Archive for downloads

Apr
4

“Experiencing God’s Love in the Church” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Experiencing God’s Love in the Church seeks to challenge believers to renew their commitment to loving one another, and in so doing, returning to what Christ intended His body to look like. When the world sees God’s people truly loving one another, they will then be more apt to see how the Father sent the Son as a demonstration of His love for them.

Download the printable version of this book club guide here.

By Rebecca Day Tucker

Discussion Questions

1. In the first chapter, the author asks if we really know what love is. He also quotes 1 John 4:8, a verse that was likely the first many of us learned: God is love. He goes on to describe the church in Jerusalem. Name some of the characteristics of that church, and consider how the church mirrored the character of God. What were the results of the love the church showed?

2. One of the subtitles in chapter 3 is “Loving God is Loving Others.” The author asks the question, “What exactly is it that Christ’s love compels me to do?” In the context of the church, consider that question. Are you compelled by Christ’s love to minister to the least of these in your congregation or community? To show love to those who are hurting? Who have sinned? Who aren’t like you? If you were to ask someone in your community who does not attend church, would they agree that your church is an example of the love of Christ?

3. The church at Ephesus was a model church in many ways. They were busy about the work of the church. But John in Revelation chides them for losing their “first love.” Blackaby describes them as a community center or social club, but not a body of Christ. How have churches today fallen into the same trap? Think of the churches in your community. Can you name one or two whose “first love” is evident? How?

4. In chapter 5, Blackaby talks about the importance of prayer in helping the church to carry out its mission of loving people. He says that while many people pray in times of need, few know how to really seek God as we are instructed in Jeremiah 29:11. How does seeking God with all of our hearts, as individuals and as a congregation, help us to love others?

5. A theme of grace and forgiveness is evident throughout the book. Even though we embrace the concept of grace, we can still find it very uncomfortable to accept people who have publicly failed. Recall an example from the book or from your own experience. In that situation, why were forgiveness and grace difficult? Identify some concrete ways for the church as a body to practice forgiveness and grace.

6. Chapter 7 is about practical love, and chapter 8 identifies several particular groups that need the love of their congregations. “Christ has entrusted into our hands the incredible privilege to demonstrate His love to those He created for eternity.” Blackaby describes a number of ways we can practically love people. Which of the ideas he mentions resonates with you and why?

Prayer Points

Pray . . .

. . . That as you and members of your congregation study God’s Word, that God will reveal to you more about His character and His love and help you to show that to others in your fellowship.

. . . That God will open your eyes on a daily basis to see the needs around you, both big and small, and that He will grant you the ability to meet those needs in love.

. . . For those who will visit your congregation in the coming weeks, and for those members of your church who will make the first contacts with them. Pray that love will be demonstrated by your members and observed by the visitors, and that your church will be able to minister to them in the most appropriate way.

Action Items

1. Gather a group of church members to pray weekly for your congregation to seek the heart of God, who is love.

2. Identify someone within your congregation who needs love. Make an intentional effort to minister to that person on a weekly or monthly basis. Encourage your closest friends at church to do the same with other church members. Make every effort to do it without strings attached.

3. For the next four Sundays, engage with two or three new people at church (not necessarily new to the church but outside of your regular circle of friends). Ask about their family, their week . . . and tell them you will pray for them the next week. Then do it! Uncomfortable? Maybe. But if you don’t do it, who will?

4 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads
Jan
7

“Lost on a Familiar Road” Book Club Guide

by newhope

In Lost on a Familiar Road, author Kimberly Sowell helps readers discover what their minds were created to do—love God completely. Using one of Jesus’ most basic directives, she encourages readers to let God change their minds and transform their lives.

Click here for a printable version of this guide.

1. The author encourages us to declutter our minds and take time to think creatively, spiritually, and with God’s perspective. How can “mind clutter” keep us from seeing God’s perspective on our lives, our actions and on other people? How can making time for communication with and meditation on our heavenly Father change our perspective, our daily lives, and our relationships?

2. The Biblical illustrations in chapter 2 are largely stories of surprise. Think about the element of the unexpected. Professional fisherman pulled up nets full of fish where they had been sure there were none. Sarah gave birth to a child at the age of 100, years after God promised she would be a mother. Shepherds, sitting out in a quiet field, suddenly saw and heard angels—a multitude of them! How do these stories of God’s unexpected faithfulness, in His own perfect time and way, encourage you in your own quest to trust His timing? Can you share a story of God’s faithfulness in your own life and how that experience impacted you?

3. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Matthew 12:34 reminds us that “out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our minds, hearts and mouths are closely connected—as are our actions. How do your thoughts—even those you never directly share—impact your decision making?

4. With that in mind, why do you think the Bible instructs us to think about things that are lovely, true and right (Phil. 4:8)? How can you train your mind to focus on God’s work and presence?

5. Each day, from the time we open our eyes until we crawl back under the covers, is filled with opportunities to make decisions. How often during a day, a week, a month, do you seek God’s guidance in your decision making? How can the practices advocated in this book—getting rid of mind clutter, focusing our thoughts on God, trusting His faithfulness, training our thoughts on Him—positively influence our decisions? Share a time you earnestly sought God during uncertainty and how that impacted a decision you made.

6. Think of a passage of Scripture that has helped you discern more about God—His plan, His will, His character. What about that passage speaks to you? Under what circumstance did you find it? How do you plan to continue to seek God through His Word?

Pray

  • That you will earnestly seek to focus on spiritual thoughts rather than earthly clutter, and that God will draw your mind to Him daily.
  • For the grace to see yourself and others through the eyes of our Heavenly Father, as people who are loved and have great purpose.
  • For a companion—a friend, a spouse, a coworker—who will read this book and practice the disciplines it teaches alongside you.

Act:

  • Every day for a week, set aside time to identify thoughts that clutter your mind. Write them down. Pray about each one and write down anything you feel God saying to you about those things.
  • If you are not sure of your spiritual gifts, seek out a spiritual gifts inventory that will help you identify them. Commit to a tangible way of putting at least one into practice over the next six months.
  • Using a concordance, write or type two meaningful verses or passages about God’s Word. Put them where you will see them each day to remind yourself of the importance of reading God’s Word in order to know Him more.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

 

0 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads
Dec
13

“The Moses Quilt” Book Club Guide

by newhope

by Joyce Mitchell

Click here for a printable version of this guide.

Kathy Macias has created an intriguing mixture of love story, biographical narrative, and mystery in The Moses Quilt. The lives of three generations of women are touched by the drama that unfolds as the matriarch, Mimi, captivates her audience with the stories of the Moses Quilt.

Discussion

  1. What meaning would you attribute to The Moses Quilt’s subtitle, “Can the pieces of a former slave’s story change the pattern of her future?” How does the subtitle fit both what you know historically about Harriet Tubman and the narrative of the character Mazie’s life? Is the subtitle a good fit? Why or why not?
  2. The story takes place inSan Francisco. However, elderly storyteller Mimi’s heart resides inAlabama, notablyPrattvilleorSelma. How important is the physical site of the story? The author doesn’t disclose exactly what year the story takes place. As you read the book, where did you place the story in time? Why?
  3. What does The Moses Quilt reveal about the strong familial ties that bind Mimi, the great-grandmother; Lilly, the granddaughter; and her daughter Mazie?  Is the 93-year-old Mimi an easy woman to love and for whom to give care? Why? How do the women make the multi-generational home situation work, and at what personal sacrifice?
  4. A central theme in the book is the love story between Mazie and Edward. Why is Mazie, a white woman, seemingly reluctant to commit to Edward, who is of African-American descent? What is the mystery that Mazie is trying to resolve before she commits to Edward? How does Mazie finally come to grips with her reluctance to commit to Edward, through a visit to Gee’sBend,Alabama?
  5. A major theme of the Moses Quilt story is the symbolism of the quilt elements, including a cradle, cross, heavy lead, two white bells, bird in a cage, gold coin, Union flag, and a dove with a branch in its mouth. Mimi unpacks each “patch” with the skill of a storyteller to an eager audience: Mazie and Edward. Which of the patches was most meaningful or memorable to you? Why? How is the quilt vivid in your imagination?
  6. Macias includes Harriet Tubman’s story as a “story within the story.” Did Harriet deserve the name of Moses? Why? How highly did Harriet prize freedom, for herself and other slaves? How central was Harriet’s courage to the life she lived? As the author interweaves the story of Harriet Tubman with the modern day love story of Mazie and Edward, what are the common challenges that both the historical Harriet and the modern day couple share? Which elements of Harriet Tubman’s life were new to you? What is your perception of the former slave after reading The Moses Quilt?
  7. Describe the significance of the trip Edward and Mazie make to Gee’sBend,Alabama. How was the visit productive, and how was it predictable (for example, in the reaction of the waitress)? What discovery did Mazie encounter that provided fresh insight for her?

 

Prayer Points

  1. Macias certainly makes a case for appreciation of the life of a courageous activist, Harriet Tubman. Reflect on the lives of other strong believers who have made a difference for the sake of Christ. Share in a time of saying aloud the names of those in the great cloud of witnesses whose lives have made a difference. Consider missionaries, martyrs, family members, church leaders, and so on. Take time to thank God for their collective influence and the model that they give to us who follow in their footsteps.
  2. Just as Harriet Tubman faced unjust persecution because of her race and the time in which she lived, think of believers today who exist in challenging settings. Consider the courage, stamina and persistence it takes to face each day. Give thanks for those who are willing to sacrifice. And reflect on how your part of “holding the ropes” for those who serve in harm’s way is to faithfully pray.
  3. Though Mazie and Edward’s relationship may be a fictional one, think of the diverse blending of cultures and races—in families and couples—that surround us today. Pray for a willingness to be inclusive and welcoming to those who outwardly appear quite different. Pray for the desire to become acquainted with the inner hearts of those who are exotic, or culturally different than we are.

Action Items

  1. Discuss the possibilities that exist in your community to grow in appreciation for cultures that are unfamiliar to you. The cultural divide that you cross may be racial, or generational, or ethnic. For instance, are there ministries to senior adults that you can support, where you can benefit from the stories of those venerable senior adults? Or, are there opportunities for you to engage with internationals in conversational English classes?
  2. Are there individuals in your church who are skilled in quilting? If so, consider the possibility of offering a beginner’s class in quilting, and open the class to those in the neighborhood. What a constructive way to become acquainted with others through a craft experience that can lead to faith-sharing.

 

3 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads
Nov
21

“A New Way of Living” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Click here for a downloadable version of this guide.

Written with an enthusiasm for physical wellness, A New Way of Living uses the Beatitudes to inspire and encourage readers toward spiritual wellness. Each chapter looks at the people, wellness concerns, characteristics and promises associated with each beatitude. In these pages, readers can find a workable exercise regimen for their spiritual fitness, along with takeaways and questions for reflection.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you feel that there is a connection between your physical well-being and your spiritual well-being? Is it possible for one to impact the other? Why or why not?
  2. The author notes that the state of our physical wellness is most easily observed, but that our spiritual wellness is more important. How would you evaluate your overall spiritual wellness in light of what you’ve read about the Beatitudes?
  3. Which of the Beatitudes do you think you struggle with believing or incorporating in your life the most? Why?
  4. Did this book change and challenge your thinking of the Beatitudes? How so?
  5. Do you have a community that you can share your grief and joy with and be accountable to? If not, how can you go about finding such a trustworthy community?
  6. If you were to isolate a single area of your physical life that you want to change, what would it be? What about in your spiritual life, what single thing would you change?
  7. Can you think of a single daily habit, a small change in routine, that could impact your physical life for the better? Your spiritual life? What would that small change be? Do you believe that this small change would be cumulative over time, or lead to bigger changes?

Prayer Points

  1. Ask God to show you where your life may be overcommitted, and where you can clear out more room for Him, and room to practice physical and spiritual exercise.
  2. Ask God to continue to show you how you can specifically incorporate the truths of the Beatitudes into your spiritual and physical lives.

Action Items

  1. Take a moment to write down some negative feelings that you consistently have—fear, guilt, anxiety, and so on that may be affecting both your spirit and your health. Then use a Concordance or the back of your Bible to find Scriptures that speak truth to these emotions. Meditate on these truths from Scripture each day, and ask God to help you think and believe His truth rather than your own faulty perceptions.
  2. If you haven’t already, write down a plan to incorporate physical and spiritual exercise into your daily routine. Make sure you carve out time, even if you have to change your schedule long-term, so that you can stick to it.
1 Categories : downloads
Nov
13

“Church Lady” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Click here for a printable version of the guide.

In her book, Church Lady, Chandra Peele calls for a “do-over,” redefining of the term Church Lady—shattering common stereotypes and reclaiming the Church Lady’s respect. She addresses a number of issues in the Church Lady’s mind, heart, and home as she ushers her readers to a new perspective and a new pursuit of spiritual growth.

Discuss

  1. How do you feel about the term “Church Lady”? Do you initially have a positive or negative reaction when you hear the term? What in the book challenged you to move beyond the stereotypes you may have associated with this term?
  1. Take a moment and think about these stereotypes—conscious or maybe unconscious before reading the book—that society places on Church Ladies. Are they based on her politics? Geography? Even her looks? How can we redefine the image that we have of the Church Lady—for ourselves and for others?
  1. In the book, the author talks about traditions that Church Ladies have—traditions that are not in Scripture, but have evolved nonetheless as stalwart institutions and expectations in the church. Some that are good, but others keep us from experiencing the freedom we have in Christ. Can you think of some traditions that fall into both categories—good and bad? How can we move beyond the ones that aren’t Scriptural or useful?
  1. The author talks about the need for ministering to other Church Ladies in the hard seasons of life. Have you ever struggled with finding the right words or actions when someone is grieving or in pain? Why is so hard just to listen?
  1. Do you judge yourself with negative self talk about your appearance, church involvement, past, or relationships? What can you do to ground yourself in the truths from God’s Word about who you are in Christ?
  1. When you look at your life, do you suspect you’re often cocooning yourself in the light—church, church activities, Christian friends? How can you bring your light as a Church Lady into the darkness without becoming part of the darkness?
  1. As women, we nurture and care for others. How can we stay close to Jesus, the Vine, to sustain our energy? What steps can we incorporate into our daily routine to be sure our own spiritual tank isn’t running low?

Pray

  1. Ask God to open your eyes to Church Ladies who may not fit the traditional mold or our preconceived notions, and to show us how to embrace and love them well. Ask Him also to help us redefine the notion of what a Church Lady is by our fresh actions, attitudes, and unstoppable love for others.
  1. Ask God to help you love other people well, even when you don’t know how. When someone is grieving, or has hurt you, or is a difficult personality, ask Him to give you the grace to minister to them and be a blessing.

Act

  1. Every Church Lady needs a group of godly women (other church ladies) that she can share her heart issues with. If you’re not part of such a group, make an effort to explore small groups within your church and other ministries and activities that could lead you become part of such a group. If you are part of a godly group of women, make an effort to reach out to those outside your group so that you don’t become too insular.
  1. Many women struggle with negative self-image and self-judgment—or with judgment of others. (In fact, almost everyone does occasionally!) Search the Bible for Scriptures that address these issues, and pray through them daily until your mind and heart are transformed.
1 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads, Resources
Oct
23

Sample Chapter of “Unwrapping Martha’s Joy”

by newhope

Click here for a free sample

In her new release Unwrapping Martha’s Joy, author Brenda Poinsett helps readers unwrap the best present of all—a renewed sense of worship in their heart and home. Using Luke 10 and the beloved sisters Mary and Martha as the scriptural basis for the book, Poinsett gives readers a fun and lighthearted look at Martha’s personality and how her homemaking skills were an actual benefit.

Through 25 brief chapters, readers will unwrap the secrets of Martha’s joy. Readers will be encouraged to embrace and adapt their own Martha-like characteristics as they create a Mary-inspired Christmas—a season where Christ is the center of the holiday season.

0 Categories : downloads
Oct
15

“Finding Your Way” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Click here to download printable version.

Sandy Lovern writes to the caregiver who is navigating the emotional landscape of providing care for an elderly parent, or other adult. Her approach relies on commonsense wisdom born out of personal experience. She includes numerous Scripture passages that have provided encouragement and strength for the journey.

As a warm-up activity, invite the participants to take a minute or two and, silently or without a lot of conversation, jot down the names of specific people whom they know are charged with caregiving for elderly parents or other adults. You may want to provide an index card and pencil for each participant. Gather these names in a basket or box and display it prominently as an interest center: these are real people who experience daily the challenges you will be discussing today.

Discussion Questions

  1. In a poem entitled “The Guardian” by Joseph Mills, one brother observes the response of his brother who gives care to their elderly parent.

“It’s why I expect to hear anger or bitterness in my brother’s voice, and why each time we talk, no matter how closely I listen, I’m astonished to hear only love.”

Often, how are decisions made as to who provides care for the elderly loved one? Would you rather be the one responsible for decision-making and primary care-giving or the brother at a distance? How are each of the roles challenging? What if you don’t choose, but the care-giving is foisted upon you (because you live nearer, for example)?

  1. Observers have compared giving care to an elderly parent as becoming their parent: role reversal. What kinds of skills are ideal for taking away the car keys from an aging parent, or assuming the bill payment role, or transitioning the adult into a care facility (particularly if they resist moving)? In essence, you are taking away the independence of your parent. What’s the danger in identifying too closely with what your parent is feeling? What do you dread the most in the family caregiving process? Is there advice you would have for someone who is in the beginning stage of caregiving their parent?
  1. Everyone’s story of caregiving varies, probably because families vary. Their communication patterns and family dynamics are diverse. At some point in nearly every saga, however, the caregiver experiences a meltdown, or something close to it. What does a caregiver do who needs relief? Is it OK to fall apart occasionally? How can the caregiver avoid being the martyr, or embittered, or a fount of negativity? How can the caregiver refresh the best memories of a well-loved parent, rather than the aggravation and frustration of their current state of mind? How does the caregiver react to a parent who doesn’t recognize them any longer?
  1. Self-care is a necessity for anyone called upon to assume the care of another, particularly an elderly parent (or in-law, aunt, uncle, and so on). Are there meaningful ways that the caregiver can be vigilant for signs of “I need help!” in herself? Where does a caregiver look to find those persons who will support her as she shoulders the heavy-lifting of caregiving? How can you connect with others who are facing the same challenges that you face? Taking time to gird oneself in prayer and reading Scripture can be a great boost. Are there other spiritual practices that are meaningful to the stressed caregiver?
  1. As a designated caregiver, your role within your own family will shift. You still have only 24 hours in the day, and much of your schedule may be dictated by the needs, wants and expectations of your elderly parent. Describe the tug-of-war that goes on within a caregiver’s heart as she juggles the role within her family (and perhaps a career) with the role of being a caregiver. How are choices about time made? What activities make it to the important list, and what activities reside on the urgent list? How important are family conversations about what appears to be the “new normal” in your life, at least until an aging loved one dies? Who initiates these conversations?
  1. A sense of humor is often highly individualistic, but the caregiver who cultivates opportunities for laughter is a caregiver who will likely be more optimistic and less stressed. What makes you laugh? Are you a fan of newspaper comic strips, TV sitcoms, or slapstick movies? Is Erma Bombeck your cup of tea? What opportunities do you have for laughter? Being around babies and preschoolers often cause giggles to bubble up, particularly if you’re not their designated babysitter.
  1. What do you dread or fear most about caregiving? For many, watching their parent depart this world “inch-by-inch” is the greatest challenge. If dementia or Alzheimer’s has robbed the aging adult of their ability to call their child’s name, there is surely cause for sadness. How do you express the yearning you feel for the parent who once was lively, opinionated, and present? That adult has passed off the scene. The often frail body that remains is not quite “Mama” or “Dad.” How do you embody the commandment to honor your parents when you’re strangers to each other?
  1. The author devotes a chapter (15) to family traditions. Take a few moments and identify the traditions that are likely to end when your aging parent dies. Are there traditions that you, or your children, might take on? Who will carry the torch? Would a conversation with your family surface those traditions that enhance and stabilize family life, and that need to be carried forth into the future? Think of things such as preparing the annual Christmas fruitcake that Mother always did. Or being the family storyteller, which was Dad’s role. Or the one who decorated early for every holiday, or hid the Easter eggs for the children. Carrying on the legacy of a beloved grandparent can be a way to honor their lives.

Prayer Points

  • Look at the basket (or box) of names that you compiled at the beginning of the discussion. Each name represents an individual who is walking the path of being a caregiver. If appropriate, distribute the cards randomly and invite the participants to pray aloud for names on their cards. In addition, pray for the men and women who are receiving care. They have different levels of understanding about what is happening to them. Pray for their peace and their freedom from fear as the changes come quickly, and sometimes inexplicably.
  • Caregiving is a continuum. After the aging loved one dies, the family absorbs the loss of one whom they have loved. Pray for the empty place at the family table and for the grieving loved ones who miss Mom or Dad.
  • Pray for the professional caregivers (the aids, nurses, assistants, etc.) who staff the rehab units, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and so on. One of their challenges is the frequent “good-byes” they must say to aging adults who are in their care. Pray for their patience with the family caregivers as well as the residents themselves.

Applications

  • Survey your community of faith and identify those who have assumed the roles of caregivers in their families. Consider the appropriateness of establishing a support group time in which these folks could gather and learn from each other. The group could be ongoing or on a periodic basis—quarterly, etc. Think about enlisting someone knowledgeable in geriatrics (a social worker, nurse, or minister to seniors) to provide some “content” for the meeting.
  • Would it be practical to provide an occasional respite time for the caregiver? If the caregiver is providing care in their home, having someone trustworthy come over and “sit” for the evening while the caregiver is able to get away could be a great gift.
  • Using the names that you gathered at the beginning of the session, write a note of encouragement—I call these “grace notes”—to the caregiver and assure them of your ongoing prayer. Or, make a point to give the caregiver a call to encourage or just listen to what is going on in their lives.

 

0 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads, Featured Resources
Oct
11

“Unexpected Christmas Hero” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Click here for a printable version.

Discussion Questions

  1. Upon initially learning about Josie and her children, who faced and feared hunger and cold, and who longed to go to school and have some stability, what did you feel? Was it surprising to you that some of the homeless in the story were children?
  1. Josie initially feels a sense of betrayal from her late husband, Sam, who never shared with her how close they were to losing everything. She also initially feels a sense of betrayal from God, because of losing her mother and becoming homeless. What do you think gave her the will pray to that same God? What were some ways God was working in her life and the lives of her children throughout their plight?
  1. Josie, a non-believer, lost her husband, and Karen, a believer, also lost hers. How did each woman’s level of faith inform the way she processed her loss?
  1. Josie is disinclined to accept an offer of shelter from Karen, because she doesn’t want her children to feel the sting of disappointment when it is taken away. If you were in her shoes, what do you imagine you would do in similar circumstances? If you could speak to Josie at this time, what would you say to her?
  1. Reading through the daily routines and concerns of the Meyers family and Rick enables us to experience empathy for the homeless. What surprised you the most about their routines? What saddened you the most?
  1. Upon first glance, a sick, homeless man such as Rick may appear to have nothing to offer others. Yet, his sacrifices are a blessing and lifesaver to many throughout the story. How does that encourage you as you consider how God may use your own gifts and situation to bless others?

Prayer Points

  • Before becoming involved in the Meyers’ family’s life, Karen feels called to intercede for them. Think about who God may be calling you to intercede for. Is there any specific person or group of people that God has placed on your heart?
  • Pray for those who have lost or may face losing their homes in these difficult economic times. Ask God to intervene in their circumstances, and most of all to reveal Himself to them if they do not yet know Him.

Action Items

  • Both the Lunds and Karen made room for the Meyers family in their families and homes. Think of one person or one family in need—whether through illness, financial hardship, or another reason—that you can show hospitality to by inviting to dinner or bringing a dinner.
  • Consider volunteering a Saturday or an evening at a homeless shelter, or spending some time working at a soup kitchen. Your church may have a partnership or a ministry volunteer that can help you get started.

 

0 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads, Featured Resources
Oct
10

“Unexpected Christmas Hero” FREE Sample Chapters

by newhope

Click here to download the chapter 1 PDF.

Unexpected Christmas Hero is an inspiring and compelling story of friendship and survival. Forced by unexpected circumstances to live on the streets and in homeless shelters, Josie Meyers and her two small children share in the lives and struggles of other homeless people. Eventually, Josie meets Rick, a homeless, disabled vet who becomes their ultimate friend.

While living in the shelters she continually hears the gospel, reigniting memories of the words she heard and believed as a child. Will these events lead her and her children home to the ultimate shelter?

0 Categories : Articles, downloads, Featured Resources
Sep
20

“Power in the Name” Book Club Guide

by newhope

Power in the Name
Book Club Guide

Click here for a printable version.

The following questions, prayer points, and life applications are designed to guide your book club deeper into the text of Power in the Name by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. In addition to these, the author includes discussion questions that are specific to each section throughout the book.

Discussion Questions

  1. How has the author’s expository on Hebrew naming, and her explanation of her own name, changed your thoughts about what a name signifies?
  2. What did you learn that surprised you the most in this study? What specific parts of the text were most striking to you?
  3. Did you have any preconceived notions about God’s name or the principles surrounding His name that are now corrected? Explain.
  4. Did you learn anything new about Hebrew history and culture? What?
  5. Has a fuller understanding of God’s name, particularly as He identified Himself as “I AM,” changed the way you see yourself and your calling? In what way?
  6. How has this study expanded your understanding of the “I AM” statements of Christ in the Gospel of John?

Prayer

As you pray, call God by the names He uses to describe Himself, referring to your study as needed. Ask God to lead you into a fuller understanding of who He is, what He does, and His identity as it relates to you, His child. Ask Him to show you the next steps He would have you take after finishing this study.

Live it Out

This week, make a conscious effort to call God by some of the names He has revealed in Scripture when you pray. If you normally call Him “Lord,” or “Father,” use a different name. Remember, He gives believers the great privilege of using these names. Write these names down and memorize them, so that you can call them to mind quickly, remembering all that they stand for.

 

0 Categories : Book Club Guides, downloads, Featured Resources
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