Study Aids
Find resources and study materials for personal growth, discipleship, and MidWeek studies. Available books are listed below along with descriptions. Check back from time to time for new materials!
To order books, you can stop by our Bookstore located in the Welcome Center, or place your order online by clicking the button at the bottom of this page. Ordered books are to be picked up from the church.
-
"New research finds that Christians are less involved in spiritual conversations today than we were twenty-five years ago. The reality is many of our churches and communities are shrinking instead of growing. What can we do about this?
Don Everts, himself a reluctant witness, grew up assuming that spiritual conversations are always painful and awkward. But after falling into one spiritual conversation after another, he was surprised to discover that they aren't. Don's surprising (and sometimes embarassing) stories affirm what Scripture and the latest research reveal: spiritual conversations can actually be a delight. Unpacking what God's Word says about spiritual conversations and digging into the habits of eager conversationalists, Everts describes what we can learn from Christians who are still talking about their faith."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"Every few years, churches jump into the latest evangelistic fad. Leaders administrate the new program, and members go on a raid. But picture a church where evangelism is simply part of the culture. Leaders share their faith consistently and openly. Members follow, encouraging one another to make evangelism an ongoing way of life. Such is the way of evangelism presented by this brief and compelling book. No program here. Instead, it just might give your church a new way to live and share the gospel together."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"In this concise guide, pastor Mark Dever outlines the who, what, when, why, and how of discipling-- helping others follow Jesus. Following the pattern found in Scripture, this book explains how disciplemaking relationships should function in the context of the local church, teaching us how to cultivate a culture of discipling as a normal part of our everyday lives."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"In an age of deconstruction and rethinking, the Church should not be surprised to find itself confused by words like mission, missions, and missionary. Some struggle to redefine these categories and some seek to reclaim them, while others reject them outright, with or without providing new terms to guide us forward.
But works and their meaning matter; our confusion has a cost. Competing priorities pressure us to stretch our missions definitions as wide as they can go, releasing our people to creatively engage in service of every description. Some churches turn away from traditional mission efforts all together, giving preference to local service and evangelism while outsourcing any cross-cultural effort to those who surely must be more effective than we would be.
Matthew Ellison and Denny Spitters call us to refocus our gaze on the gospel and the Great Commission. They assert that thinking must come before doing and shape our world mission practices and priorities. When Everything Is Missions is for church and ministry leaders and all who look to clarify their own answers to questions like these: What is the mission of God? What is the mission of the Church? Is every Christian a missionary?"
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"What happens when a teenage boy leaves home and heads into the jungles to evangelize a murderous tribe of South American Indians?
For Bruce Olson it meant capture, disease, terror, loneliness, kidnapping, and torture. But what he discovered by trial and error has revolutionized the world of missions.
Living with the Motilone Indians since 1961, Olson's efforts have sent a spiritual ripple around the world that reaches deep into the hearts of mission-minded Christians and anthropologists as well as the government of Colombia."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"Good intentions are not enough.
Unleasing and equipping people to effectively help the poor requires repentance and the realization of our own brokenness. When Helping Hurts articulates a biblically based framework concerning the root causes of poverty and its alleviation.
A path forward is found, not through providing resources to the poor, but by walking with them in humble relationships.
Whether you're involved in short-term missions or the long-term empowerment of the poor, this book helps in three key areas: foundational concepts (Who are the poor?), principles (Should we do relief, rehabilitation, or development?), and strategies (How can we help people effectively here and abroad?)"
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"What if I told you evangelism is less about delivering a polished presentation and more about having a real conversation?
What if I told you that God has already given you the skills you need to begin sharing the good news of the gospel today? Evangelism is less about a program and more about connecting with others as they try to understand the chaos of their daily lives.
In these pages and online videos you will learn how to connect the gospel story with your own, and how to share your story in everyday conversations with the people you know."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"What did God use to draw a radical, committed unbeliever to himself? Did God take her to an evangelistic rally? Or, since she had her doctorate in literature, did he use something in print? No, God used an invitation to dinner in a modest home, from a humble couple who lived out the gospel daily, simply, and authentically.
With this story of her conversion as a backdrop, Rosaria Butterfield invites us into her home to show us how God can use this same "radical, ordinary hospitality" to bring the gospel to our lost friends and neighbors. Such hospitality sees our homes as not our own, but as God's tools for the futherance of his kingdom as we welcome those who look, think, believe, and act differently from us into our everday, sometimes messy lives-- helping them see what true Christian faith really looks like."
(Excerpt from inside cover.)
-
"Business Matters for God's kingdom.
Succeeding in business and revolutionizing the world for God--these pursuits are often thought to pull in opposite directions. In God Is at Work, Ken Eldred draws on decades of experience as a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur and follower of Jesus to reveal: How to start a business with a purpose, how "kingdom businesses" can change people's lives, how "spiritual captial" grows and transforms nations, and how you can succeed in business and build God's kingdom."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"Leading and nurturing your family as you seek to glorify God and encourage spiritual growth in your home is both God's command and your privilege. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is through intentional, worshipful, daily family devotions where the truths of God's life-changing Word are openly discussed chapter by chapter. Hand in hand with your Bible, this Family Worship Bible Guide presents rich devotional thoughts on all 1,189 chapters in the Bible, including searching questions to promote conversation, to help you with this responsibility. Use this resource every day alongside Scripture to read each chapter's major takeaways aloud and then discuss them with your family. With the Holy Spirit's blessing, this book will transform you and your family!"
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Christians know what Jesus Christ has done--but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is "gentle and lowly in heart." This book reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today."
(Excerpt from inside cover.)
-
"The earthly crisis within manhood will remain until Jesus returns, but in Christ a man is pointed toward the gospel as the vision for renewal. Manhood Restored by exciting new pastoral voice Eric Mason combines theological depth with practical insights, putting men in step with a gospel-centered manhood that will enrich every facet of their lives.
The Scope of Manhood:
Mason begins by looking first at why God created man, at the diferences between man and woman, and what should drive the purpose of a man during his time on earth.The Problems in Mandhood:
Mason analyzes the false icons that lead to cultural caricatures of men--the businessman, the thug, the playboy, the athlete, etc.--then makes a connection to the cross-cultural fatherhood crisis by looking at what men do to fill the void when their relationship with Dad or God is not there.The Redemption of Manhood:
Mason sets Jesus as the true standard of biblical manhood, looking to His perfect example to redeem and restore a man's life in the areas of sexuality, home, and work."(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
“Congregationalism has a bad rap for well-known reasons: inefficient meetings, upstart members, browbeaten ministers. But biblical congregationalism isn’t so much about the meetings. It’s about empowering the whole church to promote and protect the gospel. Pastors lead and equip. Members get to work strengthening one another and pursuing Christ’s mission in the world.”
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
“Thoughtfully curated by award-winning hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, The Sing! Hymnal hosts a collection of timeless classic and contemporary hymns, created to deepen worship and foster unity among God’s people through the power of song. Featuring liturgical readings, psalms paired with popular hymns, useful indexes, and a TruTone-over-board cover, this hymnal is a timeless worship resource that individuals, families, and churches will cherish for years to come.”
(Excerpt from Crossway Publishing)
-
"In this concise guide, pastor Mark Dever outlines the who, what, when, why, and how of discipling-- helping others follow Jesus. Following the pattern found in Scripture, this book explains how disciplemaking relationships should function in the context of the local church, teaching us how to cultivate a culture of discipling as a normal part of our everyday lives."
(Excerpt from back cover.)
-
“Drawing from the ancient Song of Moses, this transformative guide takes you on a journey to discover the heart of authentic Christian worship. Moving beyond the tired "contemporary vs. traditional" debates, it shows how singing isn't just a warm-up for the sermon--it's a vital act of worship that engages our whole being.”
(Excerpt from back cover.)
