God Is Greater Than Our Circumstances

My Monday started out ordinary enough, but that was about to change. I had planned to make a surge of phone calls about the re-launch of Bible Studies for Life. What I experienced caught me totally off guard.

By mid-morning I was in stride with phone calls when the disruption came. An email arrived from a family member entitled “Good News!”.  We had been praying and waiting for several days about a family health crisis that had left us emotionally drained and filled with uncertainty.

The email was indeed “Good News!”. The doctor had called to confirm that things were much better than first thought. I proclaimed a prayer of thanksgiving and responded to the email saying “God is good all the time regardless of our situation. He is greater than our circumstances and sometimes we get to especially celebrate it such as today.”

I finally got refocused on my calls and spent the day talking with church leaders. Then it happened again.

This disruption was the news about a devastating tornado in Oklahoma. I quickly began praying for the people there and the unimaginable circumstances they surely must be battling at that very moment. “God, please prove yourself greater than these circumstances for the countless people in crisis” was my prayer.

Later that evening I watched the tornado casualty reports scroll across the TV while Holly Tucker sang “How Great Thou Art” on “The Voice”. What a surreal moment! God was reminding me again that He is indeed greater than any circumstances we could ever face.

What circumstances seem overwhelming to you today? God is greater!

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, “God is great!” (Psalm 70:4)

Ministry in Natural Disaster

LifeWay is providing a Bible study for adults in response to the tragic events that have taken place in Oklahoma. The lesson is titled "Ministry in Natural Disaster" and is based on Acts 27 -28. The study can be downloaded from the following location:

Word version: http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/LifeWayChristianResources/Ministry-in-Natural-Disaster

PDF version: http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/LifeWayChristianResources/Ministry-in-Natural-Disasterpdf

God bless and thank you for letting us serve you!

Eight Signs Of Fearful Leadership

By Thom S. Rainer

Over the past few years, I’ve heard the phrase “courageous leadership” used to describe the trait of those leaders who are making a difference today. Unfortunately, we also know many who are in leadership positions where that courage is not apparent. Indeed, they demonstrate leadership that is fearful.

These leaders are harmful to organizations because they have unique ways to hinder others from making vital contributions. They can appear busy, but most often their work is busyness.

All of us are subject to moments of fear in our various leadership roles. Can we overcome those moments? Better yet, are there signs or indicators to serve as cautions? I believe there are at least eight such tendencies in fearful leaders. And if we are manifesting any of these, we need an immediate behavioral change.

Read more...

The Importance Of Launching New Groups

By Thom S. Rainer

Most church leaders want their churches to grow, and for the right reasons. They want new people to encounter God, grow in their faith, and join God on His mission of serving others. But there is often a wide gap between a church leader desiring to grow and the church possessing a mentality of multiplication.

During my church consulting days, I could quickly assess a church’s multiplication mentality by asking just one question: How often do you start new groups (or classes)? I would ask the question because I’d seen over and over again a close relationship between the churches that were growing and those who constantly launched new groups. The churches working hard to launch new small groups and Sunday School classes on a regular basis were continually connecting new people and building believers who were passionate about what the Lord was doing through His Church. Thus, they were growing.

The principle is obvious: If you want to connect new people in church, you must launch new groups.

Of course, that raises another question: What’s stopping churches from regularly starting new classes and groups? While a plethora of reasons may exist, here are the three that stand out in my mind:

Read more...

Welcoming Newcomers To Your Neighborhood

By Diana Davis

At least one-fifth of all Americans move one or more times each year, according to the U.S. Census. A study by LifeWay Research indicates that 82 percent of unchurched people are likely to attend church if invited. That number might be even higher for people who recently moved. Statistics like these reveal a staggering mission field of new move-ins, right there in your church's neighborhood.

Why not make a church plan to welcome, serve and invite newcomers to your town?

Read more...

Bible Studies For Life Webcast Now Available To View

The May 8th webcast "Why Aren't More People In Groups?" is available for you to view now at http://bit.ly/11TmXnH.

Plus, get your free downloads at http://bit.ly/15qvGEc.

Learn more at www.lifeway.com/fallpreview and www.biblestudiesforlife.com

Autopsy Of A Deceased Church: 11 Things I Learned

By Thom S. Rainer

I was their church consultant in 2003. The church’s peak attendance was 750 in 1975. By the time I got there the attendance had fallen to an average of 83. The large sanctuary seemed to swallow the relatively small crowd on Sunday morning.

The reality was that most of the members did not want me there. They were not about to pay a consultant to tell them what was wrong with their church. Only when a benevolent member offered to foot my entire bill did the congregation grudgingly agree to retain me.

I worked with the church for three weeks. The problems were obvious; the solutions were difficult.

On my last day, the benefactor walked me to my rental car. “What do you think, Thom?” he asked. He could see the uncertainty in my expression, so he clarified. “How long can our church survive?” I paused for a moment, and then offered the bad news. “I believe the church will close its doors in five years.”

I was wrong. The church closed just a few weeks ago. Like many dying churches, it held on to life tenaciously. This church lasted ten years after my terminal diagnosis.

My friend from the church called to tell me the news. I took no pleasure in discovering that not only was my diagnosis correct, I had mostly gotten right all the signs of the impending death of the church. Together my friend and I reviewed the past ten years. I think we were able to piece together a fairly accurate autopsy. Here are eleven things I learned.

Read more...

Survey: "Loving" Is Most Favored Parental Trait

By Russ Rankin

Most Americans believe good mothers and fathers must be loving, supportive and protecting, but fewer see the necessity of parents having a commitment to Christianity or religion, according to a LifeWay Research survey released May 7.

The survey, conducted in March, gauged opinions of the expected roles of parents at a time when Americans typically begin giving thought to Mother's Day and Father's Day.

According to the survey, "Loving" is the No. 1 characteristic deemed mandatory for mothers (85 percent) and fathers (79 percent). After "loving," four of the next five characteristics are shared, including "supporting," "protecting," "encouraging" and "involved." 

"The consistency of what Americans expect of fathers and mothers is a sharp contrast to many of the popular storylines in films and books," said Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, pointing out the characteristic "fun" garnered consideration from just 57 and 54 percent for mothers and fathers, respectively. 

"While a little more than half of Americans say mothers and fathers must be 'fun,' more people expect parents to be loving, supporting, encouraging and understanding," McConnell said.

What Americans don't necessarily see as mandatory traits of good mothers and fathers are religious convictions, including being a committed Christian. 

Read more...

Survey: Many At Church Not Helping Others Grow

By Russ Rankin

Almost three out of every four churchgoers say they have significant relationships with people at church, but less than half are intentionally helping other believers grow in their faith, according to a study by LifeWay Research.

The survey of Protestant churchgoers identifies "Building Relationships" as one of eight attributes of discipleship that consistently show up in the lives of maturing Christians. The survey is part of a larger study identifying traits of transformational discipleship. 

Results of the "building relationships" questions reveal a seeming disconnect between churchgoers actually pressing into new relationships or participating in discipling other Christians.

While 74 percent agree they have developed significant relationships with people at their church, response to the statement "I intentionally try to get to know new people I meet at church" garnered 53 percent agreement, including only 1 in 6 churchgoers who strongly agree. Additionally, only 42 percent say they intentionally spend time with other believers in order to help them grow in their faith. Twenty-eight percent say they do not help others grow.

Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, pointed out that, "Advertisers know it takes multiple introductions to get someone's attention. Unfortunately, a visitor to church may have to meet six people before someone cares enough to get to know them."

The research reveals the characteristic that best predicts better building of relationships at church is attendance of small classes or groups of adults. 

Read more...

New "Experiencing God" Film Recaps 23 Years Of Discipleship

By Polly House

A documentary about the impact of "Experiencing God" -- a discipleship study that influenced a generation -- is the first release of LifeWay Films.

"Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God" by Henry Blackaby and Claude King has touched and changed millions of lives and thousands of churches worldwide since its release in 1990. The workbook has sold more than 7 million copies, is available in more than 45 languages and has been used in almost every denomination.

Experiencing God has spawned dozens of other books and tools including the newly released "Experiencing God at Home" book and curriculum, "Your Church Experiencing God Together," "The Man God Uses," "Fresh Encounter" and the "Experiencing God Musical."

Now, the documentary focuses on some of the stories reflecting Experiencing God's influence for more than two decades. LifeWay Films is a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

"We've heard hundreds of stories about how Experiencing God served as a catalyst for someone to make a dramatic life change," King, LifeWay's discipleship specialist, said. "We pray that these three will represent well the influence Experiencing God has had over these 23 years."

Neil Hoppe, producer and host of the documentary, and director Bill Cox traveled to Lynch, Ky., Angola (La.) state penitentiary, two villages in Honduras and Atlanta to film segments that chronicle the movement of God through the discipleship study. The film is available May 1 at LifeWay stores and LifeWay.com. Messengers to the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention are invited to attend a free screening of the documentary Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, from noon to 1 p.m.

Read more...

Church Membership Isn't "Privileges & Perks"

By Carol Pipes

Nine out of 10 churches in America are declining or growing at a pace slower than their communities, often limping along as members drift out the proverbial back door. So what can leaders do to stop the exodus?

Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, sees this as a symptom of an underlying problem in many churches.

The decline stems from their members having lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be part of the body of Christ, said Rainer, author of a new book, "I Am a Church Member." People often join churches expecting to be served, fed and cared for, he said.

"Many times, probably more than we would like to believe, a church member leaves a local body because he or she has a sense of entitlement rather than a servant mentality."

Rainer's book addresses without apology what is expected of those who join a body of believers. It is an expansion of a 500-word declaration about church membership he posted to his daily blog in 2012 which sparked an exceptional response and started a conversation about the attitudes and responsibilities of church members. It also exposed a gap in current church membership studies and resources.

Rainer said he wrote the initial blog post after noting an increase in church conflict in some of his research, with over half of the issues dealing with church members arguing over their personal preferences.

Read more...

Updated 5/6/13 --  Be sure to read Five Ways Your Church Can Use "I Am A Church Member" here.

Four Ways To Create Unity In Your Church

By Thom S. Rainer

In last week’s post about an autopsy of a deceased church, one of the characteristics was the members had “more and more arguments about what they wanted.” This selfishness both created and sustained one thing no church can tolerate very long and survive: disunity.

It is very common for pastors and church members to desire unity and even talk about the importance of it. Beyond desire, though, should be a plan to foster unity in the local body. Unity can be very hard to achieve and it never happens on its own.

Ultimately, only the Lord can bring unity to His people. Here are four ways to help foster unity in your church.

Read more...

[Webinar] Confused Why More People Aren't in Groups?

This is a special invitation to a brand new webinar, "Why Aren't More People In Your Groups?"

In churches today, many people fly under the radar never connecting to groups or plugging in any deeper into the body. Families are stretched by the demands of life and grow weaker as spiritual leadership at home becomes increasingly rare. And among churches themselves, debates continue on effective methods for discipling individuals. As distressing as these realities can be, churches have an opportunity to step in and make a difference through their small group ministries; they simply need to make a few intentional choices.

Join us on Wednesday, May 8th from 12:00 - 12:30pm CST as 4 pastors share their hope for how small groups can play a big part in addressing these needs and how LifeWay's new series, Bible Studies for Life, can help.

We've made it super easy to sign up. Just click here to register. That’s all you've got to do!

After the webcast you will receive:

We will provide you all three video segments for you to share these eye-opening truths with your leaders:

1. Connecting the Unconnected by Pete Wilson
2. Strengthening Families by Ron Edmondson 
3. Disciple People with Wisdom by Ronnie Floyd

You will also receive free downloads of the first two six-session studies:

1. Pressure Points
2. When Relationships Collide

Plus, if you'd like to review free copies of the 6 session studies for your Small Groups, simply give us your address when signing up for the webcast and we will mail you copies.

Join us for this dynamic discussion of practical ways to connect people and families to your groups, you'll be glad you did.

The Bible Studies for Life Team!

How to Develop More Small Group Leaders

By Mark Howell

I don’t know about you…but that is the most common complaint/concern I hear when I talk with small group champions.  And the most common question I hear is, “How can I find more leaders?”  I’ve written a number of articles in answering that question.  You can see them right here.

Today I want to talk about how to develop more leaders.  This is an essential skill for all small group leaders, but it’s not intuitive for most and it will rarely happen naturally or on the initiative of your existing leaders.  If you want it to happen system-wide, you must teach the concept and develop the expectations and skills that make it happen.

Read more...

What Keeps Church Leaders Up at Night

It's the first thing on your mind every morning; your last thought before you go to sleep: I'm accountable to God to disciple my people well. Are they being formed in the image of Jesus? Are the studies we're providing leading to life change? Bible Studies for Life lets you rest assured knowing your people are being discipled with a wise plan that will bring them to greater maturity in Christ.

Bible Studies for Life helps you disciple your people with wisdom by:

• Providing Personal Study Guides that provoke transformational conversations 
• Creating studies based upon a wise discipleship plan

Choosing new Bible study resources for one group or your entire church is an important decision. Finding resources that match the mission, culture, and discipleship plan of your ministry in the vast sea of materials is definitely a daunting task. We're confident that Bible Studies for Life will help your ministry team connect the unconnected and strengthen the families in your church through compelling studies based on a wise discipleship plan.

Get started this Fall!

Share 3 free preview sessions with your network of friends.

6 Ways to Serve the Visual Learners in Your Group

By Sam O'Neal

In my previous post for this continuing series, I made the case that visual learners are often underserved in traditional small groups. People who perceive and process information can find it difficult to thrive in an environment where sitting, talking, and listening are the primary activities.

Here’s the good news: there are plenty of ways to draw visual learners more deeply into a small-group experience. All you need is a little creativity and a desire to care for an important section of people within your group.

To get you started, here are several suggestions for serving the visual learners in your small group.

Read more...

Engaging with the Culture

One of the keys for us as we were thinking through the Bible Studies for Life launch, was the issue of engaging culture. We wanted leaders and learners to discover how to relate to culture biblically. Rather than fearing culture, we should be aware of the potential of culture to affect us as well as the opportunities we have to affect it.

This is why it is imperative that we get biblical direction for life right now.

Engaging the Culture Requires Understanding the Culture

Generally speaking, culture is the behaviors and beliefs unique to a particular social, ethnic, or age group, especially reflected in the arts, fashion, and education. We can make very large references (“American culture” or “Kenyan culture”), or reference smaller cultures (“skater culture” or “business culture”). These smaller groups are often called “sub-cultures.”

Over time Christians seem to have lost touch with what cultures actually represent. We often hear about the danger of culture. Some are encouraged to avoid culture altogether like it is a poison or disease.

At its root, culture is a reflection of the people who compose it. Cultures are not evil of themselves otherwise Jesus would not have come as a first century Jewish man.

Christ and Culture

During His earthly life and ministry, Jesus lived and experienced life as any other resident of Palestine. He did not float above the ground so as not to get dirty. He did not require a royal processional everywhere He traveled. He was a carpenter and lived as such. He walked through the same dusty streets, ate while reclining at the table, and wore sandals and a robe just like all of His friends.

At the same time, the negative things involved in that culture did not affect Him: Jesus was not greedy like the tax collectors, He did not revolt against the government like the zealots, nor was He a hypocrite like the Pharisees. He was fully engaged in the culture of His day, but never succumbed to the sinful components within it.

Christians Thriving in Modern Culture

We face the very same opportunities and challenges Jesus faced. We need to be able to engage culture without engorging ourselves on it. To put it another way, we should be able to bring the fruit of the spirit into culture without swallowing the bitterness it sometimes offers.

Here is an example: a group of people from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., recognized that movies are an important part of American culture. They also realized that cursing the darkness of the cinema only works so far, as it does not provide any kind of lightened alternative. So they formed Sherwood Pictures and began making movies. The first movie went to DVD and was shown locally. Soon, though, they had a string of movies that have done exceptionally well at movie theaters across the country: “Fireproof”, “Courageous”, and “Facing the Giants” are well known. Sherwood Pictures recognizes that you cannot influence culture from a distance; you must be a part of it. The pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, Dr. Michael Catt, is a personal friend who has preached in my church. Dr. Catt and his fellowship deserve our support because they have engaged with the culture so effectively.

This is what it means to “let your light so shine before men.” Jesus’ words do not apply solely to a three-point Gospel presentation. It means in everything we do everyday, His life should be on display. And we should display His life while engaging in the culture around us.

Running Toward the Culture

How do we engage culture? With the love, compassion, and sacrifice of Jesus. If Christians leave the wider culture, who will be left as a witness to Christ? This is a void we cannot allow.

Rather than running from culture, we should be running toward it. Speaking in the public square has been practiced by Christ’s followers since early church history. We will not always be heeded, but we can try to be heard. In reality, when we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we share the only message that can change a life and the entire world.

Ronnie Floyd is the General Editor of Bible Studies for Life and the pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas. You can follow him over at his blog and on Twitter!

Five Things Church Members Want in a Church Bulletin

By Thom S. Rainer

When you walk in most church worship services, you are typically handed some printed material. It goes by different names, but the most common and the longest standing name is “bulletin.”

There was a time that you could expect consistency in bulletins among many churches. Such is not the case today. There are differences of opinion and a variety of ideas about what should be in the church bulletin.

Rather than speculate, we conducted an informal survey among church members. We asked one simple and open-ended question: “What do you want in a church bulletin?” The respondents could give as many answers as they liked. There was much agreement on the first four items. Beyond the top four was considerably fragmented opinions.

Here are the top five responses. I list them in order of frequency of response.

1. Quality. This one issue was a near unanimous response. Church members see the bulletin as a reflection on their church. They are embarrassed when the bulletin has incorrect facts or grammatical errors. They don’t want something in their bulletin to become the next “bulletin blooper.” They want the bulletin to reflect quality, not a gathering place for a collection of ancient clip art.
2. Sermon notes/outline. Church members want a place to take notes on the sermon, even if the same material is on the projection screen. They want notes they can take home and study. They especially appreciate any helps, such as an outline or references.
3. Order of service. Frankly, I heard some complaining about this matter. Apparently a number of churches once put the order of their worship services in the bulletin; but they don’t now. Church members miss that in the bulletin and they want it back.
4. Attendance/stewardship statistics. I thought numbers were being deemphasized in churches. Well, maybe they are, but church members want them back. They want to see the giving patterns and attendance patterns each week.
5. Announcements. There is a big gap between numbers four and five. If not for its brevity, I could have made this blog about the top four things church members want in a church bulletin. While church members do want some announcements in the church bulletin, they do not want it cluttered with announcements. They prefer for announcements to be on a screen before the services or on the church’s website.

Are you surprised by these top five? What would you add to the list?

Bible Studies for Life offers preview lessons

By Russ Rankin

As LifeWay Christian Resources prepares to launch a new and improved Bible Studies for Life curriculum series in the fall, individuals and churches can preview three of the sessions through free online downloads.

"By giving away three sessions of the new Bible Studies for Life, we are excited for people to give them a try and send us their feedback," said David Francis, managing editor of Bible Studies for Life. "The three lessons give full access to every adult, student and kids resource, 13 different age groups in all. It is a ton of material."

The free sessions are available at LifeWay.com/FallPreview.

While the new Bible Studies for Life aims to reach many people for the first time, Francis said the 30,000 churches and 1.5 million individuals who already participate in Bible Studies for Life each week will see "it's everything they liked about Bible Studies for Life and Bible Teaching for Kids, plus a lot of improvements and enhancements."

"And, it will help groups connect the unconnected," Francis said. "This material will get your groups talking."

Read more...

Doctrine Remains A Struggle In Churches

By Russ Rankin

While many Christians have a grasp of important doctrinal positions, some church-goers struggle with basic truths about salvation, the Bible and the nature of God.

A LifeWay Research study on "Doctrinal Positions," released April 5, shows 81 percent of churchgoers agree, in regard to salvation, that "When you die, you will go to heaven because you have confessed your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior."

Yet 26 percent of church-goers concurrently believe that "If a person is sincerely seeking God, he/she can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity," while 57 percent disagree.

"Consumers in America are accustomed to having endless combinations of choices for every want in life," said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. "Biblical truth is radical because it teaches that eternal life is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ alone."

Other responses regarding beliefs about life after death include...

Read more...

Strengthen Families In Your Church

They're at church every week. And each family member is involved in a Bible study group. But are those experiences being brought into the home? When the Bible meets their lives, those rich truths will be discussed and practiced by moms, dads, kids, and teens; parents will take the lead as the primary disciple-makers of their families; and parents will take the initiative in leading spiritual conversations during the week.

Bible Studies for Life strengthens families by:

• Delivering a weekly One Conversation™ tool through the kids and students studies that equips parents to lead spiritual discussions at home
• Aligning study plans so parents, kids, and teens can study the same biblical concept each week

Strong families have regular spiritual conversations. Experience how Bible Studies for Life helps parents get conversations started by using your preview sessions, including giving parents the One Conversation page. After each session follow up with your parents the next week to get their feedback.

If you agree Bible Studies for Life is an effective, practical way to equip parents to be spiritual leaders in their homes then share your three free Preview Sessions with other ministry leaders.

Scripture As A Visual Focus At Church

By Diana Davis

It's the first thing you see as you drive into the church parking lot. It's a focal point as you enter the lobby. You may discover it near the water fountain, the clock, the exit, the foyer, the mirror in the restroom. What a concept: placing God's Word in plain sight!

Here are some simple ways to intentionally use Scripture to enhance your church's décor: 

Read more...

Eight Diagnostic Questions for a Church’s Health

By Chuck Lawless

I am a church consultant who loves helping God’s church. The churches I consult, though, aren’t always as excited, as a church consultation is sometimes like a medical physical—we know we need it, but we don’t like being poked and prodded by an outsider. Nevertheless, a good consultation prods with some important questions. Perhaps these questions will help you analyze your own church.

Read more...

Seven Ways To Keep Guests Coming Back

By K. Dockrey

Language matters. Disney knows this; that’s why they call all their employees “cast members.” So change the way you think about visitors. It changes your mindset when you stop thinking of newcomers as “visitors” and start thinking of them as guests. Think of it this way: When you are at home, people who come to your door are visitors. People you invite in (and invite back) are guests. Which do you want in your small group?

Read more...

Four Questions that Evaluate Small Group Model Effectiveness

By Mark Howell

There are a number of small group models or systems.  The question is, how do you evaluate the effectiveness of a small group model or system?  Better, how do you determine whether the model you’ve chosen is the right choice for your church?

I thought about this last week when a reader disagreed with my assessment of a particular model.  And it occurred to me that what I’m calling effective might not really match your definition of effectiveness.

Four questions I use to define and measure effectiveness...

"10 Commandments" For Guest-Friendly Churches

By Thom S. Rainer

I travel a lot and spend a lot of time in different churches. Sadly, many times I do not feel welcome as a guest when I visit churches.

The Bible is replete with admonitions of hospitality and servanthood. I just wish our church members understood that the servant-like spirit should also be manifest when we gather to worship. Guests are often uncomfortable, if not intimated, when they visit a church. We are to be gracious and sacrificial servants to them.

In response to this need for more guest-friendly church members, I have devised the 10 greatest needs, at least from my perspective. I will reticently call them "commandments" and throw in a little King James English for effect.

Read more...

New MasterWork Leader Supplement

The MasterWork Leader Supplement (ZIP file) provides commentary and selected biblical background articles to support the Bible study leader in preparing to lead a small Bible study group using MasterWork. The purchasable zip file includes supplemental commentary for each lesson and 8 to 10 archive articles from 35 plus years of Biblical Illustrator magazine.

MasterWork is for adults who prefer deeper spiritual insight and daily personal study. Revered authors such as Billy Graham, Beth Moore, Charles Stanley guide adults through Bible-based, life-applicable lessons from God's Word. These interactive studies offer pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. Teaching Plans are included in MasterWork at the end of each session.

Learn more and order here...

Free BSFL Preview Lessons

You see him every week. Last row, right-hand side. He's always alone and he always looks a little sad. And for whatever reason, he hasn't wanted to engage with your church any deeper. Bible Studies for Life is designed for him and all the others in your church and community like him. Through compelling, biblical studies that focus on real-life issues you'll help move him from the last row to a circle; from observing to participating; from loneliness to community.

Bible Studies for Life helps you connect the unconnected by:

• Delivering compelling studies that deal with real life issues in age appropriate manners for kids, students, and adults
• Providing tools, like free promotional videos, to help you promote relevant new studies and draw people into groups
• Posing questions that get people talking

Don't take our word for it—give it a try! If you haven't already, download your three free Bible Studies for Life Preview Sessions for the age groups that interest you. Use the session and see if these sessions help connect the unconnected in your groups to participate. Then, share with us your experience on our blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook. If you’d like to participate in our field test survey then click here.

Share 3 free preview sessions with your network of friends.

Ten Ways Ordinary People Became Good Leaders

By Thom S. Rainer

The literature on leadership can be discouraging. After reading multiple case studies, theories, and biographies, one can be left with the impression that good leadership is next to impossible. It is limited to those who have the attributes of Superman without the aversion to kryptonite.

I recently compiled a list of good leaders (a few I would characterize as great leaders) who, by most definitions, are common, ordinary people. They were at the middle of their classes in grades. They really did not and do not have charismatic personalities. They had no family or demographic advantages. And none of them, to my knowledge, were outstanding in extracurricular activities.

But now they are doing very well. It’s as if a switch turned on at some point in their lives. They decided that they would no longer be addicted to mediocrity. Instead, they decided they would make a difference. Yet they had few of the innate gifts associated with good or great leaders.

So I wrote down a list of more than twenty characteristics of these men and women. And, somewhat to my surprise, I noted that all of them had ten characteristics in common. Though statisticians would argue that I found correlative factors, I really believe that most, if not all of these characteristics, are causative.

How then do many common people become good or great leaders? Here are the first five characteristics.

Read more...

Duck Dynasty's Commander Talks Faith

By Diana Chandler

The 8.6 million who viewed the 2013 season premiere of "Duck Dynasty" no doubt enjoy family patriarch Phil Robertson's antics, from his unkempt beard to promises of poor hygiene. But the fisherman and duck caller with a master's degree in education also tells a story of faith.

Robertson's faith walk began in his late 20s during his "sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle" when his sister was handing out Christian tracts in a bar where he worked, he said in an interview at LifeWay.com.
"I just decided to follow Him 38 years ago when I heard that He, in fact, was God in flesh. Not only was He God in flesh, it took the blood of God to remove my 'sex, drugs, and rock and roll' lifestyle -- sin," Robertson said. "Well, I'm sitting there listening and I'm like, 'Man, that was a mighty kind thing to do for a scumbag like me.' Not only that, it wouldn't do me any good, though, if something could not be done about the six-foot hole I'm going into -- and you too, by the way."

When the reality show premiered in March 2012 on A&E television, his sons and co-stars told him to contain himself, "because the Hollywood people wouldn't let him get away with preaching," Robertson said.

Robertson's new book "Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander" will be available in May. He also tells his story of faith at churches and community events across the U.S.

Read more...

LifeWay OneSource Program

We know you have limited time and resources, so LifeWay has used its resources to find and select quality products and services that will help you in your ministry.

With a goal of improved stewardship LifeWay has developed relationships with companies that offer you potential savings on a number of products and services. And best of all, the OneSource program is FREE to your church.

These endorsed provider relationships leverage the collective buying power of SBC entities and free up operational dollars to further fund ministry efforts. This combined purchasing power enables smaller churches to receive the same discounts as larger churches.

Here are a few of the resources and discounts available through the OneSource purchasing program.

Faith-based "Unconditional" now on DVD

"Unconditional," a faith-based film that received high marks from critics and moviegoers when it was in theaters last year, is now on DVD.

The film, starring Michael Ealy and Lynn Collins, tells the true story of "Papa Joe" Bradford and his ministry to inner-city children. Bradford's love for the kids impacts his friend Samantha, who is questioning her will to live after her husband is murdered.

Unconditional didn't fare well at the box office but scored an 89 percent at the movie review website RottenTomatoes.com, meaning that 89 percent of users rated it at least 3.5 stars out of 5. Moviegoers at the ticket website Fandango.dom rated it a "must go."

It also received high marks from Christian and mainstream reviewers. Variety's Joe Leydon called Unconditional a "faith-based drama about redemption and renewal that is blessed with the saving graces of persuasive performances, handsome production values and some undeniably affecting moments of spiritual uplift."

LifeWay Christian Stores and LifeWay.com will carry the DVD and a 4-session Bible study for individual and group study.

The film is rated PG-13 for some violent content and mature thematic elements. It contains no foul language or sexuality.

Buy the movie here.

Buy the bible study resources here.