IVP Essentials Series (5 vols.)

by Greg Ogden; Daniel Meyer; Tremper Longman III; Robbie Fox Castleman

Publisher:

IVP

, 2007–2014

Overview

The Essentials is a series of in-depth workbooks that brings the essentials of Christian ministry into contact with the real life of your congregation. With books on discipleship, evangelism, leadership, and the Great Commandment, there is something for everyone at your church—from veteran ministry leaders to regular attenders.

Every Essentials experience is built on three conditions for transformation: 1) The unchanging truth of God’s Word, 2) transparent relationships, and 3) mutual accountability. As each Essentials group matures in these areas, members are encouraged to start again with new groups—creating an ever-expanding, multigenerational discipling network within your community.

If you want to see unprecedented growth in every facet of your ministry, there’s no better place to begin than the Essentials Set.

Key Features

• Focuses on the unchanging truth of God’s Word
• Brings the essentials of Christian ministry into contact with the real life of your congregation
• Seizes the great potential of small groups by calling individuals into intimate, accountable relationships

• Title: IVP Essentials Series, 5 Volumes
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Volumes: 5
• Pages: 976
• Resource Type: Topical
• Topic: Ministry Resources

Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character

• Authors: Greg Ogden and Daniel Meyer
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 176

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Leadership is essential. Maybe you've shied away from leadership because you don't know what it will involve, or you feel too unsure of your own abilities. But your leadership is needed! In every sector of society, from families to businesses to churches, leadership roles remain empty, waiting for people willing and able to step up and make wise decisions that bring positive change. And, in a world with priorities vastly different from Christ's, Christian leaders are especially needed to point people to him.

Preparation is essential. As essential as the leadership itself is the preparation beforehand, which is why Greg Ogden, a seasoned leader himself, has created this interactive guide that will give you the tools you need to lead well, using your unique gifts and experience.

Divided into four sections, this workbook will help you develop character, postures, vision, and skills. By working through these multiple channels of learning, you'll be equipped not just with head knowledge about leadership but with true character formation and awareness of your own abilities that will prepare you for the challenges and choices of leadership.

[A]n excellent book for a leadership team to work through together. Working through this book will help develop your own abilities and prepare you to mentor others in leadership.

—Mark W. Cannister, YouthWorker Journal, July/August 2008

Greg Ogden (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) recently retired from professional church leadership and now lives out his passion of speaking, teaching, and writing about the disciple-making mission of the church. Most recently, Greg served as executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago western suburbs. From 1998-2002, Greg held the position of director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller Theological Seminary and associate professor of lay equipping and discipleship.

Prior to teaching at Fuller, Greg enjoyed 24 years in pastoral ministry, primarily within Presbyterian churches, but also as senior pastor at the Saratoga Federated Church in the Silicon Valley, California. While there, he developed a discipleship program used by over 15,000 people and resulting in his book Discipleship Essentials and eventually the Essentials Series. Greg's other books include Unfinished Business and Transforming Discipleship.

Daniel Meyer is a graduate of Yale University (BA), Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin) and has served since 1997 as senior pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook in Chicago's western suburbs. His weekly messages are broadcast on television, radio, and the Internet and are frequently featured on PreachingToday.com.

Additionally, Dan serves as on-air host and chairman of LIFE FOCUS, a multiple Emmy Award-winning television newsmagazine aired on PBS and other stations nationwide. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fuller Theological Seminary, the Deans Advisory Board of Midwestern University, and the Board of the Executives Breakfast Club of Oak Brook.

The Essential Commandment: A Disciple's Guide to Loving God and Others

• Author: Greg Ogden
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 204

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In this practical, in-depth handbook, Ogden draws from his years of pastoral experience training and discipling others to help us truly be changed by Christ into people who love God and love others with all that we are. Following the format of his bestselling Discipleship Essentials, each chapter includes a core truth, a memory verse, an inductive Bible study, and a reading on one aspect of the Great Commandment.

Thoughtful questions will also help you examine your heart and life and move you to open yourself to God's transforming work. Above all, Ogden helps you see that the Great Commandment is actually a great invitation to join God in bringing his kingdom to earth. And as you learn to do so, you'll find that the greatest commandment leads to the greatest life possible.

In The Essential Commandment, Greg Ogden has once again taken the complex subject of Christian discipleship and made it truly understandable and personally applicable. After reading this book, you will wonder why more authors have not made the Great Commandment of Jesus their central focus. More importantly, you will be grateful that Ogden has, and that he's given you another essential tool for finding your way and helping others into the deeper life of Christ.

—Daniel Meyer, senior pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook; author, Witness Essentials

Greg Ogden (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) recently retired from professional church leadership and now lives out his passion of speaking, teaching, and writing about the disciple-making mission of the church. Most recently, Greg served as executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago western suburbs. From 1998-2002, Greg held the position of director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Fuller Theological Seminary and associate professor of lay equipping and discipleship.

Prior to teaching at Fuller, Greg enjoyed 24 years in pastoral ministry, primarily within Presbyterian churches, but also as senior pastor at the Saratoga Federated Church in the Silicon Valley, California. While there, he developed a discipleship program used by over 15,000 people and resulting in his book Discipleship Essentials and eventually the Essentials Series. Greg's other books include Unfinished Business and Transforming Discipleship.

Witness Essentials: Evangelism that Makes Disciples

• Author: Daniel Meyer
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 230

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

You know the radical difference the gospel of Jesus Christ makes, and you want others to see and enjoy its benefits. In fact, you don't want them to just pray a prayer and move on to the next interesting thing. You want them to sink their roots deeply into the grace of God.

So often, though, you feel that you are inadequate to this important task—that you don't know enough or that you will offend your friends. Daniel Meyer has provided the tools you need to move forward: the basics of the gospel message, the role of life change in your witness, and how to present the good news.

The Bible studies, exercises and readings in this book will deepen your personal faith and equip you to minister to others with a new sense of confidence and calling.

Too many well-meaning Christians reduce evangelism to the minimum set of requirements needed to get into heaven. In Witness Essentials, Dan Meyer masterfully captures the fullness of the gospel movement Jesus started 2000 years ago and how every believer can move beyond unfortunate evangelism stereotypes to live out that deep desire inside every Christian—to play a role in helping others begin a relationship with Jesus. Witness Essentials is theologically well-grounded, true to real life, and filled with relationally intelligent and practical steps to help people be the witness for Christ they long to be. I wish it was required reading for every Christian serious about inviting others into the great adventure of knowing and walking with God.

—Jim Mellado, president, Willow Creek Association

Daniel Meyer is a graduate of Yale University (BA), Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin) and has served since 1997 as senior pastor of Christ Church of Oak Brook in Chicago's western suburbs. His weekly messages are broadcast on television, radio, and the Internet and are frequently featured on PreachingToday.com.

Additionally, Dan serves as on-air host and chairman of LIFE FOCUS, a multiple Emmy Award-winning television newsmagazine aired on PBS and other stations nationwide. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Fuller Theological Seminary, the Deans Advisory Board of Midwestern University, and the Board of the Executives Breakfast Club of Oak Brook.

Old Testament Essentials: Creation, Conquest, Exile and Return

• Author: Tremper Longman
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2013
• Pages: 215

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

“Christians love the Bible, but they often do not know what to do with the Old Testament,” writes Westmont College professor Tremper Longman. Further, he points out that it includes many types of writing—history, prophecy, poetry, wisdom and apocalyptic. In this helpful volume he offers different strategies for understanding each of these important types of writing.

Jesus made a point to tell his disciples that the whole Old Testament anticipated his coming (see especially Luke 24:25-27, 44-45). And so each session includes a special feature called “Anticipating the New Testament.” Through this you will begin to discover the links between the two testaments and gain a fuller sense of our unfolding salvation history.

“Tremper Longman is for me—and countless others—a treasured 'go-to' resource to uncover the treasures of Old Testament wisdom. This survey will be of huge value to anyone who wants the big picture of the Great Story.”

—John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and author of Who Is This Man?

Tremper Longman (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Yale University) is Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He is also visiting professor of Old Testament at Mars Hill Graduate School, visiting professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, and adjunct of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He lectures regularly at Mars Hill, Regent College in Vancouver, and the Canadian Theological Seminary in Calgary. Longman is the author or coauthor of over 20 books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament (with Raymond B. Dillard) and many others.

New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom

• Author: Robbie Fox Castleman
• Series: IVP Essentials
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2014
• Pages: 151

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

"I was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ as a college student. The Jesus of the New Testament overwhelmed me, and by God’s grace Jesus still does," writes professor Robbie Castleman, author of New Testament Essentials. Her love of Jesus and Scripture is evident in this study, which seeks to answer the question Jesus’ disciples posed: "What kind of man is this?" (Matthew 8:27).

New Testament Essentials introduces us to the New Testament in three parts: The revelation of God in Jesus Christ, the indwelling of God in the church by the Holy Spirit and the present and coming kingdom of God. In each of the twelve studies the author helps us to hear Scripture in its own historical and cultural context before guiding us to apply it to our own context.

Jesus’ life, teachings and works were thoroughly grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures. And so each session includes a special feature called "Connecting to the Old Testament." Through this you will begin to discover the links between the two testaments and gain a fuller sense of our unfolding salvation history.

“Castleman's choice of key passages is enhanced by her own crisp commentary, by linking these passages to illuminating Old Testament parallels and by offering readers opportunities to share their own reflections on the drama of salvation for their lives today. I can't think of a more positive introduction to the Bible for those who wish to grow in their knowledge of Scripture and faith.”

—James R. Edwards, Professor of Theology, Whitworth University

Robbie Fox Castleman (D.Min., University of Dubuque) is professor of biblical studies and theology at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She previously served for several years as a staff member with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, specializing in ministry to graduate students at campuses in and around Tallahassee, Florida.