Gary Schulz

Everyone has a life, and every life is headed someplace, whether we know it or not. Some lives seem like they are on-track, but a derailment may be just up ahead, and they can't see it coming. Some are already off onto a track that they do not like, but they do not know how to change directions. Jesus said that he was the true way to life. So how do we get onboard with him? And how do we stay onboard? This study is a biblical perspective of having a life that is on-track, headed in a direction of true life. Get onboard for the journey

Wisdom--the intelligent ingredient that directs our lives. We all want good and prosperous lives, but we don't all make the best choices and decisions. Many live in regret over their past foolish choices. We can all look back to see where our lives have been, but no one knows their future. The best we can do is to predict the future based on whatever wisdom we possess. Some are wiser than others, but no one has perfect wisdom. And no one can look ahead to see all that is going to happen and the effects on our lives.Everyone has a wisdom of their own to guide them. This is the plight of mankind since the days of Adam and Eve when they chose to go it alone in this life apart from the all-knowing powerful wisdom of God. Wouldn't it be great if we could get back into that wonderful relationship with God where we lived under his guiding hand? We would get life back--eternal life. That is why Jesus came, to bring us back into an obedient relationship with God, guided by his perfect wisdom. Unfortunately, just as the devil tempted Eve with a wisdom of her own apart from God's wisdom, the devil tempts us with the same lie that we are better off going it alone in life with our own wisdom apart from God's. It's a battle of truth. This study will prepare you for the battle.

Most can facilitate a small group study, but to be effective, they likely need some training. This training assumes that these are Bible based studies with an outcome of having every participant growing in their relationship with God to become a more mature, effective and fruitful Christian. It also assumes that members of the group will come to know, trust and respect one another, and as a result, become united Christian friends.These objectives do not just happen because we meet in small groups. Some members can be dominant and overbearing, while others are introverted and quite. It can be a challenge to have all members equally exchange their understandings and views with openness and enthusiasm. This training guide should give the facilitator many definite methods for effectively bringing life to his group, and at the same time become an equal member of the group. If the facilitator does not feel qualified to lead, his confidence should grow as he learns from this guide, participates with his group and is encouraged and built up by meeting with other facilitators just like himself.This study was created for a dynamic prison ministry, but the principles are just as spiritually dynamic for any Christian group.

Repentance is one of the most misunderstood concepts in our Christian vocabulary. Divisions and denominations have developed over the understanding of repentance. Repentance is the decisive act to turn from a life that is headed for destruction in order to head in a direction of true life as found in and through Jesus Christ. Repentance is the pursuit of eternal life. John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, Paul, James and John all proclaimed and taught about repentance. Repentance is an overall theme of the Bible. From the day that Eve was deceived by the devil, we have been lost, trying to find life, but never truly achieving it. God has been calling us back ever since. He has been yearning for us to change the direction of our lives so that we can truly live. Repentance is the decisive act of our hearts to seek God for this true path of life and to begin to walk in it. It is not that we never sin again or instantly become perfect, but that we turn our direction from a course of death to a pursuit of life in and through God. This study searches the scriptures for a meaningful and practical understanding of what is required to repent.

The Bible says that we were created in the image of God, but what does that mean? God is not a fleshly man, so how could man be made in the image of God? God is Spirit. What is there about man's spiritual nature that sets him apart from all other creatures? What does the Bible say about how man was made? What makes him so unique? The answers to these questions are found in the Bible, God's written words to us. The Bible says that we are "wonderfully made". If you have ever wondered about how man was made in the image of God, this study should be wonderfully fulfilling.

Perfect peace What would you give to have such peace in all situations at all times? Anxiety, stress, frustration, discouragement, fear, conflict, worry, doubt, bitterness-all of these oppose peace of mind and heart. How can we have such peace in the midst of a world of uncertainty and conflict?Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". John 14:27 (NIV) Isn't this what we all want? But how do we obtain it? The Bible tells us how. And that is what this study reveals-how you can seek Perfect Peace.

The Bible talks about leading men and women to the understanding of truth "so that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will". The devil is a master at trapping his victims. Like the spider who spins his web and waits for his prey to enter his domain-unaware that consumption is just down the road-we willing enter into the trap of the devil, unaware that he is leading us down a road that will rob us of life.The devil is a liar and a tempter, and he uses many areas of our lives to do his bidding. Some are more destructive than others, but sexual captivity is one of his most captivating, with the power to destroy mankind from within through our own desires and willful behaviors. This study was written with the hope that we would all come to see the sexual web set before us and escape before having our lives consumed by our own actions.

Jesus made a very powerful request of his heavenly Father for those who would follow him: "May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." John 17:23 (NLT) Jesus was saying that through the unity of his people that the world would know that Jesus was sent by his Father and the world would also see the love of God in his people. Our unity would silence any arguments about Jesus.God created mankind to live in perfect unity. He created Adam and said that it was not good that he was alone. So he created a woman, and immediately she was his wife. And God said that he made the two, but they were now one-perfectly united by him and in him.This unified relationship was perfect until sin entered in. Then they hid from one another and from God. Since that time we have lost the full vision of what perfect unity looks like. We probably know more about division. We have divorce, crime, political struggles, war, denominations among our churches, isolation, hatred, broken families and divisions among us of every kind. Unity is a powerful force, even among those who are evil-it can foster good or evil. Jesus came to make us one again. In the end, his unity will usher in his kingdom and eternal life. Find out what we are called to do now while we wait for his return.