Rating: 
Summary: Experiencing God fails to align itself with the Scriptures
Review: I have just been involved in a study of Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God." In Blackaby's study, the student is challenged to wait upon a revelation from God concerning His will before acting. As I pondered this idea, it seemed to be contrary to the apostle Paul's attempting to enter certain areas for the purpose of spreading the gospel only to be stopped by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10). In Paul's letters, he makes mention of multiple attempts to visit the church's he had established only to be prevented by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Paul seemed to be acting contrary to Blackaby's method and this disturbed me.After reading James Petty's book, "Step By Step," everything fell into place. Paul was acting in accordance with the principles given in Petty's book. He was being guided by wisdom and providence (two things key to the Scriptural teaching regarding God's will) and not by direct revelations from God. If you want to know God's will, Petty's book would be of much greater value, though following Petty's teaching requires much more work on the part of the believer - as the believer grows in wisdom and understanding, he will recognize and experience more of God's guidance in his life. In addition to Blackaby's fundamental problem regarding how God's will is revealed to men, he also fails to appreciate the context of some of the passages of Scripture which are foundational to his book - John 5:16-30 is a glaring example. Blackaby suggests that we need to see where God is at work and join Him based on this passage. A closer look at the passage reveals that Jesus is not suggesting that He saw the Father wanting to heal a man, so He healed him; rather, Jesus is saying that His father has been at work from the beginning of the world, unfolding His plan to redeem mankind from sin. The Father was still carrying out this work of redemption by sending His Son into the world. Unfortunately, the Pharisees did not recognize this fact. Beyond this, the passage in John's gospel does not serve as an example for us to follow, as reading the verses that Blackaby neglects to include bears out. The Father's relationship with the Son includes things that would never be true of our relationship with our heavenly Father (giving eternal life, bringing eternal condemnation). All of this is in keeping with the general pattern in John's gospel where Jesus uses terms in a spiritual manner, while his hearers fail to understand him (see John 3:4, 9, 12; 6:52, 60). Jesus is doing the same thing here when He speaks of doing God's work - He speaks of God's work of redemption and Blackaby only see His work of healing a sick man. To be sure, there are some good points to be found in Blackaby's book, which would benefit many individuals and churches that operate out of their traditions and human wisdom rather than a life-giving relationship with the Lord. Unfortunately, Blackaby has failed to incorporate the whole of Scripture into his methodology. (I know he says it's not a method, but I'm afraid it is. By the way, there is nothing wrong with a having a methodology - as long as it is one given by the Scriptures.) He also has failed to correctly handle some of the Biblical texts that are foundational to his teaching. These faults can't be covered by all the neat stories in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Are you looking to experience what God is doing?
Review: This book was and still is a popular book among Christian circles. Although I generally don't follow the hottest item, I would have to say that this book has the depth that would make even a well read scholar do a self examination. Tackling the extremely complex study of waiting on, and listening to God, this author presents the material in such a manner that even babes in Christ will be able to follow the process. I'm impressed by the manner in which this author takes the reader through areas most of us think require extraordinary faith, and makes them applicable and even achievable to the layman. This is simply a very useful and extremely applicable text.
Rating: 
Summary: GOOD FRUIT!
Review: The Bible says you're known by your fruit, and Experiencing God draws people into an intimate relationship with the living Lord: GOOD FRUIT! My own spiritual walk and the lives of my Bible study group have been improved tremendously by the concepts described in the workbook--because we have put them into practice. Some negative reviews I've read sound a lot like the Pharisees Jesus admonished so candidly. Read it for yourself . . . and be blessed.
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Summary: Changed My Life!
Review: It was the early 90's, a buzz was in the air about a new book or something called, Experiencing God. It seemed that every time I turned around, a seminary friend was asking me whether or not I had gone through Experiencing God. I would reply, "Yes I have experienced God, what about it?" They would respond by saying, "No, the study entitled, "Experiencing God? It is an awesome study." Anyway, my curiosity got the best of me, well, no, it was God's unique way of getting my attention, and prodding me to buy it. And this I did. Read my lips. Nevermind. READ MY CAPS! THIS STUDY CHANGED MY LIFE, and I am not saying this to boost my ratings as a reviewer. Experiencing God is not just a good Bible-based study (which it is), it will literally change the way you view God. Henry Blackaby gives you "Seven Realities" in your discovery to know God in a personal way. When I began to apply these scriptural realities or truths, I began to experience God in a fresh new way. Have you ever struggled with God's will? Have you ever questioned God's plan for your life? If you have, then you need to chew on this study. Last summer, I had the privilege of meeting Henry Blackaby at the airport and must have dialogued with him for forty-five minutes as we waited for our planes. I told him how the study changed my life and I thanked him that day in the airport terminal for writing it. It was quite an honor to sit next to the man, who in my opinion is one of the most humble, genuine, and Godly men in history. And guess where he was headed that day? He flew into Houston from San Diego, and was headed for Germany to assist in an Experiencing God conference; and furthermore, the man is retired! I hope I have sold you on purchasing this study. I have facilitated this course on numerous occasions, and others have commented in much the same way that I have with you. The magnitude of its influence has spread to all parts of the world; therefore, "Amazon-it" today! It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
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Summary: Great Experience for a Youth Study!
Review: I used this book with a discipleship group I was leading. It was a great tool, and really caused everyone in the group to evaluate their Christian walk. The only drawback was that we were doing this during the school year and it was very in-depth and required a good 45 minutes per day. We ended out splitting each day into 2 days of study and that worked much better. I highly recommend this book for any youth that wants to get serious with their faith.
Rating:
Summary: Great Bible Study Book
Review: We recently completed this book at a Christian Bible Study I belong to and found it to be one of the best we have used so far. We took over a year to do it, reading the text and answering the questions as a group. We found it to be very challenging and motivating. I have read the negative reviews and that is one reason I would suggest doing it as a group and stopping to look up the scripture passages when you have questions. You don't have to agree with every single thing in this book... but it will definitely make you think and it will definitely draw you closer to God.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Good Information. Repetitive.
Review: There are some really good principles here. The theology of the book is apparently good. Why the 3 stars only? First the book is repetitive. This easily could have been half the size. The author repeats himself many times and I found myself just wanting to move on. Secondly, the examples are hard to relate too. Like many books written by pastors, the examples for the most part relate to people in the ministry or people going into the ministry. I don't relate to this because I'm not going into the ministry as a vocation. This being said, there are some realyy good stories and principles in the book.
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Summary: Experiencing God - Knowing and doing the will of God - work
Review: Our church used the workbook as a twelve week bible study. I have been in several bible studies, i.e. Disciples but "Experiencing God" shows through biblical truths how our personal relationship with Jesus Christ must be first and foremost before we can serve him. Previously, I gave God a checklist of things I might do for him, using only the resourses I have. Experiencnng God shows how God invites us to do his work. We must know how and when he speaks to us and faith and action is required to make major adjustments in our life to obey him. Only through these steps are we able to do "God Size" tasks.The authors do an excellent job of putting this in laymans language, giving personal examples of how God changed their lives,brought life into churches and spreading the gospel to others. I praise and thank God, he gave me the opportunity to study "Experiencing God".
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Summary: Helped me to express how I feel
Review: This study guide is recommended to me by the owner of the local bible book store. Her eyes were shining as she told me about it. She did the study with her husband and teenage children. It changed every thing her them.Now, I'm the one with the sparks. This is by far the best I have ever used.The book recommended doing it with a group. I've been doing it on my own. The benefits to this is the lessons are in one week increments and I can spend more time on each one and really get so much more out of it then if I was just trying to be ready for class. I am so new at this. I grew up in a home where Christ was the head of our home. My life from there went down hill. Disasterous marriage, divorce, alcohol, and other things that are not to be mentioned. I am now married to a Christian man. We have a ways to go. About two years ago I started to study the bible, God is so great. I truly am a new person.When I first started to go through this it was hard to find words to explain the kind of relationship that He has given me. This study is great! There are other people out there that truly understand, so often I am accused of being to ridged. This study helps to make it clear what God wants from us. I want to obey Him.
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Summary: Developing Our Relationship With God
Review: Henry Blackaby is very motivational as a speaker, enlightening as an author and obviously walking in God's truth. This is a workbook based upon Blackaby's bestselling book "Experiencing God." Both the book and workbook are excellent works! This workbook is well written and easy to use in a group setting. The questions are deep and probing to make us open our eyes. Our God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to hear Him and to obey Him. This workbook opens our eyes and ears to Him in many thought-provoking ways. Let's start deepening and developing our relationship with God, listening for His voice and obeying Him, this workbook is one step to help. John 10:27-30 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given {them} to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch {them} out of the Father's hand. 30 "I and the Father are one." NAS)
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