The book addresses the way we are able to understand the radical invitation of Jesus. The invitation is to those who heard Jesus in the first century, the intervening centuries, and those in the twenty-first century urging them to turn away from a life that is self-centered and to seek a life that is God-centered, accepting the reign of God in one's life rather than wealth, pleasure, power, and fame. Jesus says that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and all of our basic needs will be met, being transformed and finding meaning and purpose in our lives. The invitation is radical in that it calls on us to give up the accepted norms and values of our culture and world and give ourselves to a life of integrity and truthfulness, love and compassion, and justice and peace. We are invited to find our true identity, to be filled with and transformed by the God of love and to become one who is filled with grace and truth, as Jesus was.

Challenge the Status Quo The Radical Question offers a compelling introduction to Radical’s challenge to the contemporary church. In this concise message, Platt asks, "What is Jesus worth to you?" Then he explores what a commitment to Jesus would actually look like in action. The Radical Idea extracts key passages in Radical Together, the follow up to Radical, to show readers that church is not built on places, performances, programs, or professionals, but on people. Platt argues that those of us in the pews are meant to be active and intentional in spreading the good news of the gospel because when ordinary believers mobilize in everyday ministry, communities and church families change dramatically. "The goal of the church is never for one person to be equipped and empowered to lead as many people as possible to Christ. The goal is always for all of God's people to be equipped and empowered to lead as many people as possible to Christ." --David Platt

How do we respond to the invitations of Jesus? Trevor Hudson calls us to consider the invitations Jesus offers in five dimensions of life. In his gentle and intimate style, Trevor leads you to see where Christ is touching your life, calling you to deeper relationship with God, self, and neighbor. This six-week small group study includes a Leader’s Guide for small-group facilitation. The sessions are structured to last one hour and open with a prayer followed by reading the Word, reflecting on the chapter invitation, and responding to the invitation.

When Jesus called his disciples, his invitation was simple: "Follow me." But what Greg Sidders soon found after deciding to follow Jesus is that this simple invitation is harder and scarier than it sounds. In The Invitation he invites readers to venture beyond risk-free Christianity and live as true disciples. He takes readers on a spiritual journey through seven passages in which Jesus describes what his disciples will do, challenging readers to live the adventure of following Jesus.

Whether in our careers, churches, schools or families, busyness is the norm, and anything less makes us feel unproductive and anxious. John Koessler understands that rest is not automatic or easy to attain. With honest, biblical reflections on trends in our culture and churches, he presents a unique perspective on how pursuing rest leads us to the heart of God.

'God is doing something different. God isn't just concerned with the popular and the powerful, the rich and the important, God cares about the weird and odd people, the smelly ones, and the ones no one else trusts. Not only that: God has a really special mission for them.' Right from the start of his time on Earth - Jesus chose to hang out with and work with the most unlikely people. As word spread about his amazing choices and teaching, the invitation was offered: Come and See. So forget what you think you already know and take up the invitation for yourself - to come and see this Jesus. Grounded in scholarly understandings of Scripture, and opened up in a way that makes sense today, Come and See tackles questions of fairness, justice, inclusion, friendship, doing the right thing, and care for community. Journey with Shannon T. L. Kearns in 40 different encounters in the Bible. There are reflections, journalling and action prompts that root the Bible teaching into real life - so 'Come and See' how Jesus' message is just as revolutionary, exciting and relevant today.

Traditional preaching, along with the mainline churches in which it has been most prevalent over the years, is losing its appeal for growing numbers of people who are caught up in the dangers and confusion of our fragmented world. Many are hungering for a more powerful and challenging message rooted in Jesus' Life and teachings, seeking clues about how to live faithfully amid the destructive social and personal pressures created by our nation's exploitation of its position of global dominance. The sermons in this volume emerge from the conversion story of a Southern white, Presbyterian pastor who was transformed by the civil rights struggle and who has chosen to live on the boundary between mainstream and marginalized people. Rooted in an understanding that Jesus' gospel message is subversive of many of the dominant values and practices of our culture and our world today, they are intended to be "disturbing" sermons. But they disturb for the sake of healing and hope, always pointing to Jesus' good news of the liberating possibility of beloved community, inclusive of us all. "Z Holler's collection of sermons, Jesus Radical Message, are exegetical models, faithful to their texts, but highly disturbing. He has taken familiar stories of Jesus and let them speak to modern readers as they spoke to the disciples of old, threatening their prejudices and challenging their deepest commitments. They grow out of Holler's own experience-as all good sermons should do-are well-written, and to the point."---Charles Consar Columbia Theological Seminary "I share with my friend and elder Z Holler two deep convictions: that the gospels call us to radical discipleship, and that the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro is truly carrying on the work and witness of Martin Luther King. Z's journey of following Jesus and standing in solidarity with the BCC is remarkable for a white southern preacher of his generation, reminiscent of Clarence Jordan and Will Campbell. His memoir and sermons testify to the wound of reacism, and to how gospel faith changes personal and political geographies."---Ched Myers Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministers "Having been associated with Z Holler on a daily basis for many years, I have been impressed by his interest in and compassion for those in our society for whom the social, legal, and economic systems were a burden instead of offering help and deliverance. He worked diligently to understand their life situations and to content those who controlled the systems. His vision of justice for all was always clear and his ability to articulate that vision is a challenge to any one of us who dare preach sermons based on the person and work of Jesus Christ."---William A. Stewart Minister in the Presbyteian Church (USA) "With a heart trained by scripture, Z Holler listens to the pain of the oppressed. Bearing the particular burden of white Southerners, he has painstakingly translated the pain of racial and class injustice into these sermons along with the dangerous memory of Jesus the Radical Messiah and Z's particular rendering of his demanding call to discipleship. Fresh and urgent, here is a wonderful gift to the discipleship movement-inspiration to engage the word in all times and places."---Revs. Murphy Davis and Eduard Loring Open Door Community, Atlanta, CA "Jesus was and is very radical as he proclaimed and gave witness to the in-breaking of God's Kingdom. Z Holler gives witness to the radical nature of Jesus' proclamation in these sermons with the aid of Scripture his own scholarship. For a taste and sample, read sermon number four, "Let us Go Across to the Other Side." You will want more. The sermons are deep and require reflection. Share reflection in a group or meditate on one each morning, You will be challenged and fed."---Rt. Rev. A. C. Marble, Jr. Bishop of Mississippi, retired, 1993-2003 Biship Assisting, Diocese of North Carolina, 2004 Z Holler, a retired Presbyterian pastor, is a co-founder of the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. He served as co-chair for the Greensboro Truth and Community Reconciliation Project

One of the most surprising discoveries of our time is that the universe is an unfolding and highly creative story: a cosmogenesis. In Journey of Faith, Journey of the Universe, Br. Ivan Nicoletto reveals how very insightful the Scripture and its commentary tradition are to these deep and cosmic perspectives, thus surprising even seasoned Bible-hearers with fresh understanding. It will serve as rich nourishment to anyone involved in the ministry of preaching or who wants to explore the lectionary in a new way. The distinction of the book is Br. Ivan’s capacity to speak with depth and originality on both the Scripture readings and the cosmic spirituality, in fact, to blend them usefully, insightfully. This selection of homilies offered on various Sundays and holy days of the three-year lectionary cycle offers fresh insights on the readings for the day to those who are also open to the challenge to theology and Scripture that comes from new cosmology.

For youth ministry, and mission programs, a book exploring the boom in short-term mission work among U.S. teenagers and how best to support this movement of God.

The Gospel of Mark, the second book of the New Testament, serves as a profound narrative enriching Christian spirituality. At its heart, Mark's Gospel is a vivid and concise account of Jesus's ministry, focusing primarily on his actions and miracles. This briskly paced story propels us into the core of Jesus's life, revealing him as the ultimate Servant and the Son of God. Its simplicity and directness make it an accessible yet profoundly thought-provoking text for daily devotion and reflection. This devotional is the fifth book in a series of devotional books and podcast episodes designed to guide you through the entire Bible, nourishing your soul, renewing your purpose, and deepening your theology, contemplation, and action. In the Daily Devotions with Jesus series, Graham Joseph Hill guides you through the entire Bible, moving chapter by chapter from Genesis to Revelation. This is a groundbreaking Bible podcast and devotional book series. See how each book of the Bible deepens your faith and inspires you to follow Jesus in life-changing ways! See the podcast at https://grahamjosephhill.com/devotions.