Book: The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible's Grand Narrative

Most Christians would agree that the Bible provides a basis for mission. 
But Christopher Wright boldly maintains that mission is bigger than that--there is in fact a missional basis for the Bible! The entire Bible is generated by and is all about God's mission. 
In order to understand the Bible, we need a missional hermeneutic of the Bible, an interpretive perspective that is in tune with this great missional theme. We need to see the "big picture" of God's mission and how the familiar bits and pieces fit into the grand narrative of Scripture. Beginning with the Old Testament and the groundwork it lays for understanding who God is, what he has called his people to be and do, and how the nations fit into God's mission, Wright gives us a new hermeneutical perspective on Scripture. This new perspective provides a solid and expansive basis for holistic mission. Wright emphasizes throughout a holistic mission as the proper shape of Christian mission. God's mission is to reclaim the world--and that includes the created order--and God's people have a designated role to play in that mission.   Winner, 2007 Christianity Today Missions/Global Affairs Book

CONTENTS
Part I The Bible and Mission 
1 Searching for a Missional Hermeneutic
2 Shaping a Missional Hermeneutic
Part II The God of Mission 
3 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Israel
4 The Living God Makes Himself Known in Jesus Christ
5 The Living God Confronts Idolatry
Part III The People of Mission 
6 God's Elect People: Chosen for Blessing
7 God's Particular People: Chosen for All
8 God's Model of Redemption: The Exodus 
9 God's Model of Restoration: The Jubilee
10 The Span of God's Missional Covenant
11 The Life of God's Missional People
Part IV The Arena of Mission 
12 Mission and God's Earth
13 Mission and God's Image
14 God and the Nations in Old Testament Vision
15 God and the Nations in New Testament Mission

Book: Chistmas is not your birthday

Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season―Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration.

This Christmas, cut through the hype that leaves you exhausted and broke at the end of the year. Instead, experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. In five short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently, and be transformed in the process. 

Chapters
1.  Expect a Miracle 
2. Giving Up on Perfect
3. Scandalous Love 
4. Jesus’ Wish List
5. By a Different Road

Yearly Devotion book: Time out with the Shepherd

Time out with the Shepherd is a book of Christian devotions, by Australian writers, for each day of the calendar year
Each meditation is a 'time-out' of about 3 minutes, and consists of a Bible reading, some thoughts on that passage, and a short prayer. The meditation is based on the lectionary Bible reading for the day.
The devotion writers' thoughts are life-related and centred on the message of God's love for people shown in Jesus Christ. The devotions can be used for individuals, families and groups.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, listen as Jesus speaks to you

To buy Time out with the Shepherd visit here

Outreach film: Road to Emmaus

The Road to Emmaus DVD is a tool to help local churches with outreach. At a very low cost, congregations can distribute copies of the DVD as a calling card to invite people to their local church

Written and produced by an Emmy-winning team, this acclaimed film offers a dynamic new opportunity to reach people with the story of Jesus. Road to Emmaus follows the story of Jesus and two companions on the Sunday of the resurrection, as "...he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Created to reach the unchurched, the film is among the most widely used evangelism tools ever produced—a valuable tool your congregation can use this year.

Starring Bruce Marchiano ("Gospel of Matthew") Road to Emmaus follows the story of Luke 24:13-49 and imagines what the conversation between Jesus and the two disciples might have been. It builds from the actual stories and passages of the Bible (the writings of Moses and the prophets as well as the further explanations in the New Testament).

Also available free

• 5-Session Bible Study
• Discussion Guide
• Questions for Reflection

Watch the video 

for more information and to buy copies visit

http://roadtoemmausmovie.com/index.html

2017 Christmas and Advent resources

Advent and Christmas resources

Lutheran Church of Australia
Christmas worship resources including children's presentations,
Advent Year B
Grow Ministries and Grow Ministries Advent 

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Living our Baptism 5 gifts of discipleship
Essay:  The Advent wisdom project 
Bible Studies Advent
Bible Studies Christmas
Congregational Communication Tools
Daily Lectionary Advent
Daily Lectionary Christmas

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod resources including:
Banners, bulletins, stoles, wreaths and candles
Gifts, Bible studies, books, church supplies and music
FAQ - history of Advent and the meaning of the Advent wreath
FAQ - What date was Jesus born?
Who is Jesus?
Chapel Talks for Advent
Church Year: Sundays and Seasons
LCMS Lectionary
LetUsPray
Good King Wenceslas (It’s all about Mercy)
Unwrapping the Gifts
Christmas Mourning
Advent Devotions
Advent Devotions Transforming this Christmas beyond our circumstances.
Advent Devotions in Spanish
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Christmas Collection on CD
Advent Chain and Christmas Ornaments
Advent Joy-A-Tude
The Advent Wreath Devotional
Christmas Wrappings, Devotional
Scripture Advent Chain Instructions
Christmas Ornaments (4) — Downloadable
One Extraordinary Night — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
No Stranger in the Manger — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
The Joy of Christmas Mustard Seeds Packet

Wisonsin Evangelical Lutheran Church
Article Too much Christmas
Article Traditions with a purpose
Teen Devotions 

Books, gifts and church resources

CPH
Augsburg Fortress
North West Publishing
Sola Publishing 
Australian Church Resources 

Worship

Textweek
Includes readings, images, movies, commetaries, lectionary reflections, group studies, worship resources, prayer, hymns, resources for children and drama

Advent Devotions

Lutheran Hour Ministries free devotions for congregational distribution
Luther Seminary
Higher Things
Vibrant Faith - taking Advent Home

www.lutheranmission.blogspot.com 

previous years entries

Advent and Christmas

Christmas 

Bible Society of Australia
Free resource: the really Good News of Christmas
/https://www.biblesociety.org.au/reallygood/

Advent Candle Lighting resource

Books and Devotions

 

Evangelism: Everyone His Witness

Every One His Witness is a Lutheran evangelism program that teaches you to witness to your friends, coworkers, and any other nonchurched people you may know.  Using the LASSIE approach to witnessing (listen, ask, seek, share, invite, and encourage), the Every One His Witness kit will help you to learn how to naturally share the Good News of Jesus Christ through relational, contextual witnessing.

What does this mean? 
It means listening to those who are unsure about Christianity. It means asking questions that aren’t accusatory. It means sharing the Good News about Jesus. Notice how there’s no bashing, no judgment, and no forced imposition of beliefs. Instead, there’s understanding, communication, and honesty between friends. And Every One His Witness teaches you how.

Every One His Witness is available from
CPH

What People are Saying about Every One His Witness

“Finally, a natural way to share your faith in the relationships where God has planted you as you care for others who have been broken by sin. I have already started to use this and am excited to share this resource with the people of my district.”  —Rev. Richard Snow, President, LCMS Nebraska District

“I appreciated the theologically sound Lutheran perspective of the E1HW program. The videos and our facilitator did a good job of demystifying conversations about our faith in Christ with neighbors, colleagues, and family members. It was a great encouragement to talk about Jesus Christ with anyone in an unforced, natural way.”  —Rev. Kris Morris, Christ the Vine Lutheran Church, Damascus, Oregon

“The Every One His Witness seminar and workbook provide valuable, practical tools on how to share Jesus’ story in the context of our daily vocations, showing how to develop relationships with family, neighbors, and coworkers whom we already know.”  —Bob Myers, Pensacola, Florida

For more information on LASSIE visit

here 

or here

or here 

Book: Suddenly

“How different would life be if we all knew we were loved beyond our wildest imagination?”

Like all of us, Peter Steicke has experienced his share of life’s ‘suddenlies’. You know them: the unexpected and often unwelcome interruptions to life that are beyond our control. The challenge is, life’s ‘suddenlies’ often prevent us from living out of the love we already have.

This book is an intriguing set of narratives chronicling Peter’s journey deeper into the incredible love of the heavenly Father. Excellent life-related teaching expands on the stories in a way all readers will be able to connect with and apply in their lives. Through the stories and the teaching, you will learn what it is to live out of the fullness of God’s Father-heart, and develop a redeemed perspective on life—one that frees you to be a source of life to others.

Available from Your Booksonline