This short book provides biblical solutions for overcoming the common traps and pitfalls faced by young men of color living in urban environments. Special attention has been placed on the United States and local police action.

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...

The Bible is explicit: We live in a world of distinct opponents; our very lives are a battle. Yet too many Christians lose more battles than they win and endure their walk with God rather than enjoy it because they don't recognize the enemy when they see it. More importantly, they have no idea how to respond. The truth is that a wish, a hope, and a prayer are not the best responses to attacks from those who stand between us and the Father. Christians must be strategic in their reactions to...

New York Times bestsellerJoin us on a journey to find a faith of your own.A faith that isn’t your parents’ or your youth pastor’s or your church’s.Start from scratch, question everything, and get hold of a faith that’s real.We call it firsthand faith.“It’s rare to find young people unafraid to voice their doubts while still being bold in their faith. Ryan and Josh are two of those people.”—Mark Batterson, lead pastor of ...

Named a 2014 Jesus Creed **Book of the Year (Biography)Best New Contribution to Bonhoeffer Studies & Best Youth Ministry Book for 2014,** Hearts & Minds BooksThe youth ministry focus of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life is often forgotten or overlooked, even though he did much work with young people and wrote a number of papers, sermons, and addresses about or for the youth of the church. However, youth ministry ...

Your search for lively illustrations to spice up your youth talks is over. Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks is here! Veteran youth worker and nationally known speaker Wayne Rice has carefully selected and crafted 100 of the best stories, parables, and anecdotes available anywhere. Rice has collected these illustrations form his own files and from files of some of youth ministry's best speakers -- Mike Yaconelli -- Tony Campolo -- Dewey Bertolini -- Chap Clark -- Les Christie -- Ray Johnst...

Did Jesus really beat death? That’s what Christians for hundreds of years have believed, that Jesus Christ returned to life after death and burial in a stone tomb. To the modern mind, “resurrection” is utterly implausible, but it was also doubtful to many first-century Greeks, Jews, and even some Christians. With such an incredible assertion at the heart of the Christian faith, it’s no wonder that some people struggle to believe.Unlike any other book on the resurrection, Raised...

The Big Picture and a Simple Plan: That’s what you need to do family discipleship well.There are literally thousands of books available on how to live various aspects of the Christian life. Of these, at least a couple of dozen pertaining to family life and child training are well worth reading.This is not one of those books.This book is designed to help you take what you have read, as well as all the sermons, teachings, and...

IVP Readers' Choice AwardMissio Alliance Essential Reading ListPublic gatherings are vital for movement, but too often in our approach to planting churches, we haven't paid enough attention to the difficult grassrootswork of movement: discipleship, community formation, and mission. This book will help you start missional-incarnational communities in a way that reflects the viral movement of the early New Testament church.JR Woodward (author of Cr...

Because of Grácia: A Film and Faith Leader’s Guide equips youth pastors and small group leaders to explore the key themes in this award-winning film through a life-changing discipleship curriculum.The nine-week guide contains three weeks of "Conversations" on three core topics from the film:Practicing Friendship: Dating and God's design for relationshipsChoosing Life: Teen pregnancy and the sanctity of lifeVoicing Faith: Sharing and defending our C...

First produced by Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, this 12-session group is perfect for groups just beginning their faith walk or for anyone looking for a deeper foundation. Following Jesus leads adults to rediscover Jesus, grow in the spirit and learn to live in faith and in service to the church, community and world.The Leader Guide includes guidance in setting up and teaching the entire series with flexible teaching plans, a varity of teaching activities, discussio...

A Film and Faith Leader’s Guide: Theme 3 Voicing Faith equips youth pastors and small group leaders to explore the key theme of Voicing Faith in public as presented in the award-winning film. This three-week guide inspires participants to confront fear and complacency even when faced with opposition from the world around them and helps them realize the gift of personal faith. As Chase learns to do in the film, these conversations guide students to witness in a way that strikes a harmonious...