In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/streaming video not included), bestselling author Gary Thomas draws on Jesus' example to teach us how to handle difficult relationships—and to help us discern when we should walk away. As Christians, we may feel that imitating Christ's love means we must always meet the needs of unhealthy people in our lives and endure poisonous relationships. Many of us have dealt with toxic individuals who drain us of our joy and peace—who never seem to change no matter how long we wait or how hard we pray. It's a hard truth, but sometimes the best course is to distance ourselves from certain relationships and dedicate our energy elsewhere. Drawing from years of pastoral experience, Gary Thomas looks at biblical examples from the lives of Jesus, Paul, and Nehemiah to give you insightful, biblical wisdom that you can apply right away to the relationships around you. You'll discover how to: Learn the difference between difficult people and toxic people. Find refuge in God when you feel under attack. Discern when "enough is enough" and when to "wait it out." Keep a tender heart even in unhealthy relationships. Strengthen your defense and set healthy boundaries. Grow your inner strength and invest in reliable people. We can't let others steal our joy or our mission. It's time to follow Jesus' example to walk away from toxic people and walk toward healthy relationships. And as we do, it frees us to focus completely on the purpose that God has established for our lives. The When to Walk Away Study Guide includes teaching notes, discussion questions, Bible exploration, and personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions. Designed for use with the When to Walk Away Video Study (9780310110361) available on DVD or streaming video, sold separately.

Is Reading the Bible the Fastest Way to Lose Your Faith? For centuries, the Bible was called "the Good Book," a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says. Whether you are a Christian, a doubter, or someone exploring the Bible for the first time, bestselling author Dan Kimball guides you step-by-step in how to make sense of these difficult and disturbing Bible passages. Filled with stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for individuals who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible. It also works great as a small-group study or sermon series.

How you—and your church community—can play a part in ending racism. Pastors John Siebeling and Wayne Francis—whose thriving congregations are the embodiment of diversity—have pooled their insights and experiences to help others have conversations about racism. Many churches and leaders have sought their counsel, hoping to emulate their success, and yours can too. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all five video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). God and Race provides a non-threatening means for pastors, church leaders, and churchgoers to speak to each other about this difficult and pervasive problem. In this study, Wayne and John show how neither black fists nor white knuckles are the answer to the problem, but that what is needed are open hands, open hearts, and open minds. Together, they: Examine the White-Black tension from both perspectives. Answer all the uncomfortable questions we're afraid to ask—regarding ourselves, our families, our work and relationships, and the church. Discuss seven key statements that they believe the church needs to acknowledge today—including that racism is a real problem, that it's more than just a spiritual issue, and that the Gospel is the solution. Provide practical steps anyone can take to become part of the solution. In the Gospels, we see how the crowds came to Jesus because he talked about real issues and was not afraid to engage in the important issues of his day. In the church of today, we need to be doing the same: only by recognizing, addressing, and openly dialoguing about the racial tension in America can we begin to work toward real solutions together. Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Do you feel stuck? So many of us live stuck. Stuck in trying to seem perfect. Stuck in sadness. Stuck feeling numb. Stuck pursuing more stuff to make us happy. Stuck in something we can't even name. These stuck places often go unattended inside of us and they are shaping our lives more than we would like to think. We've been trying to fix this feeling with everything but... God. He has a plan for these spaces inside of us, the places we feel broken, but we have to go to Him. Stuck is a journey to take an honest look at the fight going on inside, leading us to the God who has a plan to restore it, to restore us. The eight lessons in this study guide are simple and interactive, offering projects, stories, and Bible study to dig into Scripture, to deeply engage the mind and heart. Because as we realize that our stuck places are the very places that make us ache for God, we find Him waiting there for us with hope and freedom. Sessions include: stuck broken mad discontent scared overwhelmed sad unstuck Designed for use with the Stuck DVD 9780849922541 (sold separately).

Jesus walked away from toxic people, and you should too. In this six-session video Bible study, bestselling author Gary Thomas draws on Jesus' example to show how the best course of action for us to take with some relationships is to walk away . . . or let the other person walk away. In the Gospels, we read that when Jesus spoke a hard truth, sometimes the other person chose to walk away. Other times, the person asked Jesus to leave-and he complied. There were also times when people begged Jesus to stay, but he walked away so he could remain completely focused on the mission God had for him. Most of us have run across toxic individuals who drain us of our joy and peace-people who resent the grace we share and will never change. However, as Gary will show in this study, we don't have to pour our time and energy into these people. Instead, we can follow Jesus' example to walk away from toxic people and walk toward healthy relationships that will encourage us, strengthen us, and build us up. And as we do, it frees us to focus completely on the purpose that God has established for our lives. Sessions include: Follow Jesus' Example Recognize Toxic People Build a Good Offense Create a Good Defense Speak the Truth Align with Christ This pack contains one study guide and one DVD.

It wasn't just fate or luck that Peter walked on the water while the other apostles stayed in the boat, but why do some people walk in miracles and others don't? A fatalistic philosophy will tell you that miracles only happen if God wills them but believing that will really kill your faith!If you want to walk on water and experience...

Grace Secures What Striving Cannot In this hustling, image-forward age of opportunity, we feel more anxious than ever. Despite all the affirming memes and self-reflections that dominate social media feeds, approval and worth often seem assigned to what we do rather than who we are. And we end up constantly feeling like we’re behind, lacking, and failing—at home, at work, with friends, with God. Ruth Chou Simons knows something about feeling measured by achievement, performance, and the approval of others. As a Taiwanese immigrant growing up between two cultures, Ruth was always on a mission to prove her worth, until she came to truly understand the one thing that changes everything: the extravagant, undeserved gift of grace from a merciful God. In When Strivings Cease, Ruth guides you on a journey to find freedom from the never-ending quest for self-improvement. She shows you how to confront the ways you look to superficial means of acceptance and belonging; find relief in realizing self-help isn’t the answer because you can’t be so amazing that you won’t need grace; stop seeing God as someone to perform for and start finding delight in responding to his welcome; and let go of trying to rely on your own strength, your own abilities, and your own savvy by truly understanding the freedom Jesus purchased for you. With personal stories, biblical insights, practical applications, and touches of original artwork by Ruth, this transformational book helps you see the beautiful truth that God’s favor is the only currency you need—because in Christ you are enough.