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Christian readers of the New Testament study the great stories about Jesus through the lens of western culture. In this series of books, Gary Burge uses his extensive knowledge of the first century world and the Middle East to offer insights not available to the average person. Each book will develop important cultural themes and wrap them around well-known New Testament passages. And the result will be insights rarely gained elsewhere. Observe how Jesus celebrated the great festivals of Judaism. In each of the six accounts, you will explore the Jewish festival as it was celebrated in the first century and then examine how Jesus used the imagery of the festival to unveil his own mission. Explore the Jewish Sabbath, Passover, Tabernacles, and Hanukkah as Jesus knew them.

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You know the women of the Bible, but you dont know them like this... Its easy for Christian womenyoung and oldto get lost between the opportunities and demands of the present and the biblical teachings of the past. They live in a confusing world, caught in the crossfire between church and culture. Although home and family still remain central, more women than ever, by choice or by necessity, are blending home, career, and ministry. They need strong biblical role models to help them meet these challenges. Building on solid scholarship and a determination to wrestle honestly with perplexing questions, author Carolyn Custis James sheds new light on ancient stories that brings the women of the Bible into the twenty-first century. This fresh look at the women in the Bible unearths surprising new insights and a powerful message that will leave readers feeling challenged, encouraged, and deeply valued. Rediscover and be inspired by:  Eve  Sarah  Hagar  Tamar  Hannah  Esther  Mary  and others

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Many believers accept traditional Christian sexual morality but have very little idea why it matters for the Christian life. In Faithful, author Beth Felker Jones sketches a theology of sexuality that demonstrates sex is not about legalistic morals with no basis in reality but rather about the God who is faithful to us.

In Hosea 2:19-20 God says to Israel, I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord. This short book explores the goodness of sexuality as created and redeemed, and it suggests ways to navigate the difficulties of living in a world in which sexuality, like everything else, suffers the effects of the fall.

As part of Zondervans Ordinary Theology series, Faithful takes a deeper look at a subject Christians talk about often but not always thoughtfully. This short, insightful reflection explores the deeper significance of the body and sexuality.

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Establish wise and loving limits that make a positive difference in your teen, in the rest of your family, and in you.

The teen years: relationships, peer pressure, school, dating, character. To help teenagers grow into healthy adults, parents and youth workers need to teach them how to take responsibility for their behavior, their values, and their lives.

From bestselling author and counselor Dr. John Townsend, Boundaries with Teens is the expert insight and guidance you need to help your teens take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions and gain a deeper appreciation and respect both for you and for themselves.

With wisdom and empathy, Dr. Townsend applies biblically based principles for the challenging task of guiding your children through the teen years. Using the same principles he used to successfully raise two teens, he shows you how to:
Deal with disrespectful attitudes and impossible behavior in your teenSet healthy limits and realistic consequencesBe loving and caring while establishing rulesDetermine specific strategies to deal with problems both big and small
Discover how boundaries make parenting teens better today!

Plus, check out Boundaries family collection of books dedicated to key areas of life dating, marriage, raising young kids, and leadership. Workbooks and Spanish editions are also available.

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Understanding Your Young Teen is a book on early adolescent development for parents of young teens and pre-teens. Parents of young teens will 1. Gain an understanding of the unique and not-always-obvious realities of early adolescent development. This new understanding can greatly enhance parents patience, parenting approaches, and relationship with their child. 2. Review the developmental uniquenesses of the young teen years. Most parents dont fully appreciate the changes that are taking place in their teens bodies, minds and relationships. This resource will give them a solid understanding of those areas. 3. Explore new research and cultural changes. Parents will get a better understanding of the changing landscape of teen culture and see how much as changed since they were young teens. The bulk of the book will be based on the first half of: Middle School Ministry. The developmental chapters will be re-written for parents, and will not only include the developmental issues themselves, but the practical implications for parenting and living with young teens. A strong pro-young teen bias will permeate the book, as my affection for young teens and conviction that this age is a great opportunity for faith formation will be woven through all chapters. While the book will be based on research and experience, the tone will be conversational, from one parent of young teens to others. First-person tense will be used throughout, along with examples from my family and extensive involvement with young teens.

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The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.

To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:
Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved.
This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

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Intellectuals Don't Need God and Other Modern Myths

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Building Bridges to Faith Through Apologetics

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Rethinking Effective Apologetics for the Present Age.

Christians have always had to defend their faith against all kinds of criticism and misunderstandings, but these attacks change overtime, and the strongest arguments of the famous classical apologists who preceded us are not necessarily the strongest today.

Intellectuals Don't Need God is written to today's faithful apologists who are trying to commend Christianity in terms of its relevance to everyday life and not just its inherent rationality. Its focuses are:
Understanding and overcoming the barriers of faith in today's culture.Presenting the points of contact between daily life and spiritual longing.Demonstrating the apologetics of today in action.
Theologian and scientist, Dr. Alister McGrath (author of the ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award Winning biography of C. S. Lewis) shows convincingly that appeal to reason is only one of many possible bridges between the non-Christian and the gospel. In today's world, cerebral and emotional concernssuch as a sense that life lacks purpose or a deep sense of longing for something unknownare often more effective starting points for modern apologetics.

Dr. McGrath combines the clarity of a brilliant scientific mind with a deep commitment to Christ and to reaching non-Christians. Intellectuals Don't Need God is for apologists and seekers alikefor both those defending and questioning the validity and value of Christianity.

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Of the most common approaches to apologetics, which is most effective?

The goal of apologetics is to persuasively defend Christianity against charges of falsehood, inconsistency, or credulity. It's an intellectual discipline that serves to bolster the faith of Christian believers and to aid the task of evangelism, but are some methods more effective than others?

Five Views on Apologetics examines the "how-to" of apologetics, putting five prominent techniques under the microscope:
Classical represented by William Lane CraigEvidential represented by Gary HabermasCumulative Case represented by Paul D. FeinbergPresuppositional represented by John M. FrameReformed Epistemology represented by Kelly James Clark
Offering a forum for presentation, critique, and defense, this book allows the contributors for the different viewpoints to respond to the others. Your own informed conclusions can then guide you as you meet the questions of a needy world with the claims of the gospel.

The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

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Zondervan, Stanley N. Gundry, Steven B. Cowan

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From master storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. comes this familiar biblical saga told in a fresh, transfixing way. Youll feel youve never heard it before! Melding historical accuracy with imaginative detail, Wangerin uses the biblical books of Judges and Ruth to explore themes of love, faith, grief and community set against a backdrop of war and political instability. The widow Naomi grieves the deaths of her two adult sons after the shocking murder of a beloved adopted daughter, while pondering her responsibilities toward her Moabite daughters-in-law. Ancient Israel is in chaos. When her daughter-in-law, Ruth, begs to return to Israel with Naomi, events are set in motion that will change the course of history. But wait...this isnt the tame, flannel graph story you heard in Sunday School. In the tradition of Anita Diamants The Red Tent and Elissa Elliotts Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, Wangerin imbues his tale with strong female characters and an earthy realism that gives the timeless Old Testament narrative so much power. Youll find echoes of contemporary issues throughout: deceit, heartbreak, loss, war, and, of course, the power of love. Naomis combined strength and tenderness becomes the pivot upon which a nation turns; her decisions ultimately lead to the founding of the family lineage of Jesus Christ. Breathtaking descriptions, shocking violence, and inspirational courage make this spellbinding novel by a beloved award-winning author a story you wont soon forget. Its the perfect novel for your book group, and a satisfying read for those who love thoughtful biblical fiction.

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The Story of How We Found Our Way out of the Mormon Church

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A gripping story of how an entire family, deeply enmeshed in Mormonism for thirty years, found their way out and found faith in Jesus Christ.

For thirty years, Lynn Wilder, once a tenured faculty member at Brigham Young University, and her family lived in, loved, and promoted the Mormon Church. Then their son Micah, serving his Mormon mission in Florida, had a revelation: God knew him personally. God loved him. And the Mormon Church did not offer the true gospel.

Micah's conversion to Christ put the family in a tailspin. They wondered, Have we believed the wrong thing for decades? If we leave Mormonism, what does this mean for our safety, jobs, and relationships? Is Christianity all that different from Mormonism anyway?

As Lynn tells her story of abandoning the deception of Mormonism to receive God's grace, she gives a rare look into Mormon culture, what it means to grow up Mormon, and why the contrasts between Mormonism and Christianity make all the difference in the world.

Whether you are in the Mormon Church, are curious about Mormonism, or simply are looking for a gripping story, Unveiling Grace will strengthen your faith in the true God who loves you no matter what.

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Surprised by Hope Bible Study Participant's Guide

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Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church

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Many Christians believe our future in heaven is all that really matters. But that's not what the Bible teaches. In this six-session small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), premier Bible scholar N. T. Wright brings you inside the Scriptures to grasp the full, breathtaking hope Jesus offers the world, and its impact on your life today.

Gain an exciting new vision for your life on earth in light of your future in heaven. Wonderful as is the promise of heaven, a glorious hereafter is just part of what salvation is about.

What about today? Jesus called his followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Your life here and now is of tremendous consequence, and what you believe about the future has a direct impact on how you live in the present.

In six transforming, faith-inspiring sessions, premiere biblical scholar N. T. Wright opens your eyes to the amazing full scope of what God's Word has to say about the world to come and the world that is.

Filled with discussion questions, thoughts for reflection, and ideas for personal application, this study guide will help you get the most out of each session as you explore such questions as What is heaven really like? Is our main duty as Christians simply to help non-Christians get there? What hope does the gospel hold for this present life? In what ways does God intend for us to experience that hope personally and spread its healing power to the world around us?

Surprised by Hope provides a clearer vision both of the future and of God's kingdom at hand today.

This study provides individual and group activities, additional background material, and between-session personal studies that will enhance your experience of the video sessions.

Sessions include:
Hope for the WorldThe Hope of the ResurrectionThe Hope of HeavenThe Hope of Jesus Second ComingThe Hope of SalvationThe Hope of the Church
Designed for use with the Surprised by Hope Video Study (sold separately).

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N. T. Wright, Kevin G. Harney, Sherry Harney

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Encouragement from Those Who've Been There

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The wife of a minister is made of the same stuff as any other woman, but her circumstances set her apart. If youve married into the ministry, you know the difficulty of balancing the demands of your church and your family, the stresses of clergy marriage, the pressure of unrealistic expectations, and the setbacks of ministryand the joys. Other than Jesus himself, only a ministry wife really understands what its like to be a ministry wife. This devotional is written for you. In its pages, youll find not only wisdom and encouragement from Gods Word, but also the reassurance and solidarity of fellow ministry wives who are traveling the road with you and who know the territory. Kathy Chapell, Jeanne Hendricks, Barbara Hughes, Heather Olford, Jan Ortlund, Noel Piper, Sue Sailhamer, Paulette Washington, and many others share their experiences and their hearts in ninety daily reflections that begin with a Scripture verse and conclude with a prayer. Their insights are short, honest, intimate, and practicaland they always point you back to the One who is your ultimate source of help and guidance.

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Continuing a Gold Medallion Award-winning legacy, the completely revised Expositor's Bible Commentary puts world-class biblical scholarship in your hands.

A staple for students, teachers, and pastors worldwide, The Expositor's Bible Commentary (EBC) offers comprehensive yet succinct commentary from scholars committed to the authority of the Holy Scriptures. The EBC uses the New International Version of the Bible, but the contributors work from the original Hebrew and Greek languages and refer to other translations when useful.

Each section of the commentary includes:
An introduction: background information, a short bibliography, and an outlineAn overview of Scripture to illuminate the big pictureThe complete NIV textExtensive commentaryNotes on textual questions, key words, and conceptsReflections to give expanded thoughts on important issues
The series features 56 contributors, who:
Believe in the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the BibleHave demonstrated proficiency in the biblical book that is their specialtyAre committed to the church and the pastoral dimension of biblical interpretationRepresent geographical and denominational diversityUse a balanced and respectful approach toward marked differences of opinionWrite from an evangelical viewpoint
For insightful exposition, thoughtful discussion, and ease of uselook no further than The Expositor's Bible Commentary.

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Zondervan, Tremper Longman III, David E. Garland

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Choosing Christianity in the World of Ideas

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This world is a battlefield in the arena of ideas. The prize is the heart and mind of humankind. In this book, Ronald Nash outlines the Christian way of looking at God, self, and the world. He holds that worldview up against the tests of reason, logic, and experience, particularly discussing the problems of evil and the alleged "nonsense" of the historic Christian doctrines and of Jesus' incarnation and resurrection. He finds the Christian worldview sound and urges Christians to equip themselves intellectually to defend the faith on that battlefield. He particularly hits the attractions to our generation of naturalism and the New Age movement, pointing out their weaknesses and pitfalls as well as those of older worldviews. "Christian theism," he writes, "is a system that commends itself to the whole person"; but he stresses that a great difference exists between "belief that" and "belief in."

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NIV 2011 The New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible is the worlds most popular modern English Bible  easy to understand, yet rich with the detail found in the original languages.

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Loving Your Kids the Way Jesus Loves You

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Love-Powered Parenting is written out of a love for parenting and a deep desire to encourage parents. Yes, there are experiences in parenting that can cause deep hurt. Yes, there are realities in parenting that certainly will cause you to feel inept. Yet at the core of it all there is a deep gratefulness for the gift that God gives in the opportunity to love a child.

This book is a biblical guide to parenting. And by "biblical guide" we mean these pages are intended to take you on a journey through what the truth of God's Word has to say about parenting. The main goal is not to uncover psychological truths about your child--there are many good resources on psychological theory; nor does it include practical tips for everyday circumstances such as how to get your kids to eat their green beans.

Here, we will explore the simple and profound principles of God's Word to distinguish psychological truth from error, educational reality from untested theory, and we'll be looking at these tips within the broader context of God's principles for parenting.

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Tom Holladay, Chaundel Holladay, Rick and Kay Warren

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Test, Train, Affirm, and Send the Next Generation of Pastors

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Are You Called to Ministry?Those who are involved in full-time ministry often say they have been called to do what they do. But what does that mean? Who does the calling, and how is it received?  In Prepare Them to Shepherd, pastor Brian Croft unpacks the biblical model for preparing individuals for full-time ministry. In the past, training and sending individuals into full-time pastoral ministry and missionary work was viewed as the responsibility of the local church. Today, much of that responsibility has been delegated to Bible colleges, seminaries, and parachurch and mission organizations.The aim of Prepare Them to Shepherd is to challenge local churches to recover the biblical model for ministerial training and assume responsibility to identify and prepare gifted and godly individuals for service in Christs body. Part of the Practical Shepherding series of books, this insightful book provides pastors and ministry leaders with the practical help they need to test, train, affirm, and send those who are called into ministry.

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Finding Faith---A Search for What Makes Sense

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Does having faith mean abandoning reason? It's easy to get that impression. Still, it seems reasonable that a supremely intelligent God would want you to use your God-given intellect on your spiritual journey as much as in any other aspect of your life.

Faith may not stand on rational thinking alone, but a solid faith should walk hand in hand with intellectual integrity.
Does it really matter what I believe?What is the relationship between faith and knowledge?Why are there so many religions?Do all paths lead to the same God?
This book helps you sort through the questions, objections, and concerns you can't help but raise. A Search for What Makes Sense will help you think your way clearly and honestly to answers that satisfy because they're your answers--conclusions you've arrived at personally without manipulation, coercion, or game-playing.

For faith to exist and grow it's got to make sense--good sense, carefully-thought-out sense. And chances are it does.

FINDING FAITH

The Finding Faith books A Search for What Makes Sense and A Search for What Is Real don't try to tell you what to believe; they are guides in learning how to believe. If you think the spiritual journey requires turning your back on honesty and intellectual integrity, these two companion volumes will speak to both your mind and your soul.

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NIV, Questions of the Bible about the Life of Jesus: Excerpts from The Quest Study Bible

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This unique Zondervan Bible Extract is one of three courses taking you quickly into passages every Christian should know. In this bite size edition youll spend two weeks studying the life and teachings of Jesus from passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each daily reading should take only about 10 minutes. There are 14 chapters of scripture included. This digital extract edition is designed to address common, uncommon, and perplexing questions people ask about Scripture.

"Why was the Birth of Jesus announced to Shepherds?"

"What does it mean to take up one's cross?"

"How can we do greater things than Jesus did?"

While it does not contain the full Bible it does contain all the verses associated with the Q&A on the Life of Jesus reading plan.

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Create a wedding that reflects your Christian values with this guide to wedding traditionsDo you know where your favorite wedding traditions came from? Do you want to create a wedding that reflects your Christian faith and practice? From something borrowed, something blue to white veils and bridal gowns, from orange blossoms to tossing rice at the happy couple, youll learn about the meaning and historical significance of traditions for before, during, and after the wedding. For every Christian bride who wants to let her light shine, Carry Me Over the Threshold will help you create a memorable wedding that reflects your deepest spiritual values.