Popular preacher and storyteller Donald Schmidt breaks open two dozen stories in this book of Bible Wonderings. His unique and comfortable style engages the imagination and immediately makes you feel that you are a part of the story. You find yourself making friends with the biblical characters, and often want to continue the story beyond the printed page. Along the way these retellings invite you to do your own Bible wondering and question some of your presuppositions. Whether you have a little or a lot of biblical knowledge-even if you have never read the Bible at all, or are a confirmed skeptic-Bible Wonderings offers an exciting new way to experience your faith story. The study guide makes Bible Wonderings a great resource for Bible study groups or for personal devotion. A lectionary index makes it easy to use the stories in worship. "Turn a kaleidoscope even a little, and you see a new set of patterns and colors fall into place. In this book of wonderings, Donald Schmidt turns these stories of scriptures at slightly different angles, and the result is a fresh seeing and hearing of the Word. Bring your own sense of wonder and openness to this book, and see where it may lead you." John Indermark, author of Parables and Passion: Jesus' Stories for the Days of Lent (Upper Room Books)

Bestselling author Philip Yancey writes on a diverse range of topics that touch on the fields of history, science, religion, ethics, and more, in this new edition based on his stimulating columns written especially for "Christianity Today" magazine.

Wondering about the Bible with Children encourages natural curiosity and wonder as they read the biblical faith stories.This book addresses the following questions: How do we talk about miracle stories, healing stories, and the creation stories? What about violence? What’s my role in helping children learn about the Bible and feel comfortable asking questions about what they read? When kids ask about the relevancy of the Bible for today, what do we say? How we read and interpret the Bible with children may mean the difference between whether or not it will continue to be an important source for their faith development as they become young adults. We want to teach them in ways that they don’t have to unlearn later. Written by an expert in children’s ministry as a guide for anyone helping with the Celebrate Wonder Sunday school curriculum; however, it is relevant for all adults who want to explore ways to help children read, engage, wrestle, and grow into deeper understanding of the Bible. Wondering about the Bible with Children is for those who come to the Bible with souls open to be fed and who want their children to seek faith and wisdom.

The Being With course is an introduction to Christianity with a difference. At its heart is the idea that God’s greatest desire is to be with us in Jesus. Grounded in the conviction that we already have a wealth of understanding of truth, beauty and goodness that signify God’s presence in our lives and everyday experiences, it aims to enable participants to discover dimensions of this presence and to live abundantly with God, with one another and with creation. This Leaders’ Guide provides: • an introduction to the theological perspective underpinning the course; • an explanation of its structure and an overview of each session; • practical guidelines for leading a group; • complete materials for hosting its ten 90-minute sessions in person or online. The sessions focus on the themes of Meaning; Essence; Jesus; Church; Bible; Mission; Cross; Prayer; Suffering and Resurrection. Drawing on the practices of Godly Play, the course uses storytelling, wondering and reflection to encourage and welcome the insights that each person brings. The Being With course was devised and created by Samuel Wells and Sally Hitchiner. It is one of many initiatives of St Martin-in-the-Fields, alongside HeartEdge, the Nazareth Community, the classical music and arts programmes and work with those experiencing homelessness. Located in London’s Trafalgar Square, St Martin’s is a community of hope, transforming church and society through commerce, culture, compassion and congregational life.

Scripture reveals a God who meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be. No More Faking Fine is your invitation to get honest with God through the life-giving language of lament. If you've ever been given empty clichés during challenging times, you know how painful it is to be misunderstood by well-meaning people. When life hurts, we often feel pressure--from others and ourselves--to keep it together, suck it up, or pray it away. But Scripture reveals a God who lovingly invites us to give honest voice to our emotions when life hits hard. For most of her life, Esther Fleece Allen believed she could bypass the painful emotions of her broken past by shutting them down altogether. She was known as an achiever and an overcomer on the fast track to success. But in silencing her pain, she robbed herself of the opportunity to be healed. Maybe you've done the same. Esther's journey into healing began when she discovered that God has given us a real-world way to deal with raw emotions and an alternative to the coping mechanisms that end up causing more pain. It's called lament--the gut-level, honest prayer that God never ignores, never silences, and never wastes. No More Faking Fine is your permission to lament, taking you on a journey down the unexpected pathway to true intimacy with God. Drawing from careful biblical study and hard-won insight, Esther reveals how to use God's own language to come closer to him as he leads us through our pain to the light on the other side, teaching you that: We are robbing ourselves of a divine mystery and a divine intimacy when we pretend to have it all together God does not expect us to be perfect; instead, he meets us where we are There is hope beyond your heartache, disappointment, and grief Like Esther, you'll soon find that when one person stops faking fine, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.

What are the questions that are really on the minds of Christians as they try to live out their faith? Author Tom Ehrich challenged readers of his weekly newspaper column and his daily e-mail meditations to pose the questions that they would like to ask Jesus "from the roadside," as blind Bartimaeus did in the gospel. He received hundreds of responses-- not one of them about matters of liturgy, church politics, or canon law. Instead, the questions these ordinary Christians longed to ask Jesus were deeper and more basic: Will I see my late husband in heaven? How can I make my marriage more joyful? Will we ever find peace? What do you want of me? In Just Wondering, Jesus, Ehrich takes 100 of these questions and answers each in the form of a brief meditation/essay, and provides a fascinating glimpse of what is truly on people's minds and in their hearts. The meditations, based on gospel readings, are valuable for personal devotion and small-group study.

In a world where atheism is a growing movement, especially in the university setting, it’s typical for students today to face doubts about the Christian faith. In fact, many have wondered at one time or another if the Bible stories about Jesus could possibly be true. Is there any way to back up what we’ve heard with real evidence? Can false information be discredited with historical proof? Now students can join Greg Monette as he explores the fascinating basis for belief in the biblical Jesus. Readers can trek through the ancient historical sources, biblical archaeology, and recent discoveries to uncover the facts about what Jesus really said and did—His birth, His miracles, His claims, and His resurrection. Written for believers, skeptics, and the non-expert, this book will help readers discover where history and faith collide— and it just might change everything.