- Table View
- List View
Disciple II Into the Word Into the World: Into the Word Into the World (Disciple Ser.)
by Duane A. EwersDISCIPLE II: Into the Word Into the World is the second study in the four-phase Disciple program and is prepared for those who are graduates of Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study. This study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture. The importance of keeping Bible study related to witness is reinforced while participants are encouraged to practice spiritual disciplines arising out of Scripture for the purpose of changing habits and transforming lives. The study also emphasizes the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in the Word and in the world individually and corporately. This study understands the growing Christian as under discipline in community and in ministry to the world. Into the Word Into the World approaches all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.Commitment and Time Involved 32 week study Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings. Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings.Teacher HelpsThe Teacher Helps provides an outline for an orientation session and process suggestions for each of the weekly group sessions. It does not contain new or additional content for the leader to present to the group. A one-page teaching plan is provided for each session. Weekly group sessions follow a set pattern, with designated amounts of time for each step. Suggestions for group activity are specific and clearly related to the Scripture being studied. Ample questions for use in discussion are included.Specific instructions are included for making weekly assignments to individuals for use of the basic resource library.In the front of the teacher helps is a section of general information on effectively using the study manual, preparing to lead the weekly group meeting, following the proper schedule and procedure, tips for leading discussion, and suggestions for creating and maintaining a caring climate in the study group.Process suggestions in the teacher helps enable full participation by all members of the group as a result of disciplined daily study. A one-page plan for each of the weekly group sessions follows an established schedule and procedure, with an amount of time designated for each section in the plan. Each session plan includes suggestions for group study of a selected passage of Scripture.
Give Up Something Bad for Lent: A Lenten Study for Adults
by James W. MooreWrap your arms around the Good News for Lent.During Lent each year, Christians give up something as an act of sacrifice and spiritual discipline. Often it is something like chocolate, knowing that after Easter Sunday they can once again enjoy what they have given up. James Moore challenges readers to take it further—to give up something spiritually that they would be better off not doing. He invites all to seek God's help to focus on eliminating one habit or attitude that is destructive. Imagine giving up envy, jealousy, self-pity, apathy, procrastination, gossip, resentment, or negative thinking, how much better life would be.The forty days of Lent are ideal to use this study and prepare to give up something bad while preparing to fully embrace the Good News of Easter. Study includes seven sessions, one for each Sunday in Lent and Easter Sunday. Each session features a Scripture reference, a personal reading, questions for personal reflection or group study, and closing prayer.
Almost Christmas Devotions for the Season: A Wesleyan Advent Experience (Almost Christmas)
by Matt Rawle Ingrid McIntyre April Casperson Magrey deVegaIn 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled "The Almost Christian" in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian.In Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience, author and pastor Magrey deVega leads a group of authors to explore how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace.In this book, perfect for Advent, deVega and the other authors break down the barriers that prevent us from experiencing an "altogether" love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ in our lives and in the world around us. They demonstrate the promises God offers to us that makes those longings a reality, inviting us to claim those promises for ourselves this Advent and celebrate an altogether Christmas.The devotional contains 28 daily devotions for the four weeks of Advent corresponding to the themes of Altogether Love, Altogether Hope, Altogether Joy, and Altogether Peace. Written by pastors and other leaders, the devotions celebrate and bring together the season of Advent and the best of our Wesleyan heritage.
Forgiveness Leader Guide: Finding Peace Through Letting Go (Forgiveness)
by Adam HamiltonIn his passionate and life-changing book Forgiveness: Finding Peace Though Letting Go, bestselling author Adam Hamilton shows the same insight that he brought to his popular books Why? Making Sense of God’s Will and Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. In this new book, Hamilton explores forgiveness in our relationship with God, with our spouses or romantic interests, with our parents and siblings, and with others in our lives. This comprehensive Leader Guide, when used with the DVD, provides everything you’ll need to hold a four-session study of Forgiveness with your group. Inside you’ll find session plans, discussion questions, and activities, as well as suggestions of ways to make the study a meaningful experience for any group.
Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph (Faithful)
by Adam HamiltonFrom his beginnings as a humble carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph's place in the nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. Join Adam Hamilton as he examines Christmas through the eyes of Joseph. Absent from much of the biblical narrative, Joseph never spoke a word, but his courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God's salvation plan for humanity.As you read this book, you will understand how Joseph's story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would never have chosen for ourselves. At times it can be tempting just to walk away. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides.Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas season.The story of Joseph provide us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don’t understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides.Additional components for a four-week adult study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and a DVD featuring author and pastor Adam Hamilton. Chapter topics include: A Carpenter Named Joseph Whose Child Is This? Raising a Child Not Your Own The Journey to Bethlehem The Rest of the Story
Being United Methodist Christians: Living a Life of Grace and Hope
by Andy Langford Sally Langford Ann Langford DuncanLearn what it means to be a United Methodist Christian.How may we describe United Methodists? Where do we come from? What do we believe? How do United Methodists act? What are our distinctive characteristics? What is required to be a member of our denomination? How do we grow as disciples of Jesus Christ within this great communion?In this resource, we offer answers to these questions and others in broad strokes as we describe our United Methodist Church. We will introduce you to how United Methodists live and think as followers of Jesus Christ.The United Methodist Church possesses the characteristics of many other Christian traditions but has its own distinctive profile. Our denomination combines knowledge and vital piety, believing that serious theological reflection and spiritual practices are both part of the Christian life. United Methodists link personal and social holiness, expecting high personal integrity and deep concern for social justice. We are both evangelical and sacramental, showing concern for people who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and honoring the transforming power of Baptism and Holy Communion. We welcome people with many different theological perspectives. Finally, United Methodists are both local and connectional, expressing our faith in local congregations, regional associations, and global missions, so that we might do more together than any of us could do separately.This book will help readers:· hear and claim for themselves the story of God’s love, God’s redemption, and God’s ongoing presence and power through Jesus Christ.· explore and claim for themselves the unique beliefs and emphases of United Methodist Christians.· identify ways to live day by day as United Methodist Christians as individuals and in community with other Christians.We invite you to claim for yourself the continuing story of God’s mighty acts of creation, redemption, and power through Jesus Christ within our great denomination. As you begin or continue to see yourself within this living, dynamic part of the universal body of Jesus Christ, we invite you to live, be, and grow as a United Methodist Christian.The book includes reflection questions. Supplementary resources include a downloadable Sermon, Worship, and Study Series outline.
Surrendered - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Letting Go and Living Like Jesus (Surrendered)
by Barb RooseLearn How to Surrender Like JesusAre you facing a problem in life that you just can't fix, no matter what you do? Perhaps you've heard the phrase "Let go and let God." But it's easier said than done. Is it possible that giving up on what you can't change is God's path to peace for your life? In this six-week Bible study of Jesus in the wilderness, Barb explores Jesus' time of testing and contrasts it with the Israelites' failures in the wilderness.As you learn from Jesus' example, you'll discover six principles that will equip you to let God lead you to victory despite your circumstances as you deal with the problems and pain you are facing:1. Recognize You Can’t Handle It2. Stop Following Your Feelings3. Give Up Control and Reach for God4. Embrace God’s Better Blessing5. Let Go of Fear6. Experience the Blessings of a Surrendered LifeIf you're tired of following your feelings or being disappointed by unchanging circumstances, learn how to surrender like Jesus and experience God's power and peace in your life as never before.Bible Study Features:A six-week study of Jesus in the wilderness.Helps women find the path of peace through genuine surrender, following the example of Jesus.Workbook includes five lessons for every week of study.DVD features dynamic, engaging teaching in six 20-minute segments.Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Leader Guide and DVD.Praise for SurrenderedSurrendered is the antidote for women like me who struggle with the dreaded c-word, control. Throughrich biblical teaching, vulnerable personal stories, and gentle (but insistent) beckoning, Barb Roose leadsus to a new place of freedom through trust in God. Finally . . . we can learn to release our white-knuckledgrip and rest.—Amy Carroll, Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and writer, author of Breaking Up with Perfectand ExhaleThis study is full of transformative principles to free you from the grip of control. Whether you are temptedto flee difficult circumstances, fix outcomes, or force your way forward, Barb lays out a clear path toexperience God’s lasting peace, power, and provision as you live surrendered to Him.— Katie M. Reid, author of Made Like Martha, Bible teacher, and host of The Martha + MaryShow podcastIn this study, you’ll be learning from a friend who is familiar with the painful parts of life and a guide whohas traveled the hard road of surrender. She won’t lead you astray; she’ll lead you straight to the heartof God.—Tiffany Bluhm, speaker, podcaster, and author of She DreamsBarb’s surrender principles free us from the need to control others and from anger or frustration over life’sdisappointing and hurtful circumstances. As a Bible study teacher, I highly recommend this study.— Janet Holm McHenry, best-selling author of twenty-four books including Prayer-Walk and The Compete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus
Travel the Highways of Advent: An Advent Study for Adults
by Stan PurdumThis thematic Bible study is designed to be used by individuals and small groups during the Advent 2014 season. The book, written by Stan Purdum, is based on the particular pathways to Jesus during Advent. In addition to the main content, each chapter offers questions for reflection and discussion, a brief prayer, and a focus for the week.The focus emerges from the chapter content and encourages the readers to engage in spiritual practice or do something specific that will help them grow in faith. On the whole, this thematic seasonal Bible study series is designed for transformation and for applying the study of the Bible to everyday, practical life experience. It is intended to nurture and encourage faith development and spiritual growth.
Going on to Salvation, Revised Edition: A Study of Wesleyan Beliefs
by Maxie DunnamThe church today desperately needs to recover the depth, richness, and wonder of the biblical and Wesleyan doctrine of salvation. In this book, author Maxie Dunnam offers his perspective on how to make this recovery possible. Drawing deeply on biblical and Wesleyan sources, Dunnam leads his readers on a rich and challenging tour of what it means to say that we are going on to salvation—saved by grace. Ten well drawn chapters map the full terrain of justifying, sanctifying, and perfecting grace, and mark off those detours that too frequently have confused the way of salvation.Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection and group discussion. Also included in this revised edition is a new chapter on the timely topic of Calvinism. Here is a book about salvation and grace that will itself be a means of grace for congregations and individuals.MAXIE DUNNAM is the chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary; the pastor emeritus of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee; and the vice-chairperson of World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council. He is the author of several books, including This Is Christianity, Alive in Christ, and The Workbook of Living Prayer.
Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity
by Ashley BogganLearn what it means to “submit to be more vile” for today’s Methodists.Wesleyan Vile-tality calls us back to the roots of our identity. Centered on the moment John Wesley “submitted to be more vile" in spreading the love of God to all people, Ashley Boggan argues that Wesleyan vile-tality is at the core of who we are as Methodists. As rule-benders, rabble-rousers, and outcast-embracers, those early Methodists stood out and stood up. She traces how that original identity was lost as the predecessor denominations to The United Methodist Church grew and began to embrace respectability over “vile-tality.” In an accessible and engaging account of a fascinating history, these stories of our past call us to understand who we were, question who we are, and reclaim who we should be. Each chapter includes questions for personal reflection or group study.
The Miracles of Jesus - Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: Finding God in Desperate Moments (The Miracles of Jesus)
by Jessica LaGroneJesus demonstrated the presence and power of God by performing miracles. He turned water into wine, healed the sick, calmed the storm, opened blind eyes, and raised the dead. While these beloved stories draw our attention to divine power, they also have something else in common: human desperation. Every time we see Jesus performing a miracle, we also get a glimpse into the gift of desperation, a gift that opens us to the dramatic power of God through our desperate need for him. In this six-week Bible study, Jessica LaGrone leads us in a captivating exploration of the miracles of Jesus, helping us to see that our weakness is an invitation for God to work powerfully in our lives and reminding us that we need God on our best days just as much as we do on our worst. Themes and miracle stories include: the gift of desperation (turning water into wine and other signs of God's response of fullness in our times of emptiness) the miracle of abundance (feeding the 5,000 and other abundance stories) miracles on the water (calming the storm, walking on water, the abundant catch) Jesus our healer (5 stories of healing) death and resurrection (Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter) the miracle we all receive (the Incarnation) The Leader Guide contains six session plan outlines, complete with discussion points and questions, activities, prayers, and more—plus leader helps for facilitating a group. Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Participant Workbook, DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions, and boxed Leader Kit.
Table Talk Volume 1 - Devotions: Bible Stories You Should Know (Table Talk)
by Carl Frazier Ben SimpsonComplementing Table Talk's Volume 1 programs, this selection of devotions brings the message home and allows participants to apply the session's message to their own lives. Volume 1 presents the stories of Creation, The Fall, The Flood, Father Abraham, Ten Words, and The Great Commandment.
The Adept Church: Navigating Between a Rock and a Hard Place
by F. Douglas Powe JR.A theologically grounded, yet practical, user-friendly guide for church leaders seeking to save their churches. A methodical, logical approach for strategic development and decision-making. A clear process for showing congregations how to define their reality, and a map showing the way to move forward. Offers a clear process to help congregations understand their situation by taking an honest "look in the mirror." Helps congregations build a realistic roadmap for moving forward. Illustrates how the status quo (institutionalism) is rewarded and that seeking transformation goes against institutionalism. Outlines what it means to be an adept church, a church that can navigate between a rock and a hard place because it makes decisions based upon where it needs to go and not where it is currently. Provides practical, first step for congregations to move forward.
Time Management for the Christian Leader: Or How to Squeeze Blood from a Turnip
by Ken WillardGodgives each of us the same 168 hours every week. Some of us seem to usethat time with incredible efficiency and power. But for many others thisis an area of frustrating deficiency. Time Management for Christian Leaderschallenges leaders to evaluate goals, and teaches practical techniquesfor improvement. Author and coach Ken Willard reveals ways weinadvertently waste time, and offers solutions in a step-by-step processat the reader’s own pace. Thisbook is engaging, easy to read, and even entertaining. Mostimportantly, it is full of information that can transform the Christianleader’s ministry and life. Youwill want to keep this book close at hand, to read again and again. These strategies, insights and coaching questions help readers to really manage their time. Or, as the title suggests, to Squeeze Blood from a Turnip. --J. Val Hastings, MCC, Founder & President of Coaching4Clergy & Coaching4BusinessLeadersInsightful, practical help for leaders! Time Management for Christian Leadersis a wonderful tool for laity. The principles in this book can open usto allow God to produce greater fruit for the Kingdom.--Brian Hammons,Conference Lay Leader -- Missouri Conference of the United MethodistChurchIfyou’re looking for more abundant living, this book is for you. Ken'sbiblically grounded approach produces practical strategies for today'stime-pressed Christian leaders.--Beth Caulfield, Director of SmallGroups and Team Vital Champion, The United Methodist Church of GreaterNew Jersey Thisbook offers both personal coaching and ways to make your church orfaith-based organization more effective. Are you ready to be coached?Prepare to be both motivated and encouraged by this book. You’ll walkaway from it more focused on your core values and on God’s path for you. --Jim Barber, Executive Director, Society for Church Consulting; President, Barber Church ConsultingLifein ministry moves fast, and this potent book can help us to do more ofwhat we are meant to do. --Aubrey Malphurs, Founder of The MalphursGroup; Professor of Leadership and Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Seminary
The Historical Jesus: An Essential Guide (Essential Guides #26)
by James H. CharlesworthRecent years have seen an explosion of talk about the historical Jesus from scholarly settings as well as media outlets (including sensational TV documentaries and national magazines). How is the student of the Bible to assess these various claims about Jesus? And what difference does knowledge of his time and place make for Christian faith, theological thinking, and historical research? James Charlesworth presents the solid results of modern study into the life and times of Jesus, especially regarding the role of the Essenes, the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the nature of messianic expectation, and much more. No one today is better equipped than James Charlesworth to lead students through the thickets of controversy that surround much of contemporary historical Jesus research.This Abingdon Essential Guide will fulfill the need for a brief, substantive, yet highly accessible introduction to this core area of New Testament studies. Drawing on the best in current scholarship, written with the need of students foremost in mind, addressed to learners in a number of contexts, this Essential Guide will be the first choice of those who wish to acquaint themselves or their students with the broad scope of issues, perspectives, and subject matters relating to modern quests for the historical Jesus. It will also be a preferred text for those who need or want to refresh their knowledge regarding the context within which Jesus lived in preparation for leading church discussion groups in studies of the Gospels.
The Quintessential Porcine History of Philosophy and Religion
by James TaylorWith delightful disrespect and hilarious updated illustrations, the author takes you through the history of Western philosophy and religion. Beginning with classic Greek pigs, the author pokes good-natured fun as you learn the essentials of these most important thinkers and schools of thought. See a little band of Methodist pigs fleeing from the wrath to come, a Calvinist pig being saved because he is predestined to be among the elect, a Barthian Pig hearing a resounding “NO” from above, a Deconstuctionist pig interpreting a text, and many others.
Untangling Faith Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: Reclaiming Hope in the Questions Jesus Asked
by Amberly NeeseYour questions can lead to a deeper faith and trust in God.Have you ever felt you struggled to find your faith footing? Join Amberly Neese in she explores the questions Jesus asked as a way to reclaim that faith. Chapters explore our own questions like Can God Be Trusted? and How Can I Grow in Faith. Amberly’s unique humor and wit help the whole group find their way through deep and rich issues of personal faith, doubt, and growth.Components for this six-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Participant Workbook with daily reading and reflection, a full Leader Guide to help plan full group sessions, and video sessions with six 20 to 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
The Letters of Paul: Interpreting Biblical Texts Series (Interpreting Biblical Texts)
by Charles B. CousarThe Interpreting Biblical Texts series presents a concise edition covering the seven undisputed epistles of Paul. In this volume, Charles Cousar is primarily concerned not with the man Paul and his life and work, but with his surviving letters. Part 1 introduces methods in reading the Pauline letters. Part 2 attends to the critical themes emerging in the letters--the decisiveness of Jesus Christ and old versus new life. Part 3 discusses the other six letters bearing Paul's name that appear in the New Testament.
Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church
by Mary Gladstone-Highland Kathryn E. Stokes Christina WichertGuide your church to proactively make decisions and deal with conflict.Calm: How to End Destructive Conflict in Your Church is a guidebook written for United Methodist churches and church leaders to help them proactively make decisions and deal with conflict.This book equips pastors and other leaders with the skills and tools necessary to engage in critical conversations that lead to healthy communities--churches that remain God-focused in times of conflict and tension. In addition to the four Modules, Calm includes the practical resources pastors, judicatory leaders, and others will need to lead congregations through the Modules.The Modules contain step-by-step instructions for planning and facilitating the Module sessions. They include detailed instructions and helpful tips for leading people through the Calm process of group activities, discussion, reflection, and times of worship. The book is a complete guide for leading this process, including instructions for the pastor and facilitator, helping to ensure success.The authors also provide clear adaptations for groups gathering virtually – an inescapable reality in the life of today's church. These adaptations both underscore and equip groups to take special care while engaging in the sensitive nature of conflict work in a virtual space.
Treasures in the Darkness: Letting Go of Pain, Holding On to Faith
by L. Lawrence BrandonThe strongest believer’s faith can be shaken when faced with tragedy or even disappointment. Bishop Larry Brandon faced this himself when his oldest son, Brandon, was killed. Here he shares his own struggle, pain, and eventual victory in Christ. While it appeared to the world that he was doing well, inside his heart and faith were broken. Only someone who has faced the subtle crumbling and nagging doubts can speak with authority to the pain that readers face in such dark times.Treasures in the Darkness also turns to the scripture to show how people like Abram, Sarai, David and others who loved God stumbled when their faith was put to the test. Through the text, the reader will gain spiritual understanding to help stay in faith while getting practical tools to help deal with and overcome private pain, whatever it may be. “Treasures in the Darkness” covers topics such as how to avoid masking one's pain, how to deal with frustration, assumption and presumption, coming through the grief process (the root of private pain), seeing our situation through the eyes of faith, discovering the "hidden treasure" in our pain, and more.
Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries (Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries)
by Christine R. YoderProverbs shape our moral imagination.The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries provide compact, critical commentaries on the books of the Old Testament for the use of theological students and pastors. The commentaries are also useful for upper-level college or university students and for those responsible for teaching in congregational settings. In addition to providing basic information and insights into the Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful interpretation, to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed and critical engagement with the biblical texts themselves.The book of Proverbs invites us into an ancient and ongoing conversation about what is good and wise and true in life. Yoder explores the book through literary, exegetical, and theological-ethical analysis, paying particular attention to how Proverbs shapes the moral imagination of its readers. She highlights the poetics of each proverb, considers similarities and differences between the book’s sections, and ponders how the content, pedagogies, and arrangement of Proverbs contribute to its aim to form “fearers of the Lord.”
Stepping Stones of Faith: Exciting Lessons to Help Preschool Children Build Faith
by Anita EdlundThis Collection of preschool lessons examines twelve stepping stones of faith for preschoolers and develops them into complete lessons, including a Bible story for each stepping stone, activities, snacks, and music.
Mastery: Daily Devotions for a Year
by E. Stanley JonesJesus Christ lifted our fear by giving us the capacity to face things that happen to us and to make something out of them. In Mastery, E. Stanley Jones shows us how to attain the moral and spiritual mastery that came to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. He demonstrates that mastery of living comes not by being tense and anxious, but by being receptive to the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. In daily inspirational readings, affirmations, and prayers for one full year, Jones offers us guidance in mastering our lives.guidance in mastering our lives.
Kairos Care: A Process for Pastoral Counseling in the Office and in Everyday Encounters
by Aaron PerryWhile some people might become pastors to offer counsel, I expect that many pastors see counseling as a daunting, disorienting, and even dreaded part of the job. It can even be scorned by some who consider this pastoral work an unnecessary distraction from leadership and mission. Yet pastoral counseling is a non-negotiable component of pastoral ministry that provides an excellent opportunity to display the love of Christ. Kairos Care teaches a theologically sensitive, practically formed framework for providing focused, time-limited pastoral care and counsel. To keep this framework tangible, this book offers a kairos diagram that illustrates the model for counsel. While the kairos diagram is readily found online, it has been modified to fit a pastoral counsel context for ease of use.
Worship in the Garden: Services for Outdoor Worship
by J. Wayne PrattAs individuals, we often find peace, comfort, and a close connection to God in a garden. Gardens often provide a space for worship in a neutral setting outside the church for people to gather and share a faith experience.From Easter sunrise services to church retreats, the special worship experiences described in Worship in the Garden can enhance one’s experience of God as a congregation worships together outdoors. The beauty of creation enhances these sensitive, meaningful liturgies for Communion, Blessing of the Animals, Healing, Renewal of Wedding Vows, Resurrection/Memorial Services, Graveside, Baptism, Baptismal Reaffirmation, along with other services. Inside you will learn about liturgical gardens and biblical precedents for outdoor worship.