Audra Jennings

  Click here to request review copies or scroll to bottom of the post for form. The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series is published by New Growth Press in partnership with Serge. Each book in this new series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.  Next month, we will be releasing three new studies in the series. These small group guides with leader’s notes contains in-depth lessons that include discussion questions, a short article to read, and a practical application section that can be used for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Each book in the series examines how the gospel story is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.  How long? Why is this happening? Where are you, God? For centuries, God’s people have learned to go to God with their real questions, struggles, and everyday needs by reading and studying the Psalms. In this...

An Interview with Amberly Neese, Author of The Friendship Initiative After a long year of separation, we long for connection. Despite faster internet connections, better WiFi hotspots, and more ways to stay connected than ever before, our lives still feel less and less connected. We desire healthy friendships but feel less equipped to make and foster them. In The Friendship Initiative , Neese dives into the friendships and connections Jesus made to reveal 31 keys for building relationships such as: exercising grace, asking/answering questions, having compassion, exercising humility, being present, reaching out to those who are different, and more. Each devotion includes Scripture, a devotional reflection, practical application ideas, and suggestions for reflection and prayer. Readers will find encouragement and practical help for connecting with others in their everyday lives by focusing on loving others as Jesus did. Q: In addition to the Common Ground Bible study, you also ...

  Part 2 of an Interview with Amberly Neese, Author of Common Ground The Scriptures hold the key to living at peace despite our differences. In each week of the four-week  Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences  Bible study,  Amberly Neese  combines stories of sibling rivalries from the Bible with personal experience, humor, hope, and her love of God’s Word.  Common Ground  provides a how-to for overcoming conflict by examining sibling relationships from the Old and New Testaments including: Joseph and His Brothers: How to Combat Jealousy Moses, Miriam, and Aaron: How to Work Together Despite Differences Mary, Martha, and Lazarus: How to Appreciate the Contributions of Others Rachel and Leah: Having Compassion for the Plight of Others These stories point readers to peace and reconciliation in all their relationships, reassuring them that it is possible to find common ground with everyone—despite their differences. Each week focuses on...

Part 1 of an Interview  with Amberly Neese, Author of Common Ground In her new Bible study, Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences , author, speaker, and humorist Amberly Neese leads women in a study of sibling rivalries in Scripture so that all members of God’s family can find a safe place to come together to navigate conflict and heal relationships. Whether it is in politics, the professional world, a party, or a pew, every person faces some kind of conflict on a daily basis. It’s not only in-person interactions that can become heated—social media is deluged with opinion-spewing, hurt feelings, and broken friendships. What we so desperately need is hope and practical tools to navigate the tumultuous waters in order to live at peace with everyone. Q: These days it seems like people argue just for the sake of arguing rather than trying to find common ground. Do you have any theories on why every topic seems to be so polarizing? Honestly, with feelings of isolatio...

  It’s Time to Work on Our Relationships Amberly Neese leads women in a study of sibling rivalries to find common ground With feelings of isolation and disconnection at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to learn to live at peace with others, even when we disagree. In her new Bible study, Common Ground: Loving Others Despite Our Differences , speaker and humorist Amberly Neese leads women in a study of sibling rivalries in Scripture so that all members of God’s family can find a safe place to come together to navigate conflict and heal relationships. Whether it is in politics, the professional world, a party, or a pew, every person faces some kind of conflict on a daily basis. It’s not only in-person interactions that can become heated—social media is deluged with opinion-spewing, hurt feelings, and broken friendships. What we so desperately need is hope and practical tools to navigate the tumultuous waters in order to live at peace with everyone. Fortunately,...

How Will You Respond When God Calls? Jodie Niznik leads readers through a study  of an unlikely pair to learn how to live out their calling At first glance, it doesn’t seem like Queen Esther and the prophet Jonah had much in common. Esther was an orphan girl, out of place in royal courts, who nonetheless became queen and saved her beloved Jewish people. Jonah was a reluctant prophet who ran as hard as he could from God. When he finally gave in and his efforts eventually saved his enemies, he did nothing but complain. However, in Crossroads: A Study of Esther and Jonah for Boldly Responding to Your Call  (Kregel Publications/ March 16, 2021/ISBN: 9780825446733/ $16.99), Jodie Niznik leads readers through a study of this unlikely biblical pairing to discover how to live out their unique calling. While Esther and Jonah endured wildly different circumstances and had distinctly singular callings, they were both appointed by God. They were placed in a certain time and space in hi...

Part 2 of an interview with Shannon Popkin, Author of Comparison Girl Miss  part 1  of the interview? Read it here . Do you constantly compare yourself with others? On social media, in your neighborhood, at church, or in the school drop-off lane, do you push yourself to prove that you measure up . . . and then feel ashamed when you don ’ t? Measuring yourself against others isn ’ t healthy. And it isn ’ t God ’ s plan. In fact, the way of Jesus is completely upside down from this measure-up world. He invites us to follow him and be restored to freedom, confidence, and joy. In Comparison Girl, Shannon Popkin shares what she has discovered about her own measure-up fears and get-ahead pride. With humor and honesty, she ’ s created this six-week Bible study to explore the conversations Jesus had and the stories he shared with people who—like us—were comparing themselves. Q: Women comparing themselves to others has been around since the beginning of time—w...