The Greatest Words Ever Spoken may be one the greatest resources a Christian ever owns. Author Steven Scott has taken all of the words from Jesus and organized them into approximately 200 categories. These categories are organized into 9 major headings:
- What Jesus says about Himself
- What He Says about the Father
- What He Says about the Holy Spirit
- Words about Eternity
- Words about His Followers
- Words about Humanity
- Words about God Reaching Out to Us
- Words about How to Know God
- Words about Personal Relationships
While there certainly is some overlap with the categories, the breakdown makes it quite easy to find what you are looking for in the index. I say that this is a great resource because it is certainly not the type the book that one reads from cover to cover. The introduction to the book provides some suggestions about how to make the best use of this resource: a quick reference guide or for topical Bible studies.
Personally, I have been using it during my morning Bible to simply take a quick look at the words of Jesus on the topics of Spiritual Maturity and Spiritual Priorities. Particularly on the topic of Spiritual Maturity I have wondered why certain passages were selected, however the questioning, I believe has led to the desired result. I also appreciated the fact that in the section on the promises of Jesus that Scott includes any necessary condition to be met in order for the promise to be fulfilled.
This is certainly a valuable resource that I will be keeping in my library, and I would encourage you to add it to yours as well!
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Steven Scott
I have spent my whole life as a part of the Church of Christ. For those unfamiliar with this group, our core belief is that we are trying to follow the example of the church as displayed in the New Testament. An emphasis is putting on calling Bible things by Bible names and trying to match the pattern that we find in the New Testament.
In recent years there has been much debate over how effective we have been at achieving this goal and even if this a goal that should even be attempted. So, to some extent I have I stopped reading CoC members books as they wrangle with one another over the ins and outs and have tried to focus on other things.
But last year a book caught my attention: Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
by George Barna and Frank Viola. The book examples some of the practices of Christianity that have been “borrowed” from pagan cultures during the early development of the church. Quickly after this book was released a companion to it, Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity
by Frank Viola was released. While I haven’t read it yet, I am certainly looking forward to it. And then today at the Goodwill I found this book: Rethinking the Wineskin: The Practice of the New Testament Church
- The Purpose of the Church Meeting
- The Focus of the Church Meeting
- The Location of the Church
- The Nature of the Local Church
- The Leadership of the Local Church: Who Were They?
- The Leadership of the Local Church: How Did They Lead?
- The Content of the Local Church
- The Boundary of the Local Church
- The Function of the Local Church
- The Pattern of the Local Church
- What Shall We Do?
I really can’t wait to see the conclusions that Viola reaches. If I were reading just these titles from a CoC author I would already know many of the outcomes, so it will interesting to see if someone else comes to the same/similar conclusions.
Tags: Books, Church of Christ, Church Practices, Frank Viola, George Barna, Pagan Christianity, Reimagining Church, Rethinking the Wineskin, The New Testament Church
This weekend I finished Next Generation Leader: 5 Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future
by Andy Stanley. This is one of those books that I should have read a long time but just kept putting off. Andy is a wonderful communicator. I have been blessed to listen to many of sermon series from Northpoint Community Church.
In this book Andy outlines the five characteristics that he feels are vital to being a successful leader for future generations. These 5 characteristics are:
- Courage
- Competence
- Clarity
- Coachability
- Character
Unlike many books on leadership, I feel that Andy strikes a nice balance with the time that spends on each component. Many books I have read on leadership are simply too long. Andy covers some high quality information in a mere 160 pages. The questions at the end of each section also helps readers delve deeper into the concepts that he discusses.
When I first read the book I wondered why I left character for last. Had I been writing the book I would have put it first because it of its importance. But in the opening paragraph to this section Andy explains:
“Character is not essential to leadership.”
“We all know leaders who have led large organizations and garnered the loyalty of many followers, and yet lacked character. They demonstrated courage and competency. They were clear in their directives. They may have even sought the advice of others. But they were not men and women who were known for doing what was right.”
Reflecting on this, I know that he is right. I don’t like it, but he is right.
I know there are lots of books on leadership out there. I know many of them say essentially the same thing. I think the difference comes from the ability of the author to communicate clearly with his readers. I believe that Andy’s style makes it easy for anyone to understand and apply it to your life.
Tags: Andy Stanley, Book Reviews, Books, Leadership, Ministry, Next Generation Leader
I had every intention of doing this much earlier in the day, but things have been crazy as I prepare for my departure from Louisiana. Today was the day of going out to eat with everyone, trying to say the last good-byes.
So here are some of my favorite links of the week:
- ONE has done an amazing job providing materials for Christians, Jews and Muslims to be able to educate their followers about global poverty. This is an issue that everyone should be trying to solve.
- Matt Dabbs has provided a wonderful lists of books and blogs related to Biblical Archaeology.
- Chase the Goose was one of my favorite books of this year, in fact I have it on the top 10 lists of all time, as far as books that have influenced my faith. Mark Batterson has graciously providing some resources for those who may be using the book in small group studies at their church, check it out.
- How do you read the text with fresh eyes?
- This post means a lot to me as I leave “ministry.”
I hope everyone has a great weekend, as for me, I am getting ready to go to bed.
Tags: Blogs, Books, Links
A friend, Adam Faughn, recently asked for a lists of the top ten books on his blog, so here is the list that I submitted:
1.The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell- this is a must read for ministers
2.The Pig that wants to be Eaten by Julian Baggini- for the thinker in all of us
3.Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan- simply a classic
4.When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett- just the title gets you!
5. Justice in the Burbs by Will Samson- a great call to action
6.Raising a Modern-day Knight by Robert Lewis- great for me since I have 3 girls
7. Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
8. Radical Restoration by F. LaGard Smith
9. Who is My Brother- also by F. LaGard Smith
10. Anything by CS Lewis
Any list like this is bound to leave out some great books. As I look over the list I noticed that almost all of books were 6 months to year ago, only 2 were read in the last 3 months, and only one (with the exception of anything by CS Lewis) was read over a year ago. Two of the books on the list (#4 and #8 I books that have read more than once). So if I were to ask the same question of you, which books would you put on your top ten list?
Secondly, I would like to share more with you about my top 10, therefore here is my first poll:
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Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Top Ten Books, Top Ten Lists
