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4 Best Bible Studies for Summer

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Sunshine and spare time. Welcome, summer! Sometimes, summers can be the favorite time of year as the kids’ change of pace and the brighter and longer days can mean more vacations and maybe a little more freedom. Yet, for others, summers can bring increased stress and heightened deadlines. 

For our group leaders, summers can mean a bit of both. Groups might take a few months off, or they might need a study to fit in in the “in between” of the peak fall season.

Here’s five studies that can be the right fit for your group’s summer, no matter what the season holds for you.

Imago Dei by Mike Cosper + TGC

This Bible study from LifeWay and The Gospel Coalition seeks to establish how to view the imago Dei, or the image of God, in three ways: biblically within the grand narrative of Scripture, relationally as it applies to ourselves and others, and missionally in our service to others and in our obedience to the Great Commission. (6 sessions)

Praying at the Crossroads by Ken Coley

Prayer is essential to our spiritual growth, yet few of us pray as often or as fervently as we would like. We turn to God only in moments of desperation and crisis. The Bible shows us multiple examples of people praying to God for peace, comfort, guidance, strength, and much more. By studying these ancient prayers, participants can grow in their ability to call on God not only at a crossroads but also in their daily lives. (12 sessions)

No More Excuses by Tony Evans

Sometimes circumstances in life make it difficult for men to be all God wants them to be. But Tony Evans urges men to stop looking at their circumstances as excuses and instead to see them as challenges and opportunities for success. Exploring the examples of men of God throughout the Bible, this study will challenge you to lay down your excuses, stop compromising, and fight to be a man of character and commitment. Despite your setbacks, failures, and pressures, you can still find purpose, meaning, and direction in life and become the man God has called you to be. (8 sessions)

James by Matt Chandler

The Book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works. In our own ability, we cannot stand in the face of adversity. Without faith we could never find the strength to trust God. We would never be able to see above the trials we meet and to keep our eyes focused on the King while counting our trials as joy. This is the essence of James. We don’t work to be saved; we work because we are saved. (13 sessions)

 

Church Leadership

Best Bible Studies for Graduates

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Their four years of hard work are complete, and now all that stands between graduates and their new beginnings is a stage and ceremony. 

We love our graduates. We’re proud of them. But how do we, as small group leaders, come alongside to equip them for whatever comes next?

Giving the gift of guidance can be a form of discipleship. Consider stepping in and gifting wisdom from these authors as your graduates step into their future.

Life + Love: Navigating Singleness, Dating, Engagement, and Marriage by Ben Stuart

Your graduates will likely graduate into new relationship statues in the coming years. Equip them with insight from Passion City D.C.’s pastor Ben Stuart:

In a society where everyone is supposedly more connected, why do people feel so lonely? Even as marriage rates decline, recent studies find the overwhelming majority of single adults still hope to get married. But how can you navigate life and love in this disconnected culture?  Life + Love Bible Study will help you chart a course through four relational stages: singleness, dating, engagement, and marriage. Learn to embrace God’s design and live out His purpose for each stage of your life. (6 sessions)

Foundations: New Testament by Robby and Kandi Gallaty

Your graduates might be more pressed for time than ever before. Equip them with a practical devotional-styled study to take them through the entire New Testament in reflective ways:

Study all 27 books of the New Testament in one year by reading Scripture passages and related devotions five days each week. The H.E.A.R. journaling method will allow you to read and respond to God’s Word as you highlight, explain, apply, and respond to passages throughout the yearlong plan.

Pathways by Tony Evans

Your graduates might be wondering about their purpose. Equip them with assurance of God’s plan amid the chaos and sometimes painful and confusing moments:

The story of Esther appears to be a series of coincidences that delivers the Jews from certain death. However, God selected Esther for a particular purpose at a particular time in the history of His chosen people. This Bible study will help you discover the power of God’s providence in the midst of your personal pain, fear, gain, loss, and love. You’ll see that God has a purpose for your life, and He uses every action and event that occurs in it to make that purpose a reality. (6 sessions)

Gospel Above All by J.D. Greear

Your graduates may face new challenges to their faith. Equip them with an insightful look at the gospel and its place amid the noise seeking our attention:

The gospel isn’t just an entry into the Christian faith, it is the entirety of the Christian life. This Bible study leads groups to a greater awareness and practice of gospel culture, gospel mission, gospel renewal, and gospel unity. The most pressing need for Christianity today isn’t a new strategy or an updated message; it is a return to elevating the gospel above all. (8 sessions)

Deborah Spooner is a Minnesota-born analytical creative serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Groups Ministry. As a pastor’s daughter with a background in Digital Communications and Media and Biblical & Theological Studies, you can find her at her local church, in deep conversation, or with a book or pen in hand as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.
Church Leadership

Links We Love

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Read below for some links that we loved this past week!

Three Prayers to Pray as You Open God’s Word – Michael Kelley
Most people have a morning routine. Alarm goes off, coffee pot goes on, maybe you head to the gym – it’s different for every person. But for most of us, the routine follows the same general pattern on a given day. Hopefully, by God’s grace, part of that routine is opening the Word of God. This action, like the routine as a whole, looks different for different people. Maybe you’re in the habit of reading one chapter of Scripture a day. Or perhaps you read a psalm and a proverb. Or maybe you only read a few verses and then journal your way through them.

3 Keys to Leading When You’re Not in Charge – LifeWay Men
“Lateral leadership” is one of the hottest terms in the business world these days, it seems. The idea behind lateral leadership is that you lead your peers in the workplace without having any hierarchical authority over them. You lead a team of peers on a project. Perhaps you even have to lead a group of people who have more hierarchical authority than you do.

Building Community as a Leader – LifeWay Women’s Ministry
If you’re a leader, you know the importance of investing in those you lead. You understand relationships are pivotal to your success and that they require patience, mentorship, and intentional time with others. But, how are you at building community with others yourself? What are some ways leaders develop a sense of belonging? If you’re in search of a way to build community as a leader, we can all learn from early believers in the second chapter of Acts.

What is Family Ministry? –  LifeWay Leadership
Family ministry is one of the greatest opportunities the local church has to teach kids, develop leaders, and equip parents in order to train up and disciple the next generation. When a local church embraces the unique possibility of an intentionally designed effort to invest in the next generation, it embraces the possibility of a ministry that won’t just change a kid or a home but that can actually change a community and reach the world.

Don’t Compliment by Comparing – Eric Geiger
Compliments via comparisons are too common. If you are a leader you have likely received them and given them.  “My son is learning so much more in your class this year than he did last year.” “It is great to finally have someone who executes well in this role.” “For the first time in a long time, we have someone who…” “I am thankful for (name of last person), but I really love how you …” “You are my favorite preacher ever …” Sound familiar? For some reason we are prone to compliment by comparing instead of simply complimenting.

 

Church Leadership

Top Easter Studies

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“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). 

Easter is one of the most celebrated times in our church calendars. Jesus has risen! Remembering His birth, mourning His pain and suffering, and then praising the incredible power of our risen King, we are excited about Jesus.

How can we keep the momentum and focus on Jesus’ life and the gospel implications in our small groups and churches? During the Easter season, you can choose Bible studies that dive right into focusing on our Savior and the saving message.

  1. Foundations: New Testament (Robby Gallaty)

The Bible, in and of itself, is a miracle. Think about it. Over centuries of time, God supernaturally moved in a number of men’s hearts, leading them to record the exact words of God. God then guided His people to recognize these divine writings and to distinguish them from everything else that had ever been written. Later, God’s people brought together these 66 books. The preservation and survival of the Bible were as miraculous as its writing. Finally, God gave men technological knowledge to copy and transmit the Bible so all people could have it. All this took place because God has something to say to you. 

In Foundations: New Testament, Robby and Kandi Gallaty lead individuals through the 27 divinely inspired books of the New Testament in one year, while still offering the flexibility of reading only five days each week. The HEAR journaling method will allow individuals to read and respond to God’s Word as they highlight, explain, apply, and respond to passages throughout the yearlong plan. 

  1. Disciples Path: The Beginning – First Steps for New Disciples

The Beginning is an intentional Bible study for new disciples of Christ that can be used in one-on-one discipleship or small groups. It introduces the basic practices and elements of the faith, including the centrality of Christ, the crucial practice of prayer and Scripture reading, community, and what it means to be on mission for God. Exercises put weekly topics into practice, and meeting times work as well in one-on-one discipleship relationships as they do with typical small groups. This resource is attached to the broader Disciples Path series, but can also serve as a stand-alone product.

This disciple-making resource includes discussion questions and group exercises every week to reinforce the primary teaching points of each topic. Individual study and out-of-group activities have all been crafted with a new believer’s spiritual maturity and commitment level in mind. These optional activities include but are not limited to reading plans, prayer exercises, personal study, and journaling.

  1. Gospel Above All (J. D. Greear)

Jesus promised to build His Church and said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Along with this promise, Jesus gave clear instructions for how the Church would prevail. He promised to build it on the Rock of the gospel. 

This eight-session Bible study will give you a fresh perspective on the supremacy of the gospel over the trappings and temptations of modern society. Lead your group to a greater awareness and practice of gospel culture, gospel mission, gospel renewal, and gospel unity. 

In the video sessions, J.D. Greear is joined by David Platt, Jen Wilkin, Vance Pitman, Walter Strickland, Rosaria Butterfield, Greg Laurie, Albert Mohler, and Kevin Smith to examine what it means for believers to elevate the gospel above all other priorities in our lives and in our churches.

Church Leadership

4 Must-Read Articles for This Week

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The Most Sane Kind of Insanity – Michael Kelley

The basic definition of insanity is “the derangement of mind.” But there’s also another definition, one that applies when the word insanity isn’t used in a clinical sense but as a more casual description. That’s this: Extreme foolishness; folly. That’s how we typically use the word. We use it when we see something that doesn’t make sense according to our paradigm. We use it to describe someone’s workout regimen; we use it when we observe when someone goes to bed or when or how early they getup in the morning; we use it when we hear about someone trying to get downtown at 4:45 pm on a Tuesday.

7 Ways Christian Men Can Respect Woman – LifeWay Men

The Bible honors women and condemns anything that would harm or injure women, whether physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual. God has called men to be the protectors and defenders of women. In our sexualized culture, the minds of Christian men are being assaulted with lust-inducing images from advertisements on television to Internet pornography. Temptation does not have an expiration date, so Christian men of all ages and backgrounds are affected by the world’s sexual objectification of women.

How to Build Community in a New City – LifeWay Women’s Ministry

There’s a lot that goes into moving to a new city. You’re house hunting in areas you aren’t familiar with, hauling all of your belongings in a U-Haul, trying to figure out which grocery store keeps the zucchini noodles in stock, and wondering when you’ll ever find a new dentist. But one of the hardest things about a new move isn’t finding a grocery store or a dentist, but finding community.

Ten Reasons I am Optimistic about Churches in 2019 –  LifeWay Leadership

Despite the tough reality many congregations face today, I remain an obnoxious optimist as we move into 2019. Just yesterday, I received an email about a church that I thought was headed for closure. Through a series of God-blessed events, the church has turned the corner and will remain a presence in the community.

5 Ways to Grow Your Leadership Team’s Heart for Your Church’s Mission – Eric Geiger

Every leader needs a compass in their head. The mission answers “Question Zero”: “What are we ultimately supposed to be doing?” It makes the overall direction of the church unquestionable and points everyone in that direction. The mission is a golden thread that weaves through every activity of the church. It brings greater meaning to the most menial functions of ministry.

Church Leadership

Best Bible Studies in the New Year

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What’s a better New Year’s resolution than spending more time in God’s word?

We can’t think of one, but we can think of countless reasons why making Bible study a priority in 2019 is one of the best decisions you’ll make.

Whether we like it or not, we can’t change anything about 2018. The days turned to months, and these past 12 months may have filled our days with not only joy and success but also pain and difficulty.

Yet, here we are on a fresh page. We can start off strong by keeping Christ central. Good news? You can saturate yourself and your group in the ultimate Good News through these studies:

Foundations: New Testament by Robby and Kandi Gallaty with Gus Hernandez and Tim Lafleur

In Foundations: New Testament, Robby and Kandi Gallaty lead individuals through the 27 divinely inspired books of the New Testament in one year, while still offering the flexibility of reading only five days each week. The HEAR journaling method will allow individuals to read and respond to God’s Word as they highlight, explain, apply, and respond to passages throughout the yearlong plan.

Pathways by Tony Evans

The story of Esther appears to be a series of coincidences that deliver the Jews from certain death. However, God selected Esther for a particular purpose at a particular time in the history of His chosen people. These resources will help you discover the power of God’s providence in the midst of your personal pain, fear, gain, loss, and love. You’ll see that God has a purpose for your life, and He uses every action and event that occurs in it to make that purpose a reality.

Gospel Foundations

The Bible is not a collection of scattered stories and books. From cover to cover, the Bible is the story of God’s plan to redeem sinners through Jesus—the gospel. Gospel Foundations tells that story. From the creators of The Gospel Project, this six-volume resource is comprehensive in scope yet concise enough to be completed in just one year. Each seven-session volume includes videos to help your group engage in discussion with a clear understanding of how each text fits into the storyline of Scripture.  Get a free preview of the study here!

Church Leadership

Links We Love

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3 Half-Truths about Marriage You Might Be Believing – Michael Kelley

What image comes to mind when you hear the word “marriage”? A white dress? A ceremony? Joint tax returns? Hopefully, if you are a Christian, there are other things that come to mind as well. Things like “covenant.” “Vows.” “Sickness and health.” As Christians, we believe marriage takes on a sacredness due to the manner in which it reflects something about the gospel and Jesus’ love for the church. But in the midst of that sacredness, we can still drift in our understanding of the importance of marriage.

Stop Making Resolutions – LifeWay Men

I am not a big fan of January. It’s not necessarily because of the cloudy skies and painful cold where I live. And it’s not completely because January feels like this month-long let down after two straight months of holidays, eating and celebrations. Although those are good candidates to dislike the first month of the year, the biggest reason I have issues with January is the pressure to make resolutions. Yes, that list of aspirational goals that remind me of everything I didn’t do last year and the crippling guilt that goes along with it.

Leading Well: Reflecting on the Year and Looking Ahead as a Leader – LifeWay Women’s Ministry

As this year comes to a close, it’s easy to consider how quickly the months have flown by. It’s much easier to consider the possibilities of a new year rather than reflect on the year that’s coming to a close. Yet, as this year winds down, how about stopping for a moment and reflecting on the path you’ve just walked?

5 Important Questions to Ask Yourself When Making a Decision in Your Life – LifeWay Leadership

When you make a decision in your life, how do you know it is the right thing to do? Quick decision making often results in poor decision making. Conversely, long and drawn out decision making can paralyze your life as well as others who look to you for leadership. Is there a way to know we are making the right decisions in life?

6 of the Best Pieces of Hiring Advice I have Received – Eric Geiger

Leading a team is one of the biggest privileges a leader has. You are able to cultivate a culture through the people you place in significant roles, and you are able to serve others alongside the team you serve alongside. Leading a team is also a massive responsibility. You steward the time and energy of many others, and are accountable for how you do so. Selecting people for the team is one of the most important aspects of leading a team. Here are six statements that have impacted how I view hiring or inviting people to join a team.

Church Leadership

Links We Love

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Links We Love

For when you need a broader view:

5 Lessons in Seven Years of Serving the “Capital C” Church – Eric Geiger

Each year we serve 60,000 plus churches with some type of resource. It has been a deep honor to be in this role and it has given me a bird’s-eye view of how the Lord uses lots of churches to mature and shepherd His people. Here are five lessons I have learned or re-learned over the last seven years.

For when you wonder why opening up your space, yourself, and your life is worth it:

3 Aspects of Our Faith Hospitality Puts on Display – Michael Kelley

While there are certain acts, like making the casserole or opening your home, that are indicative of hospitality, the characteristic itself has a deeper meaning and implication than these actions. The word hospitality comes from the combination of two words: “love” and “stranger.” Literally, then, hospitality is the love of strangers.

For when you need help understanding your small group’s perspectives:

There Are Two Kinds of People in the World – LifeWay Men

If you had to divide the world into 2 categories, what would those categories be?

I’ve a list of possibilities. This is but a smattering of my list, but you get the point, and you have a list of your own. I enjoy this exercise because it forces me to boil things down to their simplest terms. I am forced to keep the main thing the main thing.

For when you need to create a culture of empowerment:

Leading Well: Drawing Boundaries as a Leader – LifeWay Women’s Ministry

There are another set of boundaries we don’t discuss as often today—guidelines and focus for our ministries. The Book of Acts doesn’t seem like a book about leaders who set up boundaries… The book is filled with admonition that boundaries seem limitless, yet good leaders do have boundaries in order to maximize their effectiveness.

For when your group leaders need training:

Train Your Bible Study Leaders for Free – LifeWay Leadership

We know that the effectiveness of a Bible study, especially in a group context, is tied to the leader. Are they prepared? Do they understand the material? Can they answer questions about it?

We also know that training group leaders is a challenging thing to do because of time constraints, scheduling conflicts, varying experience levels, and more. So the question is: Are the leaders for your church’s groups well-prepared and ready to shepherd others?

Church Leadership

Links We Love

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If You Have to Choose Between Clarity and Creativity – Eric Geiger

Clarity and creativity are both admirable qualities. People seek both when creating a resource, when delivering a message, when leading a team, and when designing ministry strategy. Authors, artists, songwriters, communicators, ministry leaders, and a plethora of other people desire for their work to be both clear and creative.

Stop Defending Yourself Against Jesus – Michael Kelley

It’s an incredibly difficult thing to say, “I’m sorry.”

Those two words are packed with self-humiliation, responsibility, and acceptance of our own weakness and fallacy. And, of course, that’s why it’s so difficult. Our difficulty in uttering those two words, without self-justification and explanation and blame shifting reveals just how strong our impulse of self-defense is.

Scripture and the Christian Man – LifeWay Men

We become men of God by first loving the Word by believing what it says, and putting it into practice in daily life. Obedience in the Christian life is only possible because we’ve been born again. The result of being born again is that we will love God, His Word, and His people. Daily reading the Word will result in being men of integrity, in private and in public. Duplicity in our lives will be replaced by transparency and authenticity in our home life and at Church.

Household of Faith – LifeWay Women’s Ministry

“The rules are there for a reason.” Have you heard that before? I used to work in a residence hall on a university campus and some of their rules were rather interesting. As I flipped through the policy manuals outlining student conduct, employee expectations, and other rules, I saw a curious rule. I asked, “Why is there a rule forbidding access to the subbasement of the building? Why would this rule be in the book?” The answer: It’s there for a reason. One year a couple of adventurous male students found their way into a machine room, discovered the door leading to the subbasement, and concocted a plan to dig a tunnel under the building so they could visit the female-only wing on the opposite side. Rumors swirled concerning the tunnel and the students’ subterranean exploits. Sure enough, during the inspection of their dorm rooms, some small digging tools and muddy clothes surfaced. Their tunneling expeditions were brought to an end and a new rule was put in place. I was given a similar explanation in regard to the rule concerning access to the roof, as some students who loved to climb attempted to rappel from the building. Rules are there for a reason.

5 Ways Leaders Can Grow in Self-Awareness – LifeWay Leadership

Without self-awareness, a leader is stuck. In fact, the biggest hindrance to a leader’s development is not intelligence or work ethic but a lack of self-awareness. While self-awareness helps us understand what areas of leadership need focus and development, knowing ourselves is something we struggle with. We all have blind spots, areas of struggle we are challenged to see in ourselves. So how can leaders grow in self-awareness…

Church Leadership

Links We Love

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2 Reasons We Ignore Our Weaknesses Instead of Addressing Them – Eric Geiger

The common leadership counsel to focus on your strengths is wise, with one important caveat. Your weaknesses must be addressed and brought to an acceptable norm or they will overshadow your strengths. Yes, focus on your strengths, but your weaknesses cannot be so overwhelming as to debilitate your leadership credibility.

Learning to Trust God Through Our Insecurities – Michael Kelley

What weaknesses or insecurities do you hold up to God as an excuse not to obey and trust? You are saying more about your faith in Him than you are own limitations. The answer to our insecurities isn’t a God who tells us we aren’t what we say we are, but who tells us who He is when we don’t believe that He is.

4 Ways to Choose Your Teammates – LifeWay Men

My question to you is: “Who do you have to help you up when you fall?”  I’m not talking about sharpening, I’m talking about supporting you, strengthening you, or even serving you, when you’re unable to serve, strengthen, and support anyone else (including yourself)?

Leading Well: 3 Tips for Leaders on Delivering an Unpopular Message Well – LifeWay Women’s Ministry

Minor prophets like Jonah, Amos, and Malachi are reminders that leaders must choose how they give difficult news and how to have courage to say the hard things. It’s easier to give good news and be people-pleasers. But the reality is there are times the Lord may challenge you to speak difficult truths and be the bearer of difficult messages.

Four Words from Jesus that Will Change the Way You Lead – LifeWay Leadership

There is no insecurity in the Son of God. He’s not like us. We subtly beg for compliments, we subversively week affirmation, we passive aggressively look for allies – but not Jesus. Jesus knows what He’s about. And He knows that what He offers is the only thing that truly satisfies.

5 Reasons Why Leaders Quit – Chris Surratt

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