InWord is under renovation. We’ve started with Inword.org, which has been reworked—a better shopping experience, more accessible tools (including downloadable studies), and ongoing relevant content. And that’s just for starters! There is much more to come. For now, here is the What and the Why of InWord’s needed renovation.
The What
Better Shopping
If you are looking for a specific item, filtered searches will help you search the way you want and find what you’re looking for. You can also browse all our titles at once or browse by key categories. Our enhanced shopping cart and user account experience will get your order on its way in just a few clicks.
More Accessible Tools
Most of our small-group studies are now available as both a downloadable PDF and a physical book. You choose whichever fits your needs and preferences. In addition, you’ll find loads of free tools and tips. But wait, there’s more! Every study comes with its own webpage (“INNERgized Web Help”) full of additional ideas for leading your Bible study, fresh ideas for application and follow-up, and downloadable student pages (which is helpful for those who buy only a physical book). You’ll find password access to this material inside your study book or PDF.
Persistent, Relevant Content
The ongoing mission of creating access points to Scripture for teens is not a static endeavor. It’s a dynamic, ever-changing, moving target. InWord is committed to creating new content weekly—articles, ideas, group sessions, devos—content to give youth workers every possible advantage to feed hungry and curious teens.
Much More to Come
Over the coming months you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for new study titles, revised studies, as well as new endeavors to help churches and families deepen their walks with God through His Word.
The Why
Thanks to the ups and downs of recent years (see “A Personal Word from InWord’s Founder” here for more detail of those ups and downs), InWord has been through a journey of refining and defining. This journey has drawn us back to the raw materials of our calling as represented in the four points below, which serve as sort of an InWord Manifesto. You may have already seen these in another post on our site. While these points don’t quite rise to the historic level of Luther’s 95 Theses, they are nailed to a door (thumbtacked, actually) in the InWord office. This is the “why” behind the “what” regarding InWord’s ongoing renovation.
- The Bible is not solely an instructional book, but rather an experience of love that is to be engaged and internalized in a way that personally exposes us to the redemptive, unconditional love of God. Teens need enduring experiences in Scripture that draw them to an intimate relationship with Jesus and that encourage them to live a life “worthy of the gospel.”
- The church needs a sustained effort of leading teens and their adult leaders into rich and transformational experiences in God’s Word. Turning the tide of a biblically illiterate church (and reversing the cultural consequences suffered because of that) starts with youth ministry.
- Because teens are more susceptible to temptation and “every wind of doctrine” without a solid foundation in the Word of God, the church needs a relentless effort of creating meaningful accessibility to God’s Word for teens.
- God is active in this world. The better we understand how God worked in His Word, the more attentive we are to His work around us today. Teens need to understand how God has worked in the past and know what God has said about Himself to be best positioned to join His work now.