Chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Mary played a singular role in God's plan of redemption. And her life, relationships, and faith continue to hold significance for believers today. By responding faithfully to God's call, Mary began an extraordinary journey of transformation from Jesus' loving mother to one of His devoted followers.   In this 8-week study, authors Miles Custis, Michael R. Grigoni, Douglas Mangum, Matthew M. Whitehead, Rebecca Brant, John D. Barry, and Elizabeth Vince help you discover new meaning in the life of Mary. Each chapter of Mary: Devoted to God's Plan is structured to maximize your study by exploring the themes, context, and background of events Mary's life, as well as offering biblical parallels, extra-biblical references, and insights into how Mary's experiences are relevant to your journey of faith. Walk through life with Mary, learning along the way how her story is like your story.  Contents  Each chapter of Mary: Devoted to God's Plan is structured to maximize your study:    Theme: Introduces the meaning and relevance of an event in Mary's life  Literary Context: Illustrates the conditions surrounding that event  Historical and Cultural Background: Presents relevant data about the ancient world  A Closer Look: Gives a walk-through of the event while exploring issues of interpretation, original language, and theology  Throughout the Bible: Examines discussion of the event elsewhere in the Bible  Beyond the Bible: Treats references to the event in ancient documents and extracanonical texts and references and by theologians, the church fathers, and contemporary thinkers  Application: Concludes the chapter by exploring the event's relevance to your journey of faith    You'll also find Quick Tips offering insight into difficult passages, historical information, original language wording, and ancient thought.  Praise for Mary: Devoted to God's Plan      "Mary's story is familiar to most Christians and can inadvertently be limited to a manger scene at Christmas. Yet there is so much more to ponder and learn from her life, as you will see in this study."-Arlene Pellicane, speaker, author, and blogger  "The study of Mary: Devoted to God's Plan is not for the faint of heart. Take this study seriously-embrace the young teenager Mary as your role model-and you will have embarked on a journey that requires courage and self-sacrifice and may mean standing alone."- Carolyn Custis James, author of "Half the Church"

Mary: Devoted to God's Plan

Religion & Spirituality

John D. Barry

Miles Custis

Douglas Mangum

Matthew M. Whitehead

Rebecca Brant

Elizabeth Vince

Christian Books & Bibles

Lexham Press

As the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of Hebrews coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike. Hebrews was written for people like us--struggling Christians seeking to know God better. The ancient communities who first received this letter faced temptation, suffering, and doubt. When we understand God's message for them, we can better embrace God's message for his church today. Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life. This is not your average Bible study!

Hebrews: How Jesus Speaks Into Everything (Not Your Average Bible Study)

Reference

Words, Language & Grammar

As the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of Colossians coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike. At some point, everyone experiences real suffering--pain, disappointment, sickness, abuse. Paul's message to the Colossian church--and to us--is that suffering isn't senseless or worthless. Chained in a Roman prison, Paul tells us how suffering can be an opportunity for Christ to show his power and glory in us. Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life. This is not your average Bible study!

Colossians: Being Like Jesus (Not Your Average Bible Study)

As the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of Malachi coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike. So often we affirm God's love until things go wrong. In anger, anxiety, or pain, we doubt his goodness or involvement in our lives. Like the Israelites of Malachi's day, we cry out, "How have you loved us?" But the words of the prophet Malachi comfort us with God's love, and they challenge us to reciprocate that love--even in dark times. Malachi shows us that we need a savior. Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life. This is not your average Bible study!

Malachi: Easy Doesn't Change the World (Not Your Average Bible Study)

As the old adage goes, you have to ask the right questions before you can get the right answers. And that's exactly what the Not Your Average Bible Study series helps you do. Rather than spoon-feeding you with individual facts, this study of James coaches you on how to think through the text as a whole. Tested and proven in Bible Study Magazine, it's perfect for group and individual studies alike.We can easily become entangled in the cares of this world and forget the important things in life. When we lose sight of the big picture, James reminds us what truly matters--the gospel. He challenges us to be "doers of the Word, and not hearers only." The gospel should define how we think, feel, and act.Each section of the guide begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in-depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life.This is not your average Bible study!

James: Simply the Gospel (Not Your Average Bible Study)

Heir to a great promise, Jacob should have lived a life defined by God's presence. Instead, it was often characterized by conflict, deception, and selfish ambition. Yet, Jacob's story shows us how God remained with Jacob, just as He remains with believers today. Jacob: Discerning God's Presence will help you gain insights into Jacob's story as you explore the themes, context, and cultural background of the text. Find new ways to apply Jacob's life lessons to your own life with discussion and reflection questions. A collaborative effort by editor John D. Barry and writers Derek R. Brown, Miles Custis, Douglas Mangum, and Wendy Widder, this resource will help you dig deep into the life of Joseph. Walk with Jacob, and discover what it means to know and respond to God's presence. Contents: Setting the Stage: Explore theme, literary context, and the histrical and cultural backgrounds of Jacob's story. A Closer Look: Explore the narrative while considering issues of interpretation, original language, and theology. Throughout the Bible: Examine references to the narrative elsewhere in the Bible. Beyond the Bible: Consider references to the narrative in ancient documents and extracanonical texts and references and by theologians, the church fathers, and contemporary thinkers. Application: Explore the events relevance to your journey of faith.

Jacob: Discerning God's Presence (Studies in Faithful Living)

BROWN, Derek

Discover how individual passages of Scripture relate to the whole as you read through the Bible in a year. Every day, you'll read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and poetic literature, along with a devotional tying them together. The application-focused content provides insight into the text, answers to theological questions, and explanations for difficult passages of Scripture. And thought-provoking questions help you live out each passage in your everyday life.

Connect the Testaments: A 365-Day Devotional with Bible Reading Plan

Van Noord, Rebecca

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians with a heavy heart, wrestling to maintain his relationship with the young church that he established. The way that Paul handled this painful situation provides an example for us today. When should we reconcile, and when should we walk away? How do we cut ties with darkness--whether in ourselves or in others? In this volume from the Transformative Word series, edited by Craig Bartholomew, John D. Barry explores how we deal with such scars in light of Jesus' example.

Cutting Ties with Darkness: 2 Corinthians (Transformative Word)

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. In this volume of the Not Your Average Bible Study series, John D. Barry unravels the many layers of Jesus' parables, showing us the radical truths contained within. With an eye toward practical application and personal reflection, this Bible study is the perfect way to study the teachings of Jesus on your own or in a group. Each section of the Bible study begins with a concise introduction, providing context for the biblical passage. Next, you'll consider questions designed to prompt your own in--depth study. You'll also find specific prayer suggestions, along with ideas for further research. Experience the joy of discovering biblical insights for yourself--then apply these lessons to your everyday life.

Parables: Portraits of God's Kingdom in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Not Your Average Bible Study)

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Books by John D. Barry