With our line of Equip books, we are developing a collection of substantive resources for Christians who desire to dig deeper into important biblical, theological, and cultural issues. Although longer than the books in our Big Truth | little books® series, every resource in the Equip line is accessible and tailored specifically for the everyday Christian.
Beware of Dogs: Exposing Error in the Modern Church | Colin Eakin
And so we arrive at the purpose of this book: to awaken a generally torpid and negligent modern evangelical church out of its doctrinal stupor. In particular, it is designed to reassert the clear gospel—”the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16)—and contrast it against several of its present day corruptions. As one insightful pastor comments upon Philippians 3:2, “Any attempt to please God by one’s own efforts and draw attention away from Christ’s accomplished redemption is the worst kind of wickedness.” This book seeks to counter such wickedness. As in Paul’s era, modern day believers must be warned against “dogs” and “evildoers” who still seek to distort the gospel by adding human achievement to God’s work in salvation. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
Rescued by Grace | Edited by Cliff McManis and Derek Brown
The Bible says Jesus came into the world to “seek and save the lost.” Rescued By Grace is a compendium of modern day testimonies told by those who were lost but have now been found, saved and changed forever by Jesus and His gospel. This book also explains from Scripture who Jesus is using His very own words. Purchase a physical copy here.
Skillfully Surveying the Scriptures, Vol. 1: Genesis through Esther | J. R. Cuevas
In an age where certain books of the Bible – particularly those from the Old Testament – are largely being ignored and untaught, this book series aims to equip both formal Bible teachers and laymen to teach the whole of the Bible, book by book, to God’s saints. With detailed yet easy-to-follow study material and lesson worksheets designed for Sunday School and Bible study settings, this resource will prove to be a useful tool for Bible teachers of all levels of experience. Purchase a physical copy here.
The Gospel, the Church, and Homosexuality | Edited by Michael Sanelli and Derek Brown
Homosexuality is now a watershed issue for the church. Christians, however, have not consistently responded to this issue with a balance of truth and love. Sadly, our failure to engage others with a Spirit-wrought blend of compassion and truth telling has allowed some to continue in sin while distancing others further from the church and the hope of the gospel. The contributors to this book seek to help Christians think carefully about the matter of homosexuality so that they can minister to their friends, family members, and neighbors who are presently wrestling with same-sex attraction. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
Strong and Courageous: The Character and Calling of Mature Manhood | Derek Brown
Manhood has fallen on hard times. More than ever it appears that men are ignorant of what true masculinity entails. Perhaps most discouraging is that this ignorance characterizes many men in the Church of Christ. Writing from several years of experience in discipleship and pastoral ministry, Derek Brown seeks to help Christian men understand their calling, find hope in the gospel, and grow in godly masculinity. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
God’s Glorious Story: The Truth of What it’s All About | Colin Eakin
God has written a story. Ponder that thought for a moment. That is a startling statement. The God of the universe, the only one true God, has written a story, a comprehensive narrative of what has been, what is, and what will be. And not only has God written a story, but he wrote it to be read and understood by the highest form of his creation, his magnum opus–humans. Purchase a physical copy here.
The Biblically-Driven Church: How Jesus Builds His Body | Cliff McManis
What is the purpose of the church? What qualifies someone to be a leader in the church? What is true church growth? In this work, Cliff McManis brings together over 20 years of pastoral experience, biblical study, and thorough research in order to answer the most basic questions concerning the nature of the Church and her mission. Purchase a physical copy here.
What the Bible Says About Israel: Past, Present, and Future | Cliff McManis
Since the time of Abraham the Jews have occupied the interest of God and the world. 4,000 years later not much has changed: Israel is still front and center-stage in universal conversation. But today there is widespread confusion about Israel – their origin, history, present role and future destiny. Such confusion is unnecessary, for God addresses all those issues clearly in His Word, the Bible. After all, from Genesis to Revelation, the context of all the events of biblical history is in relation to the Jews. In What the Bible Says About Israel, Pastor McManis explains clearly and simply God’s plan and purpose for the Jews – past, present and future. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
Rescued by Grace, Volume 2: More Evidence that God is Still Saving Sinners | Edited by Cliff McManis and Derek Brown
The Bible tells us that we can clearly see God’s power in the created order. “The heavens declare the glory of God,” David writes in Psalm 19. The apostle Paul tells us that evidence for the Creator’s existence is available to all people at all times (Rom 1:20). But a sinner saved by God’s grace, washed by his Spirit, and transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ displays God’s power and reality with even greater intensity than the most magnificent star or lofty mountain range. A previously rebellious, hardened sinner, once dead in their transgressions but now forgiven, alive to God, and full of love for their Savior is compelling evidence that God is real and his gospel is true. In these pages, you will find a collection of testimonies: real stories of men and women from profoundly different backgrounds all sharing how they were brought to faith in Jesus Christ. Take up and read. You will be blessed as you hear afresh of how God is still in the business of saving sinners. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
Deacons: Clarifying the Biblical Role | J. Robert Douglas
Christ is the head of the church, and his instructions for church leadership are not suggestions to consider—they are commands to be followed. Through the Holy Spirit, the apostles in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3 provided the leadership structure for Christ’s church. This structure consists of two offices: elders, the church’s spiritual-leaders, and deacons, the church’s servant-leaders. Two offices, two directives, one purpose: to proclaim the Word of God and build the church. Sadly, over the last two thousand years of church history, man’s wisdom has often supplanted Christ’s Word, producing a variety of faulty interpretations of Scripture that attempt to change the number of leadership offices in the church, diminish leadership qualifications, and modify the purpose of leadership positions. In Deacons: Clarifying the Biblical Role, pastor Douglas cuts through the chaos to bring clarity from Scripture for this essential role in the church. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
Walk Worthy: A Practical Study of Ephesians | Stephen Salinas
Once you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, does it matter how you live your life? In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul explicitly addresses this burning question. He outlines the wonderful reality of the believer’s new life in Christ and all of the blessings that come from being united with Jesus. In light of the believer’s standing in Christ, Paul exhorts his readers to walk worthy of their calling. Paul gets intensely practical as he shares what walking worthy of Jesus looks like in all aspects of life. We see the perfect relationship between the gospel, grace, and Spirit-powered obedience. Walk Worthy is a practical study of the book of Ephesians, geared towards the average Christian who is looking for an in-depth, but easy-to-read Bible study guide. Read the PDF for free here. Purchase a physical copy here.
The Biblical Church | Cliff McManis
How does a church grow? Who builds the church? What is real, honorable church growth anyway? These questions hound local pastors, motivate church consultants and typically confuse the average church goer. But they are essential questions that deserve a hearing, and they matter. The good news is that Jesus answered those questions 2,000 years ago, and the apostles implemented Jesus’ teachings on this topic in the early church. And God has graciously preserved it all for us today in the Bible. As such, Scripture is sufficient for us today. This book will show why. Purchase a physical copy here.
Proclaim: A Comprehensive Guide to Evangelism | Edited by Derek Brown and Cliff McManis
Proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ is a wonderful privilege. Many Christians, however, struggle to make this important responsibility a regular part of their lives. Some of us struggle due to fear; some of us sense some inadequacy when faced with objections to the gospel. With this book, editors Derek Brown and Cliff McManis are supplying Christian readers with a bag full of biblical tools to help them overcome these struggles and pursue a life of consistent, faithful, and effective evangelism. Purchase a physical copy here.