Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry
Starting a youth ministry, or trying to help one thrive, comes with a lot of questions. The LCMS Office of Youth Ministry has spent years understanding how you can better your youth group through studies, focus groups, and speaking with the members of thriving LCMS youth groups. Through their dedication, they've come up with the Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry to help you in your journey to revamping or creating a thriving youth ministry at your church. These tips ...
The Disciple Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How The Church Does Discipleship
People are key in every organization, Christian and commercial—yet so many organizations struggle with substantial turnover, inexperience, disunity and crippling brittleness among their people. For Christian leaders and their communities, these symptoms imply that their mission is being eroded, which could be devastating for an individual disciple’s pursuit of Christ. Career CEO Dennis Allen takes a look at how very old business practices are impacting people, bankrupting discipleship, and eroding Christ’s influence in the public square and markets. The discipling ...
Journey Through Church History
This engaging student book teaches school-age children about the history of the Christian Church from a Lutheran perspective. Written by Christa Petzold, pastor's wife, homeschool mom, and high school theology teacher, this book teaches about several church fathers and answers questions about the Bible, Creeds, divides in the Church, liturgy, and the Reformation. Homeschool and day-school students alike will enjoy their time with this book. by Christa Petzold
God’s Encouraging Word: True Comforts When Worldly Advice Fails
We live in a society of self-help quotes and books that offer temporary solutions to long-term problems. These phrases offer little boosts of confidence but don't fix the underlying issue: the need for a Savior to lean on and find support in. Just like Eve, we are all tempted by sin and find ourselves grappling at empty sayings that promise we can "be" God rather than finding true support in trusting God. Turn to Jesus and find true help through ...
The Men We Need
The world needs real men, real bad. And there are all sorts of conflicting ideas and messages about what a "real man" is (and is not). Is a real man one who hunts, loves sports, grills meat, fixes cars, and climbs mountains? Sure, sometimes. But that's not really the point of being a man and it's not the purpose for which men were made. Into our cultural confusion, Brant Hansen paints a refreshingly specific, compelling picture of what men are ...
StrongHeart: Cultivating Humility, Respect & Resiliency in Your Child
For all parents who desire to raise a generation of kids with strong hearts. Parenting. It’s the most important endeavor of our lives. And there’s no shortage of advice on how to raise kids. But amidst the chatter of competing voices, how do we sort the folly from the wisdom? In StrongHeart, author Jill Garner cuts through modern parenting myths and trends to deliver the bold truth about what it will take to raise the next generation. Jill provides evidence-based ...
Leading by Faith: Practical Insights for Christian Leaders
Drawing on decades of experience, James F. Sanft shares insights and encouragement for Christian leaders. Part 1 addresses common leadership misconceptions, while part 2 offers practical discussion for how leaders can get things done-all from a biblical perspective. by James F Sanft
Handing Out Life: The Simple Way to Rewarding Relationships in All of Life
Simple. Memorable. Timeless wisdom. The keys to every relationship in life. These distinct features make Handing Out Life a book for anyone, anywhere, at any time. Unlock the mystery to rewarding relationships with God, family, friends, work associates, and even enemies. Remember what you learn with two simple illustrations that are as clear as your hand in front of your face. Be prepared to hand out life. by Todd A. Biermann
Five Traits of a Healthy Family: Steps You Can Take to Grow Closer, Communicate Better, and Change the World Together
Is your family all that it could be? Many feel bombarded by images and experiences of broken families, but this is not how God intended families to be! So often we examine the traits of unhealthy families, but Gary Chapman paints a biblical portrait of what a loving, stable family looks like. He details five timeless characteristics that create a healthy family environment: A heart for service Husbands and wives who relate intimately Parents who guide their children Children who ...
I Can’t Wait! 52 Stories of Kids Who Changed Their World That You Can Read Together
Did you know that a 13-year-old boy saved seventeen lives during Hurricane Harvey? Or that a five-year-old kid led a group of toddlers to safety after Hurricane Katrina? Do you realize that a third-grade girl sewed over a thousand blankets for people who needed them? Have you heard of the teen who invented a flashlight powered by human body heat? She was helping a friend who had no electricity. Young people are doing amazing things all the time. Instead of ...
5-Minute Bible Studies for Couples
Whether they’re caught in a whirlwind of wedding plans or celebrating their anniversary, engaged and married couples need time to sit down and think about what marriage looks like when it is centered on Christ. Designed to help couples grow closer to each other and the Lord, 5-Minute Bible Studies: For Couples offers three insightful devotions each week for a full year with simple application exercises and prayer prompts. As husband and wife grow closer to God, they will become more comfortable ...
5-Minute Bible Studies: For Families
As parents and children race from work and school to extracurricular activities, chores, and more, finding time to stay connected in the Word as a family can be challenging. 5-Minute Bible Studies: For Families is designed with busy families in mind. This second book of the 5-Minute Bible Studies series offers three short messages a week for a full year. Whether everyone has time only in the mornings or you finally see each other at dinner, this book will help you face ...
8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids
Finally, a practical book for busy parents! Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there. And we could use it quick! In 8 Simple Tools, child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walks you through the nuts and bolts of healthy, effective parenting. Using examples from his home and 20 years of professional practice, Todd gives eight essential and practical tools to help you: Listen well and respond wisely Use affirmation to influence your child Develop a nurturing ...
A Heart at Peace: Biblical Strategies for Christians in Conflict
Conflict and disagreements happen in all circles, regardless of race, religion, or creed. However, Christians are specifically called by God to reconcile with their neighbor in a Christlike fashion. This book teaches you God s method for conflict resolution as given in his Word. It will help break down the hostility that can divide believers, while also aiding in the reconciliation process. Discover the spiritual relief that comes naturally when your heart is at peace. by Kenneth Kremer
And She was a Christian: Why Do Believers Commit Suicide?
Suicide has been a historically difficult and taboo topic for the church. Christians, perhaps even more so than nonbelievers, are often appalled or distressed by this horrific act and can struggle to understand it. This is especially true when it is a fellow believer who takes his or her own life. And She Was a Christian provides answers straight from God's Word, with a strong emphasis on the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Ideal for Christian counselors or anyone who has ...
Answering the Objections of Atheists, Agnostics, & Skeptics
An unfamiliar car parks near your house, and two pleasant-looking folks approach your front door. The doorbell rings, and after exchanging pleasantries, your unexpected guests offer you some literature from the Watchtower Society. What will you say? What should you say? Should you engage your visitors in conversation at all? And if so, how? Trusted Bible teacher Ron Rhodes guides you through several realistic dialogues with Jehovah’s Witnesses, demonstrating helpful techniques for listening, asking questions, avoiding offense, and more. He includes the ...
Behold, I am Coming Soon!
This devotional features 28 unique entries based on the book of Revelation to help guide readers through the Advent season. With all the hustle and bustle and preparations for Christmas, these devotions will help you pause to recall Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and also encourage you to look forward to the Savior's return in the final days. by Rev. Bruce McKenney
Breaking the Patterns of Depression
Twenty to thirty million Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable depression, and their ranks are growing. Psychologist Michael D. Yapko explains that in order to find relief, more than the current episode of depression must be examined. In Breaking the Patterns of Depression, he presents skills that enable readers to understand and ultimately avert depression's recurring cycles. Focusing on future prevention as well as initial treatment, the book includes over one hundred structured activities to help sufferers learn the skills necessary ...
Connected to Christ: Witnessing in Everyday Life
Evangelism. Witnessing. Sharing God’s Word. It’s all part of a toolkit that you were given the moment you were baptized into Christ’s family. And it’s a toolkit that anyone can be given through belief in Christ. But evangelism and witnessing sometimes feels as if it’s a put together person, filled to the brim with Christ’s love, talking to broken people. But it’s not. It’s regular, everyday people, broken by sin, talking about God’s love and Christ’s forgiveness of sins to ...
Conversations with Jehovah’s Witnesses
An unfamiliar car parks near your house, and two pleasant-looking folks approach your front door. The doorbell rings, and after exchanging pleasantries, your unexpected guests offer you some literature from the Watchtower Society. What will you say? What should you say? Should you engage your visitors in conversation at all? And if so, how? Trusted Bible teacher Ron Rhodes guides you through several realistic dialogues with Jehovah’s Witnesses, demonstrating helpful techniques for listening, asking questions, avoiding offense, and more. He includes the ...
