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Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Discipleship is an important part of the Christian life. As we follow Jesus, we learn the importance of pointing unbelievers to Jesus and helping believers grow in their relationship with him. But how do you know where to start? In this addition to the Church Questions series, Garrett Kell explores the Bible's teaching on discipleship and how that plays out practically in the context of the local church.

What makes for good preaching? In this accessible Bulgarian language volume-written for preachers and preachers in training-pastor David Helm outlines what must be believed and accomplished to become a faithful expositor of God's Word. In addition to offering practical, step-by-step guidance for preachers, this short book will equip all of us to recognize good preaching when we hear it.

The gift of a godly pastor cannot be overemphasized, but the task of finding a faithful pastor is daunting. In this booklet, seasoned pastor Mark Dever offers clear, biblical insight to churches in search of new leadership by providing six characteristics to look for in a new pastor, along with eleven strategies to implement during the search process.

This booklet offers six practical recommendations for Christians who are divided on political issues. Authors Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli propose that Christians should learn how to disagree on many such issues with a spirit of gracious understanding by recognizing the importance of what binds us together as a local church body.

All too often, our heads can feel like they are caught in a dark, lonely battle between what we want to do and what we know we should do. God feels distant and we feel dirty. The second book in the First Steps series tackles the fundamental, day-to-day difficulties experienced by every Christian, and looks at the question Why Did Life Just Get Harder?

9 Practical Ways to Support International MissionsMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this concise booklet, Mark Collins addresses the essential role of the local church in furthering global missions. He shows how Christians can participate in the global cause by sharing the gospel locally with friends and neighbors; studying the work of missionaries throughout the world; investing in the global missions work supported by a local church; praying for missionaries; and more. This helpful resource reminds readers how fundamental they are to the spread of the gospel throughout the world and offers practical ways for them to participate.

Church can sometimes be an intimidating thing. It can look like a building full of perfect people who have perfect lives. Not a place where someone who has messed up belongs. But that's not true. The church is God's people who meet together because they love and need God, and love and need each other. Garrett Kell explains what the church is, and why it matters whether we go or not.

What Is the Role of Corporate Worship in the Church?Christians worship God at church every week, but many don't know exactly what worship is or why they do it. For some, it's a warm-up for the sermon. For others, it's a "me-and-Jesus" moment. What is the biblically informed way to view corporate worship?In this book, Matt Merker shows that corporate worship is the gathering of God's people by his grace, for his glory, for their good, and before a watching world. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions for making worship what it truly is meant to be: a foretaste of God's people worshiping together for eternity in the new creation.

Throughout the history of the church, Christians have always had to contend with the influence of unbiblical teachings related to God, humanity, and salvation. One of the most important safeguards against all forms of heresy is a robust appreciation for biblical theology¿reading the Bible in a way that takes into account the whole storyline of redemptive history. Exhorting pastors and other church leaders to prioritize biblical theology in their own congregations, this book explains basic principles for reading the Bible that help pastors teach the big story of the Bible from every text. Understanding the Bible in Christ-centered terms shapes the church's teaching and mission, and protects the truth of the gospel around the world.

Are the Claims of the Prosperity Gospel True?How can believers tell the difference between a false gospel and the true gospel? Writing from personal experience, pastor Sean DeMars lays out four core elements of the prosperity gospel and answers questions such as Is the prosperity gospel biblical? and Does God promise me a prosperous life? This guide will help believers understand the true gospel by pointing to the Bible, showing how the prosperity gospel twists Scripture and leads people astray from a biblical understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions they have about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. What does it look like for women to truly thrive as Christians? In this short booklet, Keri Folmar presents eight essential principles to help women fully engage in the context of the local church, such as prioritizing church membership and involvement, investing in meaningful discipling relationships, and not allowing conflict or bitterness to fester. Women will come away with helpful ideas on how to experience the fullness of God's grace as they seek out biblical community with other believers.

Countless Christians are weighed down with fear that God doesn't truly love them. Although they have heard and affirmed the gospel, repented of their sins, and turned to Christ, the depths of their sin or long stretches of suffering have eroded away any sense of assurance. Is it possible for Christians to be confident in their salvation?With pastoral wisdom, Jeremy Pierre encourages doubt-filled Christians with the truths of Scripture. He shifts their perspective to see themselves as God sees them, comforts their hearts with the abundant love initiated by God, and teaches them to receive this love through the gifts Christ has given them: God's word, prayer, and the fellowship of the church. Readers will learn to find rest in the unlimited knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

Many new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. A popular children's song starts with the lyrics "Jesus loves me, this I know." Some people readily trust that they are loved by God, but others struggle to believe this is true for them. In this booklet, Matt McCullough addresses this topic by answering the question Does God love everyone? By directing us to the surprising answer found in the Bible, McCullough helps us to see God's genuine love for all people and his specific love for those who trust in him.

Concise, Scripture-Centered Guide Answers Popular Questions about Gender and Church LeadershipMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Church Questions is a series by 9Marks that seeks to provide Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this Church Questions booklet, Greg Gilbert answers the question Can women be pastors? Gilbert explains why God reserved the office of pastor and elder exclusively for men by examining the structures of authority God established from the very beginning. Focusing on texts in Genesis 1-3 and 1 Timothy 2, Gilbert makes a case for why God's original design for church leadership is not arbitrary, but part of his good and beautiful plan.

Practical Suggestions for Spending Quality Time in God's WordChurch Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Reading the Bible is essential to the Christian faith, but many believers struggle to study it faithfully. In this short booklet, Jeremy Kimble explains how the church acts as God's school, helping us read and follow Scripture through teaching, fellowship, and discipleship. He also gives advice to improve your own Scripture reading so you can understand the big picture, ask good questions, and apply what you learn.

4 Steps for Testing the "Call" to MinistryMany new believers have questions about what it means to live as a Christian in the context of a local church, and pastors are looking for resources to pass along to their congregations to help them think biblically about the Christian life. Created in partnership with 9Marks, Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions Christians have about church life. Each booklet offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.In this addition to the series, pastor Brad Wheeler addresses the shortcomings of the word "calling" when talking with aspiring pastors about their desire to pursue ministry. Explaining why the idea of calling is both unbiblical and even unhelpful, Wheeler suggests a 4-part process as a better alternative¿cultivate godly ambition, display godly attributes, develop an aptitude for teaching and discipleship, and receive the affirmation of a local church. Written from personal experience, this short book is designed to encourage men trying to discern their "next steps" to pastoral ministry.

4 Practical Ways to Serve the Local ChurchChurch Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment.Believers display the greatness of God's kingdom to a hostile world when we selflessly serve each other and those around us. In this short booklet, Matthew Emadi explains the vital roles we play within the church. Through acts of service including hospitality, ministry, and evangelism, we bless our communities and long to hear Jesus one day say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

God means to fulfill the Great Commission through local churches.How did the apostles and the churches of the New Testament obey the Great Commission? By gathering Christians together in churches. The church is God's plan for evangelism, discipleship, and the Great Commission. This connection between the Great Commission and the church dramatically impacts how both leaders and members should think about their work of making disciples. We do it together.

Every local church should be engaged with global missions, even if most individuals in the church aren't called to go overseas. But what does this engagement actually look like? How can local churches train, send, and support missionaries well? This book casts a vision for the local church as the engine of world missions-for the joy of all people and the glory of God.

Evangelism is more than a program.Every few years, churches jump into the latest evangelistic fad. Leaders administrate the new program, and members go on a raid. But picture a church where evangelism is simply part of the culture. Leaders share their faith consistently and openly. Members follow, encouraging one another to make evangelism an ongoing way of life.Such is the way of evangelism presented by this brief and compelling book. No program here. Instead, it just might give your church a new way to live and share the gospel together.

In the process of building a church, there are many things to consider¿who will the elders be? How many seats should the sanctuary have? What type of music will the musicians play? Even more important¿how do leaders ensure that the church is centered on the gospel?In this practical guide, pastors Mark Dever and Paul Alexander have compiled a handbook for pastors and church leaders on how to build a healthy church grounded in the gospel. The authors offer a helpful framework for building this type of ministry: laying the groundwork (evangelism, new membership, church discipline), structuring the gathering (preaching, worship, ordinances), designating the elders (their importance, requirements, and installation), and encouraging devotion to prayer and God's word. A companion resource to Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, this practical guide presents new and seasoned pastors alike with a vision of the church deliberately structured to display God's glory.

This booklet unpacks Scripture's teaching on the importance of church membership and the Bible's beautiful picture of life in a local church.

What makes for good preaching? In this accessible Bulgarian language volume-written for preachers and preachers in training-pastor David Helm outlines what must be believed and accomplished to become a faithful expositor of God's Word. In addition to offering practical, step-by-step guidance for preachers, this short book will equip all of us to recognize good preaching when we hear it.

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his followers to "make disciples of all nations." But what does this command actually entail? What does it look like for Christians to care for one another's spiritual well-being and growth? In this introduction to the basics of discipling, veteran pastor and author Mark Dever uses biblical definitions and practical examples to show how Christians can help one another become more like Christ every day. The eighth volume in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, this short book explains how discipling should function in the context of the local church, teaching pastors and church leaders how to cultivate a culture of edification and growth in their congregations.

Does what a church believes about how people become Christians change how we do evangelism? In this concise book, Michael Lawrence explains the doctrine of conversion and helps us consider the relationship between what we believe about how people are saved and our approach to sharing the gospel in the context of the local church. Readers of this book will understand how the local church should participate in the conversion process through ordinary means, such as biblical preaching and intentional relationships.

Keri Folmar presents eight essential principles to help women fully engage in the local church.

Keri Folmar presents 8 essential principles to help women fully engage in the local church.

How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty¿beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.

What's the big deal about baptism?Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized, and it's a glorious picture of a person's union with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Still, many Christians feel unclear about the topic, having more questions than answers. This short work provides a biblical explanation of baptism. What is it? Who should be baptized? Why is it required for church membership? And how should churches practice baptism?