Most Popular Books by Bill Hybels

Be set free to pursue God’s purpose for your life.God wants to set you free. No more bondage. No more fear. No more living as a slave to sin. Sound like a dream? God is in the business of making these kinds of dreams a reality. He is committed to giving you a life of incredible significance, and he has already done all that is necessary to break the chains that keep you from it.In Significance, you will discover a strategy for becoming all God wants you to be. God has a plan for you to walk in tremendous purpose, and he has provided the power needed to put this plan into action. But first, the chains that hold you back must be destroyed. This series of studies maps out God’s road to freedom and significance. Every journey begins with one step. Are you ready to take it?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.

Mittelberg presents a proven process for raising the value of evangelism in your heart and in your church. He spells out strategies for training all of a church''s members to naturally communicate their faith and offers ideas for initiating outreach ministries and events. Includes inspiring stories of lives and churches that have been changed as a result of these practical, biblical approaches.

The world''s most passionate, effective evangelists are right in your youth ministry! No one can top your students in effectively introducing their friends and family to Christ. And now is the time to help them learn how. Becoming a Contagious Christian Youth Edition Leader''s Guide is a book written with both you and your students in mind. Included is everything you''ll need to help students discover and develop their unique evangelism styles. Based on the proven program Becoming a Contagious Christian (developed at Willow Creek Community Church), this Youth Edition Leader''s Guide includes an Evangelistic Styles Assessment and activities for individuals, partners, and small groups that will teach the evangelistic skills students can use every day---with powerful results. It''s designed to be most effective when used in conjunction with the Becoming a Contagious Christian Youth Edition Student''s Guide as you use the Becoming a Contagious Christian Youth Edition evangelism course curriculum kit. Revised and expanded by one of America''s foremost youth ministers and teachers, Bo Boshers, this exciting, highly interactive approach addresses the specific needs and challenges of students---in language they can relate to. Students will learn how to: * be intentional in developing relationships * transition an ordinary conversation to a spiritual conversation * tell in plain language their personal story of meeting Christ * share the gospel message using two illustrations * answer ten common objections to Christianity * pray with a friend to receive Christ This course is flexible so you can teach it in several different formats: eight 60-minute sessions, four 3-hour sessions, or one- to three-day retreats. Content, leader''s notes, and activity instructions are clearly laid out and easy to follow. You''ll also find: * ''Heart Check''---a brief devotional at the beginning of each session written specifically for you, the leader * ''Get Connected''---notes to help you get inside the hearts and minds of students * ''Going Deeper''---optional activities you can use to give students a more in-depth understanding of the material Drawing on the expertise of some of today''s foremost leaders in evangelism and student ministry, this powerful program will equip you to train your students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they''ll need to become truly contagious in reaching their friends for Christ.

Identify the trappings of Christianity and trade them for a vibrant faith that integrates Christian values into your everyday life. Discover the inconsistent areas of your life, proven ways to align them with the teaching of the Bible, and find a new joy that comes from growing closer to God. (6 Sessions)

With this volume of the Interactions Small Group Series you will move 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. 6 SESSIONS

You probably don’t think of yourself as an evangelist.Most Christians would rather leave evangelism to a select few with "special talent" for outreach. But when Christ gave the command to spread the Gospel, He gave it to us all. Because He knew we''d each have something unique to offer as His witnesses to the world. In Reaching Out, Bill Hybels helps you develop your own evangelism style—one that fits your personality like a glove. You''ll discover the meaning and importance of sharing your faith and learn the motivation and mind-set behind evangelism. You''ll also get the solid guidance and seasoned tips you need to put it all into motion successfully. As you walk through this proven, highly effective approach, you''ll find your hesitations melting into an enthusiasm for winning lost men and women to Christ.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.

The path to satisfying relationships is clear. And rarely taken. We all long for close relationships. Bonds so secure that we can be completely honest and vulnerable. But often, we keep our relationships at a safe—and shallow—level. We avoid the risk of revealing all that’s in our hearts. God wants us to take that risk. His reward for doing so is the satisfaction of true, deep community. If you’re ready to experience that joy, The Real Deal will help you move beyond your fears into the realm of knowing others and being known by them. Each session will carefully assist you in peeling away the disguises that prevent you from being your truest, freest self. Get ready for a life-changing adventure in developing richer, more meaningful relationships with God, with others, and with yourself.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.

When Leadership and Discipleship Collide Using stories from his own life and ministry, Bill Hybels shows how the laws for leadership success can sometimes crash headlong into another reality: an inner prompting of the Spirit showing you a different approach. The decisions you make at that point could affect not only you, but the ultimate destiny of those you lead.

For a partnership that''s close and strong.Want to strengthen your marriage but unsure how to start? Marriage 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. Whether you need to stabilize shaky foundations or just want to make a good marriage even better, here''s how to • Get the most from you and your partner''s different personality traits using a brief, eye-opening self test • Weed out common “romance busters” that drain the excitement from your marriage • Resolve conflicts quickly using a simple three-step peace process• Prevent daily responsibilities from robbing you of real intimacy . . . and more. Marriage will help you and your mate not only recapture the thrill in your marriage, but also maintain and build upon it to create a satisfying, lasting relationship—the kind God designed you both to enjoyInteractions—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.

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."

Most of us have trouble finding time to pray. And then the crises hit! Time for prayer seems impossible to find. The ideas in this practical book can help us to learn to slow down to be with God as well. Also included is a helpful guide for personal and group prayer.

How do you hand the tough challenges of parenting?Parenting. Nothing gives us more joy—or greater challenges. “How do I balance my work and family time? What’s the best way to handle my teenager''s attitude? Can I do a better job of raising my kids?”Parenting helps you and your groups tackle the thorny issues parents face today. Each session covers a topic that''s key to effective parenting, from raising well-balanced kids to overcoming the mistakes you make along the way. This practical, hands-on discussion guide helps you create a home where children can thrive. You''ll develop confidence and competence in your God-entrusted role as a parent and enjoy watching your kids grow into vibrant, godly adults.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.

It takes the power of God to produce the character of God.Putting others’ needs ahead of our own: it’s the ultimate expression of love—and the hardest. Fortunately, we don’t have to go it alone. In Fruit of the Spirit, you’ll learn about the life-transforming qualities God wants to cultivate inside you. And you’ll discover the supernatural Agent who empowers you to attain them: the Holy Spirit, working within you to produce each kind of spiritual “fruit.”In the Holy Spirit’s power, you can live a supernatural life that transforms every relationship you have. And in the process, you’ll discover the one route to a truly satisfying life: serving others.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.

Where do we find hope, strength, and comfort? Through faith in Jesus we can be connected to the heart of the Father with inseparable love. Romans chapter eight contains a message of hope-filled optimism. We are loved children and our Father will never let go of us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God...nothing.

Bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels helps equip leaders with five key skills that everyone needs in order to grow their leadership ability. Each of the video sessions will feature Hybels sharing the wisdom and experience that he has learned in nearly 40 years of leadership at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. In this five-session teaching video (DVD/digital video sold separately), Hybels will help leaders discover what kind of leader they are, how to gain self-awareness and relational awareness, how to build an effective team, how to form and declare a vision, and discovering each leader''s holy discontent. Sessions include: The Power of Vision The Toughest Person You Lead Mastering 360-Degree Leadership Building a Fantastic Culture Pursue Your Unique Calling Designed for use with the Leading from Here to There Video Study 9780310884606 (sold separately).

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.)

The essentials of faith. You can build a life on them.Like a house built on a firm foundation, the Christian faith is founded on some key, enduring truths. Do you know what they are? If not, you owe it to yourself to find out whether you’re building your life—and your eternity—on solid ground.Essential Christianity is your invitation to spiritual discussion with others as you explore the basics of faith—principles deeper and more far-reaching than you may have imagined. You’ll learn what it means to really know Christ. You’ll discover the secret to confident living, how to grow spiritually, how to handle your failures, how to follow Jesus in a world that’s anything but devoted to Him, and the different ways God wants to guide you in the practical concerns 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.

The Ten Commandments are a heaven-sent source of liberation. For millennia God''s people have known that these laws bring freedom and sanity to a crazed world. Those who want to live with peace and freedom will go back to these commandments often, hold them tightly, and allow them become formative truths for their daily life.

Today''s leading preachers share their expertise in preparing great sermons On top of all the responsibilities that comprise their vocation, pastors must write sermons that are original, insightful, useful, challenging, and comforting-once a week. This volume in The Preacher''s Toolbox series explores the art and craft of sitting down to a blank page and writing a message that nourishes and speaks truth-to the listener. Every chapter, written by an expert in the field, provides insights and techniques that are the result of years of sermon preparation. Articles include: Writing a Good Message in a Bad Week, Scott Wenig Five Hammer Strokes for Creating Expository Sermon Outlines, Jeffrey Arthurs How Prayer Transforms Prep, Michael Lawrence If You Dislike Sermon Prep, Bill Hybels Four Ways to Get Out of a "One Pitch" Preaching Rut, Matt Woodley How to Plan and Package a Year of Sermon Series, David Daniels The Spiritual Importance of Being, an Emotionally Healthy Preacher, Pete Scazzerro A special hands-on section from leading pastors entitled "How I Prepare a Sermon" brings theory into practice and will give you the benefit of decades of experience. Contributors include: Timothy Keller Mark Driscoll Lee Eclov Matt Chandler Justin Buzzard and more Book jacket.

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.

The urgent need for prayer in today’s broken world is clear, but busyness still keeps many of us from finding time to pray. So Bill Hybels offers us his practical, time-tested ideas on slowing down to pray. In this four-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately) based on Hybels’s classic book on prayer, Too Busy Not to Pray calls both young and old to make prayer a priority, broadening the vision for what our eternal, powerful God does when his people slow down to pray. In Too Busy Not to Pray, you and your small group will learn: The importance of a consistent time and place for prayer How to organize prayers according to tried-and-true frameworks How to hear the Spirit’s promptings To love prayer time Hybels helps you slow down, listen to God, and learn how to respond. As a result, you will grow closer to God and experience the benefits of spending time with him. Sessions include: Why Pray? (15:00) Our Part of the Deal (20:00) When Prayer Feels Hard (19:00) People of Prayer (20:00) Designed for use with the Too Busy Not to Pray Video Study (sold separately).

In this five-session video-based Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author and pastor Bill Hybels challenges you to make doing life together a priority, exploring from the book of Proverbs how experiencing community and growing in wisdom are inseparably linked and offering practical direction on how to experience this with others. All of us want to get better at life. Gettting wiser alone, however, is not the way it works. God didn’t wire us to catch onto wise and godly living through lone-ranger attempts at learning; it’s something that rubs off on us when we spend time with others who have the wisdom of God living inside of them. As the proverb says, “Iron sharpens iron as one person sharpens another.” This study is designed with both new and experienced group leaders in mind. For new leaders, it includes optional weekly DVD training sessions (DVD sold separately) to help them lead a fantastic, first-time small group experience. For experienced leaders, it includes a "Going Deeper" section for those ready to take this content to the next level. Sessions include: Walking with the Wise The Counsel of Community Iron Sharpens Iron The Heart of Community Faith and Friendship Designed for use with the Wiser Together Video Study 9780310820116 (sold separately).

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.

Believers universally affirm that evangelism is a vital part of what God calls them to do, but many feel awkward and ill-equipped. Bill Hybels addresses these concerns and signals the next era in personal evangelism with Just Walk Across the Room.

A fresh look at the Ten Commandments that urges readers to live in the knowledge that when they wholeheartedly obey God''s laws, they will not only honor Him with their obedience, but joyfully experience the clear conscience that holy, honest living brings. Personal and Group Study Guide included.

This study will help you recognize and cooperate with God''s transforming influence in your life. You''ll learn proven ways of responding to God''s guidance that will keep you growing closer to Him.. 6 SESSIONS

Offers the counsel of biblical advice and principles to the triumphs and problems of marriage.

Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Overscheduled. Sound familiar? Today’s velocity of life can consume and control us . . . until our 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.

Of course you try to do your best when others are watching. But what about when you are alone? That''s when character really counts--when it''s just between you and God. Six studies, drawn from Bill Hybels''s Who You Are When No One''s Looking, focus on the qualities that are the foundation of character: courage, discipline, vision, endurance, compassion and self-sacrifice. With this foundation and God''s guidance, you can do your best at all times--even when you face temptations and troubles, even when no one is watching.

Focusing on the key aspects of Christian life--prayer, character, and wisdom--this one-year devotional shows believers how to know God more deeply and discover how he works in them.

Through this small group Bible study, move beyond six tough hurdles: adversity, fear, apathy, greed, lust, and sorrow. As you unite the hope and insight of Scripture with the support of the people in your group, you''ll find strength to overcome the things in your life you thought would never change. 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

You can develop your own evangelism style--one that fits your personality like a glove. Discover the meaning and importance of sharing your faith and learn the motivation and mind-set behind evangelism. (6 sessions).

This Willow Creek Resources evangelism course for churches and groups of all sizes is designed to equip believers for effective evangelism by showing them how they can share the Gospel in a natural and powerful way while being the person God made them to be.