Bücher veröffentlicht von 9marks

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. What does it look like for women to truly thrive as Christians? In this short booklet, Keri Folmar presents eight essential principles to help women fully engage in the context of the local church, such as prioritizing church membership and involvement, investing in meaningful discipling relationships, and not allowing conflict or bitterness to fester. Women will come away with helpful ideas on how to experience the fullness of God's grace as they seek out biblical community with other believers.

9 Practical Ways to Support International MissionsMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this concise booklet, Mark Collins addresses the essential role of the local church in furthering global missions. He shows how Christians can participate in the global cause by sharing the gospel locally with friends and neighbors; studying the work of missionaries throughout the world; investing in the global missions work supported by a local church; praying for missionaries; and more. This helpful resource reminds readers how fundamental they are to the spread of the gospel throughout the world and offers practical ways for them to participate.

4 Practical Ways to Serve the Local ChurchChurch Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Believers display the greatness of God's kingdom to a hostile world when we selflessly serve each other and those around us. In this short booklet, Matthew Emadi explains the vital roles we play within the church. Through acts of service including hospitality, ministry, and evangelism, we bless our communities and long to hear Jesus one day say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Practical Suggestions for Spending Quality Time in God's WordChurch Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Reading the Bible is essential to the Christian faith, but many believers struggle to study it faithfully. In this short booklet, Jeremy Kimble explains how the church acts as God's school, helping us read and follow Scripture through teaching, fellowship, and discipleship. He also gives advice to improve your own Scripture reading so you can understand the big picture, ask good questions, and apply what you learn.

The gift of a godly pastor cannot be overemphasized, but the task of finding a faithful pastor is daunting. In this booklet, seasoned pastor Mark Dever offers clear, biblical insight to churches in search of new leadership by providing six characteristics to look for in a new pastor, along with eleven strategies to implement during the search process.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his followers to "make disciples of all nations." But what does this command actually entail? What does it look like for Christians to care for one another's spiritual well-being and growth? In this introduction to the basics of discipling, veteran pastor and author Mark Dever uses biblical definitions and practical examples to show how Christians can help one another become more like Christ every day. The eighth volume in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, this short book explains how discipling should function in the context of the local church, teaching pastors and church leaders how to cultivate a culture of edification and growth in their congregations.

Are the Claims of the Prosperity Gospel True?How can believers tell the difference between a false gospel and the true gospel? Writing from personal experience, pastor Sean DeMars lays out four core elements of the prosperity gospel and answers questions such as Is the prosperity gospel biblical? and Does God promise me a prosperous life? This guide will help believers understand the true gospel by pointing to the Bible, showing how the prosperity gospel twists Scripture and leads people astray from a biblical understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions they have about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.

Countless Christians are weighed down with fear that God doesn't truly love them. Although they have heard and affirmed the gospel, repented of their sins, and turned to Christ, the depths of their sin or long stretches of suffering have eroded away any sense of assurance. Is it possible for Christians to be confident in their salvation?With pastoral wisdom, Jeremy Pierre encourages doubt-filled Christians with the truths of Scripture. He shifts their perspective to see themselves as God sees them, comforts their hearts with the abundant love initiated by God, and teaches them to receive this love through the gifts Christ has given them: God's word, prayer, and the fellowship of the church. Readers will learn to find rest in the unlimited knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. A popular children's song starts with the lyrics "Jesus loves me, this I know." Some people readily trust that they are loved by God, but others struggle to believe this is true for them. In this booklet, Matt McCullough addresses this topic by answering the question Does God love everyone? By directing us to the surprising answer found in the Bible, McCullough helps us to see God's genuine love for all people and his specific love for those who trust in him.

Concise, Scripture-Centered Guide Answers Popular Questions about Gender and Church LeadershipMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this Church Questions booklet, Greg Gilbert answers the question Can women be pastors? Gilbert explains why God reserved the office of pastor and elder exclusively for men by examining the structures of authority God established from the very beginning. Focusing on texts in Genesis 1-3 and 1 Timothy 2, Gilbert makes a case for why God's original design for church leadership is not arbitrary, but part of his good and beautiful plan.

4 Steps for Testing the "Call" to MinistryMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Created in partnership with 9Marks, Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions Christians have about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this addition to the series, pastor Brad Wheeler addresses the shortcomings of the word "calling" when talking with aspiring pastors about their desire to pursue ministry. Explaining why the idea of calling is both unbiblical and even unhelpful, Wheeler suggests a 4-part process as a better alternative¿cultivate godly ambition, display godly attributes, develop an aptitude for teaching and discipleship, and receive the affirmation of a local church. Written from personal experience, this short book is designed to encourage men trying to discern their "next steps" to pastoral ministry.

Practical Advice on Biblical Church Leadership and MembershipGod created his church to be a covenant of love and service among believers. It's an ideal design for fellowship, but one that's pushed to the side in the busyness of church life. How can congregations be sure to embrace God's purpose for them?In the short book Who's in Charge of the Church?, Sam Emadi explains that church polity isn't just transactional; it's meant to be transformative. He describes how churches should reflect biblical authority, particularly members' responsibilities to one another, their elders, and deacons. Emadi's direction helps provide clarity for congregations, showing them how to operate within God's perfect design and grow stronger in their love for Christ.

Five Ways the Lord's Supper Is Important for the Local ChurchChurch Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Have you taken the Lord's Supper without understanding what it means? Do you wonder about its relevance to your Christian life? This ordinance doesn't have to be mysterious. Pastor Aubrey Sequeira shares five ways the Lord's Supper enriches the church as it invites believers to look backward (remembrance), outward (togetherness), upward (spiritual nourishment), inward (reflection), and forward (anticipation).

Helping Leaders to Develop Meaningful Church MembershipMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Created in partnership with 9Marks, Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions Christians have about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this concise booklet, Alex Duke explains the importance of meaningful membership and discusses what church members should do about fellow members who don't regularly attend. Duke highlights the benefits of church membership¿discipleship, accountability, and fellowship¿and offers advice on how all Christians can encourage faithful church membership in their congregations.

What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church?Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Statistics show that while charitable giving is as popular as ever in America, giving to the church has dropped significantly in the past several decades. The Bible, however, stresses the importance of Christian giving-specifically for the benefit of the local church. In this short booklet, Jamie Dunlop addresses the question Why should I give to my church? by demonstrating how giving to the local church is spiritually rewarding, accomplishes God's purposes, and brings God glory.

After his resurrection, Jesus commanded his disciples to go and "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them" (Matthew 28:19). In this booklet, pastor Bobby Jamieson unpacks Scripture's teaching on the importance of baptism in the local church, responding to seven reasons people often give for not being baptized.

Many of us have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church. You may even catch yourself asking, If I believe in Jesus, why do I need to join a church? To put it simply, when you are saved from your sin, you are saved into a community characterized by fellowship and accountability. Best-selling author Mark Dever presents seven biblical reasons why church membership is essential for displaying the gospel in your life.

Who leads a church? Why is this important to God?God cares about his glory, and he means to display his glory through the church. For this very end, God has established elders and deacons, members, and congregational authority. This primer on church structure connects the different offices of the church to one another and to the glory of God.In the Church Basics Series, trusted church experts write practical, trustworthy resources on issues like Church Discipline, Church Leadership, the Lord's Supper, and Baptism that every pastor can hand every church member.

Congregational authority is less about the meetings and more about the mission.Congregationalism has a bad rap for well-known reasons: inefficient meetings, upstart members, browbeaten ministers. But biblical congregationalism isn't so much about the meetings. It's about empowering the whole church to promote and protect the gospel. Pastors lead and equip. Members get to work strengthening one another and pursuing Christ's mission in the world.

How Can We Know What the Church Is Supposed to Do?Jesus commissioned the local church to carry out a mission. Yet local churches often disagree over exactly what Jesus commanded them to do, leading them to align their mission with current political or economic trends. So what does the Bible have to say?In this short book, Jonathan Leeman argues from Scripture that the mission of the church is first and foremost to make disciples-the task that each local assembly is called to do collectively-and to be disciples-the task for each individual Christian. He equips readers to obey this disciple-making mission both inside and outside the local church as they seek to follow Christ's call and make God's glory known in all the world.

This booklet gives readers the biblical basis and practical tips for sharing the gospel with those who aren't Christians, demonstrating how evangelism is doable for all believers, even those who feel like they aren't particularly gifted in evangelism.

What makes for good preaching? In this accessible Hausa-language volume-written for preachers and preachers in training-pastor David Helm outlines what must be believed and accomplished to become a faithful expositor of God's Word. In addition to offering practical, step-by-step guidance for preachers, this short book will equip all of us to recognize good preaching when we hear it.

Feelings are complicated and fickle, yet they often reveal what you really want or think. When you don't feel like going to church, something much deeper may be going on that must be addressed by God's Spirit, through his word. Gunner Gundersen diagnoses the human heart and offers biblical insight on the importance of being involved in the local church¿even when you don't feel like it.

Does what a church believes about how people become Christians change how we do evangelism? In this concise book, Michael Lawrence explains the doctrine of conversion and helps us consider the relationship between what we believe about how people are saved and our approach to sharing the gospel in the context of the local church. Readers of this book will understand how the local church should participate in the conversion process through ordinary means, such as biblical preaching and intentional relationships.

What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church?Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.

This booklet aims to encourage Christians to speak to their heavenly Father through prayer as it helps them understand the basics of why, what, and how to pray, especially as they worship and serve alongside other Christians.

Take the next step in your Christian faith.When you became a Christian, you recognized your need to be forgiven of sin and freed from sin's reign over your life. As a result, your life has been changed forever-you are now a follower of Jesus. But what does the Bible say it means to follow Jesus? Sam Emadi offers eight simple steps you should take once you become a Christian, as you set out in newness of life to thrive as a disciple of Jesus.

The Bible stands at the heart of the Christian faith. But this leads to an inescapable question: why should we trust the Bible? Written to help non-Christians, longtime Christians, and everyone in between better understand why God's Word is reliable, this short book explores the historical and theological arguments that have helped lead millions of believers through the centuries to trust the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Written by pastor Greg Gilbert, author of the popular books What Is the Gospel? and Who Is Jesus?, this volume will help Christians articulate why they trust the Bible when it comes to who God is, who we are, and how we're supposed to live.

What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church?Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.