FAITH
TOOLS
FAITH
RESOURCES
Toolbox Inquire Groups
Toolbox speakers generally talk about how their relationship with God has helped guide their lives, but oftentimes, people (even people attending Toolbox lunches) have real and valid questions about God and Christianity. That’s what Inquire is all about. Inquire is a three-week group to talk about three big questions many people have about faith in God:
- Can we really know if God exists?
- Why should I trust the Bible?
- What is the big deal about Jesus?
Online groups
“Inquire Groups” will meet online once a week for three weeks on October 23rd, 30th, and November 6th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
No need to register. Just show up!
In-person Houston area groups
Our in-person “Inquire Groups” will meet once a week for three weeks on October 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Anchor Church (1415 S Voss Rd #260).
If you want to know more about these opportunities, feel free to email Troy McDaniel, our Toolbox Assistant Director, at tmcdaniel@toolboxministries.com
Books
“In this book, I am simply to put the facts on the table and let you decide for yourself whether there is any credence to the idea of God, the Bible, or Christianity. ” With its highly conversational style, Questioning God? Answers to Questions Worth Asking is the perfect book for anyone wanting to explore, challenge, or understand why Christainity reamains relevant - even vital- for our times.
Reasonable FaithDr. William Lane Craig
Reasonable Faith with Dr. William Lane Craig Reasonable Faith aims to provide in the public arena an intelligent, articulate, and uncompromising yet gracious Christian perspective on the most important issues concerning the truth of the Christian faith today.
The Case for ChristLee Strobel
Strobel, a seasoned journalist searching for the truth, recounts his spiritual journey from atheism to faith in this compelling look at the credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was—and is—positively the Son of God.
More than a CarpenterJosh McDowell
Skeptic Josh McDowell thought Christians were out of their minds. He ridiculed and insulted them, then decided to combat them with his own robust research to disprove the claims of Jesus Christ. To his surprise, he discovered that the evidence suggested exactly the opposite―that Jesus, instead of being simply a first-century Hebrew carpenter, was so much more. Josh went on to write this inspirational book on Christian apologetics, More Than a Carpenter, which has sold over 16 million copies and transformed countless lives.
Evidence that Demands a Verdict Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
Winner of the 2018 ECPA Christian Book award for Bible Reference Works. Evidence That Demands a Verdict provides an expansive defense of Christianity's core truths, rebuttals to some recent and popular forms of skepticism, and insightful responses to the Bible's most difficult and misused passages. It invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn't shy away from the tough questions.
Videos
Click on the title to go to the video
Books
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The New York Times #1 bestselling book by Pastor Rick Warren that helps you understand and live out the purpose of your life. Before you were born, God already planned your life. God longs for you to discover the life he uniquely created you to live--here on earth, and forever in eternity. Let The Purpose Driven Life show you how. As one of the bestselling nonfiction books in history, with more than 35 million copies sold, The Purpose Driven Life is far more than just a book; it's the road map for your spiritual journey. A journey that will transform your life.
Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God is Speaking by Priscilla Shirer
The God who loved you enough to die for you loves you enough to talk to you. And wherever you are in your spiritual walk, God will find a way to speak to you in a way you will understand. Hear from some of the most well known Christians in history about how God speaks to them, and discover for yourself how you can discern the voice of God.
Now That You're a Christian by Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz
Readers will immediately connect with Bruce and Stan'’s honest, encouraging responses to questions new Christians often ask: What do I do next? Am I expected to follow some rules and regulations? What have I gotten myself into? Brief chapters on eternal security, new life in Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit set the tone for this clear and compelling introduction to the faith.
Experiencing God by Claude V. Kind & Henry and Richard Blackaby
When you open this book, you’ll find that you aren’t just reading. No, you are being remade, reoriented, restored from the frustration of what you may have known as stale religion. Captured not by a concept but by your Creator, reborn in relationship. Carefully listening to His voice will anchor you in His plan, and set you free to live it with boldness and freedom.
Basic Christianity by John Stott
In this book world-renowned scholar and preacher John Stott clearly defines both the fundamental claims of Christianity and the proper outworkings of those basic beliefs in the daily lives of believers. Stott's Basic Christianity is a sound, sensible guide for anyone seeking an intellectually satisfying presentation of the Christian faith. Named one of the Top 100 Books of the Millennium by World magazine and listed among Christianity Today's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century, Basic Christianity has impacted countless readers worldwide.
How to Begin the Christian Life by George Sweeting
New believers will learn what’s involved in a life of faith—of God, the Church, and the world.
Journey from Genesis through Revelation to see how God designed prayer. Learn to embrace the promises of Scripture, release burdens to God’s care, listen to the Holy Spirit, and walk with Jesus daily.
With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance and specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful and establish a prayer practice that works for each reader.
Pocket Prayers by by Max Lucado with Andrea Lucado
Do you ever get distracted when you pray? Do your thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again—your head swarming with all the things you need to do that day? If so, there is hope. In this brief book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado will help you direct your prayers to the Source of all hope and strength in Pocket Prayers, which contains 40 guided prayers and complementary scriptures for any situation.
Stand Strong: 365 Devotions for Menby Men by Our Daily Bread Ministries
As a man, the pressures of life can mount on your shoulders. You can feel like you are carrying the world in your own strength. But you are not alone. God is carrying you through it all. This easy-to- read devotional is designed to: • Help you strengthen your faith with wisdom and testimonies from men; • Increase your intimacy with the Lord through 365 short daily readings; • Trust God when life seems overwhelming; • Learn to apply biblical principles to your life each day.
Videos
Click on the title to go to the video
So you’ve just become a Christian
How to choose a Bible: All Bible translations explained in 7 minutes
What’s the Bible by Bible Project
Different churches: All Christian denominations explained in 12 minutes
How to read the Bible by Bible Project
Overview of the Entire Bible in 17 Minutes
Praying: A short guide on how to talk with God, not to God
How to Recognize God´s Voice with Rick Warren
TV Shows
The Chosen Netflix
This is the first multiseasonnseries about Jesus's life and ministry. The series centers on Jesus and how he met and chose each of his disciples.
Testament: The Story of Moses Netflix
A great way to get to know the life of the most mportant prophet in Judaism and one of the most important prophets in Christianity. Moses’ life story is retold through dramatizations and expert interviews.
The Bibble Project
The Bible Project is a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that creates free resources like videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in an approachable and transformative way.
They do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation. Whether you prefer to watch their videos on YouTube or use their App, this is an easy way to understand the Bible and grow your faith.
Books
Experiencing Godby Claude V. King & Henry and Richard Blackaby
When you open this book, you’ll find that you aren’t just reading. No, you are being remade, reoriented, restored from the frustration of what you may have known as stale religion. Captured not by a concept but by your Creator, reborn in relationship. Carefully listening to His voice will anchor you in His plan, and set you free to live it with boldness and freedom.
New Morning Mercies: A DAily Gospel Devotionalby Paul Tripp
Offering far more than a rush of caffeine, bestselling author Paul David Tripp aims to energize Christian readers with the most potent encouragement imaginable: the gospel. This resource equips readers with the good news that they need to trust in God’s goodness, rely on his grace, and live for his glory―day in and day out.
Your 100-Day Prayerby John Snyder
“The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God” When the need is so great, so seemingly impossible that only God's direct intervention will ever bring it about, it takes a different kind of prayer. Your 100 Day Prayer is designed to take you straight to the heart and will of God by seeking him for a specific need.
Good men are in high demand but low supply. That reality is creating suffering and injustice at every level of society in every community worldwide. Dangerous Good calls on the millennial generation of men who follow Jesus worldwide to confront that by deciding, individually and as a group, to be dangerous with goodness like Jesus. Here is the next revolution of masculinity the world is waiting for.
Revolution Withinby Dwight Edwards
Because of what God has done for every believer, you actually possess outlandish treasures you may never have dreamed existed. God has made "New Covenant" promises to each of us. And in fulfillment of those promises, He has placed within every believer four revolutionary provisions: a new purity, a new disposition, a new identity, and a new power.
Stand Strong: 365 Devotions for Menby Men by Our Daily Bread Ministries
As a man, the pressures of life can mount on your shoulders. You can feel like you are carrying the world in your own strength. But you are not alone. God is carrying you through it all. This easy-to-read devotional is designed to: • Help you strengthen your faith with wisdom and testimonies from men; • Increase your intimacy with the Lord through 365 short daily readings; • Trust God when life seems overwhelming; • Learn to apply biblical principles to your life each day.
Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soulby John Eldredge
God designed men to seek out adventure. But, somewhere between childhood and the struggles of yesterday, most men lose sight of those dreams. Fear not: bestselling author and counselor John Eldredge is here to teach men that there's a better way to live.
Gentle and Lowlyby Dane Ortlund
Christians know what Jesus Christ has done—but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is “gentle and lowly in heart.” This book reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today.
Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
Seasoned pastor R. Kent Hughes’s inspiring and bestselling book Disciplines of a Godly Man―now updated with fresh references and suggested resources―is filled with godly advice aimed at helping men grow in the disciplines of prayer, integrity, marriage, leadership, worship, purity, and more.
Winning the War in Your Mindby Craig Groeschel
Drawing upon Scripture and the latest brain science findings, Groeschel lays out practical strategies that will free you from the grip of harmful, destructive thinking and enable you to live the joy and peace that God intends you to live.
Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
Written in a beautiful and engaging style, Seven Men addresses what it means (or should mean) to be a man today, at a time when media and popular culture present images of masculinity that are not the picture presented in Scripture and historic civil life. What does it take to be a true exemplar as a father, brother, husband, leader, coach, counselor, change agent, and wise man? What does it mean to stand for honesty, courage, and charity, especially at times when the culture and the world run counter to those values?
Podcast
You can listen to our talks on our Toolbox Podcast if you missed one of our lunches. Our speakers, including high-level business leaders, athletes, authors, journalists, and community leaders, all share war stories from their world and what it means to know and follow Jesus in the midst of it all.
Every Man Podcast with Kenny Luck
Inspiring, supporting, and encouraging men to be healthy in their spiritual life and in their relationships with others, offering them the tools they need to face today's challenges and be all they can be for God, for their families, and for themselves.
Truth for Life Podcast with Alistair Berg
The ministry's mission is to teach the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established and local churches will be strengthened.
The Overcomers with Matt Chandler
Stories of men and women who have endured unimaginable hardships - have clung to Jesus during the dark night of the soul, yet their faith has remained intact and often more vibrant than before.
Listen to free sermons from Dr. Tony Evans. He is one of the most respected leaders in evangelical circles and has served as the Senior Pastor of OCBF for over 40 years.
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer. His messages are straightforward and excellent at explaining how to apply the Bible to our daily lives.
Websites and Apps
Glorify
Christian App for Daily
Devotionals. A daily guide to
the Bible while helping you
pray for others, sleep better,
and calm your mind.
Bible Study Tools
Free access to the largest
library of study Bible versions,
various language translations,
commentaries, and more.
Focus on the Family
A website that provides timely,
relevant information and
advice on marriage, parenting,
faith, entertainment, life
changes, and social issues, all
from a Christian perspective.
TV Shows
The Chosen Netflix
This is the first multiseasonnseries about Jesus's life and ministry. The series centers on Jesus and how he met and chose each of his disciples.
Testament: The Story of Moses Netflix
A great way to get to know the life of the most mportant prophet in Judaism and one of the most important prophets in Christianity. Moses’ life story is retold through dramatizations and expert interviews.
I Can Only Imagine Netflix
After years of struggling with his past and fighting for his dream, a young man pens a song that becomes an anthem of hope. Based on the hit rock ballad.
