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The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer
By Matt Miofsky. 2023
Daily prayer the Wesleyan wayPrayer is a spiritual practice, and daily prayer uses the repetition of forms and words to…
cultivate a deep, meaningful ritual, drawing the individual into an ever-closer relationship with God. This book is organized by liturgical season, but is undated, so the individual is free to begin using it at any point during the year. The book is concise and easy to use and includes the words of scripture and other necessary text. It is a simple, frictionless tool for spiritual health. The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer provides complete texts for Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers, with a new set of texts for each week of the year. Each week is anchored in its liturgical season: Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Eastertide, Pentecost, Sow & Rest (Ordinary Time), and Harvest & Create (Ordinary Time).Each set of prayers centers on a scripture passage, with an emphasis on the Psalms. The prayers draw from familiar historic, classic, and ancient Christian texts, and from Methodism’s rich hymnody. They also feature fresh, original words from new writers. This book facilitates deep daily connection with God--a method for spiritual sustenance.
The Abingdon Introduction to the Bible: Understanding Jewish and Christian Scriptures
By Joel S. Kaminsky, Joel N. Lohr, Mark Reasoner. 2014
The Bible has profoundly influenced the western world. Many of its characters and stories are well known and yet, oddly…
enough, wide swaths of the Bible are unknown and misunderstood. The laws and teaching contained within it have shaped contemporary thinking and jurisprudence in ways many do not realize. Equally important, two of the world’s largest religions—Judaism and Christianity—consider the Hebrew Bible to be sacred and to contain enduring truths about beginnings and creation, life and death, the world, and what it means to be human.Introductions to the Bible tend toward extensive discussion with little to introduce the beginner to the Bible’s tremendous influence on contemporary society or to the complexities of reading ancient religious literature. Further, few discuss the differing ways Jews and Christians approach those parts of the Bible that they share in common or how each group appropriates materials from this common scriptural pool in divergent, conflicting, and often complex ways. As classroom teachers of introductory courses on the Bible, the authors of this volume will acquaint students with the tremendous influence that the Bible has had on culture and to address some of the critical questions in user-friendly, faith-respecting ways, in order to maximize students’ appreciation of the biblical text and their understanding of it. This introduction will introduce the beginner to the Bible with simplicity and precision, in an engaging manner. It will provide the reader with a quick overview of the issues related to reading and studying the Bible as an academic discipline while simultaneously illustrating the importance of the Bible for religion, western jurisprudence, ethics, and contemporary conceptions of the family, morality, and even politics.A CHOICE Magazine Outstanding Academic Title of 2014.
Breaking the Code Leader Guide Revised Edition: Understanding the Book of Revelation (Breaking the Code)
By Bruce M. Metzger. 2019
The Book of Revelation contains passages of great beauty and comfort, as well as passages that strike the casual reader…
as bizarre, bewildering, and sometimes frightening. How are readers today to discern God’s message in this peculiar part of the Bible?Breaking the Code Revised Edition provides a trustworthy guide to the rich symbolism of this important biblical book. Noted biblical scholar Bruce M. Metzger presents the fruits of solid scholarship in a non-academic style. This revised edition includes updates based on current biblical research, as well as additional teaching from author and respected New Testament scholar David deSilva.The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the six-week study using the DVD and book, including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options. It also includes alternatives for adapting the study to 4 or 8 weeks to fit your group’s needs.
Reading the Good Book Well: A Guide to Biblical Interpretation
By Jerry Camery-Hoggatt. 2007
The state of teaching biblical interpretation in colleges and seminaries is generally a mess, and many conventional approaches can be…
alarming for religious students. The sources of this difficulty are wide ranging, but a quick summary would include at least the following: jargon that is unnecessarily technical; competing and contradictory methodologies; and a failure on the part of Biblical scholarship to demonstrate the direct relevance of its methods to the pastoral life of the Church. As a consequence, biblical scholarship is often opaque at best and distressing at worst to the student and beginning theologian. And because pastors and lay people are trained within this cobweb of methods, they are often functionally unable to draw clear conclusions from most teaching resources. Jerry Camery-Hoggatt addresses this problem with several solutions: a return to a conscious affirmation of authorial intention as the beginning place for interpretation; a careful examination of the actual workings of communication; a concept of text to include the assumptions and cultural knowledge upon which the text depends for meaningful communication; an examination of the various academic disciplines with an eye toward correlating their conclusions with the necessary activities of reading; and easily accessible language that makes sense to the beginning student and the lay reader alike. Here is a single, accessible volume that explains the basic vocabulary and logic of biblical interpretation, shows how the various methodologies can be fitted together into a seamless interpretive model for exegesis, and then reflects carefully on the implications of that method for the various issues of reading, teaching, reflection, and preaching.Through common and practical examples Jerry Camery-Hoggatt teaches students a way of reading the Bible that replicates the activities the biblical authors expected their readers would perform, and he uses a model that is applicable across linguistic boundaries, genres, and various cultural contexts; that is, throughout the human experience of language there exists a common set of mental activities that can be identified and studied, and these are fundamental to reading and interpreting the Bible.The prose style is conversational, non-technical, and is intended to be inviting to the beginning student, and refreshing for advanced students and teachers.
Walking On Water: Sermons On The Miracles Of Jesus (Protestant Pulpit Exchange)
By James O. Gilliom. 1995

Introduction to the Hebrew Prophets
By James D. Nogalski. 2018
Following the Hebrew canon, the author offers a basic introduction, which includes critical issues such as authorship, unity, dates of…
composition and revision, and structure. Drawing upon current scholarship, Dr. Nogalski shows how these issues are relevant to the theological themes and movements that help characterize the text and hold meaning for us.The last decades have seen many changes when it comes to the study of the four Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the book of the Twelve). Among others, these changes have identified a greater role for the prophetic scroll – not merely the prophetic character – as a vehicle for conveying the prophetic message. Nogalski’s introduction to the prophets invites modern readers to hear these scrolls through the processes that shaped them, to recognize the thematic threads that traverse them, and to react to the words that confront religious and ethical complacency, that speak truth to power, and that offer hope to the oppressed.Each chapter will include a brief bibliography for further reading and discussion questions to help students focus on key concepts.
Disciple Fast Track Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study Old Testament Study Manual: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
By Julia Kitchens Wilke Trust, Richard B. Wilke. 2016
This 12-week study immerses the participant in the Old Testament.Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible…
Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes. A separate Leader Guide provides group facilitators with step-by-step instructions for leading each week’s session without any extra preparation.A brief, illustrated review video enables participants to recall important facts and ideas; lively and engaging video presenters then offer insights into the current week’s session. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can serve and live out their discipleship commitment. They also have opportunities for celebrations marking their completion of the Old and New Testament components of Disciple Fast Track. The flexible resources work well with groups of a few participants up to 100.
The Ancient Near East: An Essential Guide (An Essential Guide)
By John L. McLaughlin. 2012
The cultures of the great empires of the ancient Near East from Egypt to Mesopotamia influenced Israel's religion, literature, and…
laws because of Israel's geographic location and political position situation. Anyone who wishes to understand the Old Testament texts and the history of ancient Israel must become familiar with the history, literature, and society of the surrounding kingdoms that at times controlled the region. Brief in presentation yet broad in scope, Ancient Near East will introduce students to the information and ideas essential to understanding the texts of the Old Testament while clarifying difficult issues concerning the relationship between Israel and its neighbors. Abingdon Essential Guides fulfill the need for brief, substantive, yet highly accessible introductions to the core disciplines in biblical, theological, and religious studies.
Wesley One Volume Commentary
By Kenneth J. Collins, Robert W. Wall. 2020
This one volume commentary on the entire Bible was written by more than 40 scholars from the broad range of…
Wesleyan denominations, including The United Methodist Church, The Church of the Nazarene, The Church of God (Anderson), The Church of God (Cleveland), The Wesleyan Church, The Free Methodist Church, and The Salvation Army. It is the only specifically Wesleyan Bible commentary available and assists pastors in sermon preparation, small group leaders in lesson preparation, and laypeople in Bible study. Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Fuller Seminary, called this commentary, "The Wesley Study Bible +++." The commentary form will allow for a much greater exploration of Wesleyan themes and theology than a Study Bible ever could.
Jesus demonstrated the presence and power of God by performing miracles. He turned water into wine, healed the sick, calmed…
the storm, opened blind eyes, and raised the dead. While these beloved stories draw our attention to divine power, they also have something else in common: human desperation. Every time we see Jesus performing a miracle, we also get a glimpse into the gift of desperation, a gift that opens us to the dramatic power of God through our desperate need for him. In this six-week Bible study, Jessica LaGrone leads us in a captivating exploration of the miracles of Jesus, helping us to see that our weakness is an invitation for God to work powerfully in our lives and reminding us that we need God on our best days just as much as we do on our worst. Themes and miracle stories include: the gift of desperation (turning water into wine and other signs of God's response of fullness in our times of emptiness) the miracle of abundance (feeding the 5,000 and other abundance stories) miracles on the water (calming the storm, walking on water, the abundant catch) Jesus our healer (5 stories of healing) death and resurrection (Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter) the miracle we all receive (the Incarnation) The Leader Guide contains six session plan outlines, complete with discussion points and questions, activities, prayers, and more—plus leader helps for facilitating a group. Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Participant Workbook, DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions, and boxed Leader Kit.
365 Meditations for Teachers by Teachers
By Sally D Sharpe; Angela M. Bailey et al. 2005
365 Meditations for Teachers by Teachers offers a year’s worth of short daily meditational readings written specifically for teachers, by…
teachers. Four different writers of faith present three months’ worth of meditations each, providing a variety of topics and writing styles. Designed to be used by readers of all ages, each daily meditation is brief enough to be read in just a few short minutes, yet meaningful enough to prompt a longer time of reflection and prayer if desired. Each day’s reading includes a focus Scripture verse, a brief reflection, and a prayer.
Converge Bible Studies: Idolatry (Converge Bible Studies)
By Curtis Zackery. 2014
Idols are fairly easy to recognize in Old Testament stories about false gods, golden calves, statues, and Asherah poles. And…
they’re not hard to spot in the lives of other people. But what about our own idols? Is it even possible for 21st-Century Christians to worship gods that aren’t real? How do we know if we’re doing it? In Idolatry, Curtis Zackery takes a look at an ancient sin that still ensnares God’s people today. Converge Bible Studies is a series of topical Bible studies based on the Common English Bible. Each title in the series consists of four studies on a common topic or theme. Converge can be used by small groups, classes, or individuals. Primary Scripture passages are included for ease of study, as are questions designed to encourage both personal reflection and group conversation. The topics and Scriptures in Converge come together to transform readers’ relationships with others, themselves, and God.
Revelation and the End Times Participant's Guide: Unraveling Gods Message of Hope
By Ben Witherington III. 2010
The Bible contains passages of great beauty and comfort and some that may strike you as bizarre, bewildering, or even…
frightening. The Book of Revelation is filled with this rich and perplexing symbolism, yet its message is one of hope for all Christians.Revelation and the End Times unravels God’s message for our time. With his rich knowledge of and provocative insights into the New Testament, Ben Witherington will guide you into a deeper understanding of the truths found within Revelation's often mysterious text, so that you can feel more secure in your faith.
Why the Church? (Reframing New Testament Theology)
By Robert W. Wall. 2015
Given the way many in the West have read the New Testament in the last century, the church might be…
regarded as an afterthought at best. But at the worst, it can be viewed as an unnecessary, perhaps even problematic, institutionalization of genuine faith especially in our post-denominational context. These perspectives fly in the face of the robust ecclesiological concerns and commitments of the New Testament documents when read as witnesses from, to, and for congregations of God’s people.For Wall, the problem is spiritual because fewer go to find God in church. Why the church? Because this peculiar fellowship of saints, whose loving communion is with the risen One, has been appointed by the triune God as God's herald. With its sacred vocation, every demonstration of the church’s oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity—each eschatological mark enabled and brought to maturity by God’s grace—is the concrete means to address our theological crisis. This book will contribute to New Testament studies but also serve related discussions in theology and church history. Reframing New Testament Theology is a series that fulfills the need for brief, substantive, yet highly accessible introductions to central questions and themes raised by New Testament study.
Be Filled: Sermons on the Beatitudes
By Arthur Lee McClanahan. 1996
Be Filled is a series of sermons about the Beatitudes. Offering an alternative to traditional biblical commentaries, this book contains…
many stories and illustrations that will spur the preacher's creativity. The Beatitudes are good medicine for a stressed and worried congregation: Don't worry, be happy!
The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics
By Robert A. Gagnon. 2001
Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. He demonstrates why attempts to…
classify the Bible’s rejection of same-sex intercourse as irrelevant for our contemporary context fail to do justice to the biblical texts and to current scientific data. Gagnon’s book powerfully challenges attempts to identify love and inclusivity with affirmation of homosexual practice.. . . the most sophisticated and convincing examination of the biblical data for our time. —Jürgen Becker, Professor of New Testament, Christian-Albrechts University
The New Interpreter's® Bible One-Volume Commentary: One-volume Commentary
By Beverly Roberts Gaventa and David Petersen. 2010
Pastors and students who want a one-volume commentary to complement the New Interpreter's Study Bible will be pleased to find…
in this resource the quality of scholarship that is a hallmark of other New Interpreter's Bible resources. The portability, accessibility, and affordability of the one-volume commentary will appeal to professors and students as well as lay persons and pastors. This commentary contains articles on all the books of the Bible, including the Apocrypha, as well as numerous general articles on biblical interpretation, geographical and historical setting, religion, text, canon, translation, Bible and preaching/teaching, with bibliographies for each article. Extra value includes: chronology/timeline, table of measures and money, and a subject index. Old Testament Editor: Dr. David L. Petersen, Franklin Nutting Parker Professor of Old Testament, Emory University. Professor Petersen's current research focuses on the book of Genesis and on prophetic literature. An ordained Presbyterian minister, Dr. Petersen has written, coauthored, or coedited a number of scholarly and popular books and articles. He was the senior Old Testament editor for The New Interpreter's Bible. Professor Petersen is a past president of the Society of Biblical Literature.New Testament Editor: Dr. Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Helen H.P. Manson Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Gaventa, whose specialties within the field of New Testament are the letters of Paul and Luke-Acts, is widely published. She is a member of the advisory board for the New Testament Library, a new commentary series for Westminster John Knox Press; editor of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Resources for Biblical Studies and a member of the editorial board of its Journal of Biblical Literature; and associate editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly.
The Power of a Story: It Inspires, Surprises and Lifts Your Faith
By James W. Moore. 2014
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!" Jesus knew the importance of telling stories to convey a message or a Biblical truth and used this technique often when speaking or ministering to others throughout the Bible in the form of parables. Stories are a natural way to give detail and perspective while teaching an important point.
What Does Revelation Reveal?: Unlocking the Mystery
By Warren Carter. 2011
The Book of Revelation has been mysterious, confusing, and misunderstood for centuries. Its content has been studied and analyzed by…
scholars from every corner of the globe. What is it about Revelation that draws us to it? Is this biblical book about end-time mysteries and hidden codes? Does and it relate to our present day?So what does Revelation actually reveal? Or should Revelation be left behind? According to Dr. Carter, the book of Revelation can tell us about biblical times as well as our own. It can show us how we, as Christians, are to live and hope for our world. Revelation reveals God's Word to God's World: that culture accommodation is dangerous, that judgment is taking place now, that the world does have a chance to repent, that there are evil powers working behind the scene, that the time is up for the eternal empire, and that God is coming in triumph.
Numbers - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More (Numbers)
By Melissa Spoelstra. 2017
Something in us aches for more—more hope, more joy, more freedom. All around us people are dancing to the steps…
of bigger, better, and faster, and we can easily join in without even realizing it. Before long complaining and comparing accompany our desire for more, yet we’re not any closer to filling the ache inside. God offers us another way. In this study of the Book of Numbers, we’ll find a group of people that wandered in the desert for forty years, unable to enter the Promised Land because of their complaining, grumbling, and lack of faith. The New Testament tells us that their story was written to warn us (1 Corinthians 10:6) so that we would not make the same mistakes and suffer the same consequences. God sent his only Son to die to buy our freedom from the sin that leads to discontentment, and we find our own promised land of peace and contentment in the life he gives us. By exploring Numbers we can come to identify the reasons for our complaining, learn contentment while being authentic about the difficulties of life, accept short-term hardship in light of the greater good of God’s ultimate deliverance, recognize the relationship between complaining and worry, and discover how to realign with God’s character and promises.Together we will learn contentment as we discover more of our incredible God who truly is more than enough. Only God can fill that ache inside and help us focus on his provision and purpose in the midst of life’s joys and pains.The participant workbook includes five days of lessons for each week, combining study of Scripture with personal reflection, application, and prayer.Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Leader Guide, DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions, and boxed Leader Kit (an all-inclusive box containing one copy of each of the Bible study’s components).