Making a Difference in the Shadows Unnamed and unnoticed, a powerful band of believers are doing kingdom work. by JEFF IORG SHADOW CHRISTIANS are people who work in dimly lit margins, in the shadows created by the spotlight shining on others. They are believers who serve quietly, often anonymously, doing the work that keeps churches, […]

Bible Studies for Life offers a supplemental pack that includes posters, charts, reproducible handouts, and customizable group plans that will enhance your group Bible study. Regardless of whether you use the Adult, Young Adult, Senior Adult, or Daily Discipleship Guide, the group plan gives clear instructions on when and how to use the items during […]

Forgetting the Past and Moving Forward We can’t change what has happened, but we can resolve to be more Christlike. by CAROLYN TOMLIN HILE ON A WINTER road trip to visit their grandchildren in New England, a couple suddenly realized they had taken a wrong turn. Ending up on a secondary road covered in ice […]

1s & 2s— Make Leaf Prints Bible Story: Jesus Rode into Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11Life Point: Jesus is special.Weekly Verse: God loved us and sent His Son. 1 John 4:10 Materials: Teaching Picture 6, “Allergy Alert” (Printables), paper, assortment of leaves of different shapes, paint in cups, paintbrushes, painting smocks, marker Post the allergy alert with the kinds of […]

Grades 1–3 Introductory Activity— Life Point Knockdown Materials: empty, clean drink cans; permanent marker; beanbags; masking tape Print the words of the LifePoint on the bottom of drink cans, one word per can. Make one set for the kids to play the game as one group. If you want to play as teams, create a […]

Anxious Days Anxious Nights Christ reaches out to you with hope and healing. IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT that you’re out on a walk in the middle of a cold January day, when suddenly the sun breaks through a heavy winter sky and warms you. You still need a coat, but you pause to turn your […]

Mountains and Valleys BY JEN SCHMIDT God is with us in joy and sadness. My weekend encapsulated one of those magical moments that little girls dream about their whole lives — their wedding day. With her faithful father by her side, my niece floated down the venue stairs. Robed in white, her shimmering eyes sparkled […]

Sheltered in His Sovereignty When we wait humbly on God’s will, we can rest assured in His mercy and power. by LEE ECLOV WHEN I WAS A KID, the Christmas season didn’t begin the day after Thanksgiving nor with the first Sunday in Advent. The countdown to Christmas always began with the arrival of the […]

What Christmas Emblazons on Our Hearts by ROBERT J. MORGAN LAST YEAR IN ASIA, I met a young man from an oppressive communist nation. His smile was like sunshine, and we became fast friends. Tuan’s arm bore a tattoo in Asian letters, which I asked about.1 He explained he’d grown up with haunting emptiness. As […]