"A survey of biblical teaching regarding the church, written for African pastors and ministry leaders"--

Claire Smith looks closely at seven key Bible passages about men and women and how they should relate together in God's purposes.

Equipping a New Generation to Live Out God’s Design This thorough study of the Bible’s teaching on men and women aims to help a new generation of Christians live for Christ in today’s world. Moving beyond other treatments that primarily focus on select passages, this winsome volume traces Scripture’s overarching pattern related to male-female relationships in both the Old and New Testaments. Those interested in careful discussion rather than caustic debate will discover that God’s design is not confining or discriminatory but beautiful, wise, liberating, and good.

The most complete book detailing the biblical structure in which the body of Christ is to function. Here you will find the biblical definitions of each of the major ministerial gifts as well as the support ministerial gifts. Topics such as: the ministerial nature of each of the ministerial gifts, the ministerial character of each of them, the evidence and qualifications of each of them. All of this biblical material will provide you with a solid biblical foundation as it relates to the ministerial office. This book contains detailed language on how God designed the structural form of each ministerial gift, which I am sure will expand your biblical knowledge, which will help you develop your ministerial calling, or define it if you do not yet know what God has called you to do. Absolutely all of the material in this book is based on the biblical text, and each passage is placed in its proper biblical context. There is nothing else that will cause you to grow spiritually like having the Word of God explained to you in the way that God intended it to be explained. It will also open your spiritual eyes so that you can recognize the counterfeits of Satan and not fall for them. God has designed a plan for you to follow, and according to your obedience to this divine plan, God has promised to reward you. But if you don't know what it is that God has called you to do, how are you going to carry it out? I believe this biblical material will give you much clarity on this subject. If you are in search of answers about ministry and its functions, you will find in this book a great deal of biblical material that can help you in the fulfillment of God's purpose for you. The better equipped you are with biblical knowledge, the better you will be able to understand and carry out your divine commission. I have no hesitation in saying that this is one of the most complete books on the subject that will assure you of God's purpose for your ministerial work. There is absolutely nothing like having a clear vision of where you are supposed to go, especially in ministry. I can assure you that you will gain a strong biblical knowledge of the importance of each ministerial gift and its biblical function. Any believer who lacks this biblical knowledge is open to all kinds of deception brought by demons or their agents.

The 20th century saw a transformation in the lives of women in the Western world. From a biblical standpoint, the important "God's Design for Women" discusses how women should respond to these changes and what it means to be a Christian women in the postmodern world.

It can no longer be assumed that most people--or even most Christians--have a basic understanding of the Bible. Many don't know the difference between the Old and New Testament, and even the more well-known biblical figures are often misunderstood. It is getting harder to talk about Jesus accurately and compellingly because listeners have no proper context with which to understand God's story of redemption. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson takes seekers, new Christians, and small groups through the big story of Scripture. He helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. The companion leader's guide helps evangelistic study groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes make the best use of this book in group settings.

"This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." — Ephesians 5:32 Marriage reveals something of eternal significance. From the beginning, God designed marriage to convey a greater reality—the passionate, unfailing, redeeming love of God for sinners, the eternal romance between Christ and his bride. In this volume, Ray Ortlund traces marriage throughout Scripture—from the first marriage in the garden of Eden to the ultimate marriage in the book of Revelation—laying out a transcendent vision of marriage that dignifies our own imperfect unions as a display of the gospel. This book offers insight and hope to every married person today. Part of the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series.