LOVE JESUS
LOVE JESUS
LEARN TO LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR BEING.
Thrive Next Steps
The first part of our calling is love Jesus.
We express this calling in two ways:
Click below to find a variety of resources to help you engage in each expression.
Remember, God intended the Christian life to be lived in community. Who can you invite to engage alongside you?
Worship and pray
How to Have a Quiet Time (booklet), Ruth and Warren Myers
Learn how to make spending quiet time with the Lord an important priority in your daily life.
My Heart, Christ’s Home (booklet), Robert Munger
Imagining what it would be like to have Jesus come to the home of our hearts, Munger moves room by room considering what Christ desires for us.
The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg
An accessible introduction to key, life-sustaining practices that lead to transformation.
Right Now Media
Praying With Jesus, Jim Banks
Six 10 to 15 minutes sessions considering different topics on prayer
Bible Project
Loyal Love, an overview of love as the mark of God’s character (five minutes)
Apps (search your phone's app store)
Lectio 365, from 24-7 Prayer
Offers morning and evening prayers with meditation on scripture
One Minute Pause, from Ransomed Heart
A simple way to connect with God in the middle of your day
Drawing Close to God, Stephen Eyre
The Blue Book, Jim Branch
The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
Note: Practicing God’s Presence is an update to the original and may be easier for some to read.
Study and engage scripture
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible wealth of God's Word.
How to Study Your Bible: Discover the Life-Changing Approach to God’s Word, Kay Arthur, David Arthur, Pete De Lacy
This systematic and life-changing way of understanding and exploring Scripture reveals the Bible’s message and helps you live boldly and confidently in God’s truths.
Stop Reading, Start Studying: Inductive Bible Study Method Explained, Henry Jackson III
Through simple, step-by-step instructions, you'll learn not just the 'what' of Bible study, but the crucial 'how,' embarking on a journey to a more intimate relationship with God.
God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible, Vaughn Roberts
Helps the reader how to understand the storyline of the Bible.
The God of Promise and the Life of Faith: Understanding the Heart of the Bible, Scott Hafemann
Provides a basic framework for the Scriptures that helps us read it for ourselves.
Bible Project Series:
How to Read the Bible, Intro
Animated video episode that will help you understand the Bible and see it’s unified message.
Animated video episode that will help you understand why we have four accounts of Jesus’ life in the Bible.
Explore other videos on the Bible Project website like:
How to Read the Bible Video Series
Learn about the Bible’s larger story and how to read it well. See how different literary genres and ancient writing styles help form one epic narrative.
Other Digital Resources
The Abide Bible Initiative, Taylor University and Bible Gateway
Outlines a set of practical exercises and activities you can undertake to interact more meaningfully with the Bible.
Multiple, 10-minute video lessons by Ray Vanderlaan that clarify the Scripture and deepen your understanding and practice of discipleship.
Apps (search your phone's app store)
The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel - Alpha
Reading the Bible does not have to be complicated. This app is a daily Bible reading plan that include thoughts from Alpha pioneers on the passages read.
You Version Bible App (search your phone's app store)
This app offers a free Bible experience for smartphones and tablets in thousands of versions and languages – without advertising.
Navigators Topical Memory System (also available as an app)
The perfect launching point for memorizing God’s Word; particularly key verses that point to basic truths and important instruction.
After I Believe: Everyday Practices for a Vibrant Faith, James Emery White
This manual for discipleship takes new Christians through the basics of growing in the faith and connecting with the church.
The Fight: A Practical Handbook for Christian Living, John White and Tom Lin
Beginning with an exploration of what happens at conversion, White offers refreshing insights into the challenges and joys of freedom in Christ that will benefit both new and experienced Christians.
In person or online. In depth engagement with a biblical book or series of books over 30 weeks.
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
Helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible—their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today—so you can uncover the inexhaustible wealth of God's Word.
Inductive Bible Study, Richard Fuhr and Andreas Kostenberger
Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes, Richards and James