own stories inside these powerful declarations – illuminating a Jesus we’ve always known but perhaps never fully embraced. Jesus Revealed is a must-read for anyone ready to discover the inexhaustible experience of God’s profound love." - Rachel Billups, Pastor and Author of Be Bold: Finding Your Fierce




The Final Days Leader Guide


Book Description

This Lent ponder the themes of justice, poverty, freedom, and love. The Leader Guide contains discussion questions and session plans for a six-week study of The Final Days by Matt Rawle. It includes opening and closing prayers, optional activities, and session goals for each week and is designed to be used with the book and DVD. The four New Testament Gospels aren’t the same story, but they offer the same Resurrection hope. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John devote most of their story detailing Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, all highlighting Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city, the suffering and humiliation of the cross, and the empty tomb come Sunday morning, but the stories they tell aren’t quite the same. Each Gospel offers a different lens through which we understand Jesus’ Passion. One portrait reveals Jesus to be in control, while another emphasizes his suffering. In one story Jesus offers hope to the thief on the cross, and in another Jesus only receives derision. These different perspectives aren’t a reason to dismiss the Gospels; rather the reveal an abundant, diverse, and complementary picture of God’s work in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.




Daily Bible Study Fall 2018


Book Description

Fall theme: God's World and God's People Matthew | Luke | Romans | 2 Corinthians | Colossians | Nehemiah This fall, Daily Bible Study presents a series of readings following the theme "God's World and God's People." Readings come from both Old and New Testament texts. These daily readings, which prepare us for the 13 lessons in Adult Bible Studies, are written by Abby Hailey, Gary Thompson, and Sue Mink. God Created the World Daily readings in this five-week unit focus on God's creation of the heavens and the earth, plants and animals, people, and the family. The final week of readings contrast God's creation with humans' sin. God Destroys and Re-creates The daily readings in this four-week unit explore what God's justice involves, how to pursue global economic justice, what loving and just behavior looks like, and how to practice justice. God Blesses and Re-creates Regardless The daily readings in this four-week unit explore relationships, conflicts, and resolutions within families and individuals' relationships with God. This ongoing day-by-day Bible study series is presented in quarterly segments. Bible-based, Christ-focused, and United Methodist-approved, this resource helps individuals develop the discipline of studying the Bible every day. It coordinates with the lesson themes of Adult Bible Studies. Each lesson includes: a one-page Bible study for each day of the quarter, along with introductory reflection questions and Commentary on the daily Scripture passage, Life Application, and a concluding prayer. Available in print and eBook format.




Almost Christmas Youth Study Book


Book Description

In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled “The Almost Christian” in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an “altogether” love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas. This Youth Study Book takes the ideas presented in the book and interprets them for young people grades 6-12.




The Heart That Grew Three Sizes


Book Description

Rediscover the gift of Advent that comes without packages, ribbons, and bows. We don’t know why the Grinch hated Christmas. We just know he did. In this new Advent study, Matt Rawle explores the faith themes in the Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! including, how did the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes come Christmas morning? How did Christmas save the Grinch? Could it be that the very thing we think we hate is the one thing that changes our lives? This Advent and Christmas season, look at a familiar classic through the lens of faith and see how Christ speaks to us through our culture. Additional components for a four-week Advent study include a DVD featuring Matt Rawle, a comprehensive Leader Guide, and resources for children and youth.




Almost Christmas Leader Guide


Book Description

In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled “The Almost Christian” in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an “altogether” love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas. Chapters include: Altogether Love Altogether Hope Altogether Joy Altogether Peace The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options.