Is Sunday School Destroying Our Kids?


Book Description

How do we make grace part of Christian living? Does Sunday School encourage discipleship and teach our children faith? People in the world often reject Christianity simply because they can't distinguish it from mere morality. The world needs morality--oppression thrives when consciences are abandoned--but we need more than that alone. We need the gospel of grace. A gospel that has largely been lost amid the dos and don'ts and preoccupations of religious culture.12 Essays on the Distinction Between Grace and Morality Includes perspectives on topics such as: Why Do Our Children Leave the Church?Graceless Goodness: The Problem with MoralismThe False Gospel of "Just Do It"The Temptations of Christian PublishingThe Ugliness of Religious RighteousnessThe Insidious Danger of "I'd Never Do That"We Read the Bible the Wrong WayComments from Readers I like what Sam Williamson has to say about how good people--people like us--may be piling burdens on our children they can't possibly bear. Has the good news of the gospel magically morphed into bad news for them? Read Sam's provocative new book to find out. -Ann Spangler, Author, Praying the Names of God (and many other books) These days we hear so much and think so little. We consume without digesting and then wonder why our body is acting strangely. In this book, Sam helps us look carefully, graciously, and wonder-fully at the Gospel and the beliefs of our heart. -Gary Barkalow, founding director of The Noble Heart, and Author, It's Your Call. This has got to be one of the best books on raising Godly children (or simply new believers) I've ever read. Thank you. -Brian This is as clearly and as beautifully communicated as I have heard the Gospel for a long time. -Bob This is such an excellent read!!! I wish all Christians could read it. What a great blessing to see this truth presented in a way that it is so easily understood. Thank you for this thoughtful book. - Linda This is a fitting warning that Christian education could fall into moralization (and idolizing "heroes of faith"). The same warning is applicable even to the whole teaching/preaching ministry of many churches. - RayFrom the Book People often pit grace against moralism. And they should. Moralism circumvents heart-changed morality. We need moral men and women, but moralism damages the foundation of heart-change. It's okay to pit grace against moralism, but let's not pit grace against morality. Grace is the source of real morality, and grace--thank God!--breaks the bars of moralism that imprison us. Is Sunday School Destroying Our Kids? exposes moralism for its false pretensions--the sham that it is--and it moves our hearts to believe the gospel, for the first, or the hundred-and-first, time.Available in Print and eBook Editions Scroll up and order your copy now.




Old Turtle


Book Description

All of nature argues about the forms of God, so people are sent as a reminder of all that God is, although they do not seem to understand the message themselves.




Eight Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches


Book Description

Leaders who are interested in planting or revitalizing congregations often feel discouraged and defeated after leadership conferences, or after reading about the ‘heroes’ of church planting and church growth. “They are amazing,” they say. “I can’t be that amazing.” But Jesus’ load is easy and his burden is light. When we examine the practices and characteristics of those ‘heroes’, we see striking trends and commonalities. Aspiring church leaders can learn the practices and develop the characteristics that will lead to successful churches. Instead of feeling defeated, new leaders should have a hope-filled sense of what new thing they can do. Authors Matt Miofsky and Jason Byasse carefully researched, interviewed, and profiled successful church-growers across the U.S., and identified 8 characteristics these leaders and their congregations have in common. These pastors are still learning, still figuring out how to do this work and how to faithfully live into God’s call. But for now, how are they doing what they do? What mistakes have they made & learned from? Where have they paid the stupid tax that others should avoid? Each of these ‘heroes’ is painfully ordinary and up front about their flaws. And each can see slightly farther than the rest of us. What do they see that we can learn from? Discover the 8 characteristics, and learn how to adapt them for your own congregation and calling: Believe in miracles and act accordingly Integrate new people quickly Love the local Exist to reach the next person Elevate the practice of giving Work in teams Preach effectively to skeptics Make friends with the denomination




The Faith of a Child


Book Description

Research shows that if children do not accept Christ before they are fourteen, their chance of becoming believers greatly diminishes. Children's pastor Art Murphy offers help for anyone who struggles with the issue of children and salvation. The Faith of a Child is designed to teach parents, grandparents, or anyone who works with children how to be equipped and confident in guiding them to a saving faith in Christ.




Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer


Book Description

The Kids' Travel Guide series takes children from kindergarten through 5th grade on life-impacting explorations that engage them with activities, stories, prayer, and much more. Each of the seven themed Kids' Travel Guides includes 13 imaginative, interactive Bible lessons. Lead your Sunday school or midweek program on a travel adventure packed with fun activities, creative options, and take-home pages that kids tuck into their very own travel journals. Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer takes kids on journeys filled with stories, activities, ideas, and fun as they travel through the power of prayer. In 13 lessons, you'll use Jesus' guide to prayer to show children how God relates to them, and how they can relate to God Additional Features include: Tour Guide Tips: Ideas teachers can use to adapt the lesson for different ages. Items to Pack: Supplies and props for the journey. Scenic Routes: to give you more creative options for kids. Fun Facts: Jokes and interesting tidbits related to the lesson. Reproducible Handouts: Games, and journal "souvenirs". Kids' Travel Guide Series includes: Kids' Travel Guide to the Beatitudes (9781470704230) Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer (9780764425240) Kids' Travel Guide to the 10 Commandments (9780764422249) Kids' Travel Guide to the Parables (9780764470134) Kids' Travel Guide to the 23rd Psalm (9780764440052) Kids' Travel Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit (9780764423901) Kids' Travel Guide to the Armor of God (9780764426957)




Hands-On Bible 365 Devotions for Kids


Book Description

Devotional time is usually “quiet time”—a moment to sit and reflect on Scripture and connect with God. Hands-On Bible: 365 Devotions for Kids will reignite and energize your family devotions. Your kids will be giggling, singing, dancing, creating, and getting excited about the Bible all while praising God and growing closer to Him. Each of the 365 action-filled devotions comes to life with fun activities and games using regular household items. No need to run out and buy extra supplies! With Hands-On Bible: 365 Devotions for Kids, your children will get into the Bible, and the Bible will get into their hearts, giving them a priceless foundation of faith in God.




Kids' Travel Guide to the Parables


Book Description

"Reproducible handouts included!"--Cover.




Daniel in the Lions' Den


Book Description




Call on Me


Book Description

First exclusively Episcopal prayer book for youth This prayer book designed for teens draws from the Book of Common Prayer, relevant prayers written by well known Episcopalians, and ancient prayers rooted in the Bible. New and original prayers are also offered, written by contemporary church leaders in the Episcopal Church, as well as by teens themselves, young adults and youth leaders. The book is structured in four parts: Daily Prayer. Including morning prayer, table blessings, and night time. Prayers for the Seasons of the Church Year. Blessing of a Christmas tree, prayer for Christ in my life for Easter, prayer for courage to share my faith, and more. Prayers for Daily Life. Before a special school event, before a sports event, before a test, being left out, bullying, dating, divorce, doubts, forgiveness, friendship, gratitude, grief, guidance, hope, motivation, peer pressure, pets, purpose, and more. Prayers for Important Events. Significant birthday, earning a driver’s license, Confirmation, beginning the school year, starting high school, applying for college, graduating high school, going to college, joining the workforce.




Diddy Disciples 1: September to December


Book Description

Diddy Disciples is a creative and playful new worship and Bible storytelling resource for babies, toddlers and young children. Diddy Disciples aims to encourage participation, discipleship and leadership from children’s earliest years, using storytelling, singing, colour, repetition, art and lots and lots of movement! Peer-learning is actively encouraged with many opportunities for young children to learn from each other. Groups are invited to build their own Diddy Disciples sessions, choosing from different options. Leaders can use the material to create a service to follow the pattern of their church’s Sunday worship, a simple midweek baby and toddler singing session, or anything in between! Book 1 includes: Over 20 weeks’ worth of fully worked-out sessions organized into 4-6 week units from September to December All the information you need to set up and run Diddy Disciples in your group Plenty of opportunities to tailor the material to your own context, resources and tradition All sorts of creative ‘starter ideas’ for using everyday art and play resources to spark children's imaginations and engagement as they respond to the biblical stories. The Units are: Jesus’ wonderful love: six weeks introducing some of Jesus’ most famous parables God the maker: six weeks on creation and caring for it, including a Harvest celebration In November we remember: four weeks including All Saints and Remembrance Sunday Getting ready for baby Jesus: five weeks journeying through Advent to Christmas