40 – Minute Bible Studies
BJ along with her husband David co-authored these revolutionary, no-homework, 6-week studies which have proven great for small groups and have a unique format that includes Scripture alongside the text. Zoom in on the issues you care about and learn to think about them as God does. These focused, self-contained studies guide you into God’s Word one topic at a time, 6 weeks at a time, with no homework.
Fatal Distractions: Conquering Destructive Temptations 40 – Minute Study
Is Sin Threatening Your Spiritual Progress? Any type of sin can undermine a believer’s effectiveness, but certain sins can become so deeply rooted in our lives—even without our realizing—that they become fatal to our spiritual growth. This study looks at six of the “deadly” sins that threaten spiritual progress: Pride, Anger, Jealousy, Gluttony, Slothfulness, and Greed. You’ll learn to identify the subtle ways in which these fatal distractions can invade your life, and you’ll be equipped to conquer these destructive temptations so you can mature in your journey with Christ.
Spiritual Warfare: Overcoming the Enemy
40-Minute Study
Are You Prepared For Battle?
Whether you realize it or not, you live in the midst of spiritual combat. Your enemy, the devil, is dangerous, destructive, and determined to keep you from effectively serving God. In order to defend yourself against his attacks, you need to know how the enemy operates.
Through this six-week study you will gain a thorough knowledge of the enemy’s tactics and schemes. As you discover the truth about Satan—including the limits of his power—you will be equipped to stand firm against his attacks and to develop a strategy for living daily in victory.
40-Minute Study
Can others see that you belong to God? God calls us to a life of joy, obedience, and trust. He calls us to be different from those around us. He calls us to be holy. Discover that holiness is not an arbitrary standard within today’s church or an unreachable goal of sinless perfection. Holiness is about pleasing God — living in such a way that it’s clear you belong to Him. Holiness is what makes you unique as a believer in Jesus Christ. Come explore the beauty of holy living and see why true holiness and true happiness always go together.
40-Minute Study What does God really want from you? It’s easy to get confused about how to please God. One Bible teacher details a long list of the commands you should be keeping. The next teacher says only grace matters. Who is right? Centuries ago, in answer to this question, Jesus simplified all the rules and regulations of the Law into just two great commands: love God and love people. Loving God and Others looks at how these two commands define the heart of Christian faith. As you rest in the certain knowledge of what God calls you to, you will be challenged to live these commands out — and discover how obeying Jesus’ simple commands will transform not only your life but also the lives of those around you.
How To Make Choices You Won’t Regret
40-Minute Study You may be wondering how you ended up where you are, whether your life would have been better if you had made different decisions along the way. Or maybe your current situation is great, but you’re facing some difficult choices. God wants to help you. Every day you and I are faced with innumerable decisions, some of which have the potential to change the course of our lives forever. Certain avenues open to us are marked with hidden pitfalls or lead in harmful directions. And in some instances the wrong choice can even bring death. How do you decide what choices to make? This study answers those questions by exploring the role of Scripture and the Holy Spirit in the process, as well as examining the decision-making of people such as David, Josiah, Eve, and Jesus.
Forgiveness: Breaking The Power Of The Past
40-Minute Study
Unleash the Healing Power of Forgiveness As imperfect people living in an imperfect world, we eventually confront in nearly every relationship the need to extend or receive forgiveness. But when the wounds run deep, forgiveness doesn’t come easy.
This eye-opening study deals with the difficult questions of forgiveness, including How can I forgive when the pain is so great? Does forgiving mean I have to forget the past? and What if I choose not to forgive? As you dig into what the Bible says on this vital topic, you’ll encounter the depths of God’s own mercy and discover how choosing forgiveness can free you from a painful past and propel you toward being all that God intends you to be.
How Do You Know God’s Your Father?
40-Minute Study The key to lasting peace, confidence, and joy in the Christian life is knowing for sure who you are and Whose you are. This step-by-step walk through 1 John can help you discover whether or not you are a true child of God. By taking note of the way the Bible describes the differences between God’s children and those of Satan, you can gain clearer insight into where you stand with God. Through this study you will see how your lifestyle will reflect the character of the One to whom you belong. Discover what it means to walk in the light instead of darkness.
Building A Marriage That Really Works
40-Minute Study Marriage begins with visions of eternal love, hope, and happiness. Yet, even among Christians, hope too quickly fades. The happiness dims. And love seems too hard to sustain. It doesn’t have to be that way. God designed marriage to be a satisfying, fulfilling relationship, and He created men and women so that they-together, and as one flesh-could reflect His love for the world. Marriage, when lived out as God intended, makes us complete, it brings us joy, and gives our lives fresh meaning. In this study, you’ll examine God’s design for marriage, and you’ll learn, from the Designer’s perspective, what it means to be a godly husband or wife. You’ll discover biblical wisdom for pursuing harmony in difficult areas such as finances, communication, and respect for each other’s roles. Most important, you’ll learn the principles you need to build a love that last
Rising To The Call Of Leadership
40-Minute Study God calls every one of His people to positions of leadership and influence-in our homes, communities, churches, and ultimately the world. But true leadership involves more than simply being the person out front; it means living a life worth following. In this study of four important leaders of Israel-Eli, Samuel, Saul, and David-you’ll explore key leadership principles, including how to make wise decisions under pressure, deal effectively with mistakes, and set a course that others will follow. Most important, you’ll learn what God expects of you-and how you can rise to the call of effective leadership.
What Does The Bible Say About Sex?
40-Minute Study Does God really care about your sex life? In a culture saturated with sex, many find it hard to believe the Creator of the universe cares about this facet of their lives. Others are confused about where to draw the line to avoid going “too far.” Married or single, you need to know what God says about sex. After all, He’s the one who designed this priceless gift and set clear boundaries to protect it. This candid study will help you weigh the messages of our culture against the truth of God’s Word. As you learn about the Designer’s original intent for sex, you’ll gain valuable insights to guide your daily choices.
40-Minute Study Discover What It Really Means to Be Blessed In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus identified attitudes that bring God’s favor: weeping over sin, demonstrating meekness, showing mercy, nurturing peace, and more. Some of these phrases have become so familiar that we’ve lost sight of their meaning. In this powerful study, you will gain a fresh understanding of what it looks like to align your life with God’s priorities. Here you will discover anew why the word blessed means walking in the fullness and satisfaction of God, no matter your circumstances. As you look closely at the meaning behind each of the Beatitudes, you will see how these truths can shape your choices every day–and bring you closer to the heart of God.
The Essentials Of Effective Prayer
40-Minute Study
Do you sometimes wonder if God hears – let alone answers – your prayers?
Do you ask yourself, “What’s the point of praying?”
Do you long to experience the power of prayer in your daily life? Find the keys to an effective prayer life in this compelling study that explores both God’s expectations of you and His promises to you when it comes to prayer. Through a detailed examination of the Lord’s Prayer and other examples of prayer throughout the Bible, you’ll discover a model for talking with God. You’ll also learn key principles of prayer and gain a deeper understanding of how prayer can draw you closer to His heart.
40-Minute Study
What Are Spiritual Gifts? The subject of spiritual gifts can seem complicated: Who has spiritual gifts-“spiritual people” or everybody? What are spiritual gifts anyway? Understanding Spiritual Gifts takes you straight to God’s Word to discover answers from the Gift-Giver Himself. As you dig into Bible passages about God’s design for each of us, you’ll find out that spiritual gifts aren’t complicated–but they are life-changing. Here you will uncover what spiritual gifts are, where they come from, who has them, how they are received, and how they work within the church. As you study, you will have a new vision for how you can use your God-given gifts to bring hope to your home, your church, and a hurting world.