These distinctive books on the Bible, theology, and world views by an authentic voice offer valuable insights written specifically for the high school and college age student.

God's design for our lives involves inner qualities as well as outward behavior. This short study guide will give you an overview of what the Bible says about the character of the Christian.

Discover the Eight Traits That Will Revolutionize Your Christian Life and Leadership. The word Christian, once a powerful descriptor of a peculiar people, has become meaningless. It no longer identifies those who have aligned themselves with the person of Jesus Christ. Imagine a world in which Christians again looked like Jesus. Where spiritual leaders made disciples Where churches were groups of people with an insatiable desire to follow their Saviour Where those who identified themselves with Jesus accurately represented his character It's time to: Simplify, clarify and focus your spiritual life Raise up Christian leaders who make disciples Help churches rediscover their reason for existence Honestly ask Am I identifiable as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Why is something that came so naturally to Jesus so difficult for us? Because we have complicated and over-programmed the simple way that Jesus showed us to love God and others. Following Jesus is all about relationships! It begins with a daily, intimate relationship with the Father. It spills into a fellowship with other believers. And it overflows into sharing our relationship with Jesus with those who don't know Him .at all. When we follow Jesus' model, we will stop working so hard, as we allow His life to flow in and through us. This Bible study will help you: Invest in the three key relationships modeled by Jesus, Exchange the "burden" of religion for the simpler, biblical method of following Jesus, Develop healthy habits to become a growing follower of Jesus. Also Available The Life of a Jesus Follower Leader Kit includes resources for leading an eight-session group study: one Bible study book, two DVDs, digital downloads, one softcover book, and extra leader resources. Digital Resources eBook and video teaching sessions available at LifeWay.com/JesusFollower Book jacket.

The Gospel of Mark includes a series of similar episodes in which he presents minor characters and their response to Jesus. These individuals are neither disciples nor opponents of Jesus but rather people who are drawn, in a broad sense, from the crowd. Mark presents these characters either as suppliants or as those who exemplify a proper response to Jesus and his way. The purpose of this narrative study is to explore the effect of Mark's presentation of minor characters on the reader. It traces Mark's treatment of these individuals through the narrative and shows how Mark's presentation of minor characters moves the reader toward an acceptance of the demands of following Jesus.

What distinguishes a follower of Jesus? The contributors to Five Traits of a Christ Follower—each with a long history of knowing Jesus and making him known—see five “core competencies” as critical to authentic discipleship; growing in relationship with God, knowing and living from the Scriptures, engaging those who don’t know Christ, living in community with other believers, and equipping others to follow Christ. Spend a month with a master class of disciple-makers, and find yourself growing in your capacity, and your enthusiasm, for following Christ. Foreword by Jerry Bridges. Contributors from The Navigators and friends include Len Sweet, Jane Kirkpatrick, and others.

PREFACE. THE Author of this very practical treatise on Scotch Loch - Fishing desires clearly that it may be of use to all who had it. He does not pretend to have written anything new, but to have attempted to put what he has to say in as readable a form as possible. Everything in the way of the history and habits of fish has been studiously avoided, and technicalities have been used as sparingly as possible. The writing of this book has afforded him pleasure in his leisure moments, and that pleasure would be much increased if he knew that the perusal of it would create any bond of sympathy between himself and the angling community in general. This section is interleaved with blank shects for the readers notes. The Author need hardly say that any suggestions addressed to the case of the publishers, will meet with consideration in a future edition. We do not pretend to write or enlarge upon a new subject. Much has been said and written-and well said and written too on the art of fishing but loch-fishing has been rather looked upon as a second-rate performance, and to dispel this idea is one of the objects for which this present treatise has been written. Far be it from us to say anything against fishing, lawfully practised in any form but many pent up in our large towns will bear us out when me say that, on the whole, a days loch-fishing is the most convenient. One great matter is, that the loch-fisher is depend- ent on nothing but enough wind to curl the water, -and on a large loch it is very seldom that a dead calm prevails all day, -and can make his arrangements for a day, weeks beforehand whereas the stream- fisher is dependent for a good take on the state of the water and however pleasant and easy it may be for one living near the banks of a good trout stream or river, it is quite another matter to arrange for a days river-fishing, if one is looking forward to a holiday at a date some weeks ahead. Providence may favour the expectant angler with a good day, and the water in order but experience has taught most of us that the good days are in the minority, and that, as is the case with our rapid running streams, -such as many of our northern streams are, -the water is either too large or too small, unless, as previously remarked, you live near at hand, and can catch it at its best. A common belief in regard to loch-fishing is, that the tyro and the experienced angler have nearly the same chance in fishing, -the one from the stern and the other from the bow of the same boat. Of all the absurd beliefs as to loch-fishing, this is one of the most absurd. Try it. Give the tyro either end of the boat he likes give him a cast of ally flies he may fancy, or even a cast similar to those which a crack may be using and if he catches one for every three the other has, he may consider himself very lucky. Of course there are lochs where the fish are not abundant, and a beginner may come across as many as an older fisher but we speak of lochs where there are fish to be caught, and where each has a fair chance. Again, it is said that the boatman has as much to do with catching trout in a loch as the angler. Well, we dont deny that. In an untried loch it is necessary to have the guidance of a good boatman but the same argument holds good as to stream-fishing...

Not a Fan has already called more than one million readers to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple--moving from fan to follower in their relationship with Jesus. After years of serving God, pastor and bestselling author Kyle Idleman had a startling revelation: for too long, he had been living as a fan of Jesus; someone who tried to make Christianity seem as appealing, comfortable, and convenient as he possibly could to others. Idleman decided something had to change--he needed to embark on the journey of becoming a completely committed follower of God, not just a fan. Fans want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires sacrifice, while followers are all in and completely committed to Christ. Not a Fan gives you the tools you need to determine exactly where you stand when it comes to your relationship with Jesus. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness and a touch of humor, Idleman invites you to: Examine your relationship with God Determine if you're following Jesus or just following the rules Pray the way Jesus prayed Start truly living for the one who gave his all for you This expanded and updated version of Not a Fan also includes a new introduction and an entirely new chapter about how to practically live out the book's core message. Join Idleman as he challenges you to take an honest look at your relationship with Jesus and discover what it really means to be a follower.

Growing up the son of agnostics, John Koessler saw a Catholic church on one end of the street and a Baptist on the other. In the no-man’s land between the two, this curious outside wondered about the God they worshipped—and began a lifelong search to comprehend the grace and mystery of God. A Stranger in the House of God addresses fundamental questions and struggles faced by spiritual seekers and mature believers. Like a contemporary Pilgrim’s Progress, it traces the author’s journey and explores his experiences with both charismatic and evangelical Christianity. It also describes his transformation from religious outsider to ordained pastor. John Koessler provides a poignant and often humorous window into the interior of the soul as he describes his journey from doubt and struggle with the church to personal faith