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A Life Worth Questioning (John Dickson on Evangelism & Good Living)

 

Before we can give answers about Christ, we must be asked questions. Find out how to invite more questions in this excerpt from author & pastor John Dickson's book The Best-Kept Secret of Christian Mission (eBook).

 

Living a Life that Stands Out

The apostle Peter's "be prepared to give an answer to everyone" sounds very much like the apostle Paul's "know how to answer everyone". It is as if the two of them got together on this issue to make sure they told their congregations the same thing: be ready and willing to answer those who do not yet believe…

[It is] worth noting that both apostles' exhortations to speak about Christ appear in the context of instructions about living godly lives. [Peter writes,]

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing. (1 Peter 3:8–9)

 

Christians will not stand out in this world simply by being "nice" …

The life out of which we are to speak [about Christ] is not simply a moralistic life. It is a life of humility, compassion, nonretaliation and so on: in other words, a life of love. Christians will not stand out in this world simply by being "nice" and "ethical", but they will if they live the life described here, the life epitomised by the Saviour himself.

The point is simple: we are to live lives worth questioning and then offer answers worth hearing. 

As Christ did, give off light that brings questions

 

- John Dickson

 
Question: What's the difference between being "nice" and living by Jesus's example?

  

Learn More about The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission eBook Learn More

Learn more about The Best Kept Secretion of Christian Mission eBook

- Adam Forrest, Zondervan

 

(Images & some styling above are web-exclusive features not included in the text of Best Kept Secret. Image attribution: video by CarbonNYC under creative commons license, via Flickr, and special thanks castingoutnines.wordpress.com. This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer's personal opinions are shared only for information purposes. To receive new Zondervan Blog posts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

 

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Watch “Song of the Stars” Christmas Party Videos

 

Last week’s Song of Stars Live Christmas Party with Sally Lloyd-Jones was such a joy that I’m still thinking about it!

Sally read her new Song of the Stars Christmas storybook and answered questions from our online party guests. Also, we watched Christmas song performances from a sleigh-full of Sally’s talented musician friends.

Now you can watch those song performances from the party, plus some bonus videos we didn’t show, if you visit the Zonderkidz Song of the Stars Video Playlist.

(You will find performances from Jason Gray, Ellie & Drew Holcomb, Katy Bowser & Kenny Hutson, Randall Goodgame, and a lot more…)

 

2 Highlights from the Song of the Stars Party

1. Cutest Moment
Two-year-old Carter McCracken sings “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Sweeter than any Christmas cookie, this video is guaranteed to bring you tears of joy:

2. Most Captivating Moment
As Sally read Song of the Stars, the story and pictures helped me see Christmas with a child’s eyes again. I felt like one of the animals on this page:

“The One who made us has come to live with us,” the animals say. Like them, I became awed over Christ’s birth. While the incarnation is rich with mystery, it also presents a crystal clear picture of the lengths God will go to in order to love us and take care of us.

Watch video: Sally reads Song of the Stars Aloud

 

I’ll leave you with Sally’s parting speech from the party:

“Just think… ‘The One who made us has come to live with us.’ What an incredible story we’re part of. How wonderful we have a God who loves us so much that he came to rescue us. So… I hope your Advent is filled with the wonder of this story that even the angels don’t tire of.”

With Sally Lloyd-Jones and my coworkers, I wish you a Happy Christmas!
- Adam Forrest, Zondervan Internet Team

 

About Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story

Learn More about Song of the Stars

The Song of the Stars, written by best-selling author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Alison Jay, is a Christmas book that explores the joy and excitement and celebration in all of creation at the coming of Jesus. Learn More

(This post does not represent the views of Zondervan or any of its representatives. The writer’s opinions are his own, and are shared for information purposes only. To receive new blogposts in your reader or email inbox, subscribe to Zondervan Blog.)

 

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Join Gabe Lyons and Tim Keller in Live Webcast

 

Few people have spent more time considering the new generation's interplay between the church and culture than Pastor Tim Keller and Gabe Lyons. Together, for an exclusive LIVE webcast conversation with Q&A, these two leaders will discuss the timely opportunity for church leaders who care about connecting with and mobilizing the younger generation for the sake of the Gospel.


Live Webcast: February 17, 2pm ET
Learn more about this free, live event: www.qideas.org/webcast

 

Next Christians Curriculum Pack
Learn More about The Next Christians Pack

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Hearing insights from Gabe Lyons' new book and curriculum, The Next Christians, church leaders will better understand the competing dynamics underway and gain vision for how to disciple and meaningfully send out "on mission" the most volatile segment of Christianity's future population. With clarity and conviction, Lyons will describe in candid terms the six hopeful characteristics emerging among this group of Christians and what it will take for churches to capture their heart and imagination in service to Christ.

 

2 Other Reasons to Join the Webcast… 

Read More…

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NRB convention live blog

NRB is "the preeminent association of Christian communicators."  As a leading Christian communications brand, Zondervan is attending the NRB national convention in Nashville, which ends Tuesday night, Mar. 11  (read The Christian Post coverage).

Sunday night Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, addressed the convention about the power of storytelling. The two-hour multi-media message featured Mr. Zoradi, Disney animator Glen Keane (creator of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast), and Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid) sharing their personal Christian testimonies and explaining how Disney is returning to its roots of telling, in true family-friendly ways, great stories with moral lessons that cross all cultural boundaries.  A current example of that message is the latest major film installment of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis (releasing May 16). Zondervan, a partner with Disney, is the publisher of The Chronicles of Narnia for the Christian book market.  We’re featuring the series in our exhibit booth at the convention.

Tuesday morning President Bush is scheduled to speak here.

Relationship-building is probably the biggest benefit of coming to this gathering — meeting new friends and strengthening established ties — to see how we can work together to advance the kingdom-building work of the gospel.  We’re glad we’re here.

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