Stonecroft Bible Studies FAQs April 2012

Transcription

1 Stonecroft Bible Studies FAQs April 2012 Stonecroft is excited to announce the launch of its newly updated Stonecroft Bible Studies series. In cooperation with Harvest House Publishers, and using the New Living Translation (Tyndale House Publishers), these new studies will be available August 1, Q: Share Stonecroft s relationship with Harvest House and the Stonecroft Bible Studies. A: God has opened the door for Stonecroft to partner with Harvest House Publishers to update the content of Stonecroft Bible Studies and to market and distribute them to a much wider audience than ever before. Stonecroft and Harvest House are working together to revise and update a few Bible Studies at time (three to four every six months). Then, Harvest House will print and publish them, and market Stonecroft Bible Studies to those not yet familiar with them. The first four studies will be available August 1, 2012: Who is Jesus? What is God Like? Who is the Holy Spirit?(new title) Connecting with God As part of the revision process, information from the Guidebook will be incorporated into the Study Book. Additionally, page numbers will be provided for Old and New Testament references using the Tyndale s Abundant Life Bible New Living Translation. Q: Will this change eventually happen to all Stonecroft Bible Studies? A: Yes. The first four studies are: Who is Jesus?, What is God Like?, Who is the Holy Spirit? (formerly titled Where is the Holy Spirit?), and Connecting with God. They will be available in August The next three studies to be revised are Luke, Christ in the Psalms, and Knowing God s Will. These are scheduled to be released in the Spring of Stonecroft hopes to update and release three or four Bible studies every six months. Q: How long will the old versions of Who is Jesus?, What is God Like?, Where is the Holy Spirit?, and Connecting with God be available? 1

2 A: Two months prior to the newly updated versions being available, Stonecroft will pause distribution of the current studies. The first four studies (Who is Jesus?, What is God Like?, Who is the Holy Spirit? (formerly titled Where is the Holy Spirit?), and Connecting with God) will no longer be available to be ordered as of June 1, We encourage you to purchase the new version beginning August 1, Q: Who owns the copyrights of the newly updated studies? A: Stonecroft maintains full copyrights to all studies, their content, and their design. Q: Is the Guide Application still used? SBS PROGRAM QUESTIONS A: Absolutely. We encourage each Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator to have potential Guides complete an application. That way, after a Guide is approved, the Coordinator has a record for each Guide. Be sure to notify the Home Office of all new Guides by ing their contact information to connections@stonecroft.org. Q: When someone orders these new Stonecroft Bible Studies through a website or purchases them at a Christian bookstore, how can current volunteers connect with them? Will these customers receive any training? A: As you know, Stonecroft Bible Studies are proven resources for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We trust that anyone who purchases these studies at a Christian bookstore will not only love the studies and grow in their relationship with Christ, but will also find out more about Stonecroft. At that time, Home Office staff can direct that person to the Stonecroft leader in their area. Each study includes specific information about Stonecroft and how to connect with ministry leaders and activities. Q: Can someone purchase and use these new studies but not be a Stonecroft-approved Guide? A: Yes. Our desire is for people to know and share Jesus, and grow in their relationship with Him as they study and share God s Word. Q: If displaying studies on a Resource Table at an outreach meeting, should the new or old version be used? 2

3 A: Please display the newly revised studies at your Outreach and Bible Studies meetings. Stonecroft has a commitment with Harvest House and only the newly revised versions will be available to purchase once they are released. You may display current Stonecroft Bible Studies until two months before their revised and updated versions are available. Q: How will Guides lead the studies with no Guidebook? A: Guides are critical to facilitating our relationally-based Stonecroft Bible Studies. Revisions have been carefully crafted to include both Guides and participants. Opportunities to read, ask and answer questions, and discuss Scripture are clear. Guides will continue to lead the study, ask and facilitate discussion, and may easily guide from and read content from the book. The participants can read right along with the Guide. Q: Because anyone can order these studies from Internet providers such as Christian Book Distributors and purchase them from Christian bookstores, how does this affect my position as a Stonecroft Bible Study leader? A: Your role as a leader within Stonecroft is important and needed. We believe these revised and refreshed studies will change the lives of those who use them to study God s Word. We still need dedicated volunteers to get these studies into the hands of women (and men) across the country. Stonecroft volunteers provide a unique service each has a desire to see others surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and grow in that relationship. Q: Since there is not a separate Guidebook, will my Guides have to do additional preparation to lead these studies? A: All the information you will need to lead the studies is included in each book. Q: Is there anything in the new studies that will point non-volunteers to Stonecroft? A: Yes. Included in each new study is a page about Stonecroft, including contact, product, and ministry information. Q: If I have extra books of the first four studies being revised, what should I do with them after May 31? A: If necessary, you may share extra books with the other volunteers in your area. However, we have a commitment to Harvest House to not sell/distribute the original studies after May 31. Please only use the new versions after that date. 3

4 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION Q: Why was the New Living Translation chosen? A: Stonecroft has always desired to make the Word of God accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with Scripture. More than 40 years ago, when Stonecroft Bible Studies were launched, the Good News New Testament was chosen because of its readability and clear rendition. Now, the New Living Translation has been chosen as an updated and even more readable translation of Scripture. MORE: The New Living Translation translators set out to render a translation of the original Scripture language texts into clear, contemporary English. Their goal was a Bible that is faithful to the ancient texts and eminently readable. The result is a translation that is both accurate and powerful. We chose The Abundant Life Bible New Living Translation edition by Tyndale because it provides many helpful features: 1. Features are easy-to-use and written for people who don t yet know Jesus Christ personally 2. Unequaled clarity and accuracy 3. Dictionary included 4. Concordance included 5. Old Testament included 6. Introductory notes on important abundant life topics such as: Gospel presentation, Practical guidance, Joy, Life s tough issues, Peace, Prayer 7. Insights from a relationship with Jesus Christ 8. Ideal Scripture text for those not familiar with the Bible! Q: Will the New Living Translation be used for all Stonecroft Bibles Studies old and new? A: The Abundant Life Bible, New Living Translation is the companion Bible to the newly revised studies and will be used for Stonecroft Bible Studies as they are revised. Current Stonecroft Bible Studies will use the Good News New Testament (4 th ed.) until they go through the revision process. 4

5 HARVEST HOUSE INFORMATION Q: Why did we choose Harvest House to revise/revamp these studies? A: We selected Harvest House because of their commitment to the Gospel and their history of excellence in publishing. Their mission statement is: To glorify God by providing high-quality books and products that affirm biblical values, help people grow spiritually strong, and proclaim Jesus Christ as the answer to every human need. Harvest House is well-known for being a leading Christian book publisher and distributor. Their staff is known for their professionalism and their wide network of distribution. Q: How did Stonecroft get connected with Harvest House to produce these new studies? A: Stonecroft s desire (and vision) is to provide relevant Bible Studies to an ever-growing audience. Leaders saw the need to update existing Stonecroft Bible Studies and find a publisher and distributor. Harvest House, with its commitment to the Gospel and its outstanding reputation, provided a stable, trustworthy standard. ORDERING INFORMATION Q: Can I still order these updated Stonecroft Bible Studies through Stonecroft? A: Yes! Stonecroft will offer each study in the same easy ways you order today: stonecroft.org/store, , fax: Q: What is the price of the newly revised Stonecroft Bible Studies? A: Through Stonecroft, each study will be $6.00, plus tax and shipping & handling, for volunteers. We have intentionally kept the cost down for our volunteers who purchase their studies through Stonecroft. There are several ways to order through Stonecroft: online at stonecroft.org/store by phone at (toll free) by fax at Note: for non-volunteers, each study ordered through Stonecroft will be $7.00, plus tax and shipping & handling. 5

6 For those purchasing Stonecroft Bible Studies in their local store, or an online distributor other than stonecroft.org, the retail price will be $8.99. Q: Where will these newly revised studies be distributed? A: Harvest House is well-connected in the Christian book industry. In addition to Stonecroft, the studies will be distributed to many new venues, in Christian bookstores such as Lifeway, Family Bookstores, and Mardel; and online through Amazon and CBD (christianbook.com), etc. NEW STUDY DETAILS Q: Is there still a lot of Scripture in the new versions? A: The Bible is the basis for all Stonecroft Bible Studies. Each study question is formed and reinforced by Scripture. Page numbers for both Old and New Testament references, connected with the New Living Translation, are provided in each lesson. Q: How will the updated studies be different from the current versions? A: Rather than having a Guide Book and Study book, all content is in one book. Also, the Abundant Life, New Living Translation is the companion Bible with these updated studies. The tone of the studies is more conversational, leading back to Scripture for discussion. Each study includes praying Scripture at the beginning and end of each session. Application questions are included to apply the principles from Scripture to everyday life. Q: Will the newly revised studies have the new logo? A: Yes! Each updated Stonecroft Bible Study will have Stonecroft s new logo (leafy, artistic cross with a strong foundational font for the word Stonecroft) on each cover. In addition, the Abundant Life, New Living Translation Bible used with these newly revised studies also will include this logo when purchased through Stonecroft. Q: Because the Guidebook material is incorporated into the new studies, could someone use them to study on their own? A: Yes. While written for a group setting, the revised Stonecroft Bible Studies could be used for personal study. 6

7 Q: When will the newly revised studies be available? A: The first four studies will be available on August 1, They are: Who is Jesus? What is God Like? Who is the Holy Spirit?(new title) Connecting with God Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The new Stonecroft Bible Studies will be 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 about the same size as a book you might purchase in a bookstore similar to 10 Smart Things and Moving from Fear to Freedom. Q: Do the revised studies use the same format with questions that need to be answered? A: Yes. These studies are designed to help you dive into God s Word and grow in your relationship with Him. Q: Are the new studies designed to have each lesson completed before the group study begins or during the study as you dialogue? A: While written for a group setting, the newly revised studies are flexible. The questions can be answered before each lesson, or they can be completed during the study. Q: Are the newly revised Stonecroft Bible Studies still interdenominational? A: Yes. Stonecroft remains committed to reaching people, primarily women, from a variety of denominational backgrounds and has worked with Harvest House to ensure this standard remains in place. 7