Welcome to Living in the Overlap! I know of no more important topic than Jesus' central message—the kingdom of God—and I hope you'll find this book to be a helpful resource.
Also available in e-book formats:
Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, ePUB
Feel free to download and reproduce The Kingdom Dartboard for your personal study or for nonprofit educational use (such as Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and sermons). It depicts at a glance 18 major characteristics of God's end-time kingdom as predicted by the Old Testament prophets. Chapter One introduces The Kingdom Dartboard. It lays the foundation for exploring how the kingdom is a theme that helps us understand the Bible's unfolding story, and how it also provides a key to successful living.
Part One of Living in the Overlap reveals the Bible's Old Testament predictions about the kingdom of God, and then examines the surprising New Testament fulfillment of those predictions revealed in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Part Two explores the challenges and benefits of living in God's kingdom, navigating between the already and the not yet.
Part Three retells the Gospels' story, revealing how the kingdom of God was not only the central theme of Jesus Christ's message, but was also the central theme of his life.
Of particular value to those interested in Bible study material or Biblical preaching is the extensive Endnotes section, which provides background information for understanding many of Christianity's teachings, and which suggests many helpful books on Christianity. Additionally, the Recommended Reading section lists more Christian literature related to the kingdom of God and other core Christian beliefs.
Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to me at overlap@verizon.net. I can't promise to respond to every message but I will read each one. I appreciate your interest. Thank you for stopping by!
Steve Schaefer
If you have ever prayed, “Thy kingdom come, ... ” then Living in the Overlap is must reading for you.
Terry Meeuwsen
Co-host, The 700 Club
The good news of God’s kingdom—the simple yet central key to our Christian faith—is set forth with clarity and joy in Schaefer’s timely book.
Dr. Terry Lindvall
C. S. Lewis Professor of Communication and Christian Thought
Virginia Wesleyan College
With wonderful clarity and insight, Schaefer examines key issues in the Christian life: healing, temptation, evangelism, loving others, staying focused, and more. . . . Ample Scripture, careful explanations, and helpful illustrations make this book painfully convicting, yet delightful to read.
David Mundt CBA Retailers + Resources magazine
I read incessantly for teaching and training I do in discipleship here in the US, in Korea, and with underground Christians. It's really, really hard to find good discipleship resources, meaning resources that are (1) simultaneously accessible at multiple levels of maturity,(2) thoroughly biblical, (3) do more than either rehash the basics or invent some novel theory.
Steve's book more than meets my criteria. It's exceedingly well done. I've recommended it at nearly every teaching and training event I've done this year. The chart is useful for students at all levels. The diagrams, stories, and theology are very accessible and enjoyable yet exceedingly well researched. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed that they bought this book. Definitely one that readers will read all the way through.
Rev. Eric Foley
CEO, Seoul USA
Senior Pastor, .W Evangelical Churches
Living in the Overlap is wonderful! It's filled with fresh insights, and an underlying metaphor that works consistently throughout the book. Your years of research and thought have produced a contribution to Christian literature that should stand the test of time, Steve.
We were especially struck by your assurance that, far from condemning doubt, Jesus saw it as an essential element of mature faith. And also by your positive take on differences among believers. These will be freeing concepts for many.
Thank you so much for sharing this labor-of-love with John and me. It will occupy an honored place on our shelves.
Elizabeth Sherrill
co-author, Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place and David Wilkerson's The Cross and the Switchblade
