Dive Into a Thorough Exploration of Today’s Most Troubling Issue The reality of evil and suffering is not only our culture’s biggest objection to faith in God, but also a piercing thrust into the soul of every believer at some point in their lives. Those facts compel us to prepare in order to handle the doubts and questions that roll over us like a storm tide whenever we confront the worst of pain, malice, and injustice. This study guide to Randy Alcorn’s If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil helps you gain perspective on suffering and God’s unfailing goodness. Designed for both individual and group use, this guide is adaptable to whatever schedule and approach is most convenient for you—from a four-week overview, to an exploratory eight-week journey, to an intensive thirteen-week course. Included throughout are a variety of questions for reflection and discussion, plus book excerpts that capture the highlights and best insights from If God Is Good. In addition, a group leader’s guide offers guidance for steering a group through any of the three approaches. Let this book be your guide as you face up to a seriously perplexing issue and the countless questions it keeps generating.

For those times when we’re wounded by broken trust, assaulted by disease, or victimized by evil—or when we’re crushed to see such things happen to people we love—Randy Alcorn offers something solid to hold onto: God's love. In this specially focused condensation of Alcorn’s If God Is Good…: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, we’re continually guided into a deeper glimpse of God’s loving ways and higher purposes—the very things we’re often most blinded to whenever we battle pain and anguish. Alcorn avoids superficial or sentimental responses, and instead presses forward boldly to explore all the troubling doubts and questions that agitate within us when we confront suffering and evil. The issues are far from simple, the answers far from easy—but Alcorn shows how the way of suffering—a path that Jesus himself followed more than anyone else—can ultimately become a journey into wholeness and even logic-defying joy.

A bestselling author teaches life-changing biblical principles of generosity and tells stories of people who have put those radical principles into practice. Each story is a practical application that can help stimulate imagination and expand dreams of serving Jesus in fresh ways.

Like soldiers walking into a minefield, there are some things in life that are unseen but deadly. Just because you may be unaware of something dangerous, it doesn't mean it cannot affect you. There is an old saying "what you don't know can't hurt you." Although it is true that knowledge can bring with it pain, it is much better to be forewarned about danger than to ignore it. In Keith's latest study, If God is For Us, he leads us through the scriptures that help us see that God is for us, and what this means as far as our Christian faith and walk. We have no need to fear when we are assured that God always has, is, and always will provide and protect us. Keith's study brings freedom so that Christians can focus on what God has placed them here for, instead of worrying about spiritual attacks. You will understand the enemy's schemes and learn to walk in your victory.

Do you ever wonder whether God even cares if we're happy? This world can be so hard, and we aren't promised an easy road. But that's not the whole story. The Bible is filled with verses that prove that ours is a God who not only loves celebrations but also desperately wants his children to experience happiness. Why else would he go to the lengths he did to ensure our eternal happiness in his presence? We know that we will experience unimaginable joy and happiness in heaven, but that doesn't mean we can't also experience joy and happiness here on earth. In Happiness, noted theologian Randy Alcorn (bestselling author of Heaven) dispels centuries of misconceptions about happiness, including downright harmful ideas like the prosperity gospel, and provides indisputable proof that God not only wants us to be happy, he commands it. Randy covers questions like: How can I cultivate happiness in my life? What's the difference between joy and happiness? Can good things become idols that steal our happiness? Is seeking happiness selfish? How can I achieve happiness through gratitude? What does it look like to receive God's grace? The most definitive study on the subject of happiness to date, this book is a paradigm-shifting wake-up call for the church and Christians everywhere.

A Study Guide for John Gardner's "Redemption," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Short Stories for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Short Stories for Students for all of your research needs.

Is it possible for our faith in God to deepen despite loss, heartache, struggle, and pain? Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story's life testifies that God doesn't promise to save us from all hardship. No matter how hard we pray, sometimes our circumstances don't change. Laura's own story took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The devastating news forever changed their lives and challenged Laura's belief in the little control she thought she had. Her discovery: that her struggles to accept her new situation ended up convincing her even more strongly of God's faithfulness and love. In this five-session video study (DVD/digital video sold separately), Laura shares her deeply personal testimony and renewed hope to help us: Examine the promises of the gospel and what the Bible says about our experiences here on Earth. See how the hardships endured by some of the men and women of the Bible teach us how God works in our lives to bring us closer to him. Understand that the possibility exists for a deeper intimacy with God, whose everlasting promises remain no matter what happens in this life. This study guide includes leader helps, video discussion questions, Bible exploration questions, and personal study and reflection materials for in-between sessions. Sessions include: Don't Be Surprised by Trouble – Healthy ways of recognizing the existence of loss and pain without being paranoid or cynical. Best-Made Plans – A closer look at human plans and God's plans and how they might be different. When God Doesn't Fix It – How stories of imperfect lives and struggles can showcase God's faithfulness and what that means for us. Why? The Question on Replay – Finding freedom in not having all the answers. A Better Broken – How to change despite our unchanging circumstances. Designed for use with When God Doesn’t Fix It Video Study (sold separately).

This fourth volume in the Promises of God Study Guide Series completes the Old Testament collection. This volume is filled with beautiful testimonies about God?s faithfulness, words of wisdom for daily living, and texts of praise and worship to help us praise and thank God for all His blessings.God beautifully reveals His nature, His plan of redemption, and the fruit of His Spirit in the Old Testament collection. The Promises of God Study Guide Series makes God?s Word accessible and understandable to all people. I know you will be blessed and will draw nearer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as you read and study this series.

Is this the day I die? Li Quan asks himself this question daily, knowing that he might be killed for practicing his faith. American businessman Ben Fielding has no idea what his brilliant former college roommate is facing in China. He expects his old friend has fulfilled his dream of becoming a university professor. But when they are reunited in China after twenty years, both men are shocked at what they discover about each other. Thrown together in an hour of encroaching darkness, both must make choices that will determine not only the destinies of two men, but two families, two nations, and two worlds.

A study guide that helps you understand and respond to the biggest challenges to the Christian faith. Written by a former skeptic. Does Christianity still make sense? Years after Bobby Conway became a Christian, this question haunted him. Even though by then, he was the pastor of a thriving church, it seemed as if his entire belief structure was being dismantled. Had he been duped? Perhaps you can relate to how Bobby felt. Maybe you find yourself questioning in the same way. In this study guide, designed to be used alongside the book Does Christianity Still Make Sense?, Bobby explores four key challenges to the faith: Why Are There So Many Scandals in the Church? Why, If God Is Good, Is There So Much Evil? Why Is Christianity So Exclusive? Hasn't Science Buried God? Join Bobby as he explores these questions while describing his own journey through doubt to a settled trust in God.