Grace Bible Study Participant S Guide

Grace. We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means. But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid to die to ready to fly. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Let’s make certain grace gets you.

The future of Christianity depends on how we master the art of understanding and giving grace. At the end of the twentieth century, Philip Yancey wrote his classic bestseller What's So Amazing About Grace? as a testament to the power of God's grace and as a rallying cry to the Christian church to see the acting out of grace as its single most important contribution to the world. Now, in this 6-session, video-based participant's guide (DVD/video streaming sold separately), Yancey reexamines—with fresh material and new stories—the scandalous power of grace so that groups and individuals can reflect upon, share, and extend this amazing gift of Christ in new and transformative ways. In this study, you'll discover: The extent of God's love and what it means for us. Why the church seems to have lost the gift of grace-giving and why the world apart from the church can't offer it at all. What it would look like for us to truly understand, receive, and give the gift that God gives so generously to us. Yancey offers compelling and true portraits of grace's life-changing power. He searches for its presence in his own life and in the church. He asks how Christians today can contend graciously with moral issues that threaten all they hold dear. And he challenges each of us to become living answers to a world that desperately wants to know, "what's so amazing about grace?"

In this ten-session small group Bible study, What's So Amazing about Grace, Phillip Yancey uses real stories to illustrate how God's miraculous grace is more amazing than anyone could dream. This pack contains one Participant Guide and one DVD.

Are you ready to move from insecure to God secure? From regret riddled to better-because-of-it? From afraid to die to ready to fly? Today, find freedom in God’s grace. We often talk about grace, but do we really understand it? Grace politely occupies a phrase in a hymn and fits nicely on a church sign. It never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps us dive deeper into what it means to be changed by grace. God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. In this book, you will learn: Grace is everything Jesus You belong to Jesus Jesus lives in you You will increasingly grow more like Jesus There is nothing you can do to get grace—grace gets you Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Have you been shaped, emboldened, and softened by grace? Let’s make certain grace gets you.

In this six-session video-based small group Bible study, bestselling author Carol Kent gives proof that you can experience grace and joy during even the lowest moments of your life. This Participant’s Guide helps you decide where you stand when you are caught between a rock and a hard place: Will you place yourself in a posture of humility and complete dependence on God, or will you just “try harder” and stumble over what could be a transforming encounter with grace? Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are living what some would call a heartbreaking life—their son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum security prison. All their appeals have been exhausted. But despite their hopeless situation, the Kent’s live a life full of grace. With hope, joy, and a sense of humor, Carol helps you find God’s “grace places” in the midst of your worst moments. This Participant Guide provides individual and group activities, additional background material, and between-session personal studies that will enhance your experience of the video sessions. Sessions include: Grace in the Hardest of Places – Surprised by Faith Angels in Disguise – Surprised by Mercy Longing for a Better Me – Surprised by Contentment The Secret Power of Gratitude – Surprised by Thanksgiving Why Do You Weep? – Surprised by Joy Dwelling in the Great Place – Surprised by Freedom Designed for use with the Between a Rock and a Grace Place Video Study (sold separately).

In this six-session study, award-winning author Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat—the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect—of our relationship with God: prayer. What is prayer? How does it work? And more importantly, does it work? In theory, prayer is the essential human act, a priceless point of contact between us and the God of the universe. In practice, prayer is often frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? is an exploration of the mysterious intersection where God and humans meet and relate. Designed for use with the video.

In this revised and updated six-session video Bible study, bestselling author Philip Yancey helps group members explore, understand, and appreciate the most powerful force in the universe: grace.

In this six-session small group bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Lysa Terkuerst’s follow-up to the New York Times bestseller, Made to Crave, Lysa helps you discover how to put into action, those things you learned through the Made to Crave book and small group study. Trying to get healthy can seem overwhelming and complicated. Eat carbs… don’t eat carbs. Eat fish… don’t eat fish. Pay attention to calories… don’t pay attention to calories. All this conflicting information can be daunting and confusing. But it all becomes clear in the Made to Crave Action Plan. It will help you implement a long-term plan of action for healthy living. You’ll be encouraged by Bible teaching from Lysa, uplifted by testimonies from women like Christian music chart-topper Mandisa, and empowered with healthy living tips from Dr. Ski Chilton, an expert in molecular medicine – all while charting a permanent course for successful, healthy living. This curriculum will help women who found their “want to” by participating in the Made to Crave study master the “how to” of living a healthy physical life as well as cultivate a rich and full relationship with God. Made to Crave Action Plan gives women of all ages Biblical encouragement for both their physical and spiritual journeys plus healthy living tips for use in their everyday lives. Sessions include: TAKE ACTION: Identify Your First Steps (27:00) EAT SMART: Add Fish and Increase Fiber (26:00) EMBRACE THE EQUATION: Exercise and Reduce Calories (30:00) MAXIMIZE KEY NUTRIENTS: Increase Nutrient-Rich Fruits and Veggies (29:00) PRACTICE THE FIVE PRINCIPLES: Keep Working Your Plan (24:00) MAKE A COURAGEOUS CHOICE: Direct Your Heart to Love and Perseverance (25:00) Designed for use with the Made to Crave Action Plan Video Study (sold separately), to further encourage group discussion, document your personal journey toward healthy living, and to reference the quick healthy living tips that will help make your journey a success.