The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men
Richard D. Phillips
Come over to Caribou Coffee on Minnesota Ave. at 8AM on Saturdays to study & discuss what it means to be a real man. Give us a heads up, and we'll have an extra copy of the reading waiting for you to join in discussion, or just listen.
Read the Table of Contents and Chapter 1 here.
There is a crying need in the church today for men to be men. But competing visions for what a man is to be some growing out of popular culture and others arising from flawed teaching in the church are exacerbating the problem. Richard Phillips believes it is possible to cut through all of this confusion by consulting the Bible. Only in the pages of Scripture, he asserts, can men find a clear explanation of their God-given roles as leaders, husbands, fathers, and churchmen.
Beginning in Genesis, Phillips shows that God commissioned Adam to work and tend the Garden of Eden. In these twin tasks, he perceives a template for manhood, one that, when carried out with diligence, provides dignity to men, service to mankind, and glory to God. He then goes on to show that men are called to lead, to love their wives, to discipline their children, and to serve the church of Jesus Christ. Here is biblical exposition of the most practical sort teaching that reveals not only what men are to think but what they are to be.
Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People
A Training Manual on the Message & Methods of God-Centered Witnessing
By Will Metzger
The recovery of a God-centered and grace-centered gospel is imperative, says Will Metzger. In the third edition of his critically-acclaimed training manual he expands on the topics of grace and worship. And he emphasizes the centrality of sovereign, saving grace that completely exalts God. In addition, he offers a narrative approach to witnessing with the story "Come Home," training materials for Christians who want to learn God-centered evangelism, and a study guide on evangelism suitable for individuals or groups.
Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns
By T. David Gordon
How has pop culture changed our view of music, particularly worship music?
Book Description: Changes in music have affected the way we think, the way we worship—even the way we are able to worship. We are steeped in a culture of pop music that makes other genres seem strangely foreign and unhelpful. Worship has become a conflict area, rather than a source of unity.
T. David Gordon looks at these changes in worship and not only examines the problems, but also provides solutions. They are solutions of great importance to us all—because how we sing affects how we live.
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The previous book we studied was A Case for Amillennialsim by Kim Riddlebarger.
Publisher's Description: Amillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, historic premillennialism, postmillennialism, preterism. These are difficult words to pronounce and even harder concepts to understand. A Case for Amillennialism presents an accessible look at the crucial theological question of the millennium in the context of contemporary evangelicalism. This study defends amillennialism as the historic Protestant understanding of the millennial age. Amillennarians believe that the millennium of 
Christ's heavenly reign is a present reality, not a future hope to come after his return. Recognizing that eschatology, the study of future things, is a complicated and controversial subject, Riddlebarger provides definitions of key terms and a helpful overview of various viewpoints. He examines related biblical topics as a backdrop to understanding the subject and discusses important passages of Scripture that bear upon the millennial age, including Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Romans 11, and Revelation 20. Regardless of their stance, readers will find helpful insight as Riddlebarger evaluates the main problems facing each of the major millennial positions and cautions readers to be aware of the spiraling consequences of each view.
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A previous book we studied was A Godly Man's Picture -- Drawn with a Scripture Pencil by famous Puritan Theologian and Pastor Thomas Watson.
Watson is always the essence of sanity and reliability. But in addition, this work shows how attractive the grace of God is. Christians of all stages, reading it for the first time, will feel as if they have entered the gallery of a great portrait painter. As his sub-title suggests, Watson works with 'a Scripture pencil' in this priceless sketch of the true believer.
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A prevous book we studied was Worldly Saints: The Puritans As They Really Were by Leland Ryken.
Dr. Ryken's presentation of the Puritan view and style of life is perceptive and accurate. He allows the Puritans to speak for themselves on topics ranging from "Church and Worship" to "Money" and "Marriage and Sex."
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. What Were the Original Puritans Like?
2. Work
3. Marriage and Sex
4. Money
5. Family
6. Puritan Preaching
7. Church and Worship
8. The Bible
9. Education
10. Social Action
11. Learning From Negative Example: Some Puritan Faults
12. The Genius of Puritanism: What the Puritans Did Best
Another book we have studied: With Reverence and Awe: Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: Sound Doctrine and Worship
1. The Church and the World
2. The Purpose of the Church
3. A Worshiping Community
4. The Holy Day of Worship
5. Acceptable Worship
6. Reformed Liturgy
7. Leading and Participating in Worship
8. Worship with Godly Fear
9. The Means of Grace
10. Worship: Elements, Circumstances, and Forms
11. Song in Worship
Conclusion: Discernment in Worship