New Releases by Bill HYBELS

Modern business practice and scholarship have honed the laws of the leadership. To achieve success, you''re supposed to - among other things - leverage your time, choose a strong team, and avoid unnecessary controversy. But what do you do when the laws of leadership collide with the teachings of Christ? What would it mean to reveal your true character to those you lead? What would it take for you to take an honest look at yourself and ask, "Am I leading from my mission … or my shadow mission?" Using stories from their own lives and ministries, Bill Hybels, John Ortberg, and Dan Allender illustrate how the laws of leadership sometimes crash head-on into the demands of discipleship, and how the decisions you make at these crossroads could affect not only you, but the destiny of those you lead. The Call to Lead includesthe previous releases from the Leadership Library series: When Leadership and Discipleship Collide, by Bill Hybels, Overcoming Your Shadow Mission, by John Ortberg, and Leading Character from Dan Allender.

Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Overscheduled. Sound familiar? Based on Bill Hybels'' groundbreaking book Simplify and the companion DVD series, the Simplify Participant''s Guide leads you on a journey of discovering a simpler life. Today''s velocity of life can consume and control us . . . until a breakneck pace begins to feel normal and expected. That''s where the danger lies: When we spend our lives doing things that keep us busy but don''t really matter, we sacrifice the things that do. What if your life could be different? What if you could be certain you were living the life God called you to live--and building a legacy for those you love? If you crave a simpler life anchored by the priorities that matter most, roll up your sleeves: Simplified living requires more than just cleaning out your closets or reorganizing your desk drawer. It requires uncluttering your soul. By eradicating the stuff that leaves your spirit drained, you can stop doing what doesn''t matter--and start doing what does. In Simplify, bestselling author Bill Hybels identifies the core issues that lure us into frenetic living--and offers practical steps for sweeping the clutter from our souls. This study guide is an ideal resource for small groups, along with the Simplify DVD Experience (sold separately).

When Jesus was walking the earth, everyone had a theory about who he was—healer, revolutionary, king, friend, humble carpenter. But out of the vast complexity of characteristics and ideas there emerges one simple word that no one can deny: “Rabbi.” These 36 Bible studies capture the heart of Jesus the Rabbi. He was a revolutionary, miracle-working, loving, powerful, divine teacher. For those whose minds are ready to be expanded, whose hearts are hungering to be touched, and whose lives are ripe for growth, John Ortberg and Bill Hybels invites people of all ages and backgrounds to pull up a chair and dig into the life lessons of Jesus captured in the Bible throughout the Gospels. Designed for use as personal Bible study or group study, the interactive format will help readers grow in their ability to reflect the character of Jesus. Studies include: Twelve Studies on the Sermon on the Mount by Bill Hybels Six Studies on The Lord’s Prayer by John Ortberg Six Studies on the Parables by John Ortberg Six Studies on The Passion Story by Bill Hybels Six Studies on Luke by Bill Hybels

God still speaks, is anyone listening? Join bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels in this four-session video-based study where your group will learn to navigate life through whispers from God. Through this dynamic teaching and group study, you will learn to practice hearing from God, surrender to the voice of God, obey his promptings and become a more effective kingdom-builder. This Participant’s Guide is designed to help facilitate group discussion and further study alongside the Power of a Whisper DVD. For more information go to: www.thewhisperwall.com.

In this four-session video Bible study based on bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels''s classic book on prayer, Too Busy Not to Pray calls both young and old to make prayer a priority, broadening our vision for what our eternal, powerful God does when his people slow down to pray.

In this four-session small group bible study, Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels equips participants with simple, practical ways to share their spiritual journey. This pack includes one softcover Participant Guide and one DVD.

Previously published as: The heart of Christmas (c1998).

Imagine writing a sermon that must be original, insightful, useful, challenging, comforting . . . once a week. Thats exactly what most preachers are called upon to do while seeing to all of the other responsibilities that comprise their vocation.

In a society where "upward mobility" is the highest goal, Bill Hybels asks a tough question: Do Christians place God''s desires first-or their own? In Descending into Greatness, Hybels and writer Rob Wilkins take the example of Christ''s downward journey as it was meant to be; the radical and essential answer for every Christian. In fourteen powerful chapters, the authors explore such topics as How Jesus managed power. The intentional decisions necessary to move down. The uplifting nature of true humility. Abundant life through dying to self. The ambush of joy. Moving down is never an easy matter that can be reduced to a formula. It involves a life committed to discipleship. Descending into Greatness introduces you to the touching stories of modern men and women committed to advancing the kingdom of God: from the pro football player, to the medical missionary, to a businessman wrestling with the priorities in the world of finance. Descending into Greatness asks tough questions and gives hopeful answers. Now, this powerful, urgent message also includes a discussion guide so that you can follow through, too. "Like Christ, we must descend-into self-abandonment, unconditional giving, sacrifice, and death to self. And, like Christ, we will then ascend-into fulfillment, blessing, joy, and purpose."

Bill Hybels points us to the wisdom of the book of Proverbs. This practical guidebook is ideal for anyone who wants to live the Christian life with wisdom and wholeness. (Read by Chris Fabry; abridged.)

God instituted festivals and feasts. Jesus went to weddings and parties. Christians were made to be people who celebrate, and the focal point of praise should always be God. He is generous, and He is righteous, and believers'' natural responses should be celebration.

Those who follow in the steps of Jesus hear the invitation to excellent living. When believers seek to give God their best, they discover that the power of Jesus helps them live excellent lives on every level: spiritually, morally, relationally, financially, directionally, and eternally.

The floodwaters of life are rising; the current races faster. You feel yourself slipping. You need a secure foothold . . . and you need it now! We have all experienced the heart-pounding feeling of losing our stability in the storms of life. We want to stand strong as followers of Christ, but the world presses against us with staggering force. Where can we find an unshakable foundation for life? In the book of 1 Peter, you and your small group will find a rock-solid basis for living in a precarious and uncertain world. God offers you hope, love, purpose, service, submission, and victory. You can stand strong against the flood as you anchor yourself to the bedrock of Jesus Christ.

How to gain traction when you’re out of control.If you drive anywhere in the snow belt, you probably know the feeling: rear wheels fishtailing, steering useless, brakes ineffective—you’re out of control. The good news is, life doesn’t have to be like a car on ice. Bill Hybels offers biblical insights and practical steps to securing a Christ-centered life that will get you where you want to go.Getting a Grip guides you toward wise choices and disciplined action in five vital areas of your life: your time, your health, your finances, your spiritual life, and your relationships. As you learn what the Bible has to say about each of these, you’ll discover how able and eager Jesus is to help you obtain solid traction on the road of life.Interactions—a powerful and challenging tool for building deep relationships between you and your group members, and you and God. Interactions is far more than another group Bible study. It''s a cutting-edge series designed to help small group participants develop into fully devoted followers of Christ.

Evangelism doesn''t have to be frustrating or intimidating. We just need encouragement and direction. In Crossing the Line of Faith you will discover how to build spiritually strategic relationships, to direct conversations toward matters of faith, and to share biblical truths in everyday language. This easy-to-read book presents a blueprint for starting a spiritual epidemic of hope and enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel.

Experience the Transforming Presence of God What if you could look over the shoulders of great saints from the past and learn from their example? Suppose you found a diary that contained the prayers, confessions, and dreams of some of history’s most godly people. What might you learn? How might God teach you? The book of Psalms captures lessons that span the scope of human experience. How do I deal with guilt? Can I overcome fear? What will help me grow to trust God in uncertain times? Where can I find true blessedness? What leads to peace in relationships? These are just some of the life-changing lessons God wants to unfold in your heart as you dig into the teachings of the Psalms.

Face the Tough Times with Confidence The question is not, “Will I face challenges?” The issue is, “How will I deal with the tough times that come my way?” No one travels far down the road without confronting the sobering reality that life can be hard. The book of Nehemiah is a case study in overcoming life’s challenges. Wave after wave of pain pounded on the shores of Nehemiah’s life, but he kept standing strong. A tsunami of relational, financial, and spiritual attacks came, but he withstood it all in the power of God. As we meditate on Nehemiah’s story, we discover the hope and victory that come when we walk in God’s wisdom through the challenges of life.

Come Close and Meet the One Who Loves You How do you jog your memory and restore your vision of God? A fresh encounter! Look into the face of the Father and see him smile with delight as he gazes adoringly at you. Open your eyes and stand amazed at the glory and intricacies of creation and remember the vastness of God’s handiwork. Peek behind the veil of eternity and get a glimpse of heavenly worship and be swept into the party of praise. The book of Psalms opens our hearts and eyes to the presence, power, and character of God. In this ancient prayer book we discover how to connect with the One who loves us more than we dare to dream.

The book you hold resonates with this conviction: that leaders such as you have the potential to be the most influential forces on planet Earth. Yours is the staggering responsibility and the matchless privilege of rallying believers and mobilizing their spiritual gifts in order to help people who are far from God become fully devoted followers of Christ. Life transformation and the eternal destinies of real people depend on the redemptive message entrusted to the local church. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to lead your church effectively so God’s message of hope can change the world? Then this book is for you. Courageous Leadership is Bill Hybels’ magnum opus, a book far too important to be written before its time. Only now, after nearly thirty years leading his own church from a handful of people with a burning vision into a globe-spanning kingdom force—only after almost three decades of victories and setbacks, of praying hard and risking big—is Hybels ready at last to share the lessons he has learned, and continues to learn, about Christian leadership. Too much is at stake for you not to maximize your spiritual gift of leadership, insists Hybels. In this passionate, powerful book, he unpacks the tools, tasks, and challenges of your calling. You’ll discover the power of vision and how to turn it into action. You’ll gain frontline insights for developing a kingdom dream team, discovering your leadership style, developing other leaders, making decisions, walking with God, embracing change, staying your God-given course, and much, much more. Drawing on his own richly varied life experiences, Hybels fleshes out vital principles with riveting firsthand stories. This is far more than another book on leadership strategies and techniques. You’ll find those topics in here, to be sure. But beyond them, you’ll find the very essence of one of today’s foremost Christian leaders—his fervent commitment to evangelism and discipleship and his zeal to inspire fellow church leaders even as he seeks to keep growing as a leader himself. If unchurched people matter to you . . . if you love seeing believers serve passionately with their spiritual gifts . . . if God’s heartbeat for the church is your heartbeat as well . . . then this book is a must. Courageous Leadership will convince you to lead with all your might, all your skill, and all your faith. And it will give you the tools to do just that.

This volume of 6 studies will help you grow in your understanding of what it means to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

What if you knew that by simply crossing the room and saying hello to someone, you could change that person’s forever? Just a few steps to make an eternal difference. It has nothing to do with methods and everything to do with taking a genuine interest in another human being. All you need is a heart that’s in tune with the Holy Spirit and a willingness to venture out of your “Circle of Comfort” and into another person’s life. Just Walk Across the Room brings personal evangelism into the twenty-first century. Building on the solid foundation laid in Becoming a Contagious Christian, Bill Hybels shows how you can participate in the model first set by Jesus, who stepped down from heaven 2,000 years ago to bring hope and redemption to broken people living in a fallen world. Now it’s your turn. Your journey may not be as dramatic, but it can have a life-changing impact for someone standing a few steps away from you—and for you as well, as you learn the power of extending care, compassion, and inclusiveness under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The highest value in personal evangelism is cooperating with the Spirit, says Hybels. This means playing only the role you’re meant to play—walking when the Spirit says to walk, talking when he says to talk, and falling silent when he suggests that you’ve said enough. Hybels encourages you to “live in 3D” … —Developing friendships —Discovering stories —Discerning appropriate next steps … as a means of learning to understand the Holy Spirit’s promptings. With fresh perspectives from his own reflections and experiences collected during his most recent decade of ministry, Bill Hybels shows with convincing and inspiring clarity the power of this personal, richly relational approach to evangelism. The stakes are high. The implications are eternal. And you may be only a conversation away from having an eternal impact on someone’s life—if you will just walk across the room.

The best leaders not only lead well but also reflect on their leadership long enough and thoughtfully enough to articulate the philosophies that cause them to do so. Whether serving in the marketplace or in ministry, as executives or rank-and-file employees, as salaried staff or volunteer servants, good leaders can pinpoint the rationale for their actions and decisions with the ease of reciting their home address. In Axiom: author Bill Hybels divulges the God-given convictions that have dictated his leadership strategy for more than three decades as senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Oriented toward four key leadership categories ... 1. Vision and strategy (''Promote Shameless Profitability, '' ''Take a Flyer'') 2. Teamwork and communication (''Obi-Wan Kenobi Isn''t for Hire, '' ''Disagree without Drawing Blood'') 3. Activity and assessment (''Develop a Mole System, '' ''Sweat the Small Stuff'') 4. Personal integrity (''Admit Mistakes, and Your Stock Goes Up, '' ''Fight for Your Family'') ...Axiom brokers accessible wisdom from one leader''s journey, as well as emboldens you to nail down the reasons why you lead like you lead.

Shows readers how they can find and feed their personal areas of holy discontent, fight for it when things get risky, and follow it when it takes a mid-course turn.

Discover how firmly God is committed to forming noble qualities within you and the power to do something about it! (6 Sessions)

The Psalms reflect the many-faceted relationship between humans and God in the ever-changing proving grounds of life. Learn about God''s heart toward you -- and what He looks for in your heart toward Him. 6 SESSIONS

Gain insight into six roles Jesus filled -- man, teacher, physician, servant, shepherd, and king -- to steadily arrive at a better understanding of the character and person of Christ.. 6 SESSIONS

Discover the joy of serving others.How can you identify full devoted followers of Christ? Their servant lifestyle gives them away! In our "me-first" culture, servanthood is the earmark of men and women who have discovered the joy of giving. But the secret to servanthood isn''t running yourself ragged trying to be everything to everyone--it''s pouring freely out of a full cup the things you were designed to give.Love in Action shows how you can break the back of self-centeredness and experience the satisfaction of serving others wisely and effectively. You''ll discover how sharing your unique personal resources and spiritual gifts can become a source of strength to others, worship and praise to God, and a personal delight that nothing else can match!Interactions--a powerful and challenging tool for building deep relationships between you and your group members, and you and God. Interactions is far more than another group Bible study. It''s a cutting-edge series designed to help small group participants develop into fully devoted followers of Christ.

You can learn to conduct spirited discussions with others as you explore the basics of faith -- principles deeper and more far-reaching than you may have imagined. (6 Sessions)

This study will help you and your spouse draw insight from one another and from the other couples in your group to build the kind of close relationship you''ve always wanted. (6 sessions)

God wants you to walk confidently in your new identity in Christ, serving Him with joy and energy in your various roles. This study gives you a close-up view of these different roles and equips you with the sound biblical insights you need to fulfill them. (6 sessions)