Ron Lavin says that we desperately need to re-examine and return to the basics of the Christian faith -- and what better source of inspiration is there than the word of God and the sacraments, God's holy pipelines from heaven? In the latest installment of his popular Another Look series, Lavin explores God's Word, baptism, and communion, and demonstrates that far from being meaningless rituals, they are extremely relevant for modern living. Weaving together time-tested biblical truths with a series of vignettes about Grace Livingstone, a fictional character who is a typical church "outsider," Lavin illustrates how faithful proclamation of the Word and celebration of the sacraments can be effective tools for evangelism and outreach. The ups and downs of Grace's life, and her need for the Word and sacraments, are sure to resonate with you. Structured in three four-session sets, Saving Grace is an ideal group study resource -- each chapter includes a "digging deeper" section plus stimulating discussion questions, and there are tips to assist small group leaders. Saving Grace is also great for new member or adult Sunday school classes, personal meditation, and sermon preparation. Ron Lavin's passion for the Word of God and zeal to reach humanity with the truth that Jesus is alive is a source of inspiration and hope. In Saving Grace, Lavin takes us back to the basics of our biblical and confessional heritage and shows us the interrelationship between what we confess and how we live. Robert Wallace Director for Evangelism Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Saving Grace is the story of one lonely heart's journey from uncertainty and fear into the warm comfort offered by God. Follow Grace Livingstone as she receives a gentle welcome into God's love. Saving Grace is a unique, insightful guide for those interested in helping others become part of God's community. Barbara Coulson President, Southern California Writers Association Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 19 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude and Way To Grow! (CSS). He is the former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism.
People Who Met Jesus is a book that will command the undivided attention of readers who yearn to know more of the significance of their relationship to the risen Lord. By delving in depth into the words and experiences of both well-known and cameo biblical characters, readers will come to a greater appreciation of the life-pervading influence of their relationship to the living Lord. (from the Introduction) Reuben T. Swanson Former Secretary Evangelical Lutheran Church in America In the latest installment of his popular series examining the basics of the Christian faith, Ron Lavin takes another look at the final days of Jesus' life on earth through the eyes of the people whose lives were changed by their encounters with the Lord. Lavin examines their stories, both familiar and little-known, and highlights how their experiences intersect our lives. By telling the story of Jesus, they point us toward God. People Who Met Jesus is an ideal Lenten group study resource -- each chapter includes questions for stimulating discussion. It's also excellent for adult Sunday school or new member classes throughout the year, as well as for sermon preparation or personal meditation. Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of more than 20 books, including the CSS titles Turning Griping Into Gratitude (on the Psalms) and Way To Grow (on small group dynamics). He is the former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on evangelism and small groups.
The Ten Commandments continue to provide both significant prohibitions and helpful invitations for living a moral and godly life in the 21st century. I did not post the Ten Commandments on my classroom wall, but they were imprinted more boldly onto my heart. (from the Introduction) Melvin Kieschnick Former Director of Parish Education Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod The Ten Commandments are universally acknowledged as God's blueprint for human behavior -- yet they seem to be a major focus of controversy in today's headlines. Should these commands from God be prominently featured in classrooms and courtrooms? What difference do God's laws make for multitudes of people who can't even repeat them from memory, much less integrate them into everyday behavior? In the latest installment of his popular series examining the basics of the Christian faith, Ron Lavin takes another look at the Ten Commandments and suggests they offer a powerful biblical corrective for a society filled with ethical relativism and moral decay. But they are much more than just a list of do's and don'ts -- they are also the foundation for God's invitation to a full and abundant life. The Big Ten is an ideal group study resource -- each chapter includes a "digging deeper" section plus stimulating discussion questions, and there are tips to assist small group leaders. The Big Ten is also great for new members, adult Sunday school, and confirmation classes, as well as for personal meditation or sermon preparation. Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 20 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude and Way To Grow (CSS). He is the former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism.
This study of Jesus' parables cuts through theological code words and shows how we can apply their easy-to-understand lessons to our lives. Each chapter includes points to ponder and stimulating discussion questions. There's also a study guide and tips to assist small group leaders. Stories To Remember is excellent for personal inspiration, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation.
Sprinkled with humor and anecdotes, each chapter in this study of the Apostles' Creed includes discussion questions and ideas for digging deeper into the biblical and historical background. Plus there's a special bonus -- in a fascinating appendix, former missionary Mel Kieschnick shares the remarkable story of how the Apostles' Creed sustained him when he found himself in the midst of the 1989 massacre at Beijing's Tienanmen Square.
Empty Spaces, Empty Places" revisits the manger, cross and tomb through interviews with the innkeeper's wife, the Centurion and Mary Magdalene. By remembering the stories of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, believers see the lives He touched then and continues to touch today.
Witness is a book that acts like a compass within these changing times. For Ron Lavin, individual Christians and congregations need to focus like a laser beam on their witness to Jesus Christ -- and his passion for witnessing comes out on every page. Lavin speaks a clear word in confusing times for many Christians about the power of the church's witness as the heartbeat of the church's life in the world today. Using a broad range of scripture texts, great personal anecdotes, and important theological resources from the emerging mission literature in North America, Lavin weaves together a fascinating tapestry for understanding and doing witness as the missional church points to the reign of God. I welcome any book that both encourages and instructs me about how to become a better confessing Christian. If that is your desire, this book is for you." Richard Bliese President, Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota Ron Lavin maintains that today's Christian believers face the same critical challenge as did the first-century apostles -- the call to witness to people in a corrupt culture by declaring and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Using the book of Acts as a model, "Witness" takes readers on an in-depth exploration of exactly what it means to be a missional church. Lavin examines the vital importance of witnessing and discusses how we can become vessels for God's work through prayer, repentance, hospitality, koinonia, hope, and encouragement. The call to witness can be difficult (and sometimes even dangerous) -- but planting the seeds of faith often leads to amazing results. "Witness" is an excellent group study resource that will stimulate discussion, group interaction, and Christian outreach. Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 25 books, including "Turning Griping Into Gratitude," "Way To Grow!," and the popular "Another Look" series. The former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, Lavin also served as the pastor of five thriving congregations that grew substantially under his leadership. He is a popular speaker and church consultant on evangelism and small groups.
The Old Testament details the epic faith story of ancient people who, just like us today, seek God's answers to complex problems. Yet because pastors sometimes overlook this rich source of preaching texts, many people in the pews are not fully aware of the Hebrew Scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this inspiring collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, four master preachers insightfully demonstrate the continuing relevance of passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons powerfully proclaim timeless themes of justice and righteousness while reminding us that God's grace is the model for the Christian community's core values of self-giving love and forgiveness. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations from everyday life, and challenges readers to love and serve the Lord, trusting in divine providence even in the midst of a world that sometimes seems cruel and senseless. This essential resource is useful for: - Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts - Preaching illustrations - Understanding scripture passages - Bible study and discussion groups - Personal devotions and inspirational reading
SYNOPSIS The choice of actions and decisions requires skill and wisdom, not just self-interest or just group interest. Containing 21 precepts, The Way to Happiness helps guide one in those choices encountered in life. This might be the first nonreligious moral code based wholly on common sense. FULL DESCRIPTION True joy and happiness are valuable. If one does not survive, no joy and no happiness are obtainable. Trying to survive in a chaotic, dishonest and generally immoral society is difficult. Any individual or group seeks to obtain from life what pleasure and freedom from pain that they can. Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you. Your own happiness can be turned to tragedy and sorrow by the dishonesty and misconduct of others. I am sure you can think of instances of this actually happening. Such wrongs reduce one's survival and impair one's happiness. You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others. The happiness or unhappiness of others you could name is important to you. Without too much trouble, using this book, you can help them survive and lead happier lives. While no one can guarantee that anyone else can be happy, their chances of survival and happiness can be improved. And with theirs, yours will be. It is in your power to point the way to a less dangerous and happier life.
The Old Testament details the epic faith story of ancient people who, just like us today, seek God's answers to complex problems. Yet because pastors sometimes overlook this rich source of preaching texts, many people in the pews are not fully aware of the Hebrew Scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this inspiring collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, four master preachers insightfully demonstrate the continuing relevance of passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons powerfully proclaim timeless themes of justice and righteousness while reminding us that God's grace is the model for the Christian community's core values of self-giving love and forgiveness. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations from everyday life, and challenges readers to love and serve the Lord, trusting in divine providence even in the midst of a world that sometimes seems cruel and senseless. This essential resource is useful for: - Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts - Preaching illustrations - Understanding scripture passages - Bible study and discussion groups - Personal devotions and inspirational reading
Sprinkled with humor and anecdotes, each chapter in this study of the Apostles' Creed includes discussion questions and ideas for digging deeper into the biblical and historical background. Plus there's a special bonus -- in a fascinating appendix, former missionary Mel Kieschnick shares the remarkable story of how the Apostles' Creed sustained him when he found himself in the midst of the 1989 massacre at Beijing's Tienanmen Square.
This study of Jesus' parables cuts through theological code words and shows how we can apply their easy-to-understand lessons to our lives. Each chapter includes points to ponder and stimulating discussion questions. There's also a study guide and tips to assist small group leaders. Stories To Remember is excellent for personal inspiration, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation.
What was it like to stand beside L. Ron Hubbard through the first week in May of 1950, when he loosed upon this world Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health? Includes rare correspondence and essays from the era.
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