Early Church Discovery Guide

This five-session small group Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately) by noted teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan, is volume five of the That the World May Know series. In this volume, Vander Laan uncovers the passion and commitment early believers displayed as they claimed Jesus in the face of fierce consequences and powerful adversaries. Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers. Filmed on location in Caesarea Philippi, Sardis, Pergamum, Ephesus, and Laodicea, these illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The Faith Lessons video series is ideal for use in small groups, personal and family Bible studies, and adult Sunday school. Individual believers and families will gain vital insights from long-ago times and cultures through this innovative approach to Bible study. Lessons include: Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain – Filmed in Caesarea Philippi The Salt of the Earth – Filmed in Sardis Where Satan Lives – Filmed in Pergamum The Mark of the Beast – Filmed in Ephesus Hot or Cold – Filmed in Laodicea Designed for use with the Early Church Video Study (sold separately).

This five-session small group Bible study, Early Church, by noted teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan, is volume five of the That the World May Know series. In this volume, Vander Laan uncovers the passion and commitment early believers displayed as they claimed Jesus in the face of fierce consequences and powerful adversaries. Filmed on location in Israel, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God's Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible's fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals unique insights into the Scriptures' significance for modern believers. The sessions on this DVD were filmed on location in Caesarea Philippi, Sardis, Pergamum, Ephesus, and Laodicea. These illuminating "faith lessons" afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life. The Faith Lessons video series is ideal for use in small groups, personal and family Bible studies, and adult Sunday school. Individual believers and families will gain vital insights from long-ago times and cultures through this innovative approach to Bible study. This pack contains one Discovery Guide and one DVD. Lessons include: Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain - Filmed in Caesarea Philippi The Salt of the Earth - Filmed in Sardis Where Satan Lives - Filmed in Pergamum The Mark of the Beast - Filmed in Ephesus Hot or Cold - Filmed in Laodicea

Discover how the early Christian church, on fire with the message of Jesus, literally changed the world! The completely new Faith Lessons Groupware takes your small group on a round trip to ancient times, places, and customs, and back again. This lively, interactive journey is more than fascinating--it's faith-inspiring and life-changing. Your job as a group leader is simplified with this innovative Leader's Guide: fresh, clear, and easy to follow, designed to minimize your preparation time and maximize your effectiveness. You are not left to guess at anything. This volume contains all the material in the Participant's Guide, including maps, photos, sidebars, and other study aids, plus instructions and tips that will take you step-by-step through each faith lesson. The carefully organized format makes it easy to conduct the following invigorating, discussion-filled sessions: 1. Caesarea Philippi--Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain 2. Sardis--The Salt of the Earth 3. Pergamum--Where Satan Lives 4. Ephesus--The Mark of the Beast 5. Laodicea--Hot or Cold

With around 2 billion followers, Christianity is the most widespread religion in the world. Especially dominant in the western world, today's Christianity has a wide variety of forms, beliefs, and practices. But what kind of world was Jesus of Nazareth born into? How was the initial Christian message received by the different cultures into which it was spread? What was its early background and foundation, and how did it set the stage for what Christianity became? The Complete Idiot's Guide to Early Christianity explores who the early Christians were, how they lived, what they believed-and what their impact was on the church we know today.

The Christian Church has continually looked to its beginnings to discover new insights and new strength for the present. Today the interest in early Christianity and its leaders is as lively as it ever was. Those who know these early days never tire in calling today’s Church back to the Scriptures and the Spirit directed history of the Church. In this book, Dr. Williams has given the preacher, teacher, and concerned layman a very readable, concise, and helpful guide to the teachings of the early Church leaders. He communicates the exciting quality of Christian theology as it came to expression in the thought and life of men to whom the Christian Church today is greatly in debt, and from whom, with humility, it can continue to learn and find inspirations. The early Church Fathers were concerned, in the words of the Apostle Peter, to make a defense to anyone who called them to account for the hope that was in them. They were concerned, as the Church is today, to understand the faith for themselves and to explain it to those outside the Church. Their answers to the following problems are still relevant: the relationship of God to all the world, redemption, the Trinity, the person of Christ, the relationship between God’s will and man’s, and the problem of church and state. Today the Church still possesses the faith that overcomes the world and seeks to practice that faith in all of life. Twentieth century Christians can be strengthened in that possession and practice through an acquaintance with the teachings of the early Church Fathers. This book will guide them.

How do you live in a culture where the worldview conflicts with Christianity? Learn from the Apostle Paul as he presents his beliefs to the most powerful court in Athens and settles among the Greco-Romans of Corinth--cultures that valued wealth and class, worship of multiple gods, and decadent pleasures above all else. In this sixteenth volume of That The World May Know series, take a tour through the land of the Bible and discover how to live in your present-day Athens or Corinth--a dechristianized Western world--in a way that keeps your faith strong and glorifies God. This discovery guide will take you on an interactive journey. Sessions include: Engaging the Mind: Paul in the Stoa of Athens Engaging the Heart: Paul Before the Areopagus Turning Weakness into Strength The Lord's Supper: Discerning the Body Transforming the Chaos Designed for use with the Cultures in Conflict Video Study 9780310085928 (sold separately). -------------- THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW® Join renowned teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan as he guides you through the land of the Bible. In each lesson, Vander Laan illuminates the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the sacred Scriptures. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the That the World May Know® film series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Like the Roman Empire, today's governments or organizations can become centered on power and believe their messages are the "good news." As Christians, we're called to proclaim God’s name in all the earth (1 Chronicles 16:8), but how do we to do that in the midst of false gospels? In this fifteenth volume of That The World May Know®, discover how Paul communicated the Good News of Christ to Philippi, a Roman colony that worshipped false gods. Can you live the message as Paul did while he encouraged the church in Philippi to consider itself a colony of heaven, not Rome? Consider your citizenship—and the message you convey to the world—as Ray Vander Laan takes you deeper into the culture of ancient Philippi. Experience the Bible in historical context, as you walk in the footsteps of the second missionary tour of the Apostle Paul in Greece—in locations like Philippi, Thessaloniki, and Delphi.