Although Jesus’ parables may seem simple on the surface, they convey deep and complex truths about God’s Kingdom. The parables Jesus uses in his teaching aren’t merely illustrations or moral tales. They are intricate stories that reveal the mysteries central to the kingdom of God.

Discipleship was one of the central themes of Jesus’ teaching, yet it is not a major emphasis today for many churches. This short study guide explores the Bible’s teaching on discipleship and covers such topics as the need for discipleship, the demands of discipleship, and the enemy of discipleship. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, participants will work through guided reflection as they learn about the centrality of discipleship in the Christian life.

In Living in God’s True Story: 2 Peter, Donald L. Morcom shows that remembering the truth is the core theme of Peter’s second letter. In the midst of false alternatives, he encourages believers to live faithful lives that demonstrate mercy, love, and wisdom. Though it may be short, 2 Peter is an impactful letter that explains how we can order our lives in accordance with God’s true story.

In this short course Drs. David deSilva and Craig Blomberg introduce 1 Corinthians, giving particular attention to its historical setting and culture. The strategy for discussing the book centers upon reading the New Testament letter as it would have sounded to a first-century audience. In addition to providing an overview of the book, the course discusses topics such as authorship, audience, theology, major themes, presenting problems, and pastoral strategies in depth. It also addresses Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth in general.

The book of Isaiah, which alternates between promises of judgment and restoration, reminds God’s people of the magnitude of humanity’s sin, the judgment that we all deserve, and how God displays his glory by saving sinners. This guide shows us how the prophetic promise of cosmic renewal ultimately anticipates the work of Jesus Christ, the servant-king whose death results in new life for all who trust in him.

The underlying theme of Mary’s story isn’t that different from ours. Her story teaches us a profound lesson: the life of faith is made up of a series of steps that bring us closer to the fulfillment of God’s will, but not necessarily farther from the challenges and struggles involved with moving ahead. In Mary: Devoted to God's Plan, you’ll walk through life with Mary and her family—learning along the way how their story is like your story.

Greg Gilbert’s best-selling book What Is the Gospel? has sold over 300,000 copies, helping Christians and non-Christians alike gain a clear understanding of the central message of God’s word. This study guide was created to further help readers answer this important question and apply the gospel to their lives. Reflection questions, along with summaries and key Scripture passages for every chapter, empower readers to explain the gospel in their own words and apply the truths found in the book. Intended for small groups, one-on-one studies, or individual use, this study guide works alongside What Is the Gospel? to help readers center every part of their lives around the good news of the gospel.

We live only a small fraction of the lives God has for us. Our lives get smaller and smaller, circling around the minute-by-minute disappointments and demands of the present moment while God whispers softly or even hollers for us to harness our whole hearts. Written by experienced spiritual leaders Adele Ahlberg Calhoun and Tracey Bianchi, the nine studies in this guide follow the biblical themes as well as the journeys of women showing the way to embracing God’s strength and wisdom to live whol...