The Case for Christ


Book Description

The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own.




Freedom in Christ Course, Participant's Guide


Book Description

Churches have made many converts but far too few real disciples. Many Christians struggle to take hold of basic biblical truth and live it out. We often take a painfully long time to mature. This is not because we lack resources or teaching, but because we struggle to connect with truth This is where the Freedom in Christ course comes in. It is specifically designed to help Christians take hold of who they are in Christ, resolve personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance, and move on to maturity.




Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide


Book Description

Each congregation has a unique mission field. Several tools for developing disciples and for engaging in discipleship are available to churches; however, the resources assume that the churches using them are similar to the church that created them. With Gospel Discipleship, individuals and churches learn how to engage in self-reflection, which then defines a path that fits their context. The discipleship path for each individual disciple is assessed and determined through the Gospel Discipleship Participant Guide while this Gospel Discipleship Congregation Guide guides the implemntation of the program and assesses the discipleship path for the congregation as a whole. Therefore, the program leader(s) needs the congregation guide while individual particpants need their own participant guide. With Gospel Discipleship, churches can identify a pathway for discipleship applied from one of the four Gospel storytellers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each had a distinct approach to discipleship which can be applied to a given church's identity, vision, and mission. As disciples are encouraged by the church to step beyond the door and engage the needs of people, they can be sent forth confidently with an awareness of personal, unique gifts, and insights into the actual mission field where they participate with God in changing the world.




Free of Me


Book Description

We live in a culture that's all about self, becoming the best "me" I can be instead of becoming like Jesus. This me-centered message affects every area of our lives--our friendships, our marriages, even our faith--and it breaks each one in different ways. The self-focused life robs our joy, shrinks our souls, and is the reason we never quite break free of insecurity. In this book, Sharon Hodde Miller invites us into a bigger, Jesus-centered vision--one that restores our freedom and inspires us to live for more. She helps readers - identify the secret source of insecurity - understand how self-focus sabotages seven areas of our lives - learn four practical steps for focusing on God and others - experience freedom from the burden of self-focus Anyone yearning for a purpose bigger than "project me" will cherish this paradigm-shifting message of true fulfillment.




The Case for Jesus


Book Description

“This book will prove to be a most effective weapon… against the debunking and skeptical attitudes toward the Gospels that are so prevalent, not only in academe, but also on the street, among young people who, sadly, are leaving the Churches in droves.” – Robert Barron, author of Catholicism For well over a hundred years now, many scholars have questioned the historical truth of the Gospels, claiming that they were originally anonymous. Others have even argued that Jesus of Nazareth did not think he was God and never claimed to be divine. In The Case for Jesus, Dr. Brant Pitre, the bestselling author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, goes back to the sources—the biblical and historical evidence for Christ—in order to answer several key questions, including: • Were the four Gospels really anonymous? • Are the Gospels folklore? Or are they biographies? • Were the four Gospels written too late to be reliable? • What about the so-called “Lost Gospels,” such as “Q” and the Gospel of Thomas? • Did Jesus claim to be God? • Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John? • Did Jesus fulfill the Jewish prophecies of the Messiah? • Why was Jesus crucified? • What is the evidence for the Resurrection? As The Case for Jesus will show, recent discoveries in New Testament scholarship, as well as neglected evidence from ancient manuscripts and the early church fathers, together have the potential to pull the rug out from under a century of skepticism toward the traditional Gospels. Above all, Pitre shows how the divine claims of Jesus of Nazareth can only be understood by putting them in their ancient Jewish context.




Living IN Jesus - Equipper's Guide: Growing In The LIFE We Were Made To LIVE


Book Description

This Living IN Jesus Equipper's Guide has been designed to assist those with a heart to disciple, mentor and teach others using the Living IN Jesus Participant's Guide. The Living IN Jesus study is your guide as you journey together with other believers to discover who God is, who you are in Christ, and how to live out of Christ's abundant life on a moment-by-moment basis. Every session has been designed to encourage spiritual growth through relational interaction around truth and times of personal reflection and intimate conversation with the Holy Spirit.This Equipper's Guide will help you lead each session in the Living IN Jesus study and provide you with questions, illustrations and teaching tips to facilitate impactful discussions. Each of the twenty sessions in this guide are structured to follow the outline of the Living IN Jesus Participant's Guide. The Living IN Jesus study has been written by the combined effort of the counseling and coaching staff at Christian Families Today (CFT). CFT exists to educate and encourage men, women, and children in how to build biblically healthy lives and families. The truths found in this study are distilled from the Advanced Discipleship Training course and from nearly four decades of experience in counseling and coaching individuals in how to live out of Christ's life.




Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life


Book Description

Filmed on location in the Holy Land, Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus -- who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your entire life around him as you come to know and love him in an ever-deeper and more intimate way.




The Life of Jesus Participant's Guide


Book Description

DVD 1: The Life of Jesus Do you ever feel dead--spiritually dead? Do you ever wonder, "If Christianity is supposed to be so great and Jesus' life was so perfect, why is my life so messed up?" It is only when we drink deeply from the life of Jesus--understanding the main events of his life and teachings--that we can then be rescued. These studies (along with "The Death of Jesus") invite us to see the behind-the-scenes truth of the main events of Jesus' life--so that his life can affect our lives...today...right where we live...in the midst of our weaknesses and failures. With maps and pictures, outlines, key scripture verses, discussion questions, plenty of room for note taking, and a personal five-day Bible study for each session, this participant's guide will help you get the most out of The Life of Jesus, both in your group and in applying what you learn to your life. TAKE A DEEPER LOOK The Deeper Connections series is unique. Unlike any other Bible study available, this visually stunning DVD series is written and taught by biblical experts--six professors with specialized areas of knowledge. Don't let the word deeper scare you. These engaging and accessible studies are for everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of God's Word and apply it more faithfully and effectively. In fact, a full one-third of each study is centered on modern application of Jesus' life and teachings. Hosted by Margaret Feinberg, who introduces each session from Israel, and filmed in locations as diverse as the Rocky Mountains, the Arizona desert, downtown Chicago, and Little Rock, Arkansas, each volume consists of six fascinating sessions. Each session is taught by a different teacher and emphasizes three components: 1. Historical and cultural background 2. An engaging, close look at the biblical text and its meaning 3. Accurate, encouraging, and challenging applications of the Bible's message to life today Are you seeking more from your Bible study? With three hours of teaching per DVD by Bible professors who know how to communicate the world of the biblical text to today's world, "Deeper Connections" will provide the depth for which you have been looking. Through alternating sections of teaching and group discussion or individual reflection, this Bible Study series will allow you to make DEEPER CONNECTIONS with three main areas: 1. Historical Background: Jewish, Old Testament, historical, social, and cultural backgrounds, along with New Testament parallels, will be examined in order to bring out the full and deeper meaning of the biblical text. 2. Biblical Text: Bible professors who teach this subject matter in Bible colleges and seminaries will teach the biblical text. This is not a study filled only with entertaining stories. It gets at the real meaning of the text through stimulating teaching. 3. Real-life Application: Challenging and accurate applications that come directly out of the biblical text will help you to live the truth of the Bible in today's difficult world. Dr. Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary Dr. Gary Burge, Wheaton College Dr. Scott Duvall, Ouachita Baptist Seminary Prof. Susan Hecht, Denver Seminary Dr. Mark Strauss, Bethel Seminary Dr. Matt Williams, Biola University




Sharing Jesus, Participant's Guide


Book Description

These six new study guides have six sessions each and enable small groups to explore the power and life application of Jesus teaching on the five biblical purposes of a Christian life by closely examining Christ s model in the Gospels."




The Miracles of Jesus Participant's Guide


Book Description

Healer of diseases. Master of nature. Conqueror of demons and death. Jesus not only preached the kingdom of God in word, but he demonstrated it in power through his miraculous deeds. In six engaging, interactive small group sessions, this Deep Connection DVD gives you a unique, in-depth look at the miracles of Jesus will open your eyes to their impact on the lives he touched, what they reveal about God’s heart, and their significance for us today. With maps and pictures, outlines, key Scripture verses, discussion questions, plenty of room for note taking, and a personal five-day Bible study for each session, this participant’s guide will help you get the most out of The Miracles of Jesus, both in your group and in applying what you learn to your life.