Let your students experience the raw faith and rich praise in Israel’s national songbook--the Psalms.The 12 sessions in Creative Bible Lessons in Psalms (the latest in Youth Specialties’ Creative Bible Lessons series) unwrap this Old Testament book so your students understand the passion, anguish, and joy expressed by David and the other Hebrew songwriters--and then learn to love the same God that the ancient Jews loved.The meetings (which are perfect for high schoolers and middle schoolers alike) are arranged around kinds of Psalms, including—Torah Psalms Seeing God at work in your personal historyComplaint Psalms When you’re attacked, is God always your bulletproof vest?Royal Psalms Jesus in the PsalmsTrust Psalms The God who really knows you, inside and outPenitential Psalms Shedding old skin--forgiveness and renewalThanksgiving Psalms Gratitude is next to godlinessOracle Psalms How to hear GodTaunt Psalms Battle lines are drawnAnd each session is loaded with options galore: clips from easy-to-get videos, games for mixing and games with a purpose, in-depth and ready-to-use questions for small-group discussions, original role plays, low-prep scripts, talks for you to give--activities to choose from that give your students not only a memorable time in youth group, but a taste of both the quiet trust and the boisterous celebration that the Psalms overflow with.Perfect for Sunday school teachers, youth workers, volunteers, CE directors, DREs, associate pastors--whoever wants to minister to real teenagers in a real world.

"What an incredibly unique and creative Bible study! It's multilayered, dimensional, theologically rich, touching the senses—enlightening the mind, capturing the heart." —Kay Arthur, cofounder of Precept Ministries International "I love the encouragement, inspiration, and delightful details woven throughout." —Darlene Schacht, Time-Warp Wife and bestselling author of Messy Beautiful Love This Isn't Your Average Bible Study Explore God's Word on a deeper level and engage with his truth in fresh ways! This study of 10 psalms of hope invites you to discover the incredible design and purpose of inspired Hebrew poetry. Perfect for group discussion or personal reflection, Discovering Hope in the Psalms offers compelling teachings, motivating devotions, and plenty of creative options for interacting with the psalms—including beautiful artwork to color. This discovery book will show you how to... rejoice in God's mercy when sin knocks you down request help with hope when troubles surround respond with thanksgiving for each answered prayer Immerse your mind, heart, and soul in the hope flowing through the psalms.

Worship is a daunting but important part of discipleship. For that reason, God gave us the Psalms... This collection of hymns and petitions was written over a span of centuries, in many different settings, by kings such as David and Solomon and commoners like Asaph, Heman, and the sons of Korah. Some of the psalms are defiant; others are reverent. Some are meant to be sung; others are to be prayed. Some are intensely personal; others are communal. But all have one purpose—to help us express our hears to God. As you read, study, journal, and discuss the book of Psalms, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book: God is worthy of all worship. God will defend his people against their enemies. Being in relationship with God is the key to all joy and security. The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes: An opening reflection on the Bible book you're studying. Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting. An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV). Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes. Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection. The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

The lessons and devotionals printed herein are always intended to teach a biblical principle, a life lesson, show a path to righteous living, or give a warning before taking a wrong turn in life. The Bible, as a whole, contains principles and guidelines regarding every issue a person can possibly face in a lifetime, including relationships, financial management, emotional highs and lows, attitudes, authority, truth, integrity, fear, pride, temptations, possessions, repentance, and all spiritual insights to name a few. Many of these issues are presented in the chapters of Psalms. Every effort is taken to apply the principles found in the Psalms to everyday life situations so that you may become spiritually strong as you face life's complexities at every stage of your life. The majority of the chapters of Psalms were written by David, the lad who went from shepherding his father's sheep to shepherding the flock of God's chosen people as king of Israel. In his lifetime, David was hunted down for slaughter for no misdeed of his own. He experienced betrayal by close associates. He knew what it was like for his own children to try to steal his throne. He was a fearless warrior. He had a heart for God. He is called "a man after God's own heart." David had an unrelenting trust in God's protection and provision. He is the author of the most beloved Psalm--the twenty-third Psalm--that begins, "The Lord is my shepherd." May these songs from Psalms encourage you, inspire you, bless you, and challenge you every day of your life. Let there be music in your heart toward God.

“Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Deep with feelings of joy, fear, shame, awe, and at times inconsolable rage, the Psalms help readers express a range of emotions in their prayers and their daily lives. The book of Psalms will broaden and deepen your understanding and experience of prayer by following these examples from our spiritual ancestors. They teach us how to express our hearts to God. Enrich your prayers and know God more deeply as He invites you into this lifelong conversation. LifeChange LifeChange Bible studies will help you grow in Christlikeness through a life-changing encounter with God’s Word. Filled with a wealth of ideas for going deeper so you can return to this study again and again. Features Cover the book of Psalms in 10 lessons Equip yourself to lead a Bible study Imagine the Bible’s historical world Study word origins and definitions Explore thoughtful questions on key themes Go deeper with optional projects Add your notes with extra space and wide margins Find the flexibility to fit the time you have

We often assume our students most important days are ahead of them, so we give them leadership tools for their future. The truth is that students are impacting lives, every day now! This collection of sessions provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for reaching each of your kids with the leadership tools found in the Old Testament book of Nehemiah."

Was the book of Revelation penned by the crazy uncle in the family of Bible writers?You try to convince yourself that the apostle john is just another New Testament writer–kindly, gentle, loving. You know...normal.But he’s just so weird! Most of the time you have no idea what John is talking about in his revelation. When you must interact with his wild, otherworldly book, you escape as soon as you can to familiar, saner Bible texts. Like Matthew’s Gospel or one of Paul’s letters–after all, they straight-up tell you what Jesus did and what you should do!Yet Creative Bible Lessons in Revelation will quickly convince you and your students that St. John wasn’t so much a crazy guy as he was a visionary, inspirational, and worshipful guy! And you don’t have to subscribe to any pre- or post-eschatology theory in order to learn all sorts of good stuff from the apostle.So while these 12 sessions–complete and ready-to-teach–won’t help your students identify who the antichrist is or give them the coordinates of Armageddon’s opening salvos, they will, however, acquaint your youth group with the mysterious nature of Revelation, then demonstrate how these apocalyptic principles actually provide practical application for us today.Here’s what’s inside every session:-Detailed overviews for clear, convenient prepping.-Intriguing activities and games-with-a-point that introduce that session’s topic.-Hardcore Bible studies and provocative questions that trigger dialogue in both large and small groups.-Application exercises that translate John’s visions into practical, attainable actions and attitudes for students’ daily lives.Plus, you’ll get these bonuses:-Let’s Get Theological–lite intros to the various interpretations of the reactions to the events Revelation predicts-More More More–helpful supplements to activities and discussions-Worthy of Worship–top-drawer suggestions for turning ordinary youth meetings into extraordinary times of praising God.Questions about the future lurk in everyone’s minds–especially in the minds of teenagers. Now is your chance to explore the book of Revelation with your students–to glimpse at the never-ending worship to come, to grab hold of God’s promises and his mercy, and to bring some ease to troubled hearts.