Judson Poling Books

This revised edition of Tough Questions, designed for use in any small group setting, is ideal for use in seeker small groups. Based on more than five years of field-tested feedback, extensive improvements make this best-selling series easier to use and more appealing than ever for both participants and group leaders. The Tough Questions SeriesHow can an all-powerful God allow suffering? Is Jesus really the only way to God? Why should I trust the Bible?Tough questions. Reasonable questions. The kinds of challenging questions you, or someone you know may be asking, that are worth taking time to explore.In six sessions designed to get small groups thinking and interacting, each guide in the Tough Questions series deals frankly with objections commonly raised about Christianity. You’ll engage in the kind of spirited dialog that shows the Christian faith can stand up to scrutiny. DO SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE CONFLICT?Isn’t Christianity Based on Blind Faith?Why Are So Few Scientists Christians?Doesn’t the Big Bang Disprove a Creator?Doesn’t Evolution Contradict Genesis?If the Bible Is True, Why Isn’t It More Scientific?Won’t Scientific Progress Make God Unnecessary?

This revised edition of the Tough Questions series of small group curriculum faces head-on the difficult and challenging questions seekers ask about the Christian faith.

'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' -- Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV). The Journey is uniquely designed to help you discover the practical aspects of Christianity - and better understand God. Notes and insights are woven throughout the complete NIV Bible text and address key questions you may be asking about the Bible and its relevance today. - Discovering God -- Addresses the many aspects of God's character. -Addressing Questions -- Deals with some of your toughest questions. -Strengthening Relationships -- Focuses on marriage, parenting, leadership, and social relationships. - Reasons to Believe -- Answer the questions, 'Why should I believe?' - Knowing Yourself -- Helps you look at your own identity in the light of God's Word. - Managing Resources -- Uncovers the Bible's most practical aspects.

decision making, God's Will, Job Satisfaction, risk taking, Fear. 3 Male, 2 Female (some characters not specific gender). In this sketch, Don is trying to make a decision about a new job with the help of many various voices in his head. A mother, a motivator, a calculator, and a superstitious voice all proffer different kinds of advice all at once and Don struggles to make any decision at all.

Three bumbling contestants on a game show try to answer simple questions about the Bible. Although they know useless trivia, such as the active ingredient in Windex is Ammonia D, they don't know that Genesis was not only the name of Phil Collin's band but also a book of the Bible, that Freedom of Speech is not one of the Ten Commandments, and that an epistle is not the wife of an apostle. This sketch presents a hilarious, tongue-in-check exposT of biblical illiteracy in our modern culture.

Leadership, Worship Teams, Control, Power, Conflict. 4 Male, 2 Female. Pastor Howitzer drops by to give his input at a church Programming/Worship team's weekly evaluation. What starts as a friendly communication becomes a discouraging expression of the pastor's desire for the team. If they're going to work in the vineyard, he wants grapes, not lemons!

Father's Day, Parenting, Family Conflict. 2 Males. The father/son relationship is put on trial in this sketch as a father confronts the toughest issues that come with a teenage son. Inability to communicate effectively, masking of feelings, and expressing love are all challenges solved through sensitivity and patience and the love of a father for his son.

Evangelism, Christian Character, Hypocrisy. 3 Females, 2 Males. In this skit, the ugly hypocrisy with which some Christians operate is put on display when a church group discussing a homeless shelter proceeds to abuse and placate the waitress who is serving them, leaving a little tip and a Bible tract. The waitress reads the tract and realizes she wants no part of the eternity promised to people like the ones she just met.

Art is relaxing on his back deck, reading the paper on a Saturday morning when in come three "businessmen." They begin to talk to Art about his day's activities with an emphasis on how he should reconsider taking the day off. They are very concerned with how it "appears" not to be working, and suggest he go into the office and send emails and voicemails with a "Saturday" stamp to show his commitment. It becomes clear these are not co-workers, but voices inside his head which are always telling him why he should be doing something other than what he's doing, and urge him to consider appearances and nuances over substance. His "handlers" constantly "interpret, spin, and posture" his every move-and everybody else's-much to his emotional and spiritual detriment. In the end, he forces them out, just as his wife comes out to join him. When she is left alone, her "handlers" show up to question her-starting the cycle all over again

Expectations, Disappointment, Family Relationships, Christmas. 2 Males, 2 Females. A young married couple receives gifts from their parents, and they realize that they were given with ulterior motives attached. Todd receives tools as reminder from his father to be like him, “Mr. Fix-it.” Diane receives an espresso maker, a reminder to be more domestic. They too, though, gave inconsiderate gifts, and in the end, find themselves gravitating toward the gift they gave, rather than the gift they received.