Search results for ""author andy stanley""

For anyone who is dating or thinking about marriage, pastor and bestselling author Andy Stanley shares practical, uncensored wisdom on avoiding mistakes in the present to help you avoid regrets in the future.Single? Looking for the "right person"? Convinced that if you met the "right person" everything would turn out "right?" Think again.In The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating, Andy Stanley explores the challenges, assumptions, and pitfalls associated with dating in the twenty-first century. This guide takes a fresh approach to dating and love in the modern era by turning the search for "the one" back onto the searcher, challenging you to ask yourself tough questions like: Am I the person that the person I'm looking for is looking for? Are the Bible's teachings about women relevant today? If sex is only physical, why is the pain of sexual sin so deep? As you dig deep into Stanley's answers, you'll be equipped and empowered to step up and set a new standard for this generation by uncovering the things that create trouble in dating relationships and creating better habits now that will pay off later as you dive into married life.Praise for The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating: "No one speaks more powerfully and practically into the issues of dating and marriage in the twenty-first century than Andy Stanley. The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking to navigate challenging relationship waters and survive in a culture that's confused and complex. Straightforward. Graceful. Truthful. Needed." --Louie Giglio, Passion City Church, Passion Conferences"Andy's new rules for love, sex, and dating are so wise, so compelling, so clear that I want every single friend I have to read this book, and I want to save a couple copies for my boys, so they can read it in a decade or so." --Shauna Niequist, author of I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet"Having experienced more than my fair share of destructive, harmful dating relationships, I can authoritatively say that Andy's views on the matter are clear and convicting. Andy so beautifully conveys the message of the unfathomable grace of God, leaving you free to turn a leaf and begin a new dating chapter, making better decisions and living with fewer regrets." —Maggie Bridges, Miss Georgia 2014

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In this 8-session, video-based, small group Bible study, new small groups learn how to start well, how to grow together, and find that life is better connected.

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Community. It's a word we often hear, but what does it really mean? And why is it so important to your spiritual life? Because you can’t grow spiritually unless you’re connected relationally. God designed us that way. He wants to use other people to grow us and he wants to use us to grow other people.In this 8-session video-based study (DVD/digital video sold separately), specifically designed for launching new small groups well, you’ll explore how building deep relationships with the people in your small group and serving in the larger community around you will grow your faith. You’ll learn why your unique story matters… to God and to the people you do life with.Community is a great way for small groups to grow together and for churches to connect new people in their congregation. This conversation guide is a necessary tool walking you through each session with group starters, leader’s notes, discussion questions, and weekly reading.Sessions include: Show Up Pursue God Join In Be Real Part 1 Be Real Part 2 Be Real Part 3 Be the Church Be Together Designed for use with Community Video Study (sold separately).

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Author and pastor Andy Stanley explains what made the earliest Christian movement so compelling and resilient...and what we need to change today to make it so again.Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today?In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/video streaming not included), Pastor Andy answers questions like: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Andy is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future, and he believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen.This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.Designed for use with the Irresistible Video Study (9780310100515) and the Irresistible core book (9780310536970), sold separately.

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Author and pastor Andy Stanley explains what made the earliest Christian movement so compelling and resilient...and what we need to change today to make it so again.Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today?In this six-session video Bible study, Pastor Andy answers questions like: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Andy is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future, and he believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen.This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.This Curriculum Kit contains: One hardcover book One study guide One DVD

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Author and pastor Andy Stanley explains what made the earliest Christian movement so compelling and resilient...and what we need to change today to make it so again.Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today?In this six-session video Bible study, Pastor Andy answers questions like: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Andy is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future, and he believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen.This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.Sessions include: Simply Resistible (24:00) Brand-New Agreement (19:00) The Bible According to Jesus (25:00) The Irresistible Ethic (29:00) What Love Requires (22:00) A New Approach (23:00) This pack contains one DVD and one study guide.

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Set yourself up for success in every season of life, for the rest of your life.Discover five game-changing questions to ask every time you make a major decision regarding your finances, relationships, career, and more.Good questions lead to better decisions. And your decisions determine the direction and quality of your life—they create the story of your life. And while nobody plans to complicate their life with bad decisions, far too many people have no plan to make good decisions.In Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, Andy Stanley—pastor and bestselling author of Irresistible and Not In It To Win It—will help you learn from experience and stop making bad decisions by integrating five questions into every decision you make, big or small.This book will help you live differently by showing you how to: Develop a decision-making filter that reveals which choices will likely lead to positive results. Avoid selling yourself on bad ideas and making quick decisions when time is short. Find truth and clarity in any tricky decision. Improve relationships and heal division through better decisions. Discover the reasons behind your decisions so you can move forward with positive changes. Consider the long-term impact of your choices so you can write a life story worth celebrating. Easily identify any red flags that signal which decisions may result in future regrets.

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Everything You Need to Know in Life, You Can Learn Here! When we were in kindergarten, half the fun of living was breaking the rules without getting caught. In real adult life, however, there is nothing fun about broken promises, relationships, or hearts. In this DVD and study guide from North Point Resources, Andy Stanley explains God’s set of life rules that can improve current relationships and mend broken ones. Every game requires parameters, and in this lifelong journey toward heaven, it’s never too late to learn, relearn, and follow the rules God clearly outlines for His people…because they set you on the course for success! Winners Play by the Rules In kindergarten, ignoring the rules was a blast—especially if you could get away with it. But as adults, we understand that rules are for our protection, and that when we break God’s rules we cause heartaches and broken relationships. In this six-part DVD, Andy Stanle

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Tell Faith-Filled Fish Tales We’ve all heard them. “It was this big.” “You should have seen the one that got away.” People love to tell stories of their fishing adventures. When it comes to faith, however, most people clam up. Why is it we can’t talk about what God has done in our life as naturally as we can spin fishing tales? This six-part DVD explores the motivation behind sharing our faith and how it can become a natural part of our lives. Its companion study guide is complete with a leader’s guide and six lessons, including conversation-starting exercises, discussion questions, and application steps. Fishing stories. We’ve all heard them. “It was this big.” “You should have seen the one that got away.” People love to tell stories of their fishing adventures. When it comes to faith, however, most people clam up. Why is it we can’t talk about what God has done in our lives as natur

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A fresh look at the earliest Christian movement reveals what made the new faith so compelling...and what we need to change today to make it so again. Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today?Author and pastor Andy Stanley is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future. He believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. In Irresistible, Andy chronicles what made the early Jesus Movement so compelling, resilient, and irresistible by answering these questions: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Many people who leave or disparage the faith cite reasons that have less to do with Jesus than with the conduct of his followers. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen.This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world.

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Everybody wants to be happy. Everybody is on a happiness quest. For many, happiness is measured in moments. Experiences. It's elusive. Unsustainable. What about you? What makes you happy? Something comes to mind for each of us.In this six-session video Bible study, pastor Andy Stanley examines the ways in which we tend to define happiness and explains how that definition influences the way we pursue it. He reveals that happiness is about who, not what, and that happy people are at peace with God, with others, and with themselves. He also shows how sin undermines peace because it separates us from God, others, and ourselves by substituting pleasure for fulfillment, things for people, images for intimacy, and self-expression for self-control.We are often tempted to believe that happiness comes from acquiring things, but happiness is actually an outcome of what we sow in our lives. We can’t acquire, consume, or exercise our way to happiness, but we may be able to serve and volunteer our way there. In the end, we find that if we live as if it’s all about us, we will never be happy.Sessions include: Nothing Plan for It Peace with God Happy Money Shoes You’re Not Enough This pack contains one participant's guide and on DVD.

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Parent with purpose and feel confident about raising a healthy and happy family.In the six-session video study (video streaming code included), Andy and Sandra combine their experience and wisdom to help viewers identify and embrace their it—their win as parents. In an inviting and conversational approach that is both informative and accessible, the Stanleys discuss: The four stages of parenting and how to excel at each stage. How to parent with the end goals in mind. An approach to discipline that strengthens relationships and increases trust and respect. How to help your child develop a strong faith of their own. As parents of three grown children and cofounders of North Point Ministries, one of the largest church networks in the country, the Stanleys are seasoned experts on faith and parenting. Together they have spent decades counseling families and mentoring moms and dads while leaning into mentors of their own.With their help, you won’t have to constantly wonder whether you’re getting it right as a parent. Start here and feel confident about raising children who will enjoy being together and with you, even when they’re no longer living under your roof.This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader’s guide. An individual access code to stream all video sessions online. And the physical DVD. Sessions and video run times: Your North Star (21:00) The Four Stages of Parenting (21:30) The Role of Words (22:30) Marriage Matters (22:00) Establishing Rules and Consequences (20:00) Developing a Faith of Their Own (17:00) Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside

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You had a first day of school, a first date, a first kiss, a first job. But here’s something you may not have considered—faith has a starting point. Starting Point is a conversational environment where you can explore faith and experience community. It's a safe place for you to ask questions and to learn about the Bible and Christianity. You may have questions that you’ve always wondered about but never felt you could ask at church, legitimate questions that would make many Christians uncomfortable. Ask them. Nothing is off-limits. We want to have conversations about the stuff that really matters to you, even when it’s difficult to talk about—especially when it’s difficult to talk about. We believe that God loves you . . . specifically. And we believe he’s big enough to handle your toughest questions, darkest moments, and deepest doubts. We want to honor him and you by creating an environment where you can be open, honest, and transparent. This study is for: SEEKERS: those who are curious about God, Jesus, the Bible, or Christianity STARTERS: those who have just begun a relationship with Jesus Christ RETURNERS: those who have some church experience but have been away for a while During the eight sessions, you will: Use this Starting Point Conversation Guide to reflect on central questions of faith and life. Watch the video component each week in preparation or as part of the discussion. Explore and share what you’re learning with other people in a conversational environment. Come as you are and build relationships with others as you discover your starting point. Sessions Include: Start Problem Trust Rules Jesus Grace Faith Invitation Designed for use with the Starting Point Video Study (9780310817734), sold separately.

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You had a first day of school, a first date, a first kiss, a first job. But here’s something you may not have considered—faith has a starting point. Starting Point is a conversational environment where you can explore faith and experience community. It's a safe place for you to ask questions and to learn about the Bible and Christianity. You may have questions that you’ve always wondered about but never felt you could ask at church, legitimate questions that would make many Christians uncomfortable. Ask them. Nothing is off-limits. We want to have conversations about the stuff that really matters to you, even when it’s difficult to talk about -especially when it’s difficult to talk about. We believe that God loves you . . . specifically. And we believe he’s big enough to handle your toughest questions, darkest moments, and deepest doubts. We want to honor him and you by creating an environment where you can be open, honest, and transparent. This study is for: SEEKERS: those who are curious about God, Jesus, the Bible, or Christianity STARTERS: those who have just begun a relationship with Jesus Christ RETURNERS: those who have some church experience but have been away for a while During the eight sessions, you will: Use this Starting Point Conversation Guide to reflect on central questions of faith and life. Watch the video component each week in preparation or as part of the discussion. Explore and share what you’re learning with other people in a conversational environment. Come as you are and build relationships with others as you discover your starting point. Sessions Include: Start (20:00) Problem (17:00) Trust (23:00) Rules (22:00) Jesus (23:00) Grace (20:00) Faith (21:00) Invitation (27:00) This pack contains: Starting Point Conversation Guide Starting Point Video Study DVD

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Uncover the five key questions that can change everything about your decision-making process and rewrite the story of your life...one decision at a time. Our decisions don't just affect our present circumstances; they radiate into our future. Most of the time, it's impossible to know what will come of the decisions we make. But this doesn't have to paralyze you. You can train yourself to ask well-placed, appropriately timed, thought-provoking questions that will result in stronger decisions and fewer disappointments down the road.In this six-session video study, author and pastor Andy Stanley gives you five key questions to ask when you have a decision to make and you're not sure what to do (or even if you think you do know what to do!). These five simple questions will empower you to: Pause when feeling tension over a decision Take the long view Look for the wise option Focus on the relational impact of decisions Every decision we make impacts our stories and the stories of those closest to us. It's time to start deciding with our heads instead of with our guts.Sessions and video run times include: More Than a Decision (16:00) The Integrity Question (19:00) The Legacy Question (17:00) The Conscience Question (23:00) The Maturity Question (19:00) The Relationship Question (20:00) This pack contains: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets Study Guide Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets Video Study DVD (streaming video access included)

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A New Generation Church is a church with attendees whose average age is at least as young as the average age of the community in which the church exists. Any church can become a New Generation Church that reaches and continues to reach the next generation.The Psalmist writes:We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4 NLT)No Christian would purposely hide the timeless truths of Christianity from the next generation. But often we do, not because of the substance of our church, but because of the approach of our church.For A New Generation is not about changing your church’s statement of faith or core beliefs. It is about evaluating and changing, as needed, your church’s programs, ministries and practices in order to more effectively connect with and stay connected with the next generation.Written for both church leaders and members, For a New Generation presents 5 practical strategies that will lay a foundation for a church to thrive for generations to come. It is based on the assumption that accepting the status quo is the greatest threat to your church’s core mission and, perhaps, to the long-term survival of your church.

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The Seven Checkpoints for Student Leaders is more than a book; it is a ministry plan. It goes far beyond the "how to" of youth ministry and provides youth ministers, youth works, and parents with the content that students need to equip them for 'life beyond youth group." The material in this book and the companion book The Seven Checkpoints Student Journal reveals what Stanley calls "the irreducible minimum"--the essential principles upon which an entire youth ministry can be built. Stanley and Hall offer some unorthodox but very sensible approaches to planning and maintaining a youth group over a long period of time with a specific goal in mind. The book outlines a strategy for effectively teaching students over the course of their time in school, and this new updated edition is what every leader needs to keep up with the ever-changing challenges students face. Stanley and Hall identify seven "checkpoints" that are the most important and critical issues facing teens: 1. Authentic Faith 2. Spiritual Disciplines 3. Moral Boundaries (this section deals primarily with issues of sexual purity and dating) 4. Healthy Friendships 5. Wise Choices 6. Ultimate Authority 7. Others FirstPractical application, biblical principles, and realistic approaches for facing modern challenges facilitate teaching for busy youth leaders that will make an impact for eternity.

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