Jim Moore takes a close look at three sections of the Bible which dramatically underscore key "instructions" for living: 1. Instructions for Meaningful Living - The Beatitudes 2. Instructions for Moral Living - The Ten Commandments 3. The Bottom Line Instruction - The New Commandment of Jesus, "Love One Another"

A self-directed teacher training resource offering four courses of study for both experienced teachers and beginners. For many churches teacher training is a once-a year event, or even a budget casualty. 32 Ways to Become a Great Sunday School Teacher uses self-study sessions to help teachers design individualized programs that assist them in learning how to teach. New teachers will learn the basics of teaching (how faith develops; the ages and stages of learning); veterans will find ways to enrich their prayer lives and incorporate different teaching styles in a lesson. A sampler of topics: How to Study a Bible Passage; Multiple Intelligence Learning; Death, Illness, Other Crises; Using Questions in Teaching; The Gospels; Prayer in the Classroom; The Sacraments; Symbols of Christianity

James W. Moore says that just as Missouri is the "Show Me" state, this is a "show me" world, where talking a good game is not enough. Essentially, the world says to us, "If you're a Christian, then show me!" Moore contends that we, as Christians, must show the world that our faith is not only a way of believing but also a way of behaving - that it is not just something we celebrate on Sunday, but something we live out in the world every day. In his warm, conversational style Moore explores characteristics that must be visible in our daily lives if we are to be effective witnesses in this "show me" world - forgiveness, dedication, gratitude, love, compassion, a spirit of service, perseverance, strength, faith and vision. Only when these are evident in our lives will the world know that we are Christians.

Why is it, James Moore asks, that we try to justify anything and everything we want to do? We use words, scapegoats, blaming other people, circumstances, past events, even evil spirits ("the devil made me do it!") to attempt to excuse bad choices we make with our own free will. What does the Christian faith have to say about all this? The author reminds us of what our faith tells us about excuses: first, that God sees through them; second, that God is more interested in forgiving us than in hearing our excuses; third, that God wants penitence - not excuses - from us. In his warm, embracing style, James Moore encourages us to seek forgiveness. After all, we are justified, not by our eloquent excuses but by the grace of a loving, caring, forgiving God.

Bill Henard believes that there is hope for the established church – for your church. Some people may have already pronounced the church “dead,” but these dead bones can live. Whether your church is seven years old or one-hundred and seventy, you may be seeing evidences that your church needs vision, direction, and revitalization.