LifeWay will unveil in its report to the SBC an updated and enhanced version of Bible Studies for Life, LifeWay's most popular Bible study series, reaching more than 1.5 million people in 30,000 churches.
Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in Springdale, Ark., has led an advisory council to help design the material from a church perspective. Floyd will join LifeWay President Thom S. Rainer and Vice President Eric Geiger in introducing messengers to how Bible Studies for Life focuses on real-life issues targeting the unreached and unchurched and is designed to strengthen families and disciple people with wisdom.
Messengers also are invited to a panel discussion on Christ-centered preaching and teaching featuring Ed Stetzer and Trevin Wax, general and managing editors of The Gospel Project, LifeWay's newest small-group Bible study material. Stetzer and Wax will be joined by Eric Hankins, pastor of First Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss., and Jonathan Akin, pastor of Fairview Church in Lebanon, Tenn.
The free panel discussion will be from 6:30-8 a.m. in Room 351A-F of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Pre-registration is required at GospelProject.com/SBC13. Attendees will receive free resources on Christ-centered preaching and teaching and a free breakfast will be served at 6:30 a.m.
A documentary about the impact of "Experiencing God," a study that influenced a generation -- the first release of LifeWay Films -- will be shown June 11 and 12 from noon to 1 p.m.
Experiencing God, first released in 1990, was written by Henry Blackaby and Claude King. It has touched and changed millions of lives and thousands of churches around the world. The workbook has sold more than 7 million copies, is available in more than 45 languages and has been used in almost every Christian denomination.
The film documents three stories to represent the vast influence Experiencing God has had over 23 years.
An advance screening of "Grace Unplugged," slated for theatrical release Oct. 4, will be held June 11 at 9 p.m. at the convention center. The faith-based movie is about an 18-year-old Christian singer/songwriter who performs each Sunday at her church. After landing a record deal in Los Angeles, she cuts off contact with her parents and seems prepared to walk away from her faith.
All screenings for Grace Unplugged and Experiencing God will be in General Assembly Room C on Level 3 of the convention center and are free.
The SBC exhibit hall will feature LifeWay's 9,000-square-foot store offering a wide selection of books, Bibles and other Christian products to help grow churches and encourage believers in their faith.
Book signings are scheduled throughout the convention by B&H Publishing Group, including authors Stetzer, John Bisagno, Daniel Akin, Diana Davis, David Dockery, Rhonda Kelley, Ken Hemphill, Jeff Iorg, Ron Owens, Dorothy Patterson and Elmer Towns.
Marty King is director of communications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
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