Find the Source of True Satisfaction This study companion to the DVD version of The Pleasures of God--the landmark book by John Piper--will help individuals and groups answer the question, “What brings delight to the happiest Being in the universe?” Because it’s by knowing what makes God glad that we can drink deeply—and satisfyingly—from the only well that offers living water. The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study. Topics for this 12-session (or alternative 6-session intensive track), guided study include: The Worth and Excellency of God’s Soul, Our Pleasure in God’s Well-Placed Pleasures, God’s Pleasure in His Eternal Son, God’s Pleasure in the Display of His Glory, God’s Pleasure in All That He Does, God’s Pleasure in All of Creation, God’s Pleasure in Election, God’s Pleasure in Bruising His Son, and more. Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help reveal that what followers of Jesus need now, more than anything else, is to know and love—behold and embrace—the great, glorious, sovereign, happy God of the Bible. Leader’s Guide Included
You might be surprised to find that God is not a trinity. The Trinity is one of mainstream Christianity’s most widely accepted and revered doctrines held by millions of Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox believers. The belief that God is three persons—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—coexisting in one being is how the trinity doctrine is often defined. But the word trinity appears nowhere within the pages of the Bible. You can not cling to long-held religious traditions if they contradict the Scriptures. Your beliefs must rest solidly on the teachings of the Holy Bible. This Bible Study aid, "Is God a Trinity?", goes into great detail explaning the non-biblical origins of the trinity and how this false gospel replaced the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Discover how the Bible communicates a true picture of God and learn about the awesome plan He has promised for you and all mankind. Chapters in this ebook: -- Is the Trinity Biblical? -- The Surprising Origins of the Trinity Doctrine -- Greek Philosophy's Influence on the Trinity Doctrine -- How Ancient Trinitarian Gods Influenced Adoption of the Trinity -- A Spurious Reference to the Trinity Added in 1 John 5:7-8 -- How Is God Revealed in the Bible? -- Jesus Was Sent by the Father -- Jesus Christ: "The Rock" of the Old Testament -- The Apostles Understood Jesus to Be the Creator -- Did Jesus Christ Claim to Be God? -- "In the Beginning Was the Word" -- The Claim of Jesus' Disciples -- "There Is One God, the Father...and One Lord, Jesus Christ" -- God's Plan to "Bring Many Sons to Glory" -- Jesus Christ's Submission to the Father -- How Is God One? -- "The Lord Our God, the Lord Is One" -- Seven Scriptures That Debunk the Trinity as a Single Being -- Elohim: The Plurality of God -- Is the Holy Spirit a Person? -- Does Matthew 28:19 Prove the Trinity? -- Why the Holy Spirit Is Sometimes Incorrectly Referred to as "He" and "Him" -- What About Passages That "Prove" the Trinity? -- The Holy Spirit: God's Transforming Power -- How to Stir Up God's Spirit -- God's Nature and Character -- God's Purpose for You -- The Likeness of God -- Do Some Verses Deny a Divine Family? -- The God Family Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Most people assume that everything that bears the label “Christian” must have originated with Jesus Christ and His early followers. But this is definitely not the case." "Many historians and religious scholars, some quoted in this publication, attest to the influence of Greek or Platonic philosophy in the development and acceptance of the Trinity doctrine in the fourth century." God the Father is the One who calls us to baptism and a new way of life (John 6:44, 65), and it is His goodness that leads us to repentance and baptism (Romans 2:4). "As even the New Catholic Encyclopedia, quoted from earlier, acknowledges: “The majority of New Testament texts reveal God’s spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God...
The Creator of mankind does have a plan for you, and He reveals it through an annual cycle of festivals called Holy Days described in the Scriptures. It is an astounding plan offering an incredible future to every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. The Bible study aid ebook, God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind, will help you understand the incredible truth about what lies ahead for all humanity. Chapters in this ebook: -- Introduction: God's Holy Day Plan -- Are God's Holy Days Relevant Today? -- God's Festivals in the New Testament -- The Passover: Why Did Jesus Christ Have to Die? -- The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Replacing Sin With the Bread of Life -- The Feast of Pentecost: The Firstfruits of God's Harvest -- The Feast of Trumpets: A Turning Point in History -- Atonement: Removal of Sin's Cause and Reconciliation to God -- The Feast of Tabernacles: Jesus Christ Reigns Over All the Earth -- The Eighth Day: Eternal Life Offered to All -- What Is the Fate of the Unrepentant? -- How God's Festivals Teach Us About Jesus Christ -- How Should We Observe God's Festivals? -- Colossians 2:16 Shows Gentile Christians Observed the Biblical Holy Days -- The Annual Festivals of God - Holy Day Calendar Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Paul and all the apostles taught a consistent message of the Christian's obligation to follow the example of Jesus Christ in all matters." "Keeping the Passover each year reminds us that God is the forgiver of sin who grants us eternal life in His Kingdom through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Passover." "Our observance of the Days of Unleavened Bread helps us realize our crucial need for Jesus' help in overcoming our weaknesses." "Pentecost serves as an annual reminder that our Creator still works miracles, granting His Spirit to those called to be the firstfruits of His spiritual harvest, empowering them to carry out His work in this world." "Jesus Christ will return to raise His followers from death and establish God's perfect rule over the earth. This is the wonderful, inspiring meaning of the Feast of Trumpets." "The Day of Atonement thus pictures the loving reconciliation all people can have with God through Christ's sacrifice. It also shows the remarkable truth that Satan, the author of sin, will eventually be removed so that humanity can at last attain reconciliation with God on a universal basis." "The Feast of Tabernacles offers a marvelous opportunity for salvation to those left alive at Christ's return, as well as their physical descendants during the Millennium." "What is the fate of those who die with no real knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Son of God? What hope is there for the billions who have lived and died without knowledge of God's purpose? The Scriptures show that these are not cut off without hope. He will bring them back to life and give them their opportunity for eternal salvation!
Most people believe the Bible teaches that we will go to either heaven or hell at death. They might be surprised at what it really says! -- Inside this booklet: -- The Biblical Truth About the Immortal Soul -- The History of the Immortal-Soul Teaching -- The Spirit in Man -- Will a Loving God Punish People Forever in Hell? -- Lazarus and the Rich Man: Proof of Heaven and Hell? -- Are Some Tortured Forever in a Lake of Fire? -- Will the Torment of the Wicked Last Forever? -- Does the Bible Speak of Hellfire That Lasts Forever? -- Is Heaven God's Reward for the Righteous? -- Ancient Pagan Belief in Heaven -- Paul's Desire to "Depart and Be With Christ" -- Did Elijah Go to Heaven? -- Was Enoch Taken to Heaven? -- The Thief on the Cross -- Are There Saved Human Beings in Heaven? -- The Resurrection: God's Promise of Life After Death -- Your Awesome Future
Why are we here? What is our place in the universe? What is the purpose of life? The questions have been asked for centuries. But they all revolve around what is perhaps the most fundamental question of all: Does God exist? -- Inside this booklet: -- Asking the Crucial Questions -- Evidence All Around Us -- The Beginning of the Universe -- Our Awesome Universe: How Big is Big? -- Science and Discomfiting Discoveries -- Our Amazing Spaceship Earth -- The Importance of Life-Sustaining Water -- The Giver of Life -- The Tiny Miracle That's Toppling Evolution -- A Deeper Look at the Evidence -- Scientists' Thundering Silence -- Life's Purpose and the Consequences of Ideas -- Groping for Meaning and Morality -- Why Were You Born? -- Man's Natural Hostility Toward God -- Meet God -- How Does God Reveal Himself? -- A God Not Bound by Space and Time -- Our Window of Opportunity
How is God one? Is God a trinity? Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Was He a mere man, or much more? What was the significance of His death and resurrection? In this booklet you'll learn more about the nature of God and Jesus Christ and our future destiny with Them as revealed in the Bible. -- Inside this booklet: -- The Grandeur of Almighty God -- The Personal Nature of God -- A Family Relationship -- The Family of God -- How Is God One? -- 'The LORD Our God, the LORD Is One' -- Who Was Jesus? -- Jesus Was Sent by the Father -- A Mystery Solved: The Identity of Melchizedek -- The Plurality of God -- Jesus was a Jew -- Understanding God Through Christ -- What Does Christ's Resurrection Teach Us? -- Is God a Trinity? -- What About Matthew 28:19? -- The Holy Spirit is Not a Person -- Understanding 'the Image of God' -- Partaking of the Divine Nature -- Jesus Christ, Our Merciful High Priest -- God's Nature and Character
In this lesson we discuss this remarkable change, made possible by the transforming power of God's Spirit. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction -- What is the Holy Spirit? -- God's Spirit Before the Church Era -- God's Promise of a New Era -- The Holy Spirit in the Church -- The Letter and Spirit of the Law -- A New Creation in Christ -- The Fruit of the Spirit -- How to Stir Up the Spirit -- Our Final Transformation -- What Next? -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
For many millions, God's Word is unexplored and uncharted territory. Yet the Bible is not only designed to help humans beings cope in a world caught up in all kinds of crisis. It contains the good news of the Kingdom of God—showing how God will solve the many problems of a world edging ever closer to catastrophe. In this Bible Study lesson you will discover how the Bible reveals great truths that, when comprehended, can transform your life in ways you've never imagined. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction: Bible Study Course Lesson 1 -- Why The Bible is the Word of God -- Crisis on the World Scene -- Learning to Appreciate the Bible -- How to Begin Your Study -- How Does God Reveal Knowledge? -- Considering the Existence of God -- Why the Bible is Different -- How the Bible Helps Cement Broken Relationships -- Answering the Great Mystery: Why Did God Create Man? -- Discovering the Great Unknown: Our Incredible Human Potential -- Relying on God in an Uncertain World! -- A Close Encounter -- Believers in God -- Believers in the Bible -- Reader Helps -- The Books of the Bible -- Glossary -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
Does the New Covenant negate God's law and do away with any need to obey the Ten Commandments and other laws of God? The belief that it does has long been a popular teaching in traditional Christianity. Inside this Bible study aid: - How Can We Obey God's Commandments? - Did the Ten Commandments Exist Before Moses? - God's Law: Is It a Burden or a Blessing? - What Was the Main Weakness of the Sinai Covenant? - How God Balances Justice With Mercy - The Ten Commandments: Keys in a Law of Love - Grace and Law: Why Are They Inseparable? - Galatians 4:9-10: Are God's Laws Bondage? - The Holy Spirit: God's Promise of His Divine Help - Does Romans 14 Abolish Laws on Unclean Meats? - Did Paul Tell the Romans One Thing and the Corinthians the Opposite? - What Was 'Wiped Out' by Jesus Christ's Death? - Colossians 2:16-17: Are God's Laws Obsolete? - Confusion Over Legalism: What It Is and Isn't - Jesus' Teaching on God's Law - Did Paul's Words to the Galatians Contradict His Actions?
Is there a reason why you exist? In this lesson, you will find answers to why you were born and what your future will be. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction -- Something More to Man? -- The Limitations of Science -- Man in the Image of God -- What is Man? -- Was Jesus Christ Truly a Man? -- Why the Son of Man? -- Jesus Christ: Man and the Image of God -- Reward and Punishment -- Is Heaven the Reward of the Saved? -- God the Father -- God's Great Purpose for Man -- How to Learn More from this Bible Study Course Lesson -- David: A Shepherd Learns from the Creation -- Glossary -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
Spirituality and faith directed by God himself. The bottom line is how to get the people he created to himself in heaven instead of hellfire with the devil who did not create them.
What is the meaning of God's relationship with humans? Inside this Bible study lesson: -- God Wants a Relationship With Us -- Who Is God Calling? -- Gifts from God: The Foundation of His Relationship with Us -- God's Promises to Abraham -- God's Covenant with Ancient Israel -- The Need for a New Covenant -- Love is the Basis of God's Relationship -- Few Have Ever Accepted God's Calling -- Grace: How God Interacts With Us -- How to Use Biblical Quotes and References -- God's Relationship with Ancient Israel -- Why We Need a Redeemer -- Are You Being Called? -- Back to the Beginning -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
Freedom from Sin through the Promises of God This study guide companion to the DVD version of Future Grace—the foundational book by John Piper on the expansive reach of God’s grace—will help individuals and groups understand that victory over sin comes not from a herculean effort to avoid worldly pleasures, but through fixing one’s focus on the reality that God is far more desirable than even life itself. Delighting in the bounty of God's promises frees us from sinful patterns, to the glory of Christ! The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study. Topics for this 12-session guided study include: · A Passion for Holiness · Justification by Faith and the Necessity of Perseverance · What Is Faith? · The Crucial Function of Bygone Grace · The Role of Gratitude in Producing Obedience · How Faith in Future Grace Produces Radical Love · Future Grace Versus Anxiety and Covetousness · Future Grace Versus Lust, Bitterness, and Impatience Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, thought-provoking questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide helps reveal how a life of purity can be recovered through the power of God's future grace, which streams into the present through faith. Also includes a six-session track option. Leader’s Guide Included.
Do you believe in many roads to salvation? When you think about establishing a relationship with God, what comes to mind? Do you know what the Bible reveals on this subject? Notice what Jesus Christ Himself has to say: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44) God starts this relationship process and you must choose to accept or reject His calling when offered. If you accept, you have a definite process to follow that He clearly reveals in the Bible. What is that process? 1) After God calls you, repentance is the starting point in your relationship with Him. Without repentance, you are cut off from God. 2) After you repent, your next step is water baptism, a primary principle of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2). 3) The next step on your road to eternal life is to receive God's Holy Spirit, which comes through "laying on of hands," as described in Hebrews 6:2. If God is calling you, will you respond? Inside the Bible Study aid ebook, The Road to Eternal Life, we will examine the Scriptures and look at the steps you must take to respond to God's calling. Start your journey on the only road to eternal life and be part of the awesome future God has planned for you! Chapters in this ebook: -- Introduction: The Road to Eternal Life -- Repentance: Your First Step -- Jesus and His Apostles Affirm the Need to Obey God's Commandments -- Grace, Works and Obedience -- The Crucial Role of Faith -- Water Baptism and Laying On of Hands -- Should Children Be Baptized -- Should We Want to Be Baptized With Fire? -- Forgiveness of Sin -- Staying the Course -- We're Baptized Into a Spiritual Body Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "The Bible describes repentance as a profound realization of our sins and resulting sorrow that leads us to change our thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 7:10)." "To some, the change God wants in us can appear so overwhelming that repentance and conversion to God's way of thinking seem impossible. And that's the point. Without God's help, they are impossible!" "Overcoming our habitual sins and selfish nature does not happen instantly. It is a lifelong process, often involving great effort." "The symbolic meaning of baptism, then, is profound. It represents both forgiveness of sins and newness of life in Christ." "No matter what our background or past mistakes, when we genuinely repent and are baptized, God promises complete forgiveness." "Living God's way must always remain our priority. We must continually "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
Humanity has been deprived of the keys that unlock a comprehensive understanding of God's plan and purpose for humankind. God reveals His splendid plan in the prophecies and teachings of the Scriptures. In this lesson you will see how God has provided us with the keys to unlock His plan through His sacred festivals. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction -- Festivals of Hope -- The Passover -- The Feast of Unleavened Bread -- The Feast of Trumpets -- Pentecost -- The Day of Atonement -- The Feast of Tabernacles -- The Last Great Day -- Humanity's Fruitless Quest for Life's Purpose -- The Annual Festivals of God -- Are the Biblical Holy Days Christian Festivals? -- How Sacrifices and Festivals Are Related -- What Did Paul Really Say in Colossians 2:16? -- Obedient Followers of God -- Some Final Remarks -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
God's Word reveals the true values by which we must live if we are to solve our massive relationship problems and the other seemingly insoluble dilemmas that threaten to overwhelm us. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction: The Word of God - The Foundation of Knowledge -- Knowledge and Understanding - Or Meaningless Information -- Basic Knowledge Everyone Needs -- Misinformation and Disinformation about God and the Bible -- Why Man Rejects the Knowledge of God -- How To Gain Godly Knowledge -- God's Knowledge Revealed in Two Parts -- King David and His Scribes -- The Writers of the Hebrew Bible -- The Transition from the Prophets to the Gospels -- The Fascinating Nature of God's Revelation -- King Solomon's Writings -- Another Important Author -- The Five Books of Moses -- The Latter, or Major, Prophets -- The Foundation of True Values -- King Jehoiakim: A Lesson From Biblical History -- Daniel the Prophet -- The New Testament Writers -- Glossary -- Summary Remarks -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
This book is a collection of truths related to God’s incarnation as well as His three stages of work of saving mankind. These truths allow people to see the appearance and the work of Christ in the last days through God’s utterances, as well as come to know that Almighty God is the return of the Lord Jesus, and that He has expressed the truth and does the work of “judgment beginning at the house of God” in the last days, thus leading mankind to turn back toward God’s throne.
How do we reconcile anguish and suffering with the Bible's portrayal of a loving God? Inside this Bible study lesson:-- Freedom of Choice or Freedom from Suffering?-- The Sovereignty of God-- Why Suffering?-- The Importance of Godly Character-- Jesus Christ's Profound Example of Suffering-- Why Must Christians Suffer?-- Avoiding Unnecessary Suffering-- Help for Sufferers-- Time and Chance-- God is Always Fair-- How God Sees Suffering-- Satan's Role in Causing Suffering-- Cause and Effect: An Often-Overlooked Principle-- Learning from the Suffering of Job-- Historical Insights into Human Suffering-- Glossary-- Points to Ponder-- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
Would you like to learn more about the glorious future Jesus Christ will usher in at His return called the Kingdom of God? Dozens of prophecies tell us how the world will be entirely transformed and all humanity taught a way of life that will bring peace, prosperity and productive, fulfilling lives. For a glimpse into this exciting new world, be sure to read this booklet. -- Inside this booklet: -- The Good News of the Kingdom of God -- Other Names For the Kingdom -- Are There Different Gospels? -- The Promise of a Coming Kingdom -- Is the Kingdom Here Now? -- Is The Kingdom Within You? -- Is the Church the Kingdom? -- How Are We 'Translated Into the Kingdom'? -- How is the Kingdom At Hand? -- The Ruler of a Kingdom of Spiritual Darkness -- Prophecies of the Coming Kingdom of God -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Salvation in the Kingdom -- Was Jesus Christ the Messiah? -- How You Can Enter the Kingdom
What Do You Revolve Around? All the planets of your life—from your labor and leisure to your thinking and feeling—are held in orbit by the greatness, gravity, and blazing brightness of Jesus Christ at the center of your life. When He ceases to be the center, the planets of your life fly into confusion, sending a hundred things out of control. Pastor John Piper’s powerful teaching is recorded during an intimate retreat for youth leaders and students onto three The Blazing Center DVDs. With the study guide, this is an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, and families. Discover surprising insights about the reality of sin, how your love for God is really revealed, and how only joy in Him will sustain you through times of suffering. God Is the Blazing Sun at the Center of Reality Everything revolves around Him. And as the most valuable and glorious person who exists, God is loving, not conceited, when He calls us to worship Him. His pursuit of glory and our pursuit of joy are not at odds—because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. This study guide is designed to be used in a ten-session, guided group study that focuses on The Blazing Center DVD set: Lesson 1—Introduction to The Blazing Center Lesson 2—The Blazing Center: A Personal Story Lesson 3—The Blazing Center: Is God Vain? Lesson 4—Pursue Your Joy: Isn’t That Hedonism? Lesson 5— Pursue Your Joy: God Commands It! Lesson 6—True Love: Duty or Delight? (Part 1) Lesson 7—True Love: Duty or Delight? (Part 2) Lesson 8—Suffering: For the Joy Set Before You (Part 1) Lesson 9— Suffering: For the Joy Set Before You (Part 2) Lesson 10—Review and Conclusion Complete with Scripture and key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help you place God at the center of your life. When God is the blazing sun at the center of your solar system, all the planets of your life come into proper orbit. Leader’s guide included! Story Behind the Book “The greatest news in all the world is that there is no final conflict between my passion for joy and God’s passion for His glory. The knot that ties these together is the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Jesus Christ died and rose again to forgive the treason of our souls, which have turned from savoring God to savoring self. In the cross of Christ, God rescues us from the house of mirrors and leads us out to the mountains and canyons of His majesty. Nothing satisfies us—or magnifies Him—more.” —John Piper
Overwhelmed? Need a day off... a break? Maybe it's time to learn the truth about the Sabbath. Everyone, it seems, lives his or her life at a breakneck pace, constantly rushing here and there to get everything done. Technological advances that once promised more leisure time now seem only to push us further behind, making it ever more difficult to catch up. So we frantically scramble. We feel out of touch—out of touch with our spouse, out of touch with our families, out of touch with the world around us and, perhaps most of all, out of touch with God. Is there a way to get back in touch? In the Bible, God gives us a solution written within the Ten Commandments. It's a commandment that gives us time for a welcome, refreshing rest from our weekly labors, a time during which we must no longer be absorbed in our ordinary daily cares and concerns—a time for spiritual rejuvenation. Inside the ebook, "Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest", you will read why God commanded a day of rest and the purpose for it. You will discover the answers to which day is the Sabbath, why the Sabbath is relevant for all of us today and why this day of rest makes sense in today's world. Join us for a journey through the Bible to discover the importance of God's Sabbath rest. Chapters in this ebook: -- The Sabbath: In the Beginning -- When Is the Sabbath Day to Be Kept? -- Which Day Is the Sabbath? -- Names for Saturday in Many Languages Prove Which Day Is the True Sabbath -- Jesus Christ and the Sabbath -- Just What is Legalism? -- Was the Sabbath Changed in the New Testament? -- Was Sunday the New Testament Day of Worship? -- Was God's Law Abolished in the New Testament? -- Why is the Sabbath Commandment Not Repeated in the New Testament? -- Surprising Admissions About the Sabbath and Sunday -- "There Remains a Sabbath-Rest for the People of God" -- A Sign of God's People -- God's Sabbath in Today's World -- The Sabbath in the Age to Come -- What is True Worship? -- Our Appointment With God -- A Test for You? Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "God, Creator of the Sabbath, determines when the day begins and ends, and it was observed from sunset to sunset throughout the Bible. His Sabbath begins Friday evening at sunset and ends Saturday evening at sunset." "Jesus Himself clearly denied that He intended to change or abolish the Sabbath or any part of God’s law. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets,” He said. “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17)." "Many who argue that the Sabbath was abolished in the New Testament point to the apostle Paul’s writings to justify their view. But is this opinion correct? They commonly cite three passages to support that claim—Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17 and Galatians 4:9-10." "Here we see God’s true intent for the Sabbath: It is part of a proper, loving relationship with Him. It is a matter of honoring God.
The three stages of God’s work, His names, the mystery of His incarnation, how to distinguish between the true way and a false way, and other visionary aspects of the truth of God’s words have been compiled in this book so these things may take root as quickly as possible in new believers who have just accepted God’s work in the last days.
Almighty God, Christ of the last days, has expressed a variety of truths, uncovered every truth and mystery in the Bible, and revealed to mankind the inside story of the three stages of God’s work, the mystery of God becoming flesh and God’s work of judgment in the last days, etc. This testifies that Almighty God is the return of the Lord Jesus and that He is the appearance of God in the last days.
Looking for some good advice? You may not realize it, but you probably already own the best self-help book ever published, one that's loaded with practical guidance to help you achieve success in your career, friendships, finances, family and every other aspect of life. That book is your Bible. We've prepared this guide, Making Life Work, to help you discover the Bible's principles for success. Inside this Bible study aid: -- How Can We Make Life Work? -- Marriage: Foundation of the Family -- Child Rearing: Building the Right Foundation -- Finding the Path to a Happy Family -- The Importance of Right Friendships -- Finding Success in Your Job and Career -- Financial Security and Peace of Mind -- A Source of Timeless Financial Advice -- Keys to a Long, Healthy Life -- Does Life Have Greater Meaning and Purpose? -- Our Need for Love -- http://www.ucg.org/booklets/
Is it acceptable to believe we are free to worship God as we wish, to refashion God in our own image? Or has God revealed an approach to life that He expects us to follow? Does it make any difference in the relationship we are supposed to have with Him? In this lesson we examine the answers to these questions and more from the Scriptures. Inside this Bible study lesson: -- Introduction -- The Godly Way of Life -- The Foundation -- Practicing Love, Honor and Respect -- Building Habits of Prayer and Bible Study -- Observing God's Sabbath -- Faith and Fidelity -- Being a Good Neighbor to Others -- Accepting Personal Responsibility -- Living As Lights in the World -- Points to Ponder -- http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-course/
The joy of a happy marriage blessed with loving, respectful children is a dream of most men and women. Traditionally, marriage has been an exclusive bond between a man and a woman. Yet in recent years this pattern has been changing. Looking at the state of marriage today leaves no doubt that the institution is under serious attack. A crisis in child rearing has developed in part because of the crisis in marriages. So what are the keys to a happy, successful marriage and family? -- Inside this booklet: -- Marriage and Family: The Spiritual Significance -- God's Instruction Manual for Marriage -- Dating Dos and Don'ts -- Divorce-Proof Your Marriage -- Our Children: Gifts of God in a Hostile Environment -- Bringing Up a Moral Child -- A Foretaste of Tomorrow
Angels are God’s messengers and His spirit army, and they are very numerous. Make no mistake, angels do exist! They exist to serve “those who will inherit salvation”. But because they are invisible, we tend to forget their role in carrying out God’s purpose and plan. Many angels have been given the duty of serving our needs, and their responsibilities and assignments may change with circumstances. Inside study aid: -- The Origin of the Spirit Realm -- The Vast Multitudes of Heaven’s Armies -- Should We Worship or Pray to Angels? -- Appearing in Human Form -- Did Angels Interbreed With Women to Produce Giants? -- Popular, But Wrong, Ideas About Angels -- Where Did the Idea of Angels as Babies Originate? -- Leading Angels: Michael and Gabriel -- What Is the Origin of Satan and Demons? -- Different Kinds of Angels -- Serving God and Mankind -- Personal Stories of Angelic Encounters
THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE IS NOT OPTIONAL. IT IS ESSENTIAL. This study guide companion to the DVD version of Desiring God—the classic explanation of Christian hedonism by John Piper—will help individuals and groups understand that the supreme calling of life is to "glorify God by enjoying Him forever." The DVD and this guide create an ideal package for adult and youth Sunday school classes, small groups, retreats, classrooms, families, as well as for individual study. Topics for this 12-session guided group study include: One Great Mission and Motivation A Summary of Christian Hedonism The Foundation of Christian Hedonism The Essence of Christian Hedonism The Grand Obligation (Part 1): Commanded to Rejoice The Grand Obligation (Part 2): An Essential Element of Faith and Worship The Grand Obligation (Part 3): Holy Hedonism Is Love The Grand Obligation (Part 4): The Strength for Sanctification and Service How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 1): Know Its Sources and Setbacks How Then Shall We Fight for Joy? (Part 2): Make Use of the Means of Grace Complete with Scripture, key quotations for reflection, penetrating questions, and five daily assignments per week, this study guide will help you understand why God’s pursuit of His glory and your pursuit of joy are not at odds—because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Also includes a 6-session intensive track option. Leader’s Guide Included.
The story of Jesus Christ goes much deeper than His crucifixion and resurrection. Few will dispute that a man named Jesus Christ lived 2,000 years ago and that He was a great teacher who impacted the world. Christ made a controversial claim—that He was the very Son of God, the long-prophesied Messiah—causing religious authorities in Jerusalem to reject Him, hate Him and eventually succeeded in having Him put to death. Likewise, the local Roman civil authorities also saw Him as a threat and became complicit in His execution. The religions of His day, both Judaism and paganism, opposed the growth of His teachings and used unlawful and violent means to try to destroy the Church He founded. The government of Rome also came to vigorously persecute the followers of this Jewish teacher from Galilee. Today, there is much confusion and questions concerning this controversial figure. Where can you go for the answers? The Bible. This Bible Study aid booklet, "Jesus Christ: The Real Story" will help explain what is written in the Bible about Jesus Christ. You can discover the answers to these questions and more: Who was Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Where did He come from? When was Jesus Christ born? What did Jesus teach? Was He God in the flesh? What did Jesus look like? Was He only a man? Why did He die? Discover the true, fascinating story that so few understand. The story of the greatest Man who ever lived and the misunderstood message He preached—the gospel (good news) of the coming Kingdom of God! Chapters in this ebook: -- Introduction - Jesus Christ: The Real Story -- Who—and What—Was Jesus Christ? -- Jesus Christ's Disciples Understood Him to Be the Creator -- Jesus Christ: 'The Rock' of the Old Testament -- The Family of God -- Jesus' Amazing Fulfillment of Prophecy -- The Bible Prophesied the Exact Year the Messiah Would Appear -- Was Jesus Born on Dec. 25? -- A Sinless and Miraculous Life -- Could Jesus Perform Miracles? -- Did Jesus Really Die and Live Again? -- Roman Forms of Crucifixion -- When Was Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected? -- The Chronology of the Crucifixion and Resurrection -- Do Other Nonbiblical Sources Confirm Jesus Christ's Existence? -- Much More Than a Man -- Was Jesus a Created Being? -- The God Who Became a Human Being -- Jesus' Family Connections -- Did Jesus Have Long Hair? -- The Messiah's Misunderstood Mission -- What Do 'Messiah' and 'Jesus Christ' Mean? -- What Was Jesus' Gospel? -- Salvation Is Entrance Into the Kingdom of God -- Other Names for the Kingdom -- Jesus' Teaching on God's Law -- Other Important Ways Jesus Fulfilled the Law -- Christ's New Commandment -- Does the New Covenant Abolish the Commandments? -- Jesus Christ and the Festivals of the Bible -- Who Killed Jesus? -- Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God -- The Tearing of the Temple Veil -- Alive Again Today and Forever -- Your Date With Destiny: Meeting the Real Jesus -- 'Even So, Come, Lord Jesus!' Inside this Bible Study Aid ebook: "Perhaps the boldest claim Jesus made about His identity was the statement, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John:8:58)...What was going on here? Jesus was revealing His identity as the actual One whom the Jews knew as God in the Old Testament." "The New Testament writers cite messianic prophecies from the Old Testament more than 130 times. By some estimates the Old Testament contains 300 prophetic passages that describe who the Messiah is and what He will do. Of these, 60 are major prophecies. What are the chances of these prophecies being fulfilled in one person?" "A careful analysis of Scripture, however, clearly indicates that December 25 is an unlikely date for Christ’s birth. Here are two primary reasons..." "How can we fit “three days and three nights” between a Friday-afternoon crucifixion and a Sunday-morning resurrection?
As dictated to his mortal amanuensis, 11-time Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, David Javerbaum, God looks back with unprecedented candor on his time in the public sector. He takes us behind the scenes.
Many people have misconceptions about the biblical teaching on clean and unclean meats. What does scripture really reveal on this subject? -- Inside this booklet: -- Clean and Unclean Meats: Does God's Word Draw a Distinction? -- How Should We Understand Scripture? -- Understanding 'Unclean' in Romans 14 -- Does the New Testament Abolish Meat Distinctions? -- Not Only a Matter of Diet -- Which Animals Does the Bible Designate as 'Clean' and 'Unclean'? -- A Matter of Health? -- A Matter of Proper Cooking? -- A Telling Event From Jesus Christ's Ministry
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