(Find out at the end of this post how you can put your name in to possibly win a basket full of products.)
I’m so pleased to recommend to you Cheri Cowell’s new Bible study book, Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament. It is a 13-week workbook-style study of 118 parables from Jesus, Paul, and the apostles. Cheri’s goal is to help readers be challenged to live faithful and holy “Kingdom lives” in a broken and unholy world. 
Cheri is an author and speaker, and calls herself a “sidewalk theologian.” I like her description. In her ministry, she is passionate about discipleship and challenging the body of Christ to holiness of heart and life. Here’s her answers to some questions about her new book. 
Cheri, describe your new book.
Of the thirteen weeks of study, the first nine explore the parables of Jesus in the four gospels; the next three look at the parables in Acts and those from Paul and the apostles. The study culminates in a look at what I call “living parables,” with Jesus as the Parable of all parables. Through Him we come to know God the Father, and through Jesus we come to live as living parables in a world begging to “see God.” Living story-shaped lives allows others to see God in us—this is Kingdom living.
 
What passion drove you as you wrote your new book?
I love God’s Word and I love storytelling. I want others to fall in love not only with the Word but also with the concept that they can become a living parable, a living story pointing others toward the Ultimate Living Parable––Jesus Christ.
 
The title of your study is “Parables & Word Pictures;” just what is a “word picture”?
There are some teachings of Jesus, such as when He says, “I am the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep” that aren’t technically parables but are what I call word pictures because the image tells the whole story.
What was the most difficult aspect of writing your book and how did you overcome it?
What to include and what not to include in a study of the parables. My study covers 118 New Testament parables, word pictures, and what I call “parable sequels” or extensions offered by Paul and the apostles.
What passion drove you as you wrote your new book?
I love storytelling and I want others to fall in love not only with the Word but also with the concept that they can become a living parable, a living story pointing others toward the Ultimate Living Parable––Jesus Christ.
What do you hope readers will gain from your book?
That the parables are not isolated stories only used for sermon illustrations, but when read together they give us a picture of how we are to live as kingdom people. Through the parables we learn how to become living parables in a world desperate to “see” God.
From Kathy: My post is a part of a “blog tour” where many bloggers are featuring Cheri’s new book from June 1 through July 6th. Cheri is making available 3 gift baskets with a variety of books and gifts to three people who put their name in the raffle from those blog sites. You could be a winner! To enter the raffle, post a comment on my blog or write me at Kathyspeak @ dc.rr.com (remove spaces). I hope you win! I know you’ll be blessed. 
If you want to order Cheri’s book, go to
Here’s a link for the book trailer:

Here are the books and gifts included in the basket:

1.     Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament (workbook Bible study) by Cheri Cowell

2.    Women of the Bible: Book One (workbook Bible study) by Barber, Rasnake, and Shepherd

3.    Mocha on the Mount (Coffee Cup Bible study) by Sandra Glahn

4.    Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri Cowell

5.    Direction Bible study workbook by Cheri Cowell

6.    God: Knowing Him By His Names by Bill Bright

7.    See For Yourself: Daily Devotionals (ebook DVD) by Cheri Cowell

8.    Bible tabs

9.    Bookmark

10.  Bible highlighter

11.  Hunter Green gift basket