We know the Bible is important, but many of us struggle with it. We're not biblical experts—though we may have started enough reading plans to be really familiar with Genesis. If we're honest, the Bible often intimidates us, confuses us, and reading it doesn't always thrill us.  And yet, the Bible is where God reveals his loving character and incredible plan of redemption. In a practical and engaging manner, Matt Smethurst—managing editor of The Gospel Coalition—presents nine heart postures that will prepare you to unpack all that's awaiting you in God's Word.  Although there are many great resources on how to read and study Scripture, hardly any focus exclusively on how to approach it in the first place. That's what Smethurst provides in this unique "prelude" to opening your Bible. For without the right heart postures, we're not yet ready to start reading.

Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God's Word

Christian Books & Bibles

Matt Smethurst

Churches & Church Leadership

10Publishing

When it comes to evangelism, we often struggle. Maybe it’s the inertia that comes with feeling out of practice. Or perhaps it's the age-old presence of fear that keeps us from speaking truth in love. Sometimes, a low-level guilt over countless missed opportunities tempts us to despair of trying at all. 
In Before You Share Your Faith―a follow-up to Before You Open Your Bible―Matt Smethurst presents five ways you can become "evangelism ready." While many good books begin further downstream by teaching how to evangelize, this volume will help you be primed for when the moment arrives. Because if you aren’t ready to share your faith . . . you probably won't. 
Casting light on five key foundations―grasp the gospel, check your context, love the lost, face your fear, and start to speak―this resource will deepen your desire and enhance your readiness to share the best news anyone could ever hear.

Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready

Deacons are essential to a church's health-yet confusion abounds regarding their biblical job description. What's their God-given role in a local congregation and how do they relate to the church's overall mission? In this short book, Matt Smethurst makes the case that deacons are model servants called to meet tangible needs, organize and mobilize acts of service, preserve the unity of the flock, and support the ministry of the elders. Clearing away common misconceptions, Smethurst offers practical guidance for deploying deacons and helping churches to flourish.

执事 (Deacons) (Simplified Chinese): How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (Building Healthy Churches (Chinese)) (Chinese Edition)

Religion & Spirituality

9marks

For generations, churches and families have used Advent wreaths to help prepare for celebrating the Lord's birth at Christmas. The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles―typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ. Various traditions assign different topics to each candle, and the candles are usually given names to remind us of the good news of Christ's birth. 
To celebrate this season, TGC's editorial team put together 25 devotional readings that use the Advent wreath as a guide to focus hearts and minds on Christ during the month of December. Structured around traditional Advent themes―hope, peace, joy, love, and faith―these reflections will encourage your heart in this season of celebrating Christ's first coming, and longing for his second.

The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent

Melissa Kruger

Quina Aragon

Collin Hansen

Winfree Brisley

Brett McCracken

Samuel James

Megan Hill

Justin Dillehay

Betsy Childs Howard

Courtney Doctor

Ivan Mesa

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra

Christian Living

The Gospel Coalition

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Books by Matt Smethurst