Discovering Hope in the Psalms


Book Description

"What an incredibly unique and creative Bible study! It's multilayered, dimensional, theologically rich, touching the senses—enlightening the mind, capturing the heart." —Kay Arthur, cofounder of Precept Ministries International "I love the encouragement, inspiration, and delightful details woven throughout." —Darlene Schacht, Time-Warp Wife and bestselling author of Messy Beautiful Love This Isn't Your Average Bible Study Explore God's Word on a deeper level and engage with his truth in fresh ways! This study of 10 psalms of hope invites you to discover the incredible design and purpose of inspired Hebrew poetry. Perfect for group discussion or personal reflection, Discovering Hope in the Psalms offers compelling teachings, motivating devotions, and plenty of creative options for interacting with the psalms—including beautiful artwork to color. This discovery book will show you how to... rejoice in God's mercy when sin knocks you down request help with hope when troubles surround respond with thanksgiving for each answered prayer Immerse your mind, heart, and soul in the hope flowing through the psalms.




Creative Bible Lessons in Psalms


Book Description

Let your students experience the raw faith and rich praise in Israel’s national songbook--the Psalms.The 12 sessions in Creative Bible Lessons in Psalms (the latest in Youth Specialties’ Creative Bible Lessons series) unwrap this Old Testament book so your students understand the passion, anguish, and joy expressed by David and the other Hebrew songwriters--and then learn to love the same God that the ancient Jews loved.The meetings (which are perfect for high schoolers and middle schoolers alike) are arranged around kinds of Psalms, including—Torah Psalms Seeing God at work in your personal historyComplaint Psalms When you’re attacked, is God always your bulletproof vest?Royal Psalms Jesus in the PsalmsTrust Psalms The God who really knows you, inside and outPenitential Psalms Shedding old skin--forgiveness and renewalThanksgiving Psalms Gratitude is next to godlinessOracle Psalms How to hear GodTaunt Psalms Battle lines are drawnAnd each session is loaded with options galore: clips from easy-to-get videos, games for mixing and games with a purpose, in-depth and ready-to-use questions for small-group discussions, original role plays, low-prep scripts, talks for you to give--activities to choose from that give your students not only a memorable time in youth group, but a taste of both the quiet trust and the boisterous celebration that the Psalms overflow with.Perfect for Sunday school teachers, youth workers, volunteers, CE directors, DREs, associate pastors--whoever wants to minister to real teenagers in a real world.




Life Lessons from Psalms


Book Description

Worship is a daunting but important part of discipleship. For that reason, God gave us the Psalms... This collection of hymns and petitions was written over a span of centuries, in many different settings, by kings such as David and Solomon and commoners like Asaph, Heman, and the sons of Korah. Some of the psalms are defiant; others are reverent. Some are meant to be sung; others are to be prayed. Some are intensely personal; others are communal. But all have one purpose—to help us express our hears to God. As you read, study, journal, and discuss the book of Psalms, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book: God is worthy of all worship. God will defend his people against their enemies. Being in relationship with God is the key to all joy and security. The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes: An opening reflection on the Bible book you're studying. Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting. An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV). Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes. Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection. The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.




Psalms


Book Description

The book of Psalms powerfully resonates with the whole spectrum of human emotions and experiences, resounding with heartfelt praise, humble confession, and honest lament. Plumbing the theological depths, this guide explains the biblical text with clarity and passion—exploring the Bible's ability to transform our emotions and incline our hearts toward worship. Over the course of 12 weeks, each study in this series explores a book of the Bible and: Asks thoughtful questions to spur discussion Shows how each passage unveils the gospel Ties the text in with the whole story of Scripture Illuminates the doctrines taught in each passage Invites you to discover practical implications Helps you better understand and apply God's Word




Creative Bible Lessons in Revelation


Book Description

Was the book of Revelation penned by the crazy uncle in the family of Bible writers?You try to convince yourself that the apostle john is just another New Testament writer–kindly, gentle, loving. You know...normal.But he’s just so weird! Most of the time you have no idea what John is talking about in his revelation. When you must interact with his wild, otherworldly book, you escape as soon as you can to familiar, saner Bible texts. Like Matthew’s Gospel or one of Paul’s letters–after all, they straight-up tell you what Jesus did and what you should do!Yet Creative Bible Lessons in Revelation will quickly convince you and your students that St. John wasn’t so much a crazy guy as he was a visionary, inspirational, and worshipful guy! And you don’t have to subscribe to any pre- or post-eschatology theory in order to learn all sorts of good stuff from the apostle.So while these 12 sessions–complete and ready-to-teach–won’t help your students identify who the antichrist is or give them the coordinates of Armageddon’s opening salvos, they will, however, acquaint your youth group with the mysterious nature of Revelation, then demonstrate how these apocalyptic principles actually provide practical application for us today.Here’s what’s inside every session:-Detailed overviews for clear, convenient prepping.-Intriguing activities and games-with-a-point that introduce that session’s topic.-Hardcore Bible studies and provocative questions that trigger dialogue in both large and small groups.-Application exercises that translate John’s visions into practical, attainable actions and attitudes for students’ daily lives.Plus, you’ll get these bonuses:-Let’s Get Theological–lite intros to the various interpretations of the reactions to the events Revelation predicts-More More More–helpful supplements to activities and discussions-Worthy of Worship–top-drawer suggestions for turning ordinary youth meetings into extraordinary times of praising God.Questions about the future lurk in everyone’s minds–especially in the minds of teenagers. Now is your chance to explore the book of Revelation with your students–to glimpse at the never-ending worship to come, to grab hold of God’s promises and his mercy, and to bring some ease to troubled hearts.




Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament


Book Description

Experience the Old Testament as Never Before Take a journey to discover all God has planned since before the foundation of the earth. You’ll never grow tired of studying Scripture with this innovative and immersive Bible study experience. Through compelling instruction and motivational devotions, it reveals God’s redemptive plan from the beginning of creation. Explore… timeline icons to help you track God’s plan through the Old Testament key questions at the beginning of each section to guide your focus opportunities for creative expression, including full-page graphics and bookmarks to color sidebars that offer fascinating historical insights practical application questions to guide and deepen your walk with Christ online opportunities for connection and interactive community As you discover new ways to engage with God’s Word through this in-depth approach to studying Scripture, you will gain wisdom and understanding about his incredible, unchanging love for you. Designed to be used for group study or for individual reflection. To find out more about the complete series, explore many creative resources, and connect with the authors and other readers, visit DiscoveringTheBibleSeries.com.




The 23rd Psalm


Book Description

Juanita Ryan shows you how this picture of life lived in God's care can touch your deepest longings and speak directly to your darkest fears, which may be why we return to this psalm so often. Yet frequent exposure to it may result in overfamiliarity. These nine session LifeGuide® Bible Study studies help us discover its wisdom by pulling in other texts that show the same attributes of God--who guides us, protects us, feeds us and much more.




Creative Bible Lessons in Galatians and Philippians


Book Description

Grace, growth, freedom, and faith are the themes of these 12 dynamic lessons based on the letters from Paul to the Christians in Galatia and Philippi. As the next volume in the popular Creative Bible Lessons series, Creative Bible Lessons in Galatians & Philippians comes power-packed with the teachings of Paul. Six lessons from each book will guide you and your students through many of the Gospel’s central truths, including:Liberation from the religious "rules and regulations" corralReconnecting with true freedom in ChristThe purpose of the law and moral boundariesHumility and friendshipSetting an example for othersJoy in spite of circumstancesTo help you teach each lesson are clips from easy-to-get videos . . . games for mixing and games with a purpose . . . in-depth, ready-to-use questions for small-group discussions . . . original role plays, scripts, and spontaneous melodramas--plus a lot of other activities to choose from that give your students not only an occasional laugh, but also a taste of the extravagant grace of God as well as the kind of joy that literally overflows all over the place.




Creative Bible Lessons from the Old Testament


Book Description

Okay, so they used mule mail instead of e-mail -- but they were still surprisingly modern men and women. With emotions, decisions, and dilemmas as raw and real as the students sitting in front of you every week. David and Rahab, Daniel and Ruth--even with their rough edges, they passionately loved Jehovah in a way today's adolescents can understand and emulate. Here are 12 Old Testament character studies, including-- Believe it or not -Abraham: Living by faith is not for wimps - Faith overcomes a fast past -Rahab: What you live is what you believe. Everything else is just talk. - The waiting game -Joseph: Trials and temptations can make us strong. - Benchwarmer to first string -Moses : Often God uses the least likely person to do great things. - Right woman, right place, right time -Esther : God has created each one of us for a purpose. - Keeping promises -Ruth: Commitment means more than saying the right words. - Bad days for good people -Job: Suffering may be the condition from which humans benefit the most. - The long way home -Jonah: Sometimes we simply say no to God. -- And to help you teach the lesson are clips from easy-to-get videos . . . games for mixing and games that teach . . . in-depth, ready-to-use questions guaranteed to spark small-group discussion . . . original role plays, scripts, dilemmas faced by these ancient but very human believers in their Yahweh. For youth workers, Sunday school teachers, and CE directors, Creative Bible Lessons from the Old Testament will help your students understand that the God who offered hope and courage to ancient history-makers still does the same for teenagers today.12 lessons.




Discovering Joy in Philippians


Book Description

Share the Joy If difficult days have ever left you discouraged, this interactive 11-week journey will help you engage creatively with God’s Word and establish habits that lead to greater joy and peace. Refresh your delight in the Lord through: Daily Lessons with an introduction and key questions for each chapter to help you dive deeper into the heart of Scripture and incorporate it into your life with joy builder activities Choosing Joy Devotions and inspirational quotes to stir hope even in difficult times as you learn to trust God’s faithfulness and rest in his strength no matter what circumstance you find yourself in Creative Connections including bookmarks and coloring pages that provide an outlet to knit your heart to God and explore your faith through artistic expression “…that your joy may be full.” John 15:11 This unique discovery book includes ideas for group studies, verse-inspired artwork to color, fascinating details about the Bible, and online connections and communities so you can build up your joy and build up others! To find out more about the complete series, explore many creative resources, and connect with the authors and other readers, visit DiscoveringTheBibleSeries.com.