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Publisher - Northfield/Moody Press

The World's Easiest Guide to -
- Understanding the Bible Author - Stan Campbell
- Finances Authors - Larry Burkett & Randy Southern
- Family Relationships Authors - Gary Chapman & Randy Southern

• Favorite Features -
• Understanding the Bible -
• each chapter starts with a sneak preview and snapshot to tell you where you are headed
• background information throughout
• what's the Good Word - Scripture to make point and memorize
• Sword Drill - questions - no answers - to make you think
• chapter flashback - questions to review
• walks through what the Bible is, How we got it, overview of each book
• how to apply it, study it for life
• read through the Bible in a year plan
• different methods of Bible study
• Finances -
• chapters begin with snapshot/sneak preview
• penny for your thoughts - quotes throughout
• crunching the numbers - facts about debt, money
• glad you asked - questions and answers
• each chapter ends with the buck stops here, questions
• looks at expenses/budgeting, financial planning/investments, family issues, values/giving
• variety of charts and worksheets in book
• cd rom with budget calculator and debt eliminator
• Family Relationships
• chapters begin with snapshot/sneak preview
• wisdom of all ages - Scripture and quotes
• glad you asked - questions and answers
• family ties - questions, ideas and activities to work through the point
• chapters end with family practice questions to review
• walks through -
• dating issues
• five love languages - what they are
• relationship with kids - what a healthy family looks like  and love languages for kids
• maintaining relationships through trouble
• questions and answers

    All three are excellent books - I highly recommend them for a small group study.  Tremendously well done Stan, Larry, Gary, Randy and Northfield/Moody Press!

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Fast Facts on Defending Your Faith Authors - John Ankerberg & John Weldon Publisher - Harvest House

• Favorite Features -
• looks at five key areas of belief and questions people have and then provides Biblical answers
• five areas of belief include -
• atheism, agnosticism & faith
• the uniqueness of Christianity
• the Bible as truth
• the Person of Jesus Christ
• the resurrection of Christ
• includes a comparison of Jesus and Mohammed
• includes a sampling of Jesus' fulfillment of Messianic prophecies
• lists scientists throughout the ages who believed in Biblical creation and their significant discoveries in the field of science - tremendously interesting
• looks at prophecies about Jesus and how He fulfilled ALL of them
• looks at 17 skeptics throughout the ages who set out to prove Jesus wasn't Who He claimed and how they became believers

    This book is both interesting and encouraging as it provides insight and information to help Christians better understand what they believe and why they believe it.  Extremely well done, John, John and Harvest House!

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Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary - Volume 1 - Matthew, Mark & Luke Editor - Clinton Arnold Publisher - Zondervan

• Favorite Features -
• index of photos and maps
• outlines and overviews each Book
• provides information on Authors, dates, key themes, how the Book presents Jesus
• explains culture and customs of the time
• walks through Scripture verse by verse for understanding and clarity
• "reflections" throughout with thoughts for application
• photos and drawings throughout for interest and understanding

    This is an excellent resource for anyone - Pastor, student, teacher, Christian - who wants a better understanding of the first three books of the New Testament.  Extremely well done Clinton and Zondervan.

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Author - Lawrence Richards
Publisher - Cook

	Bible Teacher's Commentary
Devotional Commentary

• Favorite Features -
• 172 lesson guides for teaching through the Bible
• each lesson includes -
• overview
• commentary
• Scripture passage
• link to life for children, youth/adults for activities and application
• teaching guide with -
• passage to prepare
• lesson to explore
• activities and application
• in-text maps and charts
• 365 daily passages to read through the Bible
• each devotional reading includes -
• Scripture
• overview
• explanation of text
• devotional
• personal application
• quote
• definition of key terms - where needed

    These books are a nice resource for those who teach as well as for any who just want to study the Bible.  Nicely done Lawrence and Cook!

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Basic Bible Interpretation Author - Roy B. Zuck Publisher - Cook

• Favorite Features -
• indexes for people, Scripture and subjects
• clearly walks reader through how to understand and interpret Scripture
• looks at culture, grammar, figures of speech, symbols, allegories, prophecy and how to use the Old Testament to understand the New Testament
• exercises throughout to give reader the opportunity to not just read about interpretation, but actually try what they are learning
• emphasis and focus on applying and living Scripture

    This is another excellent resources for those who study, teach and just want to better understand the Bible.  Nicely done Roy and Cook!

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1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About God Authors - Jerry MacGregor, Marie Prys & Donna Wallace Publisher - Baker

• Favorite Features -
• covers information on -
• Who God Is
• God's story
• putting it all together
• 1001 short, concise explanations to educate, challenge, and make you think

    This is an excellent source of information to get you started with research, study and just to think.  Extremely well done Jerry, Marie, Donna and Baker Books!

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Christianity - a follower's guide General Editor - Pete Briscoe Publisher - Broadman & Holman

• Favorite Features -
• part one simply and clearly explains the Bible
• part two looks at doctrine and theology by taking the Apostle's Creed and walking the reader through each portion with insights clearly presented by Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Stuart Briscoe & Walter Kaiser
• Part three helps us better understand what the Christian life is all about and how to have a real, growing relationship with Jesus with articles written by a variety of authors on topics like -
• obeying God
• sin
• suffering
• worship
• prayer
• giving
• serving
• caring
• an absolutely incredible, most effective, tremendous guide for leading someone to Christ with just one verse - excellent!  Easy to remember and makes salvation clear and simple
• glossary of terms

    This book is written to answer the questions new believers and believers in general may have about God and their faith.  Extremely well done Pete and Broadman & Holman!

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Author - John MacArthur
Publisher - Thomas Nelson, Inc.

MacArthur Bible Study Series
Nehemiah		I Corinthians
	I & II Timothy		Hebrews
James		Revelation

• Favorite Features -
• each book has an introduction
• information on the Author - and date
• information on background and setting
• information on historical and theological themes
• interpretive challenges presented
• outline for each book
• space to think through and answer questions
• Bible passage with notes in the margin
• cross reference to other Bible passages included in the text

    These Bible Study resources are excellent tools for individual and group study.  Extremely well done John and Word Publishing!

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Publisher - Zondervan Publishing

The NIV Application Commentary		John Author - Gary Burge
	Romans Author - Douglas Moo
Galatians Author - Scot McKnight

• Favorite Features -
• clear introduction explains the view the author is taking and the Author of the Book, who it was written to as well as the purpose, theme and structure of the Book - great groundwork for understanding
• excellent resource for individual study or for a group to work through together
• each chapter broken into small sections where the "original meaning" is made clear.  Then the context is considered to bring out the "contemporary significance"
• strong focus on not only understanding each passage, but also being able to live it - excellent!
• different authors for each book helps bring variety and adds to the interest
• excellent series designed to help the readers understand and apply God's Word
• clearly looks at and explains individual verses for a complete understanding of the Book
• Scripture index and subject index in the back
• "But Now" verses in the Romans Commentary - exciting, encouraging truth
• emphasis on the difference knowing we are justified by faith alone - bringing an overwhelming sense of amazement at what God has done for us - excellent!

    Obvious goal and intent of series is to help make Scripture clear and easy to understand so it can be lived!  Tremendously well done Gary, Douglas, Scot and Zondervan!

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How to Survive in a World of Unbelievers Author - John MacArthur Publisher - Word Publishing

• Favorite Features -
• study guide in the back for each chapter
• study guide includes -
• chapter summary
• questions
• prayer
• Scripture to memorize for further application
• walks through Jesus' last night with His disciples before His death and how He encouraged them - and us as well

    Yet another excellent Bible study resource from John MacArthur designed to educate and encourage.  Extremely well done John and Word Publishing!

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The Case for Faith Author - Lee Strobel Publisher - Zondervan & Willow Creek

• Favorite Features -
• takes an honest and intelligent look at objections to Christianity and why faith is the answer to the objections
• eight objections include -
• since evil and suffering exist, a loving God cannot
• since miracles contradict science, they cannot be true
• evolution explains life, so God isn't needed
• God isn't worthy of worship if He kills innocent children
• it's offensive to claim Jesus is the only way to God
• a loving God would never torture people in hell
• church history is littered with oppression and violence
• I still have doubts, so I can't be a Christian

    For people struggling with issues of faith or who know others who are, this book provides straight forward, honest, easy to understand answers.  Tremendously well done Lee, Zondervan and Willow Creek!

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Engaging God's World Author - cornelius Plantinga Jr. Publisher - Eerdmans

 
 

• Favorite Features -
• walks reader through hope, creating, the fall, redemption, vocation and the kingdom of God
• talking points with excellent questions designed to make the reader think

    I highly recommend this book for students as well as for anyone who wants their thinking challenged so they better understand what living by a Christian world view is all about.  I truly like that this author encourages the reader with, "What we do now in the name of Christ . . . shall be preserved across into the next life.  All of it counts, all of it lasts, none of it is wasted or lost."  Tremendously well done Cornelius and Eerdmans!

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