Alex Duke - Böcker

The Bible is one story told through dozens of people over thousands of years. As Christians, we know we're supposed to believe this - and so we do. But when we pick up our Bibles, if we're honest, we sometimes lose the thread, especially with some of the strange and obscure happenings in Genesis.We can't help but wonder, What's this all about?!Who - or what - are the Nephilim? What about this mysterious Melchizedek who seems to appear out of nowhere? Why are there so many genealogies? Why do Abraham and a Hittite haggle for so long about the price of a rinky-dink cave? Hang on, are we supposed to be comfortable with Abraham sacrificing his son? Or with Lot's, um, unseemly family dynamics? Or with Jacob's multiple wives? Why do the book's heroes so often act like villains?And, of course, what does all this have to with Jesus and the gospel?Careful readers of the Bible have many questions about Genesis. In From Eden to Egypt, Alex Duke will give everyday Christians a guided tour of these wonderful stories so that they'll see - perhaps for the first time - that it's all there for a reason."Alex has gifted the church with an accessible and faithful guide through the book of Genesis." —KIRK COUSINS, NFL Quarterback"With engaging storytelling and culturally relevant illustrations, Duke helps us see where God’s people have been and where they’re headed." —HUNTER BELESS, host of Journeywomen and author of Read it, See it, Say it, Sing it: Knowing and Loving the Bible

What adjectives would you use to describe the Bible? Inspired. Amazing. Unique. Authoritative. Perfect. Pure. Life-changing. Those descriptions are all deserved. Your pastors and parents and Sunday School teachers were right. There's no book like God's Book. Here's another adjective: confusing. The Bible can be confusing, especially certain parts of the Old Testament. Moments after coming across something inspiring and encouraging, you'll read something that makes you wonder, What is even happening right now!?The book of Exodus is no exception. This sequel to Genesis begins with God's surprising silence. What a stark contrast to Genesis, where God's words set everything in motion. It then tells the story of God's miraculous liberation of his people, complete with frogs falling from the sky and life-saving blood being painted over doorways. Finally, for the last half of the book, the action slows down as the people of God gather at the mountain of God to receive the Law of God in order to engage in the worship of God. From silence to Sinai, that's the story of Exodus.To understand it all, most of us will need a guide. We'll need some help. That's what From Silence to Sinai is for. Alex Duke walks readers through the book of Exodus to show that nothing in God's story is wasted--not the silence, not the ten signs, and not even the confusing parts. In Exodus, God is not absent, random, or unclear. He is revealing himself, redeeming his people, and teaching them how to live in his presence.

Helping Leaders to Develop Meaningful Church MembershipMany 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 concise booklet, Alex Duke explains the importance of meaningful membership and discusses what church members should do about fellow members who don’t regularly attend. Duke highlights the benefits of church membership—discipleship, accountability, and fellowship—and offers advice on how all Christians can encourage faithful church membership in their congregations. Presents the importance of church attendance to meaningful church membershipPart of a series that helps Christians understand the centrality of attendance for church membersPart of the Church Questions series, created in partnership with 9MarksSmall booklet ideal for sharing

Practical Insight into Finding a Healthy ChurchLooking for a new church can feel overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to know what aspects to prioritize. In this addition to the Church Questions series, Alex Duke provides criteria on what to look for in a healthy local church. Using personal experiences and biblical principles, Duke identifies important elements within the church—the gospel, the Bible, and the community—as well as specific questions to ask. He also reminds believers that they should not be looking for a perfect church, but a biblical and faithful one. This booklet is perfect for those who are looking for a new church and unsure where to begin.  Short, Accessible Format: Concise, biblical advice on searching for a churchPart of the Church Questions Series: Helping Christians understand the centrality of the local church in Christian discipleshipPractical: Provides specific questions to ask about the church’s treatment of the Bible, the gospel, and meaningful relationships

Explore the Centrality of Prayer in the Christian Life with This 9Marks Healthy Church Study GuideTalking to God in prayer is one of the most foundational elements to the Christian faith but is often surrounded by a lot of uncertainty and questions: Is there a right way to pray? How does it really work? Does God hear all prayers? In this short study guide, groups will work through guided discussions together as they learn about the centrality of prayer in the Christian life and the church community. 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides is a series of 6–7 week studies covering the 9 distinctives of a healthy church as laid out in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 4th ed. by Mark Dever. This series explores the biblical foundations of key aspects of the church, helping Christians live out those realities as members of a local body. Conveniently packaged and accessibly written, the format of this series is guided, inductive discussion of Scripture passages and is ideal for use in Sunday school, church-wide studies, or small-group contexts. Part of the 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides Series: A series of 6–7 week Bible studies covering 9 distinctives of a healthy church Perfect for Group Study: Includes guided discussion of Scripture with questions at the end of each chapter, which is ideal for Sunday school, small groups, and moreBased off of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 4th ed. by Mark Dever

Discuss the Bible’s Teaching on Missions with This 9Marks Healthy Church Study GuideWhile the word “missions” is not in the Bible, taking the gospel to unreached people is an essential outpouring of the Christian faith. This short study guide explores a biblical understanding and practice of missions and covers topics such as sending and supporting missionaries. Using questions at the end of each chapter, groups will work through guided discussions together as they learn the Bible’s teaching on missions. 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides is a series of twelve 6–7 week studies covering the 9 distinctives of a healthy church as laid out in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 4th ed. by Mark Dever. This series explores the biblical foundations of key aspects of the church, helping Christians live out those realities as members of a local body. Conveniently packaged and accessibly written, the format of this series is guided, inductive discussion of Scripture passages and is ideal for use in Sunday school, church-wide studies, or small-group contexts. Part of the 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides Series: A series of twelve 6–7 week Bible studies covering 9 distinctives of a healthy church Perfect for Group or Individual Study: Includes guided, inductive discussion of Scripture with discussion questions at the end of each chapter Based off of Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 4th ed. by Mark Dever