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Three contemporary, humorous parables of a preacher who struggles with his need to changeSam the preacher wonders what has gone wrong with his sermons. Are people still listening? Well-known storyteller and communications professor Calvin Miller combines his fiction writing with his insight into preaching to address the changes faced by today's preachers, especially the fact that contemporary congregations have shifted to a different way of listening. How can Sam recover his passion for preaching?In this short, entertaining, story-driven book, church leaders will see honest reflections of themselves. But the narrative humor also provides a clever way to stimulate thought and discussion on how preachers and preaching are changing. Some places in the story will lead to laughter, others will cause readers to pause and reflect. But whatever the reaction, The Sermon Maker leaves the reader encouraged and changed.Extensive commentary on the stories provides insight from the author into the best ways to communicate. Just as the story in the tremendously popular Who Moved My Cheese? impacted readers in the business world who were facing change, so this book is designed as a quick but stimulating story for any church leader who preaches or is concerned about the state of preaching today.

When her mom died, DJ had to move in with her grandmother, internationally famous '60s fashion model Katherine Carter. Now Mrs. Carter's opened a boarding home for young ladies, and DJ-who would rather wear her basketball team uniform than haute couture-is just sure they'll all be unbearable fashion snobs. One by one, the girls arrive and begin to figure out how to fit into this new family, getting to know each other and forming friendships. Sure, there's an aspiring diva or two, but before long, the Carter House girls are dating, fighting, laughing, shopping, sharing clothes, purses, shoes ... and their deepest secrets. DJ may not turn into the perfect little lady her grandmother has in mind, but one thing's for certain-with all these new "e;sisters,"e; her life will never be the same!

I've watched the Skit Guys for more than 10 years; Eddie and Tommy are storytellers. They were telling stories before storytelling was all the rage. In their latest book, the Skit Guys let us peek inside their incredibly creative minds."e;-Allen Jackson, New Orleans Seminary"e;When it comes to skits, the Skit Guys have the corner market on the good stuff. They are engaging, thought provoking and hilarious without being cheesy or cliche. Their unique style is clean, clever, clear, and ... funny! You can't go wrong with these two."e; -Darren Whitehead, Director of Next Gen Ministries, Willow Creek Community Church"e;I've been in student ministry for over 30 years, and the Skit Guys are pretty much the greatest skit guys ever. Here's another resource from the chimerical minds of Eddie and Tommy that will help us youth workers in the trenches. This book will aid you greatly in your continuous pursuit of excellence in the world of drama. In other words, buy this freaking book!"e;-Bob Johns, First Woodway, Waco, Texas (the guy that gave them their first gig)35 CHEESE-FREE SKITSIf you're looking for fun and creative ways to involve your students in learning, you can stop looking. Skits That Teach provides you and your students everything you need to act out funny and compelling skits with total confidence.Search by topic or by group size to find the perfect comedic or dramatic sketch to help illustrate a point or just start a dialogue. The Skit Guys, Eddie James and Tommy Woodard, have tested these skits on teenagers around the country, and they've brought together some of the best for this great resource. Plus they give you everything you need for each skit-overview, characters, location, Scripture reference, props, direction pointers, and a complete script.The Skit Guys avoid the cheesy dialogues and scenes typically found in Christian dramas and instead bring fun characters, witty scripts, and entertaining situations to their skits, all categorized by:* Skits for Idiots (it would take an idiot not to be able to do them right!)* Monologues* Duets/Ensembles* Comedy* Drama* Scripture ReadingsTHE SKIT GUYS are Eddie James and Tommy Woodard, two high school friends who love to communicate God's Word in dynamic and captivating ways through the use of drama, teaching, and comedy. They've been involved in various ministries and impacting lives for more than a decade. The duo has written numerous dramas, plays, and humorous skits that cover a wide variety of topics.They're the authors of Instant Skits along with their own Skit Guys resources. Eddie James has coauthored four volumes of the Videos That Teach series with Doug Fields.

With six teenage girls living under one roof, things are bound to get interesting. Mix six teenaged girls and one '60s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add guys and dating, a little high-school angst, and throw in a Kate Spade bag or two ... and you've got The Carter House Girls, Melody Carlson's new chick lit series for young adults!The Carter House experiences a shake-up as one of its own returns home after an unnerving disappearing act. Then, friction grows as a school Homecoming Queen race heats up, turning friends and housemates against one another. DJ, Eliza, Taylor, Kriti, Rhiannon, and Casey show they have plenty of lessons to learn as the votes roll in. Some grow smarter and closer to God, while others seem to make the same mistakes over again. Despite all their differences and disagreements, the Carter House girls continue to grow together, forging a bond that strengthens through hardship. Hearts CAN change and friendship paves the way for at least one girl to move closer to God.

In the best-selling footsteps of Would You Rather . . . ?, What If . . . ?, and Have You Ever . . . ? comes Unfinished Sentences - another collection of sometimes lighthearted, sometimes poignant, and always provocative discussion starters guaranteed to get teenagers talking, thinking, debating. Get the discussion ball rolling with 450 incomplete sentences that can be used anytime, anywhere for breaking the ice, stimulating discussions, building community, getting kids to wrestle with spiritual issues -- or use them just for fun! The convenient size makes Unfinished sentences easy to stick in your pocket or in the glove box -- a resource you won't want your library or your youth ministry team to be without!

To Be a Junior High Youth Worker . . . takes a distinct kind of adult, just as junior highers are a distinct kind of people. Betwixt and between though they may be, early adolescents are as capable of a genuine spiritual understanding and growth as high schoolers.It's just that junior highers absorb Bible teaching and demonstrate their spirituality-well, differently. Help! I'm a Junior High Youth Worker! is your primer for understanding young teenagers, then teaching them with a mind-set and with methods that fit them.First Things First. Three axioms that define your territory as a junior high youth worker.So Just What Is a Junior Higher, Anyway? The essence of early adolescence: the need for appropriate rules . . . the dilemma of throwing sixth graders and eighth graders together in the same program . . . small is good.Developmentally Speaking. Changes junior highers enjoy and endure cognitively, emotionally, socially, spiritually . . . their changing relationships with parents . . . individuation and hair under their arms.Time to Teach! Your required dose of pedagogy: the case for fun learning . . . ten top teaching topics for middle school ministry . . . how simulations, role plays, and storytelling can be your best teaching methods for early adolescents.Faith Outside the Youth Room. Spiritual discipleship for middle schoolers: they don't have to be high schoolers to begin forming habits of prayers, service, and outreach.Help! I'm a Junior High Youth Worker! is help at hand surviving and thriving in ministry to early adolescents.

Have you ever. . .? -Thought you were going to die? (When? Where? What brought you through it? - Been a teacher's pet? (What grade? How did you feel?) - Had a miracle happen to you? (What happened? Who did you tell?) - Said something you didn't mean just to be polite? (Why did you do it? What situation would cause you to do it again?) Inside are 442 more zingers like these, that nudge your kids' memories and get them talking -- perfect for launching small-group discussion, building community, getting a laugh and triggering hard thinking about situations and people that matter most to teenagers. Keep Have You Ever . . .? handy -- stick it in your pocket, your backpack, your car's glove box -- because you'll never know when you need a leading question to get conversation rolling with an individual or a group.

We've read all the hot books on evangelism, we've attended scores of seminars-and still we're not reaching the unchurched. Eighty to ninety percent of churchless Americans will never darken our culturally relevant, seeker-sensitive doors. What are we missing?Maybe we've been asking the wrong people. Instead of consulting the unchurched masses, it's time we heard what the small but important minority who have recently begun attending a church have to say. What made the difference for them? What critical factors helped spark their faith in Jesus and drew them into the community of believers?Thom S. Rainer, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, shares the results and conclusions of his school's groundbreaking survey of the formerly unchurched. At last, here are proven insights into what evangelistically effective churches are doing right. Flying in the face of much contemporary wisdom, the answers will surprise you.This is truly one of the most valuable resources you can own as a church leader. Filled with charts, graphs, and other visual aids, plus an abundance of true-life accounts, this book explodes common myths about the unchurched. You'll discoverWhy pastors and doctrinal preaching are criticalThe enormous influence of family and relationships Which things matter more than we'd thought, and which matter lessWhat causes visitors to returnThe traits of unchurched-reaching leadersHow to preach effectively to the unchurchedHow to become a church for the unchurchedAnd much, much moreThis eye-opening compendium of information includes reproducible appendices that can help you fine-tune or even restructure your church. From one of the nations foremost authorities on evangelism and church growth, here are insights and tools that will change the way you think of and deal with--and win--unchurched men and women who long to connect with God.Photocopyable material includesUnchurched-Reaching Readiness InventoryChurch Health Survey

Reaching Out to Unchurched TeenagersFive facts about the unchurched:1. They believe all religions have value.2. They are spiritual, not religious.3. They don't know what Christianity really is.4. They don't know what they believe.5. They are looking for something that works.If you want to make an impact on this generation, these are five basic rules you must understand. Author Jonathan McKee writes that by taking the time to learn students' unique situations you show you care about them as people, not as mission projects.Informative and full of real-life examples, Do They Run When They See You Coming? provides vital information you need to better understand students outside your youth group. Yet this book isn't a sociological or marketing survey; the tangible guidelines and methods inside help you get into the mind of unchurched students--so you can get to know their hearts. Because, as every youth worker knows, real ministry is always about getting to the heart.

Geri Scazzero knew there was something desperately wrong with her life. She felt like a single parent raising her four young daughters alone. She finally told her husband, ';I quit,' and left the thriving church he pastored, beginning a journey that transformed her and her marriage for the better.In this eight-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Geri provides you a way out of an inauthentic, superficial spirituality to genuine freedom in Christ. This study is for every woman who thinks, ';I can't keep pretending everything is fine!'The journey to emotional health begins by quitting. Geri quit being afraid of what others think. She quit lying. She quit denying her anger and sadness. She quit living someone else's life. When you quit those things that are damaging to your soul or the souls of others, you are freed up to choose other ways of being and relating that are rooted in love and lead to life.When you quit for the right reasons, at the right time, and in the right way, you're on the path not only to emotional health, but also to the true purpose of your life.Sessions include:Quit Being Afraid of What Others ThinkQuit LyingQuit Dying to the Wrong ThingsQuit Denying Anger, Sadness and FearQuit BlamingQuit OverfunctioningQuit Faulty ThinkingQuit Living Someone Else's LifeDesigned for use with the Emotionally Healthy Woman Video Study (sold separately).

The Believe Adult Study Guide gives groups of all sizes the opportunity to learn, discuss, and apply what they experience in this 30-session journey through the Bible by exploring 30 essential beliefs, practices, and virtues that every Christian needs to know and live.Pastor and author Randy Frazee presents 30 ten-minute teachings on how the story of Scripture helps us think, act, and be like Jesus. You will explore a key question, Scripture, concept and application in each session that helps you understand the 30 essential beliefs, practices and virtues that will help us become fully devoted followers of Jesus.This study guide will guide group members through video discussion for all 30 sessions as well as help individuals grow through in-between-sessions assignments.

Lots of people think Christianity is all about doing what Jesus says. But what if doing what Jesus says isn't what Jesus says to do at all? Jesus' invitation is an invitation to relationship, and it begins with a simple request: follow me.Religion says ';Change and you can join us.' Jesus says, ';Join us and you will change.' There's a huge difference. Jesus doesn't expect people to be perfect. He just wants them to follow him. Being a sinner doesn't disqualify anyone. Being an unbeliever doesn't disqualify anyone. In fact, following almost always begins with a sinner and unbeliever taking one small step.In this eight-session video-based Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Andy Stanley takes small groups on a journey through the Gospels as he traces Jesus' teaching on what it means to follow.Sessions include:Jesus SaysNext StepsFearlessFollow WearThe Fine PrintWhat I Want to WantLeading GreatUnfollowDesigned for use with Follow Video Study 9780310823551 (sold separately).

From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words: what to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. Or what to do when you've said something you wish you could now take back.Beyond just a ';How not to gossip' study, Karen will teach what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family and strangers will be covered along with the many places we use our words such as in private, in public, online and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. Unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please and dealing with our verbal anger are sub-topics that will also be addressed.Each session will feature a different character from the Bible, using them either as an example of someone to emulate or whose verbal actions we should avoid replicating.Sessions include:Sparks, Squabbles, Spats, and Such: Our Words MatterOn Filling Gaps and Zipping Lips: Listen to Others, Talk to GodOpinion-Slinging and Salty Speech: Assessing Our Digital TonguesGossip, Flattery, and People-Pleasing: How to Speak the Truth in LovePause Before You Pounce: On Cultivating Soft SpeechAs Sweet as Honey: Wonderful Ways to Use Your WordsDesigned for use with the Keep It Shut Video Study 9780310819417 (sold separately).

In John 17:26 Jesus says "e;I made known your name to them, and I will continue to make it known..."e; In this fourteenth volume of That the World May Know, you'll deepen your understanding of this passionate revelation to a broken world God longs to redeem. Discover how Jesus triumphantly made God's presence known on Earth, and how he asks you to do the samebringing God's shalom to the chaos of others.Sessions include:Capernaum: Jesus Blinds the Evil OneDecapolis: The Other SideJesus and the ManCrucifixion: The Coronation of a KingAscension: The King Takes His ThronePentecost: God Changed His AddressDesigned for use with The Mission of Jesus Video Study 9780310812586 (sold separately).

A reverse twist on the Robin Hood story filled with romance, adventure, twists, and turns, a treat for all fans of historical fiction and medieval stories, featuring a strong female character who can kick butt in a cloak.For three years, the Cloaked Bandit has terrorized Wessex, robbing the nobility by knifepoint and a well-placed arrow. But little does anyone know, this bandit is in fact Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of the land, and a girl her tyrannical unclethe current Lord Wessexbelieves was killed along with father.Juliana has become skilled at hiding from Lord Wessex in the forest, using her stolen goods to provide food and shelter to the peasants her uncle has taxed into poverty. But when she robs Collin Goodrich, her red hair betrays her true identity. Lord Collin remembers Juliana from their childhoodand challenges her to stay on his estate for a week in hopes she will leave her thieving ways and become a proper lady once more. Juliana is intrigued by Collin and his charms, but only time will tell if he can overcome her distaste of the nobilityas well as win her heart.Praise for the An Uncertain Choice series:';An enjoyable read.' Christian Library Journal';This sweet story will not disappoint!' USA Today Happy Ever After blogA Daring Sacrifice:Is a medieval, clean, YA romance novel by Judy HedlundFeatures a strong female heroineIs a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, featuring a female Robin Hood-type leadIs a perfect mix of romance and action and adventureIs the second book in the An Uncertain Choice series

It's senior year, and Whitney Richards is tired of the constant pressures to be perfect. When she gets a D in Calculus, her mother immediately hires a tutor, worried Whitney won't get into the "e;right"e; college-her alma mater-with imperfect grades. Her tutor, Taylor, is a quiet, mysterious boy who is unlike anyone Whitney has met before. But Taylor's rougher upbringing has her mother and friends discouraging any type of relationship.Tired of having to play a part for everyone else, Whitney quits the cheerleading squad that once defined her social identity, and begins spending more time with Taylor. Her mom and friends worry Whitney is making a huge mistake, and even Taylor begins to show concern for some of her choices. But for the first time, Whitney is in the driver's seat of her life. Will she be able to find her identity-and God's plan for her life-before she throws everything away?

Chelsea Morris has always been responsible, dependable, and focused on her dreams of fashion design-a dream that will officially begin come fall, when she leaves for college in New York City. And as she settles into her role as the lead designer for the local summer stock theater group, she decides to make the most of her last summer in North Carolina. But with her best friend Emily busy working late and spending time with Zander, and tensions with Chelsea's boyfriend, Todd, running high, the summer she envisioned seems to be falling flat.Then Dylan joins the latest summer production. There's something about the college boy that makes her feel free and alive, and soon she's broken up with Todd, and is sneaking out late to meet Dylan at parties and breaking rules at the playhouse. But before she knows it, her exciting nights are interfering with her job, her role on the play, as well as her relationship with Emily and with her parents. Worse, Chelsea finds herself feeling more and more estranged from God.As the summer becomes wilder than she ever dreamed, Chelsea must decide if her heart is leading her in the right direction after all.

Grace. It's talked about a lot from church pulpits and often serves as the climax of testimonies, but what does it really mean? Is it really as simple as praying for forgiveness, or there more to really receiving grace? And what about grace and forgiveness toward othersand toward yourself? In this young adult adaptation of New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel's The Case for Grace, your questions are explored and answered from all angles, using Lee's personal story of struggling to find grace for himself, as well as interviews with a wide array of people who were radically changed by God's grace alone.The wild party that is engraved on Instagram, which you pray future employers never find. The comment your friend made about you that went way over the line. The guilt you still carry for a mistake you made three years ago. Those things don't magically go away or become easily forgotten. So when you hear about Christian grace and forgiveness, and how it's a prayer away, that can be a little hard to accept sometimes. Even if that clean-slate grace would be a great thing to have for yourself, or toward the people in your life.The good news is, you're not alone in your struggle to ';get' grace. Inside this book is an exploration of the hows and whys behind God's amazing grace, as well as revealing stories from people who experienced that gift in remarkable waysincluding people who believed they'd been forgotten, murders convinced they weren't worth forgiving, and Lee Strobel's own account of searching for grace his entire life. Because grace is available and can change your life, if you just accept it.The Case for Grace Student Edition:Presents real-life stories and experiences from a diverse group of people who have experienced incredible instances of grace firsthandTackles questions teens and young adults thirteen and up often ask and encounter, so they can better understand what grace really is and how it applies to their own livesUnpacks the Bible's teachings on grace and applies them to today's worldCan also be used in the classroom, in group studies, or as part of a religious studies or comparison classPairs well with The Case for Christ Student Edition, The Case for a Creator Student Edition, The Case for Faith Student Edition, and The Case for Miracles Student Edition

Scarlett Blaine's life in 1960s Georgia isn't always easy, especially given her parents' financial struggles and the fights surrounding her sister Juli's hippie lifestyle. Then there's her brother, Cliff. While Scarlett loves him more than anything, there's no denying his unique behavior leaves Cliff misunderstood and left out. So when he wishes for a rocket to Jupiter, Scarlett agrees to make it happen, no matter how crazy the idea might be.Raising the rocket money means baking pies, and the farmer's son, Frank, agrees to provide the peaches if Scarlett will help him talk to Juli. The problem is, Scarlett really enjoys her time with Frank, and finds herself wondering if, someday, they could be more than friends. Just as she thinks everything might be going her way, Cliff suffers an accident that not only affects the rocket plans, but shakes Scarlett's view of God. As the summer comes to an end, Scarlett must find a way to regain what she's lost, and also fulfill a promise to launch her brother's dream.

';My road to atheism was paved by science but, ironically, so was my later journey to God.'Former atheist Lee Strobel has discovered that science, far from being the enemy of faith, now provides a solid foundation for belief in God. New scientific discoveries point to the incredible complexity of our universe, a complexity best explained by the existence of a Creator.This revised six-session study (DVD/digital video) invites participants to encounter this evidence delivered in a compelling conversational style. Join Strobel in reexamining the theories that once led him away from God. Pastors, small group leaders, and individuals seeking resources that answer tough questions about the existence of God will find compelling answers in the Case for a Creator study.Sessions include:Science and GodDoubts about DarwinismThe Evidence of CosmologyThe Fine-tuning of the UniverseThe Evidence of BiochemistryThe DNA and the Origin of LifeDesigned for use with the Case for a Creator Revised Video Study 9780310699606 (sold separately).

Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God?Skeptics dismiss the Jesus of the Gospels by claiming there is no evidence in the case for Christ. Lee Strobel disagrees. The former legal journalist and one-time atheist knows how to ask tough questions. His own search for truth about Jesus led him to faith in Christ.Now Strobel invites you and your group to investigate the truth about Jesus Christ leading to the facts that guided Strobel from atheism to faith in Christ.In this revised six-session study (DVD/digital video sold separately), participants will journey along with Strobel on a quest for the truth about Jesus. Rejecting easy answers, you will sift through fascinating historical evidence as you weigh compelling expert testimony.In the end, groups may very well see Jesus in a new wayand even, like Strobel, find their life transformed. Pastors, small group leaders, and individuals will find compelling answers for their questions about Jesus in The Case for Christ Study Guide.Sessions include:The Investigation of a LifetimeEyewitness EvidenceEvidence Outside the BibleAnalyzing JesusEvidence for the ResurrectionReaching Your VerdictDesigned for use with The Case for Christ Video Study 9780310698517 (sold separately).

Is it possible to have a great marriage? Yes, but it is not likely if you treat marriage like everybody else does!In this five-session video-based small group study (DVD/digital video sold separately), New York Times bestselling author and pastor Craig Groeschel gives you five commitments to make in order to fail-proof your marriage. You know the stats, and they are horrifying. 50% of marriages don't make it. What other area of your life are you satisfied with 50% odds against you?The choices you make each and every day determine not only your relationship with God but also the quality of your marriage. The decisions you make today will determine the marriage you will have tomorrow. In this five-session study, you will discover five commitments that will absolutely fail-proof your marriage. If you make these commitments, you'll discover a richer, deeper, more authentic relationship and a more rewarding, more passionate love life than you could have ever imaginedDon't be a statistic. Don't be average. Let's get you that marriage that you always wanted. Starting right nowfrom this day forward.Sessions include:Seek GodFight FairHave FunStay PureNever Give UpDesigned for use with the From This Day Forward Video Study 9780310697206 (sold separately).

The Story of Jesus small group video Bible study is a seven-week exploration into the life and ministry of Jesus that is adapted from the original The Story Adult Curriculum. Pulled straight from the pages of the Bible, this study provides individuals and groups of all sizes the opportunity to learn, discuss, and apply Jesus' life, work, and teaching to their everyday lives. Pastor and author Randy Frazee presents seven ten-minute teachings on how the story of Jesus intersects with the story of our modern day lives.To understand the Bible, says author and pastor Randy Frazee, you need bifocal lenses, because two perspectives are involved. The Lower Story, our story, is actually many stories of men and women interacting with God in the daily course of life. The Upper Story is God's story, the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural.The Story of Jesus Participant's Guide includes DVD teaching notes, discussion questions, between session personal experiences, and also includes seven chapters of the full text of The Story hardcover book as it relates to Jesus, from his birth to the beginning of the church.Sessions include:The Birth of the KingJesus' Ministry BeginsNo Ordinary ManJesus, the Son of GodThe Hour of DarknessThe ResurrectionNew BeginningsDesigned for use with The Story of Jesus Video Study (sold separately).

In this five-session video-based small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), pastor and bestselling author Craig Groeschel explores the life of Samson, helping you uncover who you really area man created with a warrior's heart in the image of Godand how to stand up and fight for what's right.Find the strength to fight the battles you know you need to fightthe ones that determine the state of your heart, the quality of your marriage, and the spiritual health of your family. The battles that make you dependent on God as the source of your strength. The battles that make you come alive.Craig looks at the life of Samson, showing how much we have in common with this guy. Things didn't work out so well for him in the end. But by looking at his life, you'll learn how to defeat the demons that make strong men weak. You'll become who God made you to bea man who knows how to fight for what's right.Learn how to fight with faith, with prayer, and with the Word of God. Then, when your enemy begins to attack, fight for the righteous cause that God gave you. Draw a line in the sand. Make your enemy pay. Make sure he gets the message. Don't cross a warrior. Don't mess with this man of God. Come out fighting.And don't show up for this fight unarmed. Use the weapons God gave you, and you'll win. Can you feel it? It's inside you. It's time to fight like a man.Sessions include:Fight Like a ManStrong Men with Weak WillsSpirit Led, Not Emo-DrivenSmall Steps, Big DestructionFailing ForwardDesigned for use with the Fight Video Study (sold separately).

In this six-session video-based small group Bible study, bestselling author Carol Kent gives proof that you can experience grace and joy during even the lowest moments of your life.This Participant's Guide helps you decide where you stand when you are caught between a rock and a hard place: Will you place yourself in a posture of humility and complete dependence on God, or will you just ';try harder' and stumble over what could be a transforming encounter with grace?Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are living what some would call a heartbreaking lifetheir son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum security prison. All their appeals have been exhausted. But despite their hopeless situation, the Kent's live a life full of grace.With hope, joy, and a sense of humor, Carol helps you find God's ';grace places' in the midst of your worst moments.This Participant Guide provides individual and group activities, additional background material, and between-session personal studies that will enhance your experience of the video sessions.Sessions include: Grace in the Hardest of Places Surprised by FaithAngels in Disguise Surprised by MercyLonging for a Better Me Surprised by ContentmentThe Secret Power of Gratitude Surprised by ThanksgivingWhy Do You Weep? Surprised by JoyDwelling in the Great Place Surprised by FreedomDesigned for use with the Between a Rock and a Grace Place Video Study (sold separately).

Whether you're a new or seasoned group leader, or whether your group is well-established or just getting started, this four-session video-based Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately) will lead you and your group together to a remarkable new closeness and effectiveness. Designed to foster healthy group interaction and facilitate maximum growth, this innovative approach equips both group leaders and members with essential skills and values for creating and sustaining truly life-changing small groups.Designed for use with the Making Your Small Group Work Video Study (sold separately).

For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they're doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God's grace to touch their heart's deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation-teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future.A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

In this four-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author and pastor Andy Stanley takes a closer look at one of the unique things Christians believe: God became one of us. Why in the world would God do that? Why would God leave the comfort and recognition of heaven to live on this ball of dirt in a time before morphine and indoor plumbing when the best of conditions barely paralleled the worst of modern-day conditions? Why?We think we know why He died. But what compelled him to live as one of us?Sessions include:To Communicate and DemonstrateLike Son, Like FatherClasslessPutting Religion in Its PlaceAs the founder of North Point Ministriescomprised of six churches in the Atlanta area serving more than 36,000 people weekly, as well as a network of 30 churches around the globeAndy Stanley is uniquely positioned to reach an engaged and ever-growing ministry.Designed for use with the Why in the World Video Study (sold separately).

Girls are more than just sugar and spice. We've all figured that out. What we haven't figured out completely is how they're wired, why they do the things they do, how the world around them affects their choices and opinions, and what that means for youth ministry-until now.In Teenage Girls, you'll find advice from counselors and veteran youth workers, along with helpful suggestions on how to minister to teenage girls. Each chapter includes discussion questions to help you and other youth workers process the issues your own students face and learn how you can help them and mentor them through this tumultuous time.In addition to the traditional issues people commonly associate with girls, such as eating disorders, self-image issues, and depression, author Ginny Olson will guide you through some of the new issues on the rise in girls' lives. You'll understand more about issues related to:Family * Addiction * Emotional well-being * Mentalhealth * Physical welfare * Sexuality * Spirituality *Relationships

Get ready for a crash course in effective communication. More than just a book on how to "e;do talks,"e; Speaking to Teenagers combines the experience and wisdom of two veteran youth ministry speakers, along with insightful research and practical tools, to help you develop messages that engage students with the love of Christ and the power of his Word.Whether you're crafting a five-minute devotional or a 30-minute sermon, Speaking to Teenagers is essential to understanding and preparing great messages.Together, Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins show you how they craft their own messages and give you the tools to do it yourself. They'll guide you, step-by-step, through the process of preparing and delivering meaningful messages that effectively communicate to your students.Fields and Robbins walk you through three dimensions of a message - the speaker, the listener, and the message itselfand introduce you to the concept and principles of inductive communication. You'll also get helpful tips on finding illustrations for your talk and using them for maximum impact, as well as insights on reading your audience and effective body language.As Speaking to Teenagers guides you toward becoming a more effective communicator, you'll find that this book's practical principles will positively impact the way you view, treat, and communicate to teenagers.