No longer in print -- see revised version ISBN: 9780972990318

Elizabeth George takes readers through a thought-provoking study of Peter's teachings on handling trials and persecutions, including: suffering for doing good; understanding the mysteries of God; and fanning the flame of faith. The special "heart response" sections offer readers suggestions to help them apply biblical truths to their lives and focus on the amazing glory God promises.

Many Christian women face a dilemma in embracing the biblical teaching in 1 Peter 3:4 about a gentle and quiet spirit being of great worth to God. They want to please God but they perceive "gentle" and "quiet" as weak or passive qualities. The truth is that the original text describes a strong and peaceful woman, and the word translated "great worth" means the very end or limit with reference to value. In other words, there is nothing more valuable to God. This book will give you a new perspective and some valuable lessons on how to become this strong woman with inner peace. Twenty-five worksheets throughout the book make it especially useful as a personal or group study guide.

Christians know that God loves them, but can easily feel that he is perpetually disappointed and frustrated, maybe even close to giving up on them. As a result, they focus a lot—and rightly so—on what Jesus has done to appease God’s wrath for sin. But how does Jesus Christ actually feel about his people amid all their sins and failures? This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. These chapters take readers into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

A remarkable vision for how Christians can live with countercultural gentleness in a perpetually angry, attacking, outraged time. Wow! What a great book!" -- Max Lucado In a defensive and divided era, how can followers of Jesus reveal a better way of living, one that loves others as God loves us? How can Christians be the kind of people who are known, as Proverbs puts it, to "turn away wrath?" Scott Sauls's compelling new book shows Christians how to become people of "a gentle answer" in a politically, relationally, and culturally fractured world by helping readers: grow in affection for Christ, who answers our hostility with gentleness; nurture a renewed, softened heart in light of Christ's gentleness toward us; and catch a vision to forsake us-against-them mentalities, put down our swords, and "infect" a hostile world with gentleness. For those who long for a more civil way of being, A Gentle Answer reveals why answering hostility with gentleness is essential, how we can nurture our hearts to do so, and what a gentle answer looks like, both in the church and in the world. "A great, highly practical volume that points us to the tenderness of Jesus: 'a bruised reed he will not break'." -- Tim Keller, Pastor Emeritus, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City "Wow! What a great book…. We will be better humans because of it." -- Max Lucado, bestselling author and pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas "Scott Sauls is the preeminent voice for fractured, polarized times…. Scott’s every word is read under our roof." -- Ann Voskamp, bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way "This book could not have come at a better time, as we navigate a culture of polarization….This is a heart changing book!" -- Rebekah Lyons, bestselling author, Rhythms of Renewal and You are Free

Christian woman, take dominion "Play your position " is a call we may hear a coach yell at a soccer or football game. The meaning is do what you have been assigned to do, and do it well Many Christian women have been told over the years that they must quietly stay under their parasols while their men go out and conquer the world. Is this what the Bible really teaches? Author and pastor Mark Chanski insists that the Bible tells us a different story. He insists that the Bible teaches a woman to take dominion of her God-assigned role as wife, mother and church helper. This is not in a feminist way but in a God-glorifying way that speaks volumes of who she is and why God created her. Women should not think of themselves as victims, says the author, but as victors who conquer the realm that their Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, has given them.

In this twelve-session small group Bible study, Twelve Women of the Bible, Lysa TerKuerst, Elisa Morgan, Jeanne Stevens and other leaders look at the spiritual lessons learned from twelve biblical women and what they mean for your life today. You'll discover lessons from each of these women that will help you persevere through the circumstances you are facing today. Learn how to: Apply biblical lessons to their own modern-day struggles Live through their failures as well as successes Draw near to God in a world filled with trials Find lasting contentment Overcome rejection and insecurity This Participant Guide features discussion questions, background information on each character, space to write down thoughts, a helpful Leader's Guide, and much more. Sessions include: Eve: Finding Lasting Contentment in the Truth (Lysa TerKeurst) Rebekah: Breaking Free of Feminine Stereotypes (Jonalyn Fincher) Leah: Overcoming Rejection and Insecurity (Naomi Zacharias) Hannah: Surrendering in Waiting (Amena Brown) Abigail: Dealing with Confrontation in Relationships Gomer: Learning to Accept Unconditional Love (Jeanne Stevens) Mary, Mother of Jesus: Moving from Comfort to Courage (Jeanne Stevens) Mary Magdalene: Transforming from Outcast to Follower (Jonalyn Fincher) Mary of Bethany: Putting Our Faith into Action (Elisa Morgan) Martha: Finding Our Identity in Jesus (Amena Brown) The Woman at the Well: Turning Our Messes into Messages (Lysa TerKuerst) The Syrophoenician Woman: Approaching God with Persistency and Boldness (Naomi Zacharias) Designed for use with the Twelve Women of the Bible DVD 9780310691624 (sold separately).