Why do we listen to sermons? Where did sermons come from? How has preaching managed to survive and thrive across so many years and in so many cultures? Most Christians listen to a sermon every week. But what is a sermon? How does it relate to the Bible, and how does the Holy Spirit work through the 354 million new sermons that are preached every year? This book makes the claim that the Spirit of God likes to work through the Word preached. As it explores that claim, it looks at the history...

Preachers need stories. Stories, examples, and illustrations bring sermons to life. But what sort of stories work best to communicate the gospel for listeners today?In Actuality, discover why the best sermon illustrations come from real life, from the actual experiences of trouble and grace in your own life as a preacher and in the lives of your congregants. Learn how to find those stories and how to use them. Author Scott Hoezee demonstrates new story-sharing techniques w...

Expositional preaching gives life and health to the church. It shapes, forms, and reforms the church, and it reveals the character of God. Participants will learn to understand their joyful responsibility in sitting under a pastor's teaching, and pastors will be encouraged to preach expositionally—from the Bible!The 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guide series is a series of ten 6–7 week studies covering the nine distinctives of a healthy church as originally laid out in Nine Marks...

This guide provides a brief, concise overview of personal Bible study for the layperson. Long-time Bible teacher Robert West gives insight into the types, tools, and techniques of personal study, offering both practical guidance and encouragement to pursue the command of 2 Timothy 2:15 ("Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth"). Covering topics such as the inductive method, word studies, commentari...

The encouragement we crave—when we’re most in needOut of the deepest hurts of the human condition, Randy Alcorn brings into clear focus our most pressing questions about evil and suffering—including those that wrench our souls when we or someone we love is victimized by evil or assaulted by disease.He faces these questions with seasoned sensitivity, skillful insight, and a heart of compassion. He dodges none of the difficulties, and never lapses into platitu...

The Teach Yourself the Bible Series is one of the best New Testament studies you will find anywhere. Each book in the series is packed full of valuable questions on individual chapters of the Bible, check-ups to test your grasp of scriptural truths, and usable suggestions for group study.Grow in your knowledge of God through each New Testament book, then go on to study six aspects of Christianity essential for all believers: doctrine, prayer, eternal life, prophecy, Christian chara...

Ignite a deeper, more vibrant relationship with God that impacts not just your spiritual life but every aspect of your daily life.John Ortberg calls readers back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity--God's power to bring change and growth--and reveals how and why transformation takes place.The Life You've Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines. But it is more than just a book about things to do...

Learn how to teach the Bible with PowerThis small book will show you how to teach the Bible, verse by verse, and actually see people's lives changed. It's not some black art of secret power, but there are some things you really need to know. This is especially true if you are ministering in a mainline denomination which no longer has manifestations of the power of God on a regular basis. It's quite possible you were never taught these simple principles.You cannot imagine ho...

"Discipline is a subject about which the Scriptures say much-but contemporary authors have been peculiarly silent. Kent Hughes fills a gaping void with this superb volume.… If there is a spark of spiritual desire in your soul, this book will surely kindle it into a blazing passion for godly discipline."-John MacArthur, pastor and best-selling author"This is a book for men who are eager to learn how to be more effective. It comes from the pen of one who has l...

Contemporary evangelicals have built a "salvation culture" but not a "gospel culture." Evangelicals have reduced the gospel to the message of personal salvation. This book makes a plea for us to recover the old gospel as that which is still new and still fresh. The book stands on four arguments: that the gospel is defined by the apostles in 1 Corinthians 15 as the completion of the Story of Israel in the saving Story of Jesus; that the gospel is found in the Four Gospels; that the gospel w...

The Classic Guide to Expository Preaching--Updated for a New GenerationThis bestselling textbook on biblical preaching is a contemporary classic in the field. It offers students, pastors, and Bible teachers expert guidance in the development and delivery of expository sermons.This new edition provides resources, methods, and advice for new generations of students and pastors. It has been revised and updated throughout by Scott Wenig, professor emeritus of a...

What Are Spiritual Gifts?The subject of spiritual gifts can seem complicated: Who has spiritual gifts--""spiritual people" or everybody? What are spiritual gifts anyway?Understanding Spiritual Gifts takes you straight to God's Word to discover answers from the Gift-Giver Himself. As you dig into Bible passages about God's design for each of us, you'll find out that spiritual gifts aren't complicated--but they are life-changing.Here you will ...