The Case for Christmas

The Case for Christmas
Author: Lee Strobel
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 85
Release: 2009-07-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310858143

Who was in the manger that first Christmas morning? And how can we know for sure? In The Case for Christmas, award-winning legal journalist Lee Strobel tells us that somewhere beyond the traditions of the holiday lies the truth. Some say that newborn baby would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as a profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced he was the divine Son of God. But who was he really? Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger, analyzing: Eyewitness Evidence--Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted? Scientific Evidence--What does archaeology reveal? Profile Evidence--Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God? Fingerprint Evidence--Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah? Join Strobel as he invites you to push past the distractions of the holiday season and come into the presence of the baby who was born to change your life and rewrite your eternal destination: the greatest gift of all.

The Purpose of Christmas

The Purpose of Christmas
Author: Rick Warren
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2012-12-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1471108449

In his powerful yet compassionate voice, Pastor Rick Warren tells the most wonderful story of all - the story of God come to earth in the form of a human infant. Warren goes back to that day long ago when the baby Jesus was born in the manger. In this clarion call to 'remember the reason for the season', readers are taken back in time to the simple origins of a baby who changed history forever. Warren gives readers an intimate look into his family heritage as he shares the fifty-year-old Warren Christmas tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus. Through stirring imagery and compelling insights, this book celebrates the significance and promise of this cherished holiday.

The Case for Christmas Bible Study Guide

The Case for Christmas Bible Study Guide
Author: Lee Strobel
Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
Total Pages: 94
Release: 2018-11-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310099307

In this video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately)--led by the New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel--you and your group will dig into the true Christmas story to sort out the fact from the fiction and the hype from the holiness. The Case for Christmas study helps you reflect on the gospel story of the birth of Jesus in a focused, group-oriented way that might change the way you view the season. During his faith journey, Lee Strobel investigated the real meaning behind all those nativity scenes he saw outside of churches. In this four-week study, Lee reveals what he discovered from consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy as he sought to separate the truth from the tradition. In each session you and your group explore: What the Bible actually says about Jesus' birth and how you can know it's accurate. Whether the Christmas story actually happened or developed from the myths of the day. The Bible's claim that Jesus was born of a virgin and why it's important to your faith. How Jesus--and only Jesus--fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament biblical prophecies about the Messiah. Regardless of whether the center of your Christmas decorations is the nativity set on your mantle or the presents under the tree, The Case for Christmas study invites you to look beyond the familiar traditions of the season, challenge you to examine the evidence for yourself, and consider why Christmas really matters and why it's still so relevant today. Sessions include: Setting the Record Straight Beneath the Fake News A Mind-Boggling Proposition The Prophetic Fingerprint Designed for use with The Case for Christmas Video Study/The Case for Easter Video Study (sold separately).

The Case for Jesus

The Case for Jesus
Author: Brant Pitre
Publisher: Image
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2016-02-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0770435491

“This book will prove to be a most effective weapon… against the debunking and skeptical attitudes toward the Gospels that are so prevalent, not only in academe, but also on the street, among young people who, sadly, are leaving the Churches in droves.” – Robert Barron, author of Catholicism For well over a hundred years now, many scholars have questioned the historical truth of the Gospels, claiming that they were originally anonymous. Others have even argued that Jesus of Nazareth did not think he was God and never claimed to be divine. In The Case for Jesus, Dr. Brant Pitre, the bestselling author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, goes back to the sources—the biblical and historical evidence for Christ—in order to answer several key questions, including: • Were the four Gospels really anonymous? • Are the Gospels folklore? Or are they biographies? • Were the four Gospels written too late to be reliable? • What about the so-called “Lost Gospels,” such as “Q” and the Gospel of Thomas? • Did Jesus claim to be God? • Is Jesus divine in all four Gospels? Or only in John? • Did Jesus fulfill the Jewish prophecies of the Messiah? • Why was Jesus crucified? • What is the evidence for the Resurrection? As The Case for Jesus will show, recent discoveries in New Testament scholarship, as well as neglected evidence from ancient manuscripts and the early church fathers, together have the potential to pull the rug out from under a century of skepticism toward the traditional Gospels. Above all, Pitre shows how the divine claims of Jesus of Nazareth can only be understood by putting them in their ancient Jewish context.

Who Needs Christmas Bible Study Guide

Who Needs Christmas Bible Study Guide
Author: Andy Stanley
Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
Total Pages: 96
Release: 2019-10-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310121086

Rediscover the improbable story of Christmas. Four thousand years ago, God promised he would do something through the bloodline of Abraham. Two thousand years later, Jesus was born. And two thousand years after that, we’re still talking about it. Why? The story of Jesus’ birth was not what anyone expected: a baby . . . born in the armpit of the Mediterranean . . . to save us from sins that no one thought we needed saving from. This Christmas season, join Andy Stanley as he unpacks why the improbability of the Christmas story is what makes it so believable. No one could have or would have made it up. The Who Needs Christmas Study Guide includes session overviews, video teaching notes, discussion questions, personal reflection material, and a leader’s guide. Sessions include: The Story Behind the Story The Author of Life The Message of Christmas Ready or Not . . . He Is Coming Designed for use with the Who Needs Christmas / Why Easter Matters Video Study (9780310121121), sold separately. Streaming video also available.

Christmas: The Rest of the Story Study Guide

Christmas: The Rest of the Story Study Guide
Author: Rick Renner
Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers
Total Pages: 200
Release: 2022-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1680316656

Is There More to The Story? Do you really know the story of Christmas? Is there more to the story about the birth of our Savior than what you've been told? In this 15-part series, Christmas – The Rest of the Story, Rick Renner dives deep into the parts of the Christmas story that most people have never heard. Rick says, "I’ve studied this story for decades, and I found fabulous treasures no one ever shared with me. In this series, we explore the Bible, history, historical writings, and so much more, so we can really understand all the events that took place surrounding the birth of Jesus!" Rick answers questions, like: Why did God choose Mary? Was Joseph really a carpenter? Who were the Magi and what was the estimated value of their gifts? Who were the shepherds keeping watch? Why was Herod so troubled by Jesus’ birth? Get ready to discover the real purpose of Christmas and rediscover the awe and wonder of the greatest miracle the world has ever known.

The Case for Christmas

The Case for Christmas
Author: Lee Strobel
Publisher: Harperchristian Resources
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Apologetics
ISBN: 9780310099291

DISCOVER THE TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY Even when he was an atheist, Lee Strobel enjoyed the Christmas season-the gift-giving, holiday parties, and being with friends and family. But after his wife became a Christian, Lee started to investigate the real meaning behind all those nativity scenes he had seen outside of churches. In this four-week study, Lee reveals what he discovered as he sought to separate the holiday from the holy day, the facts from the fantasy, and the truth from the tradition. In each session you will explore: What the Bible actually says about Jesus' birth and how you can know it is accurate Whether the Christmas story actually happened or developed from the myths of the day The Bible's claim that Jesus was born of a virgin and why it is important to your faith How Jesus-and only Jesus-fulfilled hundreds of biblical prophecies about the Messiah The Case for Christmas will invite you to look beyond the familiar traditions of the season, challenge you to examine the evidence for yourself, and consider why Christmas really matters. Sessions include: Setting the Record Straight Beneath the Fake News A Mind-Boggling Proposition The Prophetic Fingerprint Designed for use with The Case for Christmas Video Study/The Case for Easter Video Study (sold separately).

The Way of a Disciple Bible Study Guide: Walking with Jesus

The Way of a Disciple Bible Study Guide: Walking with Jesus
Author: Don Cousins
Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2016-10-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310081203

The Walking with God series was developed as the curriculum for small groups at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Since its release in 1992, it has been used by churches and small groups to help raise up devoted disciples of Christ. Group members who work through the program will lay a solid foundation for a lifelong walk with God. While small groups may be formed for a variety of purposes, the goal of this curriculum is for groups to produce disciples—fully devoted followers of Christ—by studying God’s Word in community. To this end, the goal of the study is to produce disciples who walk with God, have a personal relationship with Jesus, and live in step with the Holy Spirit. It is also to produce believers who live the Word in all areas of life and contribute to the work that God is doing in the local church. Ultimately, the goal is to develop believers who impact the world and are prepared and eager to spread the good news of Christ to others. This material will help develop these attributes in group members. Each lesson includes group Bible study and discussion questions in addition to devotions, reflections, and personal study for use by individuals between the group sessions.