Your faith is challenged daily. We live in a society that has few absolutes, where “truth” is defined by personal philosophies. It’s really not so different from the culture of Corinth during the apostle Paul’s ministry. Believers were struggling with the “gray areas” of life, so Paul wrote letters—1 and 2 Corinthians—to remind them of what God intended as black-and-white. In Letters to a Troubled Church, Bible teacher Ray Stedman uses Paul’s epistles to guide us through difficult matters.

Discipleship is one of the main elements of Jesus' ministry. While the Lord spent a lot of time teaching, preaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons, Jesus made sure to set aside time to disciple the twelve men whom He had chosen to closely work with Him in His ministry. This is one of Paul's most spirited letters -- harsh in some spots. It is probably Paul's most important letter for understanding what a healthy church should look like. More than anywhere else in Paul's letters, you'll find instruction on church unity, balanced worship, church discipline, the resurrection, and Christ's coming, and marriage. The Letter contains numerous notable verses. Here's just a sampling: "We have the mind of Christ." (2:16) "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." (9:22) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man...." (10:13) "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (11:1) "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread...." (11:23-26) "Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (12:7) "Love is patient, love is kind...." (13:4-8)

Douglas Campbell has made a name for himself as one of Paul’s most insightful and provocative interpreters. In this short and spirited book Campbell introduces readers to the apostle he has studied in depth over his scholarly career. Enter with Campbell into Paul’s world, relive the story of Paul’s action-packed ministry, and follow the development of Paul’s thought throughout both his physical and his spiritual travels. Ideal for students, individual readers, and study groups, Paul: An Apostle’s Journey dramatically recounts the life of one of early Christianity’s most fascinating figures—and offers powerful insight into his mind and his influential message.

What does God want for His Church? For your church? Building on each of the nine chapters of his latest book, Letters to the Church, Francis Chan urges Christ-followers to ask honest questions about the structure and values of our churches; study God’s commands for the body of Christ; pray in expectation of the Spirit’s power; and get excited about doing whatever it takes to be the Church God desires. Journey with those around you—in your community, your church, or your small group—and take intentional steps toward living out the biblical principles that fueled a world-changing movement. Don’t settle for just going to church. Be the Church. With the Letters to the Church Study Guide, be challenged and guided to passionately pursue Christ and His magnificent, beautiful vision for His Bride. Designed to be used with the Letters to the Church Video Series (available separately).

Love Letters to the Church is a clarion cry from a loving God to the body of Christ, to KNOW HIM, not just know about Him. He longs to draw us with cords of love into the intimate closeness that can come only from knowing His heart. A person could spend his whole life in church doing all the things he feels a Christian should do and never really come to know the God of his salvation. Yes, we can repeat the sinner's prayer, but "getting saved" and becoming a believer is not just about getting fire insurance to keep us out of hell. True Christianity is all about a personal relationship with the living God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. As you feel God's heartstrings drawing you to a closer and more passionate walk, may you also hear Him calling you to be part of His end-time army, and ultimately, His victorious church. You will be telling the Good News of Jesus, healing the sick, setting the captives free, and preparing a people for Christ's return. The time is too short; we must be ready. Occupy! Occupy! Occupy!