What do you think?
Rate this book
BELIEVE & KNOW
A companion Bible study for CROSSROADS, a Miller's Creek novel by Cathy Bryant
Each human being, on their journey and search for truth, must at some point reflect on their life and answer important questions. Why am I here? Is there life beyond life as I now know it? How did the universe and man come into existence, and how does the answer effect me?
In addition, we must also carefully consider the myriad of avenues open before us. The wrong choice will be detrimental to our current life as well as the life to come.
This book addresses the hard questions and decisions that accompany the search for truth. It was written with three types of readers in mind: those who struggle with faith, many times because of skewed perceptions or even anger; those who profess faith in the unseen, but find it difficult to live out; and finally those whose faith is strong, but who need information to combat the arguments and questions of others.
In your personal search for truth, please read this book as objectively as possible, and carefully examine these topics and more:
-The Danger of Unbelief
-Proof of Intelligent Design
-The Problem of Evil
-Proof of Jesus as God
-Proof of God's Love for Mankind
-God's Plan for Us to Believe and Know
-Faith Matters
Each human being, on their journey and search for truth, must at some point reflect on their life and answer important questions. Why am I here? Is there life beyond life as I now know it? How did the universe and man come into existence, and how does the answer effect me?
In addition, we must also carefully consider the myriad of avenues open before us. The wrong choice will be detrimental to our current life as well as the life to come.
This book addresses the hard questions and decisions that accompany the search for truth. It was written with three types of readers in mind: those who struggle with faith, many times because of skewed perceptions or even anger; those who profess faith in the unseen, but find it difficult to live out; and finally those whose faith is strong, but who need information to combat the arguments and questions of others.
In your personal search for truth, please read this book as objectively as possible, and carefully examine these topics and more:
-The Danger of Unbelief
-Proof of Intelligent Design
-The Problem of Evil
-Proof of Jesus as God
-Proof of God's Love for Mankind
-God's Plan for Us to Believe and Know
-Faith Matters
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2015
248 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Bryant
43 books392 followersNow that Cathy has moved her books to a faith-based writing ministry, all of her eBooks can be downloaded for free. if you would like to support her ministry -- whether financially, in prayer, or by sharing the books with others -- please visit this page for more info: https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
TEXAS ROADS (Book 1; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
A PATH LESS TRAVELED (Book 2; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
THE WAY OF GRACE (Book 3; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE (Book 4; Christian contemporary/historical love story): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
A BRIDGE UNBROKEN (Book 5; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
CROSSROADS (Book 6; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
STILL I WILL FOLLOW (Book 7; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
Other Fiction by Cathy Bryant -
PIECES ON EARTH (Contemporary Christian novella about finding God's peace in life's pieces): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
TEXAS ROADS (Book 1; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
A PATH LESS TRAVELED (Book 2; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
THE WAY OF GRACE (Book 3; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE (Book 4; Christian contemporary/historical love story): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
A BRIDGE UNBROKEN (Book 5; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
CROSSROADS (Book 6; Christian contemporary romance): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
STILL I WILL FOLLOW (Book 7; Christian contemporary romantic suspense): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
Other Fiction by Cathy Bryant -
PIECES ON EARTH (Contemporary Christian novella about finding God's peace in life's pieces): https://cathybryantbooks.wordpress.co...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2015
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Whether you are looking for a Bible study to help you guide others, or a Bible study to help you seek answers you may have, Cathy Bryant has provided that in this Bible study guide. She states that this book is for Truth-seekers and so it is. She also speaks to the two types of people who will read this book. The first is the type who believes first and just wants confirmation and the second is those who feel a need to understand before they can believe. Both will get out of this book what they put into it. It is my prayer that you spend time with this book and the scriptures. You may not yet know what you want out of this book. Read and pray and be assured God will open your eyes and show you what you need.
Cathy has stated as has the scriptures that unbelief keeps us from a right relationship with God. In Mark chapter 9 verses 14-29 we read about Jesus’ disciples trying to cast the demon out of a young boy. When they could not the father was very frustrated. He came to Jesus who witnessed the demon possession of the boy and removed the demon. The father was confused by why his disciples could not deliver his son. It was because of their unbelief. When Jesus told him that belief was needed the father responded that he believed and then asked the most important thing ever, “help my unbelief.” We who are Christians are quick to say we believe, until hardships arise. Then we are quick to criticize and accuse God of ignoring us. Maybe the real issue is we are having difficulty believing and need to ask God to help us with our unbelief. After all we are human.
Another thing that came out was in this quote found in the Kindle version section 15.3/82: “It is the same for our non-believing friends and loved ones. We must lay aside the holier-than-thou attitude that demands they believe like we do Instead we must love them unconditionally, pray for them persistently, and treat them with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)”. How often do we act or talk down to non-Christians or those who have fallen away as if we are so much better and holier than they are? If you say, ‘I never have’ then you are lying to yourself. We’ve all done this. It is a big turn off and will push people away instead of bring them in.
I recognize this in myself when recently I learned a very good friend of mine, with whom I’d shared a strong Christian friendship, had married. The problem for me with this was that she married another woman. I wanted to pray for her because I knew that this relationship was wrong. I could not simply because at that point I had the attitude that I didn’t understand (and I don’t) how this could have happened to a Christian. That wasn’t where my problem with prayer was. What came next was an issue with pride. I assumed it happened because I was a better Christian. Oh how God will slap us down when we become so holier-than-thou.
Cathy also asks us to look for evidence of God’s supreme existence and more. Cathy talked about those who don’t believe in God. She made a valid point that if she is wrong then she’s no worse off for believing is something that didn’t exist whereas, the other way around, the non-believer proven wrong is doomed to spiritual death.
I asked a very good Mormon friend who was raised Southern Baptist a question one day. She was talking with me about not believing in the rapture. She told me her parents prayed for her constantly because they felt she was wrong. I asked her what would happen if the rapture I believe in happened and she was left behind. Her response was that she would pray that she would live long enough to repent. I’ve heard the same thing from a Jewish friend whose daughter became a Christian. She believes we Christians have set up a very nice religion. I asked her the same question I’d asked my Mormon friend and her response was the same.
I would encourage you to get and read this book. Study it. Use it to help you reach out to those who don’t know the Lord. If you are one of my followers who don’t believe in Christ then get and read this book to prove me wrong. This is what one of my Messianic Jewish friends did. He studied the Christian Bible to prove a friend wrong and found God in doing so.
. I have recently added an “Inspirational” Genre to my classroom and will place a copy of this on my school shelves for those who wish to delve deeper into their beliefs. I will highly recommend this book to everyone I meet
Whether you are looking for a Bible study to help you guide others, or a Bible study to help you seek answers you may have, Cathy Bryant has provided that in this Bible study guide. She states that this book is for Truth-seekers and so it is. She also speaks to the two types of people who will read this book. The first is the type who believes first and just wants confirmation and the second is those who feel a need to understand before they can believe. Both will get out of this book what they put into it. It is my prayer that you spend time with this book and the scriptures. You may not yet know what you want out of this book. Read and pray and be assured God will open your eyes and show you what you need.
Cathy has stated as has the scriptures that unbelief keeps us from a right relationship with God. In Mark chapter 9 verses 14-29 we read about Jesus’ disciples trying to cast the demon out of a young boy. When they could not the father was very frustrated. He came to Jesus who witnessed the demon possession of the boy and removed the demon. The father was confused by why his disciples could not deliver his son. It was because of their unbelief. When Jesus told him that belief was needed the father responded that he believed and then asked the most important thing ever, “help my unbelief.” We who are Christians are quick to say we believe, until hardships arise. Then we are quick to criticize and accuse God of ignoring us. Maybe the real issue is we are having difficulty believing and need to ask God to help us with our unbelief. After all we are human.
Another thing that came out was in this quote found in the Kindle version section 15.3/82: “It is the same for our non-believing friends and loved ones. We must lay aside the holier-than-thou attitude that demands they believe like we do Instead we must love them unconditionally, pray for them persistently, and treat them with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)”. How often do we act or talk down to non-Christians or those who have fallen away as if we are so much better and holier than they are? If you say, ‘I never have’ then you are lying to yourself. We’ve all done this. It is a big turn off and will push people away instead of bring them in.
I recognize this in myself when recently I learned a very good friend of mine, with whom I’d shared a strong Christian friendship, had married. The problem for me with this was that she married another woman. I wanted to pray for her because I knew that this relationship was wrong. I could not simply because at that point I had the attitude that I didn’t understand (and I don’t) how this could have happened to a Christian. That wasn’t where my problem with prayer was. What came next was an issue with pride. I assumed it happened because I was a better Christian. Oh how God will slap us down when we become so holier-than-thou.
Cathy also asks us to look for evidence of God’s supreme existence and more. Cathy talked about those who don’t believe in God. She made a valid point that if she is wrong then she’s no worse off for believing is something that didn’t exist whereas, the other way around, the non-believer proven wrong is doomed to spiritual death.
I asked a very good Mormon friend who was raised Southern Baptist a question one day. She was talking with me about not believing in the rapture. She told me her parents prayed for her constantly because they felt she was wrong. I asked her what would happen if the rapture I believe in happened and she was left behind. Her response was that she would pray that she would live long enough to repent. I’ve heard the same thing from a Jewish friend whose daughter became a Christian. She believes we Christians have set up a very nice religion. I asked her the same question I’d asked my Mormon friend and her response was the same.
I would encourage you to get and read this book. Study it. Use it to help you reach out to those who don’t know the Lord. If you are one of my followers who don’t believe in Christ then get and read this book to prove me wrong. This is what one of my Messianic Jewish friends did. He studied the Christian Bible to prove a friend wrong and found God in doing so.
. I have recently added an “Inspirational” Genre to my classroom and will place a copy of this on my school shelves for those who wish to delve deeper into their beliefs. I will highly recommend this book to everyone I meet
July 17, 2015
This Bible study is good for both non-believers and believers. For Christians, the topics covered in this book will challenge us to be more faith-living and prepare us to explain our beliefs to those searching. The section, Bible Study Suggestions, provides excellent directions for getting the most from your reading.
I liked the conversational style Cathy Bryant used to present the lessons and the prayer direction at the end of each chapter. Perfect Scriptures were highlighted to illustrate the points of study.
My takeaway from this book is the importance of my responsibility to bring the knowledge of God to others. Believe & Know equips us to help…and be….“Truth-seekers.” There is a broad road and a narrow road. “The choice is ours.” An encouraging and convincing study!
February 15, 2016
I totally enjoyed reading Cathy's Novel Crossroads. The story is very relatable. We all have experienced or know someone who has been hurt by a person who goes to church and professes to know Jesus, but whose actions are not at all in line with what the Bible teaches. Often they have wondered away from Church and the Lord because of this great hurt. In the story watching the way Carter tried to help Mara return to her faith, because of his love for her, left me wanting. It left me wanting to be more like him. To be stronger in my faith and to be more open to sharing the wonderful gift we have been given. Although my faith is strong, I have never felt confident to answer some of the questions posed to me by unbelievers.In the Bible Study Believe and Know, I found the answers through the scriptures studied, to help me guide them to a relationship with Christ. I am only halfway through the study, I went back and read Crossroads a second time first. There is so much to get from Believe and Know I am taking my time and not rushing through it. It has been very beneficial to journal as I go and to look back and see where it has taken me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone like me, who may have a loved one or friend who is still undecided and on the fence.
December 14, 2015
Whether you are searching, a new believer, or someone who has been walking with The Lord for awhile, this Bible study is for you. I found much meat and food for thought as I worked through this Bible Study. Cathy's insights and applications were most helpful. If you are looking for a Bible study to help you grow or to help you share, this is for you!!! Highly recommend this study to one and all. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews