Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible

This small group guide includes in-depth lessons for one-on-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Explore this resource and find the riches of grace, the implications of the gospel, and the knowledge and love of God you've been waiting for. Ephesians: The Love We Long For offers Scripture-based, theologically rich content with an easy-to-follow structure to engage readers. Smith invites men and women to reflect on the God of the Bible by reading the book of Ephesians slowly. He shares how the New Testament letter presents the love we all deeply long for-God's great love for us in Jesus. In this guide, discover the implications of God's love for every aspect of your life and relationships. With rich discussion questions and Scripture-based teaching, Smith helps readers see Jesus more clearly in the themes found in the book of Ephesians.

In his Galatians Bible study, McKay Caston guides participants in keeping the gospel as the "true north" compass for their lives, allowing them to break free from religious rule-keeping and live with freedom and joy. Readers will be equipped to fix their eyes on Jesus from every point on the map, especially in those moments when waves of legalism threaten to steal their joy and hijack freedom. Paul's message to the church in Galatia serves as a gospel compass for navigating life with the cross of the risen and reigning Jesus as their focus and guide. Galatians: Navigating Live in View of the Cross completely turns the tables on what most people think religion is. Keeping the gospel compass visible in each lesson helps readers rediscover how gloriously central God's saving, sustaining, and sanctifying grace is to the entire Christian life.

In this ten-week accessible study, Jared Wilson provides a clearer picture of Jesus through the story of Ruth, which he presents as a historic living parable of Christ's love for his church. Ruth: Redemption for the Broken can be adapted for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. The comprehensive leader's guide is included in the text, making it an easy-to-follow structure to engage men and women. By studying the book of Ruth, readers can enjoy the romance and drama of this compelling story while understanding how it applies to their own lives-finding Christ's undying love for them through this unforgettable biblical narrative. Jesus is the "truer and better " of every character in the book of Ruth, and everything in the Bible points to him. Wilson anchors his message in Scripture, guiding readers to better understand the themes in the book of Ruth. When everything falls apart, cling to Jesus, the one who clings to you. Find in the story of Ruth the start of a real love story-but probably not the one you think. Ruth reveals the truth that there are no sinners, no failures, and no victims so far gone that the sovereign hand of the Lord cannot reach, rescue, and even revise the story of their lives.

In a culture where questions about identity are at the forefront, Christians need to remember the most important thing that defines them is being united to Christ. This truth is a daily reality that brings strength and a confident destiny that brings hope. Colossians: Becoming Who You Are in Christ helps readers better understand their connection to Christ and realize that they are becoming who they have already been declared to be in Christ-fully loved and fully alive in him. Transformation is God's good gift that comes as we cooperate with his redeeming power and learn to respond to His invitation to trust him and live out our connection with Jesus in every area of life.

When the difficulties of life suggest that evil and chaos reign, we need to see that God occupies the throne in heaven and rules this world. Revelation: Hope in the Darkness by Scotty Smith reminds us that though these can be scary times, we have a champion Savior who is with us and will one day make all things right. This fourteen-week study in the Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series provides in-depth lessons for one-on-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. In this guide, author Scotty Smith give us a unique perspective on the end times that maps onto modern-day issues and problems. There is a battle raging against Jesus and his people, but be assured: Jesus wins. Though the world's kingdoms entice and persecute us, the gospel still advances. The Lamb is on the throne, and he alone is worthy of our worship. We can anticipate with great joy the final victory of Jesus and the wedding of the Lamb. Our destiny is renewal and new life, rejoicing with our Savior in the New Jerusalem.

The book of Acts traces the birth of the early church from its small, inauspicious beginnings to Paul's arrival in Rome. As Jesus predicted, the kingdom of God started small, but the power of God is still transforming and changing broken people and places. Jesus is still with us, still at work, writing a new history that moves the lives of people in every place to bring heaven to earth until that last great day when he returns. Through a study of the story of the early church, Acts: The Power that Changes the World will encourage, challenge, and empower readers to live out God's story in their lives and in their world.

How long? Why is this happening? Where are you, God? For centuries, God's people have learned to go to God with their real questions, struggles, and everyday needs by reading and studying the Psalms. In this practical, gospel-rich small group study, authors Barbara Juliani and Patric Knaak guide participants in learning how the Psalms give us words to pray about the real struggles in our lives. Faith in Christ brings us into a living relationship with God, which means we can go to God in every circumstance and with every reaction of our hearts. We don't need to pretend things are good when they are not, or that we are strong when we are not. The Psalms are God's gift to his people-his own words we can pray to strengthen our hearts and faith.     This small group guide with leader's notes includes ten in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

The book of Job is an agonizing journey through the suffering of a godly man. We listen to his heart-wrenching thoughts and prayers and feel his confusion. Each person inevitably reads this story out of their own experience with suffering and disappointment. What is God up to? Why is this happening? Does he even care how we hurt? Job: Where Is God in My Suffering? creates space for prayers, reflections, and conversations in which Job's story, your story, and Jesus's story all come together. All who suffer (and that's everyone!) will find greater meaning and significance in their own experience as they encounter the God who sent his perfect Son to suffer for us.

Did you know that the prophet Isaiah preached the gospel? The central message of Isaiah is a simple message-God saves sinners. Through a study of Isaiah, Jonathan Gibson guides participants in savoring the basics of the gospel that we need to remember daily: we need saving. We need God every day. Isaiah reminds us again and again that our hope is not in ourselves-it's in turning from our own way and turning to God in faith. Isaiah: Good News for the Wayward and Wandering will challenge you to reorient your life to truly love what is good and just and merciful, experiencing an inward change of purpose, turning away from sin and toward godliness and dependency on Christ. This small group guide with leader's notes includes ten in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Isaiah: Good News for the Wayward and Wandering is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

What constitutes a meaningful life? We seek fulfillment in success, prosperity, recognition, relationships and even self-sufficiency, but we always seem to come up short. If you feel you are coming up empty in your life and need a bigger vision and greater purpose, this accessible study by David Gibson will show you that all of your hope for meaning lies in getting to know and trust your Creator. Listening carefully to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes will topple your false hopes in temporary comforts and achievements and steer you toward the unshakable hope you have in Jesus. Life is difficult and faith is a constant challenge, but dismantling your time-bound idols will help you look ahead to a hope-filled eternity and will equip you to live generously, wisely, and happily. This small group guide includes ten in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Ecclesiastes: Life in the Light of Eternity is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Many Christians have heard that truth leads to godliness, but what does this really mean? In this study, Jeff Dodge explores how God's church must foster a gospel message to unbelievers that is free of works-based righteousness-while also boldly calling those who believe to devote themselves to good works. Titus: Life-Changing Truth in a World of Lies is a study resource in the Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series that provides in-depth lessons for one-on-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. In this guide, author Jeff Dodge draws insight from Paul's letter to Titus to point men and women to God's blueprint for what he wants the church to look like. He invites readers to see how the gospel disrupts people and culture, turning the world upside-down-or right side-up. This small group resource offers biblically wise, theologically rich content with an easy-to-follow structure to engage readers. With insightful questions and Scripture-based teaching, Dodge helps men and women see Jesus more clearly in the themes found in the book of Titus. Explore this resource and find life-changing truths about the gospel and the heart of God, who desires for the truth to set us free.

What do you rely on to get through your day? The things we rely on are also what define us-our family, education, job, accomplishments, money. For the apostle John, nothing defined him more than the love of God in Jesus, and that is what he relied on every moment of every day. Scotty Smith takes readers through 1 John and shows how a rich understanding of the love of God prepares us to thrive in times of great stress and strengthens us for every season of life. Relying on God's love brings true joy that empowers us to be faithful in the face of opposition. Discover how we are to live in this world as children of light and how the best way to defeat spiritual warfare is to be preoccupied with Jesus. Participants will learn how knowing Jesus equals loving Jesus, and loving Jesus equals loving others. Because the Father already loves us as much as he loves Jesus, he is committed to making us like Jesus. This small group guide includes eight in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. 1 John: Relying on the Love of God is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Relying on God's love brings true joy that empowers us to be faithful in the face of opposition. Discover how we are to live in this world as children of light and how the best way to defeat spiritual warfare is to be preoccupied with Jesus. Participants will learn how knowing Jesus equals loving Jesus, and loving Jesus equals loving others. Because the Father already loves us as much as he loves Jesus, he is committed to making us like Jesus. This small group guide includes eight in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. 1 John: Relying on the Love of God is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Jonathan Gibson's 2 Peter Bible study helps participants learn how keeping heaven in view guides their daily goals and choices while strengthening their hope. According to 2 Peter, one day the earth will be renewed by fire, and we will live together in a new world where all wrongs are righted and all sorrows swept away. Because we have this sure hope, we can turn from living for ourselves and for what we want in the moment. Instead, we can follow Jesus into the hardest places as we keep eternity in focus. 2 Peter: Living with the End in Mind helps readers learn to follow Jesus into the hardest places. We live for Jesus and grow like him, because some day we will be with him forever.

This small group guide includes ten in-depth lessons for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Explore this resource and find a God who relents, a God who is sovereign, and a God who is present among the mercies and trials of life. Jonah: Grace for Sinners and Saints offers Scripture-based, theologically rich content with an easy-to-follow structure to engage readers. Duguid explores how we are more like Jonah than we might think, bringing the text to life by examining our own motives and affections. Duguid doesn't leave readers in the judgment and spiritual arrogance of Jonah. He shows us the good news that the Lord is in charge, even over those who try to run from him. With rich discussion questions, exercises, and articles to encourage thoughtful responses to the text, this study guide helps readers see Jesus more clearly in the themes found in the book of Jonah.

The story of Ezra and Nehemiah plays out against a backdrop of ruins. There's a ruined city, a ruined house of worship, ruined homes-ruined life with God. As is often the case in our own lives, the wreckage was largely their own fault. Their path to rebuilding, at its core, was a journey back to God. As you study Ezra and Nehemiah with Iain Duguid, you too will be encouraged to return to the God who is always faithful. Duguid dives into lamenting sin, facing opposition, worshipping faithfully, and battling discouragement. This study will renew your joy in the Lord and encourage you to turn away from your own way and toward God, ultimately discovering Jesus is the one who rebuilds and brings new life where there is ruin and decay. This small group guide with leader's notes includes ten in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Ezra and Nehemiah: Rebuilding What's Ruined is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Displaced-that's what it feels like to be a Christian in an increasingly post-Christian world. You speak the language and understand the culture, yet don't quite feel at home. How do you live as a Christian in a world that doesn't share your convictions? Can you still hold firmly to biblical truth even as you love others? Robert Thune unpacks how the apostle Peter spoke to these issues in the first of his letters to first-century Christians. Thune's study examines living a gospel-shaped life in a contrary culture. You will be encouraged by the generous grace of God and how he has called Christians to a living hope and a deep joy that can be found even in the midst of trials and opposition. This small group guide with leader's notes includes ten in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. 1 Peter: Life as an Outsider is part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series published in partnership with Serge. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.