Books to Help With Discipleship

Gain fresh insights into the New Testament in this life-changing course by a celebrated Bible translator and Oxford professor.
Perhaps no other text has so greatly influenced Western civilization as the New Testament. And yet, it also remains widely misunderstood, even among lifelong Christians.
Now, The New Testament: A Bible Study Course answers your most important questions about its 27 books. Brilliantly presented by Fr. Nicholas King, these 36 engaging lectures give you access to modern scholarship on the New Testament. Fr. King's original translations breathe new life into the words you have so often heard and studied, accurately conveying the mood of the original documents.

This completely revised and updated second edition of The New Testament in Antiquity skillfully develops how Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures formed the essential environment in which the New Testament authors wrote their books and letters. Understanding of the land, history, and culture of the ancient world brings remarkable new insights into how we read the New Testament itself.

Humans are hardwired for awe.

Our hearts are always captured by something―that’s how God made us. But sin threatens to distract us from the glory of our Creator. All too often, we stand in awe of everything but God.

Uncovering the lies we believe about all the earthly things that promise us peace, life, and contentment, Paul Tripp redirects our gaze to God’s awe-inducing glory―showing how such a vision has the potential to impact our every thought, word, and deed.

Daily Inspiration for The Purpose Driven® Life interweaves many of the Bible verses handpicked by author Rick Warren with reflections from his New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven® Life. Designed to be used as a convenient standalone book for daily reflection, or as an easy reference tool when reading The Purpose Driven® Life, every section corresponds to each one of the 40 Days of Purpose. Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is a wonderful resource of encouragement. Winner of the Retailers Choice Award, this expanded edition contains new material from the bestselling book’s tenth-anniversary edition.

Sacred Pathways reveals nine distinct spiritual temperaments--and their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies--to help you improve your spiritual life and deepen your personal walk with God.
It's time to strip away the frustration of a one-size-fits-all spirituality and discover a path of worship that frees you to be you. Experienced spiritual directors, pastors, and church leaders recognize that all of us engage with God differently, and it's about time we do too.

"All Christians know they should pray, but sometimes it’s hard to know how—especially if the minutes start to drag and our minds start to wander. Offering readers hope, encouragement, and the practical advice they’re looking for, this concise book by professor Donald Whitney outlines a simple, time-tested method that can help transform our prayer lives: praying the words of the Bible. Praying the Bible shows readers how to pray through portions of Scripture one line at a time, helping us stay focused by allowing God’s Word itself to direct our thoughts and words. Simple yet profound, this resource will prove invaluable to all Christians as they seek to commune with their heavenly Father in prayer each and every day."

Our world is fraught with dark and twisted chaos. Many of us feel hopeless and helpless.
How can we make sense of it all? Where can we turn to find courage, and hope? Is there anything we can do?
Yes! This book is about a simple and yet powerful way for you to bring about change in your life and in this world. It is a book about prayer, but more than that, it is about personally connecting with God. He is wiser, more powerful, more righteous, and more loving than we can imagine. He is also motivated to see transformation begin, and He wants you and me to take part in that. This book calls you to join God in becoming an agent of good in this dark world.

"God wants me to try harder.""God blesses me when I'm good and punishes me when I'm bad.""God is angry with me."We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true--but many are false. James Bryan Smith believes those thoughts determine not only who we are, but how we live. In fact, Smith declares, the most important thing about a person is what they think about God. The path to spiritual transformation begins here.Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. Once you've discovered the truth in Scripture, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes specific activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind.

In this Good and Beautiful Series book, James Bryan Smith helps us know how to live in relationship with others as apprentices of Jesus. "Apprentices of Jesus are not part-time do-gooders," he writes. "They live in continuous contact with the kingdom of God, and are constantly men and women in whom Christ dwells. They do not sometimes tell the truth, sometimes live sacrificially or sometimes forgive. There are myriad opportunities for us to impact the world in which we live."
Yet many times we've gotten it wrong, tending to emphasize personal faith over social justice or vice versa. In these pages Jim Smith shows us how to bring spiritual formation and community engagement together, and then once again offers spiritual practices that root new, true narratives about God and the world in our souls.

"I have never met a person whose goal was to ruin his or her life. We all want to be happy, and we want it all of the time."So begins James Bryan Smith in The Good and Beautiful Life. The problem is, he tells us, we have bought into false notions of happiness and success. These self-centered decisions lead us further into the vices that cause ruin: anger, lust, lying, worry and judging. Eventually we find ourselves living a beautifully packaged life of self-destruction.Following the Sermon on the Mount, this follow-up to The Good and Beautiful God guides us to look behind these character flaws and to replace our false beliefs with Jesus' narratives about life in the kingdom of God.

Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits. Today we use margin just to get by. This book is for anyone who yearns for relief from the pressure of overload. Reevaluate your priorities, determine the value of rest and simplicity in your life, and see where your identity really comes from. The benefits can be good health, financial stability, fulfilling relationships, and availability for God’s purpose.

Sometimes we plod through life with our head down. Day in and day out we push along, putting our shoulders into it, and keeping a stiff upper lip. What we really need is a little encouragement to get through the day. We just need some kind words from others to let us know that what we are doing really matters.
In Encouraging One Another, you will explore what Scripture has to say about the value God places on your life and how He notices all that you are doing. You will read passages that will lift your spirit as you hear God speaking His words of encouragement into your life. You will also discover that just as God lifts you up, He wants you to lift up others.

As followers of Jesus, we have been ushered into a reality that rivals the plot of any story. We are leading ladies in a thrilling tale of epic proportions—a story that is vibrant, mysterious, and beautiful! The problem is that so often we get caught up in the complacency of life and forget that our stories are intricately intertwined with that of our Lord and Savior. In this study, readers will explore what happens after they receive Christ and what it means to truly dwell in Him. They will explore how Jesus is their intimate friend, how He calls them His beloved, and how He has made some fantastic promises to them. Most of all, they will see that their lives in Christ are never-ending stories that will continue to unfold throughout eternity.

In the desire and quest to make sense of the world and our existence, three great sirens have lured men and women into a lull with the empty promise to make their lives meaningful. The great king of Israel, Solomon, though the wisest man, was not immune to their song. But at the end of his life, Solomon, in all of his God-given wisdom, stopped to contemplate on all that competed for his attention. He wrote his conclusions in the Book of Ecclesiastes.Tommy Nelson continues his study of Solomon's writings by taking an in-depth look at Ecclesiastes. In a world such as ours, where the search for meaning and purpose propels mankind to try everything under the sun, Solomon's conclusions ring louder than ever for a people who need answers more than ever.

Before you were born, God already planned your life. God longs for you to discover the life he uniquely created you to live--here on earth, and forever in eternity. Let The Purpose Driven Life show you how. As one of the bestselling nonfiction books in history, with more than 35 million copies sold, The Purpose Driven Life is far more than just a book; it's the road map for your spiritual journey. A journey that will transform your life.
Designed to be read in 42 days, each chapter provides a daily meditation and practical steps to help you discover and live out your purpose, starting with exploring three of life's most pressing questions.

Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our souls. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.
As a humble cook, Brother Lawrence learned an important lesson through each daily chore: The time he spent in communion with the Lord should be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen—with several people asking questions at the same time—or on his knees in prayer. He learned to cultivate the deep presence of God so thoroughly in his own heart that he was able to joyfully exclaim, “I am doing now what I will do for all eternity. I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with all my heart.”

Athanasius was born in Egypt to a Christian family sometime around 295 AD. He was given a good education by his parents, and in his youth, the local bishop, recognizing his talents, took him on as his aide. As a result he would be present at Nicaea for the first Ecumenical council of the church.
These works cover the full span of his life, beginning in 319 AD, when he wrote his famous, 'On the Incarnation of the Word'. At the time there were a number of different understandings of Christ circulating throughout Egypt, and Christianity was not yet a well-defined, official religion of the Roman Empire. Most of his works center around defending the Christian faith. Also included are many of his letters and the 'Life of St. Anthony', which became the defining work of early monasticism.

Dallas Willard, one of today's most brilliant Christian thinkers and author of The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today's 1999 Book of the Year), presents a way of living that enables ordinary men and women to enjoy the fruit of the Christian life. He reveals how the key to self-transformation resides in the practice of the spiritual disciplines, and how their practice affirms human life to the fullest. The Spirit of the Disciplines is for everyone who strives to be a disciple of Jesus in thought and action as well as intention.

John Bunyan admitted he was one of the worst sinners to have ever lived. But after converting to Christianity, he was constantly amazed by the fact that God saved him from his wrongdoings. As a minister of the Gospel, he loved to proclaim the grace of God to sinners, and he earnestly persuaded them to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ.
Published in 1688, the year of his death, The Jerusalem Sinner Saved brings together the fruit of Bunyan's thoughts on the grace of forgiveness. With the warmth of a true evangelist, he beautifully reveals the riches of God's grace and mercy to the greatest of sinners.

Find security and hope in a broken world through the unshakable promises of God. Join New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado as he leads you through 30 life-changing promises from God in Praying the Promises. You’ll experience a more intimate and effective prayer life and a deeper faith in the God who keeps every promise.
Max Lucado invites you to:
discover a deeper understanding of the peace and security God offers His people
learn from the stories of God’s faithfulness and identify tangible ways to implement faith into your own prayer life
develop a deeper appreciation for the biblical people of faith, reflections, and prayers so you can see a clearer picture of how God is the rock you can build your life upon
Praying the Promises is a great gift for birthdays, clergy appreciation, holiday gift giving, or to someone needing encouragement. Inside you’ll discover:

Do you need to restore your first love with Jesus, but the "world's system" has you stopped dead in your tracks? Do you yearn for that place where you and Jesus are so close that nothing can separate you; you're on the same wavelength and everything is clicking. This series will help you examine your direct line of communication with God.

This is more than a Bible you listen to; it’s an experience that helps you enter God’s Word … so God’s Word can enter you. Narrated by George Sarris, a well-known spokesperson for several Fortune 500 companies and a talented communicator, this audio edition of the complete Bible in the beloved New International Version (NIV) will reignite your passion for the Word of God.

Heal from yesterday's pain and find hope for tomorrow with this inspirational guide -- and learn how God's faithfulness is working for your good, even when times are tough.
If we are truly blessed to be a blessing, then we can take the lessons we learn in hardships and turn them around to help others navigate through their seasons of struggle. Hope and healing are the two words God has given us. Hope for tomorrow and healing from yesterday. Shaun Nepstad believes God wants to use our stories to bring hope and healing to others.

David Needham asks "Christian, do you know who you are?" in this remarkable and easy-to-understand rerelease of his book about the Christian's birthright. He offers fresh insight into the theological problem of Christian identity, biblically based teaching, and a challenge for personal enrichment and further Bible study. Birthright achieves an excellent balance between the theological and the practical. The author's sincerity and candid writing style are guaranteed to buoy the spirits of readers.

Who was the Melchizedek the apostle Paul spoke of in the book of Hebrews? How is his priesthood different than the priesthood of Levi? Why was the Messiah ordained after the order of Melchizedek and not after the order of Levi? For the first time, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient church fathers, and other rare history books reveal the mystery of the Ancient Order of Melchizedek.We will learn about the order and how it is different from the order of Levi. We will see who the ten Melchizedekian priests were, and how the order was broken up into three parts until the Messiah would come to earth to reinstate the order in its fullness. Most importantly, we will see how that reinstatement effects Christian theology and practical applications to our Christian walk today.

For A. W. Tozer, no question is more important than, "What is God like?" The desire to know God consumed his entire life and ministry.
That's why those who read him come to know God more intimately.
Originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, this first volume of The Attributes of God examines ten attributes of God. It also includes a study guide for an in-depth look at each attribute.

For A. W. Tozer, there is no question more important than, "What is God like?" The desire to know God consumed his entire life and ministry.
That's why those who read him come to know God more intimately.
Originally preached as sermons to the Avenue Road congregation in Toronto, this follow-up to The Attributes of God Volume 1 examines ten more attributes of God. It also includes a study guide for an in-depth look at each attribute.

Nothing is more important for our own mental, moral, and spiritual development, or for our increase in usefulness, than Bible study. But, not all Bible study is equally profitable. Some Bible study is absolutely profitless. How to study the Bible so as to get the most benefit from it is a topic of immeasurable importance.
The practicality and effectiveness of these Bible study methods and conditions have been tested in the classroom, and not with classes made up completely of college graduates, but largely composed of people of very simple education. The methods, however, require time and hard work.

In this book, popular author James W. Moore talks about the power of a story, such as those told by Jesus in the Bible. The author recalls, “I would be sitting there in the sanctuary of our church, doing what young boys do in church, drawing pictures on the back of the bulletin, working puzzles, looking constantly at Granny’s watch, wishing the seconds hand would move faster, daydreaming about sports, kicking my feet in the air impatiently, counting the organ pipes . . . And then, the preacher would start telling a story, and I was hooked. He had my full attention. I couldn’t wait to hear the story!”

"Systematic Theology" is the culmination and creative synthesis of John Frame's writing on, teaching about, and studying of the Word of God. This magisterial opus at once biblical, clear, cogent, readable, accessible, and practical summarizes the mature thought of one of the most important and original Reformed theologians of the last hundred years. It will enable you to see clearly how the Bible explains God's great, sweeping plan for mankind.

If you are like most Christians, you know you should be praying more often, taking it more seriously, and giving it more priority in your life. But what often gets missed is that prayer is not a requirement but a privilege! Prayer is the pathway to building a relationship with the Savior. Through prayer, the Creator and Sustainer of everything actually listens to us.
In Praying with Power, you will explore what the Bible has to say about this fascinating two-way communication with God. You will explore journaling prayers, praying the Scripture, and how to pray your way through a desert or valley.

We don't need to be told that prayer is important. We know that an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father cannot be maintained if we don't talk to Him. Why, then, do we so often fail to do so? And why, when we do, don't we see the results we long for? Ray Stedman shows us the obvious answer: We have not been really praying.

As Christians, we know that we are new creations in Jesus. So we try to act differently, hoping this will make us more like Him. But changing our outward behavior doesn’t change our hearts. Only by God’s grace can we be transformed internally. Renovation of the Heart lays a biblical foundation for understanding what best-selling author Dallas Willard calls the “transformation of the spirit”―a divine process that “brings every element in our being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God.”

Without knowing the basics of Christianity, there is no way to truly understand the "good news" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God offers a chance for the best life now, and the promise of eternal life through faith in His son as savior and redeemer - something John Rogers drives home in this book.
Focusing on the fundamentals of Christianity, he introduces selected Scriptures and bolsters them with modern and relevant commentary.

What would it be like to live without fear? Join renowned philosopher Dallas Willard as he shares the biblically-backed secret to living with true contentment, peace, and security.
In Life Without Lack, Dallas Willard revolutionizes our understanding of Psalm 23 by taking this comfortably familiar passage and revealing its extraordinary promises: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."

God wants to give you a heart just like Jesus.
Jesus felt no guilt; God wants you to feel no guilt.
Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to do away with yours.
Jesus had no fears; God wants the same for you.
Jesus had no anxiety about death; you needn't either.
God's desire, his plan, his ultimate goal is to make you into the image of Christ.
This is your invitation to spend thirty intimate days with the Savior learning how to become more like Jesus. Can you think of a better offer?

Do you take life too seriously? Or, do you absolutely not take life seriously at all? This book is for you. Somewhere in-between the two? Well, come on down. Dig in to some of the stories in the Bible and how they impact and direct your life, and enjoy the mix of deep thoughts, powerful wisdom, and intermingling laughs along the way.

Most of the Gospel Harmonies use parallel columns to give side-by-side comparisons of the various events in Jesus' life and ministry. But how much easier could His storyline be followed if it were presented in one seamless narrative, streamlined in chronological order? Features: • The four Gospels woven into a single, running narrative • All Scriptures taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible • Sidebars call attention to major themes and difficult passages in the Gospels • Hundreds of study notes— a regular feature of every page—illuminate the text • Useful for both lesson and sermon preparation as well as stand-alone reading • Systematic reading plan for family worship and devotional use.

Theology matters! At last it can be understood easily, thanks to this “layman's language” approach to biblical belief. Authored by J. I. Packer, one of the premier theologians of Christianity, this summary of Christian teaching covers nearly 100 major Christian beliefs from a Reformed perspective. Brief, easy-to-understand chapters offer precise descriptions without sacrificing depth. Thoughtfully arranged and refreshingly readable, this is a book that belongs on the shelf of every Christian.

The church's worship has always been shaped by its understanding of the gospel. Here the bestselling author of Christ-Centered Preaching brings biblical and historical perspective to discussions about worship, demonstrating that the gospel has shaped key worship traditions and should shape today's worship as well.

Sacred Pathways reveals nine distinct spiritual temperaments--and their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies--to help you improve your spiritual life and deepen your personal walk with God.
It's time to strip away the frustration of a one-size-fits-all spirituality and discover a path of worship that frees you to be you. Experienced spiritual directors, pastors, and church leaders recognize that all of us engage with God differently, and it's about time we do too.
In this updated and expanded edition of Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas details nine spiritual temperaments and--like the Enneagram and other tools do with personality--encourages you to investigate the ways you most naturally express yourself in your relationship with God.

Take a walk. Change your world.
Reading through the Bible is difficult. The Daily Walk Bible will help you complete the journey. Drawing from the rich resources of Walk Thru the Bible’s Daily Walk magazine, The Daily Walk Bible offers a simple daily reading plan and tools to help you complete the journey and see how the Bible fits together.
Each day’s reading includes an overview to give you a bird’s-eye view of the day’s reading, several chapters from the Bible, an Insight offering an interesting fact from the day’s reading, and My Daily Walk―a short devotion to help you reflect on and apply a specific insight from the day’s reading.

It has never been more difficult to flee sexual immorality and pursue holiness.
We live in an age of unprecedented access to sexual temptation. Previous generations faced adultery, prostitution, and brothels. But not every person had a brothel in their pocket. Our society’s obsession with sex, coupled with the technologies that make pornography so accessible, make it more challenging than it’s ever been.
The result is that our families, our churches, and our society are being devastated by a pornography epidemic.
In More than a Battle, pastor and author Joe Rigney offers hope for Christian men who are seeking to live with integrity and faithfulness in the face of the sexual temptation around them.

Nine essential works by C. S. Lewis in one deluxe audio edition:
Mere Christianity
The Screwtape Letters
The Great Divorce
Miracles
The Problem of Pain
A Grief Observed
The Abolition of Man
The Weight of Glory
George MacDonald

Dallas Willard, the author of the bestselling spiritual classic, The Divine Conspiracy, now fulfills his revolutionary vision of how the kingdom of God is made real on earth in this sequel, the last book he was working on before his recent death.
In The Divine Conspiracy, revered Christian philosopher and scholar Dallas Willard critiqued the church's obsession with "sin management" and revolutionized our understanding of true Christian discipleship. Jesus is not a remote savior, waiting to welcome us into heaven after we die, Willard argued. He is a dynamic living force, a leader and teacher to whom we apprentice ourselves to learn the sacred skills God wants us to embrace, and to fulfill His son's vision when Christ declared that the "kingdom of God has come."

What is God saying to you today?
Jesus invites you to seek Him and receive all you need for a Spirit-led day.
This book of 90 two-minute biblical meditations will inspire you to focus on one word every day--from God's Word--and live it out practically through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Jesus invites you to seek Him and receive all you need for a Spirit-led day.

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This book of 90 two-minute biblical meditations will inspire you to focus on one word every day--from God's Word--and live it out practically through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The True Wilderness has established itself as one of the spiritual classics of the 20th century. Given as sermons to Trinity College undergraduates in the years following the author's breakdown in the 1950's, it illustrates the dangers of bad religion and the debilitating effects of a false view of God. Williams goes on to show that the true God is experienced by people who have accepted themselves and other people.

Grace and Personality is a book written by John Oman and published in 1917. The book explores the relationship between grace, which is defined as the unmerited love and favor of God, and personality, which is the unique combination of characteristics that make up an individual. Oman argues that grace is not something that can be earned or achieved through personal merit, but is instead freely given by God to all people. The book also examines the role of personality in the Christian faith, arguing that individuals should strive to develop their personalities in a way that is consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Does God have a perfect will for each Christian? Can you be absolutely certain of God’s specific will for your life? In this expanded twenty-fifth anniversary edition of his highly acclaimed work, Garry Friesen examines the prevalent view on God’s will today and provides a sound biblical alternative to the traditional teaching of how God guides us.

Spiritual beings populate the stories of Scripture. Angels singing. Demons infecting. Heavenly hosts fighting . . . Ignore the armies of God and Satan and you ignore the heart of Scripture. Ever since the snake tempted Eve in Eden, we've known: there is more to this world than meets the eye.
In this classic Christmas novella, best-selling author Max Lucado imagines the spiritual conflict that surrounded the coming of Christ.

Ever feel like you need just a 5-minute pep talk? If so, you've found the perfect little book! These bite-size devotions will encourage, inspire, and strengthen you during your day! Taken from the blog "Grace and Glory" by Kristen West, these devotions are filled with wit, humor, insight, and encouragement for all.

Paul David Tripp’s masterpiece on ministry will transform how you view yourself and engage with others. God radically changes people, and he offers us the opportunity―and the ability, by his power―to be involved in that change. We can live not just as grateful objects of his love but as effective instruments of his love in the lives of the people around us.

Is humility a Christlike attribute that should be pursued? And even if it should be, can genuine humility actually be attained? Often so practical in application that it is overlooked, the answer is found by studying the life and words of Christ (whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your slave). This little book is a loud call to all committed Christians to prove that meekness and lowliness of heart is the evidence by which those who follow the meek and lowly Lamb of God are to be known.

America’s favorite inspirational novelist offers a fictional view of six of the family members of Jesus, all anchored by Scriptural truth, creating a life-changing and unprecedented emotional connection to the Bible.
Through The Family of Jesus, readers will develop an emotional connection to the family members of Jesus, learning about their lives and falling in love with Scripture along the way. Bible studies and devotionals abound, and in churches everywhere people gather to seek a deeper understanding of God’s word and its application to their lives. But too often these studies engage only the analytic approach to Bible learning.

Are you weary? Worn out by the bills that keep stacking, a virus that keeps raging, or a heart that keeps aching? If so, the book of Esther brings welcome news: Relief will come!
To be clear, you didn't ask for this struggle. You want to get past it. You don't know how much longer you can hold up. But what if God is with you in this difficult season? When life seems off the rails, remember this truth: the minute you bow your head to pray is the moment God lifts his hand to help.

Paul David Tripp’s masterpiece on ministry will transform how you view yourself and engage with others. God radically changes people, and he offers us the opportunity―and the ability, by his power―to be involved in that change. We can live not just as grateful objects of his love but as effective instruments of his love in the lives of the people around us.

"God spoke to me." "The Spirit spoke to my heart." "God revealed the idea to me." Being close to God means communicating with him--telling him what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what he is saying to us. It is this second half of our conversation with God that is so important but that can also be so difficult. How do we hear his voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play? What if what God says to us is not clear? The key, says best-selling author Dallas Willard, is to focus not so much on individual actions and decisions as on building our personal relationship with our Creator.

Society says youth is a time for carefree self-expression, but Trip Lee says God has called everyone to RISE from slumber, above low expectations, and to live for the risen King.
The world tells us that our early years are to be irresponsibly enjoyed rather than devoted to meaningful pursuits. We’re told that responsibility and commitment are burdens to be put off as long as possible. And so, most of us spend our youth in a sad state of slumber—sleeping in on life until we’re forced to get up. The problem is that life has already begun. It’s happening right now. And God has called you to live it.

This timely book retrieves an old awareness that has slipped and changed in recent decades. The awareness of sin used to be our shadow. Christians hated sin, feared it, fled from it--and grieved over it. But the shadow of sin has now dimmed in our consciousness. Even preachers, who once got visibly angry over a congregation's sin, now speak of sin in a mumble.

From marital infidelity to global war, the world is obviously broken, leaving people desperate to find an explanation for our universal sin problem. In the latest addition to the Theology in Community series, Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson have assembled an interdisciplinary team of evangelical thinkers to explore the biblical doctrine of sin from a variety of angles.

Sometimes life appears to fall to pieces and can seem irreparable. We've all had our fair share of disappointments, losses, and hardships. But for every challenge there is a breathtaking promise: It's going to be okay. How can we know? Because God so loved the world.
In 3:16, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado encourages us to study closely the “Hope Diamond of the Bible”: John 3:16.

In This Bestselling Book, John Piper Challenges Christians to a God-Exalting Life

Many spend their lives on trivial diversions, seeking earthly comfort and pleasure above all else. But Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it,” calling us into the eternal purpose and God-exalting life for which we were made.
In this bestselling book, John Piper warns readers of the dangers of an irrelevant life that counts for nothing and calls Christians to the deeper joys, and risks, that matter for eternity.

God is good and powerful and wants the best for your life. He has big plans for you. You believe these things are true. But what is your own responsibility as a man when it comes to becoming all God created you to be? How can you walk in victory and faith and make an impact on others for God?
Kingdom Men Rising challenges men to foster personal discipleship and apply discipleship skills and a leadership mindset to all areas of life. Dr. Tony Evans brings his insights, stories, and wise counsel from God's Word to clear all obstacles in your path, leading you to the abundant life you've been called to live.

You don't need to memorize evangelical formulas or answers. You just have to be willing to ask questions.
There was something different about the way Jesus communicated with the lost: He didn't force answers upon people; He asked questions. So why don't we?
Campus ministry veteran Randy Newman has been using a questioning style of evangelism for years. In this thought-provoking book, he provides practical insights to help Christians engage others in meaningful spiritual conversations.

The CSB Tony Evans Study Bible includes extensive study notes, commentary, sermons, and writings crafted and curated by Dr. Tony Evans. Including over 150 videos via QR code, these features are strategically placed alongside the biblical text to explain God’s Word in a fresh way, guiding readers into a deeper understanding of Scripture.
With tools for application, this Bible is designed to inspire readers to live and share the values of the kingdom of God.

The Scripture Prayer Guide gives you the advantage of praying Scriptures back to God. Because it is Scripture, you can be confident that these are things the Lord would want you to pray. This promotes the process of cleansing and transforming your mind “by the washing of water with the word” (Eph.5:26). By using this guide, you will achieve a greater skill in the art of adoration, petition, intercession, affirmation, and thanksgiving.

If you want to improve your prayer life, try writing. If you want to improve your writing life, try praying.
Prayer and writing require many of the same practices, disciplines, and virtues. If you’re already inclined to both write and pray, it's not hard to figure out how they can help each other. If you’re experienced in one, you may find opportunities for personal or spiritual growth by trying out the other.

God doesn't demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules; he only wants his people to know him more intimately, says top-selling author D. A. Carson. The apostle Paul found that spiritual closeness in his own fellowship with the Father. By following Paul's example, we can do the same. This book calls believers to reject superficiality and revolutionize their lives by embracing a God-guided approach to prayer.

God came in the flesh to show us what love looks like. To truly see the dynamics of this love, we must take a close look at Jesus's relationships while he was here on earth. How he loved then is how he loves now, and how he loves now is how we as believers are to love.
No Greater Love is a study of Jesus's interactions with people throughout the book of John, including Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and even the Pharisees. What did this love look like in action, especially with those who are hard to love?

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1995 Books of the Year: Reasonable, concise, witty and wise, Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli have written an informative and valuable guidebook for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and reason.

Contemporary evangelicals have built a "salvation culture" but not a "gospel culture." Evangelicals have reduced the gospel to the message of personal salvation. This book makes a plea for us to recover the old gospel as that which is still new and still fresh.

Many people find the Holy Spirit mysterious and confounding. Why is the third person in the Godhead—the one Jesus said would be the believer’s ultimate source of truth and comfort—the source of such confusion?
In The God I Never Knew, Robert Morris clearly explains that the Holy Spirit’s chief desire is for relationship—to offer us the encouragement and guidance of a trusted friend.

Not every Christian should go to seminary, but there are certain teachings of the Bible that every Christian must know. Theology is important because what we believe affects how we live. Whether you're a relatively new believer in Jesus or a mature Christian looking for a better understanding of basics of the faith, Christian Beliefs is for you.
This readable guide to twenty basic Christian beliefs is a condensation of Wayne Grudem’s award-winning book Systematic Theology, prized by pastors and teachers everywhere. He and his son, Elliot, have boiled down the essentials of Christian theology for the layperson and made them both clear and applicable to life.

The Praying the Psalms Purple Faux Leather Prayer Book offers reflections on fifty passages from the Psalms. These scriptures hold songs of praise, cries for help, glad celebrations, and humble confessions that will renew your heart, transform your prayer life, and draw you closer to God.

What would it be like for modern readers to sit down beside Jesus as he explained the Bible to them? What life-changing insights might emerge from such a transformative encounter?
Lois Tverberg knows the treasures that await readers willing to learn how to read the Bible through Jewish eyes. By helping them understand the Bible as Jesus and his first-century listeners would have, she bridges the gaps of time and culture in order to open the Bible to readers today.

Do you sometimes wonder where God is in the midst of your daily battles with loneliness, grief, change, and doubts? New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado uses his signature reassuring and encouraging voice, paired with practical, relevant, and personal messaging, to remind you that God is with you every day.
This 365-day devotional begins each week with a prayer and scripture, followed by six days of devotions and Bible verses for reflection, weaving in messages of comfort, grace, and encouragement.

The Bible is filled with many fascinating individuals who lived their lives in the shadowlands of insignificance. Tucked away here and there in the pages of sacred Scripture, we may have passed over them as irrelevant nobodies, yet many of them lived their lives in faith and obedience to God despite facing overwhelming odds.
God included their stories in the Scriptures for a reason, and though we might consider them Bible nobodies, they truly were somebodies. We discover that God used people from all walks of life, not just the familiar superstars.

Offering an accessible translation of the classic Ignatian text The Spiritual Exercises, this reference provides step-by-step commentary that explains its meaning and relevance to the modern spiritual life. An important resource for those seeking to grow spiritually, whether Christian or not, every page provides compassionate advice for each stage of the journey and reflects the understanding of the human soul. Chronicling a spiritual work out, this resource employs stories, analogies, and approachable language to make this an ideal companion for anyone seeking divine inspiration.

We live in a time of deep uncertainty, and yet the Bible promises that we were created to enjoy lives of freedom, even in times when the world around us seems filled with darkness. You were not made to live in disappointment, disillusionment, and defeat, and God has given you the tools to live a life defined not by your trials, but by your victories.
In Overcomer, beloved Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah offers his insights on one of the most quoted but least understood passages of the Bible.

In this study, readers will take a careful look at this uniquely Christian characteristic and discover they have every reason to be joyful. They will see that joy is their strength and their song and provides a solid foundation in their hearts.

In times of crisis and change, knowing God is the only path to heart-deep stability and peace. Through prayer, you can experience His love, His character, and His strength—and have your faith transformed as God empowers you to continue advancing His kingdom on earth.
In Prayers for Knowing God, Dr. Tony Evans guides you through more than 50 prayers designed to enable you to identify and understand God’s attributes.

Without knowing the basics of Christianity, there is no way to truly understand the "good news" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God offers a chance for the best life now, and the promise of eternal life through faith in His son as savior and redeemer - something John Rogers drives home in this book.

Focusing on the fundamentals of Christianity, he introduces selected Scriptures and bolsters them with modern and relevant commentary.

Do you long to pray powerful prayers that impact Heaven and shake earth? Do you want to partner with God to deliver victory in challenging circumstances? Do you want to see God move powerfully in the lives of your loved ones?
For more than 40 years, Germaine Copeland, author of the Prayers That Avail Much Series®, has been helping millions of people pray―and get results!

When it comes to God’s will for our lives, there are certain things we can know for sure. We know it is God’s will for us to love Him body, soul, mind, and heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But what about the things we don’t know for sure? The Bible doesn’t tell us which car to buy or how many children we should have and at what age. This freedom can feel threatening at times, but Jesus doesn’t want us to live in fear.

Dann Spader is a disciple-maker who has spent his adult life exploring what it means to take someone from being a seeker to making disciples themselves. Over 750,000 people in 80 countries have been trained to make disciples through organizations he has led. Through studying the life of Christ and His disciple-making methods, Dann developed 4 Chair Discipling, a simple picture for others to follow. Jesus’ last words on earth had a few very specific instructions: Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.

Do you long to know God better? Do you want to understand Scripture more fully? Do you want to pray with power - and see results? Germaine Copeland's three bestselling volumes of Prayers That Avail Much have help Christians learn how to pray, to know what to pray and to confidently claim answers to prayer. Now this all-in-one edition is your complete guide to praying according to God's precious Word!

Do you long to be more like Christ?

Discipleship lies at the center of Christian life and practice. It is a beautiful journey, in which each of us simultaneously attempt to become more like Christ and to help others do the same. It is our most important task on earth, but often it is neglected or misunderstood. A. W. Tozer, on the other hand, knew exactly what it meant to disciple and to be discipled. Discipleship: What It Truly Means to Be a Christian is a collection of Tozer’s powerful and passionate writings on discipleship.

Everyone talks about the personal ministry of the Word, but how do we make one-another ministry truly biblical? Gospel-Centered Counseling equips readers to change lives with Christ’s changeless truth. It does so by examining life’s seven ultimate questions and then guiding readers on a journey that explores the biblical, gospel-centered narrative of:

The Word: “What is truth?” “Where can I find answers?”
The Trinity: “Who is God?” “Can I know Him personally?”
Creation: “Who am I?” “What makes people tick?”
Fall: “What went wrong?” “Why do we do the things we do?”
Redemption: “Can I change?” “How do people change?”
Glorification: “Where am I headed?” “How does our future destiny impact our present reality?”
Sanctification: “How can I help?” “How can I change lives?"

How does a person learn to counsel others with the truth of God’s Word? Bob Kellemen believes that the best way to learn counseling is by doing it—by giving and receiving biblical counseling in the context of real, raw Christian community.

Gospel Conversations explores the four compass-points of biblical counseling:

Sustaining: “It’s Normal to Hurt.”
Healing: “It’s Possible to Hope.”
Reconciling: “It’s Horrible to Sin, but Wonderful to Be Forgiven.”
Guiding: “It’s Supernatural to Mature.”

Collection of Puritan prayers and meditations that will help personal and public prayer.

This collection of eighty theologically rich and beautifully written prayers and meditations, adapted from Puritan prayers and prose, will enrich and deepen your prayer life.

While retaining the dignity and beauty of the original language, Tim Chester has updated key words and phrases, making the book accessible to modern readers.

A Hopeful Puritan Perspective on Suffering and Death

In the throes of a long illness and confronting the possibility of death, 17th-century theologian Richard Baxter found comfort in the reality of heaven that awaits believers of Christ. During his recovery, Baxter wrote about the afterlife in what would become his best-selling book.

The Saints’ Everlasting Rest meditates on what Scripture reveals about heaven, helping believers live an abundant, God-honoring life in anticipation of eternal rest. Baxter encourages readers not to become distracted or discouraged by the temporal as he refocuses their minds on the eternal. Confronting difficult topics including sin, suffering, and fear of death, he also emphasizes God’s sufficient grace and how the promise of heaven enriches life on earth.

How your life becomes less complicated and more mindful when you put Jesus first.

Every reference in the Bible to a healthy spiritual life is dependent on putting God first. But there are a lot of things that can get in the way of that ultimate priority--from over-working to over-thinking. Many times, our lives get complicated before we know it. Most of us don't willfully choose this; we silently slide into it.

In this six-week study (video access included), Lisa Whittle helps you build up defenses against damaging thought patterns and learn to reorder your priorities to consistently put Jesus back on top.

“Hell is about to feel the fury of millions of praying lions— full of power, glory, and fire.” —Todd Smith

Our world, increasingly ravaged by darkness, is in desperate need for much more than human solutions. We need true spiritual power and authority to break through. Now is the time for the Lion of Judah to roar through His people!
Pastor Todd Smith has witnessed tens of thousands of lives supernaturally transformed by the power of God as he has stewarded the North Georgia Revival in Dawsonville, Georgia.

For some people, unwanted thoughts are a nagging discomfort. Others experience them as a brutal and invisible form of torture. Are you distracted by racing or anxious thoughts? Distressed by intrusive or irrational thoughts? Struggling with sinful or untrue thoughts? You may feel trapped in your own head, but God has given you many different ways to calm your mind and live at peace. In this practical and sympathetic guidebook, biblical counselor Esther Smith lays out twelve powerful strategies for addressing unwanted thoughts.

How often do we stop to consider who the God is that we worship?

When we draw near and learn more about this God, we become amazed at who He truly is. Join Tony Evans as he dives into the character of our awesome God—one attribute at a time. In God, Himself, we are invited, with unveiled faces, to behold the glory of the Lord—just as the Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians to do.

Nathan J. Stone writes, “Indeed we cannot say all that the mysterious word God means to us until we know more about Him.”

God’s many names reveal not only different dimensions of His character but also point to their fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This insightful little book accurately and clearly works through the many names of God throughout the Old Testament.

Experience J. I. Packer's Classic Resource for Deepening Your Christian Walk

For half a century, J. I. Packer's classic has helped Christians around the world discover the wonder, the glory, and the joy of knowing God.

Stemming from Packer's profound theological knowledge, Knowing God brings together two key facets of the Christian faith―knowing about God and knowing God through a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Knowledge of the Holy' by A.W. Tozer illuminates God?s attributes?from wisdom, to grace, to mercy?and in doing so, attempts to restore the majesty and wonder of God in the hearts and minds of all Christians. It teaches us how we can rejuvenate our prayer life, meditate more reverently, understand God more deeply and experience God?s presence in our daily lives.

“As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” This thirst for an intimate relationship with God, claims A.W. Tozer, is not for a select few, but should be the experience of every follower of Christ. But, he asserts, it is all too rare when believers have become conditioned by tradition to accept standards of mediocrity, and the church struggles with formality and worldliness. Using examples from Scripture and from the lives of saints who lived with this thirst for God, Tozer sheds light on the path to a closer walk with God.

Historically, God has moved mightily through revivals, awakenings, and outpourings of His Spirit. But these legendary moments are only a glimpse into what God desires for you each and every day.

Your everyday life can be a permanent dwelling place for God’s presence.

Todd Smith, pastor of Christ Fellowship Dawsonville and leader of the North Georgia Revival, has firsthand experience in creating a habitation for God. He was on the verge of quitting the ministry when the Holy Spirit began showing him how to create a place in his life for the presence of God to live.

This book seeks to restore the lost art of lament in order to help readers discover the power of honest wrestling with the questions that come with grief and suffering.

Common people ...

Story after story marked by scandal, stumble, and intrigue. Who are these people? They're the people of the Bible.

And they're us. We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the hands of an uncommon God.

In the midst of them all ... hovering over them all ... is the hero of it all: God. Maker. Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts. God. Passing out high callings, second chances, and moral compasses to all comers and takers.

A Movement Seeks to Redefine Christianity. Some Think that It Is a Much-Needed Progressive Reformation. Others Believe that It Is an Attack on Historic Christianity.
Alisa Childers never thought she would question her Christian faith. She was raised in a Christian home, where she had seen her mom and dad feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and love the outcast. She had witnessed God at work and then had dedicated her own life to leading worship, as part of the popular Christian band ZOEgirl. All that was deeply challenged when she met a progressive pastor, who called himself a hopeful agnostic.

In his own day the dominant personality of the Western Church, Augustine of Hippo today stands as perhaps the greatest thinker of Christian antiquity, and his Confessions is one of the great works of Western literature. In this intensely personal narrative, Augustine relates his rare ascent from a humble Algerian farm to the edge of the corridors of power at the imperial court in Milan, his struggle against the domination of his sexual nature, his renunciation of secular ambition and marriage, and the recovery of the faith his mother Monica had taught him during his childhood.

Who is the Holy Spirit? Is he more than "the force"? For many believers, a relationship with the Holy Spirit rarely factors into our day-to-day lives. The truth is experiencing his power and presence unlocks spiritual living on an entirely new level. This series will help you understand how the indwelling of the Holy Spirit deepens intimacy with God. In the process you'll experience empowered living that reveals and activates your unique spiritual gifts in ways you never imagined possible.

An important contribution to the study of the Didache was Kirsopp Lake's translation of 1912. As Greek can never be directly translated into English Kirsopp brings out subtle variations in the text by the words he chooses. While a lesser known translation of this astounding piece of early Church literature, it remains a must-read to all students of Church history.

Now in paperback, multi-awarded #1 national bestseller Simple Church guides Christians back to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required. With insights based on case studies of 400 American churches, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove the disciple-making process is often too complex. Simple churches thrive by taking four ideas to heart.

This edition includes Maier's best-selling translation, historical commentary on each book of The Church History, and ten maps and illustrations. Often called the "Father of Church History," Eusebius recorded crucial information about the lives of Jesus' disciples, the development of the New Testament, Roman politics, and the persecution of early Christians.

In Keeping the Heart, John Flavel (1627-1691) centers his teaching on Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Flavel maintains that it is our great responsibility as Christians to watch our hearts and guard them against sin and lifelessness in spiritual duties.

What is the second mile? It’s the difference between living as a good person and enjoying life as a child of God. When you “do your best” for someone, you go the first mile. When God does His best through you, you experience the second mile.

Based on classic Experiencing God principles, Hearing God's Voice is for those who are ready to listen. Beloved author Henry Blackaby and his son Richard help those who are listening to discern the voice of God, to identify ways He speaks, and to respond to His revelations of His will.

Do we believe that everything in the world and in our own lives down to the minutest details is ordered by the providence of God? Do we ever take time to observe and meditate on the workings of Providence? If not, are we missing much? It should be a delight and pleasure to us to discern how God works all things in the world for His own glory and His people's good. But it should be an even greater pleasure to observe the particular designs of Providence in our own lives.

Bible scholars compare James to the prophet Amos. In other ways James more closely resembles the Book of Proverbs than any New Testament book. Come along with Beth Moore on a journey to get to know both the man and the Book of James. You will never be the same again.

Have you ever wondered how Christianity was really practiced in the First Century?
Have you ever wondered:
How Christians should behave?
What Christians believe?
What is the correct way to baptize?
How to Celebrate the Lord's Supper?
How Christians are to worship together?
The signs of the Return of Jesus Christ?

Discover the gift of Jesus and what He means for your life. What if, in accepting this most precious gift, you are met with His grace and mercy and His peaceful presence? In the midst of chaotic holiday preparations, The Gift of Jesus will remind you that Christmas is a season of joy and renewal.

In these pages Dallas Willard explores what it means to live well now in light of God's kingdom. He reflects on the power of the Trinity in our lives, the meaning of knowledge, the importance of spiritual disciplines and much more. Dallas Willard offers poignant thoughts about what it will be like to transition into the very presence of Christ in heaven.

Tozer understood prayer as few do: as a way of life. Now readers can share that same grand vision.

Prayer combines the best of Tozer on prayer into one volume. Tozer was captured by the great wonder of God, and he regarded prayer as the primary means of coming into His presence.

Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis's forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books - The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality - Mere Christianity brings together what Lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion.

What difference does it make that Jesus was Jewish?

In Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus, Lois Tverberg challenges readers to follow their Rabbi more closely by re-examining his words in the light of their Jewish context. Doing so will provide a richer, deeper understanding of his ministry, compelling us to live differently, to become more Christ-like. We'll begin to understand why his first Jewish disciples abandoned everything to follow him, to live out his commands.

Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Former atheist and Chicago Tribune journalist Lee Strobel takes an investigative look at the evidence from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.

In his exciting new book, bestselling author Dr. Tony Evans shows that it’s through the names of God that the nature of God is revealed to us. Who is God in His fullness? How has He expressed His riches and righteousness? How can you trust His goodness? As you get to know the names of God and understand their meaning, God’s character will become real to you in life-changing ways.

Where have all the disciples gone?
There is a missing force in Christianity today. It’s a critical one, and its absence has led to weak believers, disintegrating families, ineffective churches, and a decaying culture. Without it, we lack what we need to fully live as heaven’s representatives on earth.

How do we know the Bible is God’s Word? What is sin and where did it come from? How is Jesus fully God and fully man? What are spiritual gifts? When and how will Christ return?

Are you tired of feeling like you have to check social media to find out what you’re supposed to think? Are you weary of the latest self-help books that promise to set you free but only imprison you with laundry lists of studies to consider, positive affirmations to recite, and Facebook groups to join?

Max McLean brings his compelling voice and artistic narrative skills to the ESV Bible.

Go bungee jumping. Tango. See the Eiffel Tower. Swim with sharks. Bucket lists can get pretty crazy! But what if God wanted you to think even further outside the box?

Healing Our Toxic Self-Narratives to Experience True Transformation

"God wants me to try harder.""God blesses me when I'm good and punishes me when I'm bad.""God is angry with me."We all have ideas that we tell ourselves about God and how he works in our lives. Some are true--but many are false.

The Bait of Satan, 20th Anniversary Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense.