Five Things Every Christian Needs To Grow

Rating:
Summary: Prescriptive, not descriptive
Review: I bought this book to see if it would be suitable for use in a new believers class - I was looking for something that would ground them in the basics of Christian practice. So, the title "Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow" certainly caught my eye.

What are the five things? They are Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Stewardship. These five things are essential to Christian growth. They are precisely the topics I was looking for in a book.

Upon reading the book, I discovered that the book is prescriptive, not descriptive. In other words, the book tells one what to do, but fails to tell one how to do it.

Each of the chapters could have been about half its length. Much of the verbage was story to exemplify the point. We understand the necessity and importance of these five aspects of the Christian life. It is the "how-to" that people have trouble with. In many cases, mentoring is the answer, but it helps to have something written to use as well.

So, if you're looking for a "how-to" book, this probably will not completely satisfy you. If you're looking for a book that will help you to understand the importance and necessity of these five aspects of the Christian life, this book will serve you pretty well (though I believe differently than Dr. Sproul on where the tithe is to be given).

One major benefit is that all five aspects are discussed in only 88 pages. The book can be read in one sitting, or as a one chapter a day supplement to one's devotional time.

Rating:
Summary: Prescriptive, not descriptive
Review: I bought this book to see if it would be suitable for use in a new believers class - I was looking for something that would ground them in the basics of Christian practice. So, the title "Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow" certainly caught my eye.

What are the five things? They are Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Stewardship. These five things are essential to Christian growth. They are precisely the topics I was looking for in a book.

Upon reading the book, I discovered that the book is prescriptive, not descriptive. In other words, the book tells one what to do, but fails to tell one how to do it.

Each of the chapters could have been about half its length. Much of the verbage was story to exemplify the point. We understand the necessity and importance of these five aspects of the Christian life. It is the "how-to" that people have trouble with. In many cases, mentoring is the answer, but it helps to have something written to use as well.

So, if you're looking for a "how-to" book, this probably will not completely satisfy you. If you're looking for a book that will help you to understand the importance and necessity of these five aspects of the Christian life, this book will serve you pretty well (though I believe differently than Dr. Sproul on where the tithe is to be given).

One major benefit is that all five aspects are discussed in only 88 pages. The book can be read in one sitting, or as a one chapter a day supplement to one's devotional time.

Rating:
Summary: Not Jabez
Review: THIS BOOK IS CLEARLY IN RESPONSE TO THE PRAYER OF JABEZ. The dimensions of the cover, number of pages, and the promise of a simple formula for Christian growth. The book titled: Five Things Christian Needs to Grow is thinner and the print in the text smaller. Text print is smaller then other Sproul books. On the cover of the Prayer of Jabez is the line "Breaking Through to the Blessed Life". "To Grow" does not have the sound of immediacy as "Breaking Through" does. Both texts are aimed at the believer who feels something lacking in their Christian walk. The Sproul's work maps out five things a Christian needs to do to have spiritual growth. This work is more a brief outline what a Christian needs to have in his walk. Wilkerson's work more concentrates on prayer and having faith in whom one prays to.

Sproul urges the Christian to hunger for God's word. Biblical study is paramount in the Christian walk. It is important that the Christian read the whole bible, but in what sequence of books read will alter the edification of the person. The whole bible is a message from God. Sproul recommends the order, composition, and number of chapters Christian should read daily. He also recommends other ligonier resources that help a student of the bible understand God's word.


What type of prayer does R.C. Sproul suggest. He starts with the obvious the "Lord's prayer". The prayer Jesus used as example for the disciples. From there he broadens his suggestion of praying through the Lord's prayer; to use the exact words but to follow up with your own paraphrase and concepts. This is what Martin Luther taught. Martin Luther also prayed through the ten commandments and the Apostles creed. This discussion on prayer is prescriptive and descriptive. He also encourages the reader to seek out the work "A Simple Way to Pray". He encourages the Christian to understand prayer as more than supplication and intercession. The Prayer of Jabez is about praying for supplication and intercession. Very well because it is about praying how to serve God and being used by God.

The third thing is Worship.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. (Psalms 122:1 AV)

R.C. Sproul stresses the seriousness of worship. Worship is for God. The ultimate aim is not for the participants enjoyment, enlightenment, or growth.

Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (Leviticus 10:3 AV),

Does one come to worship for one's own well being or does one come to church to glorify God? Do you come to church to make friends? Do you come to fellowship with godly people? Do you come to have an emotional experience or to praise God?

True worship can only occur when truth is taught. Sproul argues doctrine divides, but it also unites those who truly want to know God. Referring to Romans 5:1,2 and Hebrews 4:16, it is only through Jesus that Christians can stand together and rejoice in the glory of God. Worship should have a positive effect on the whole body in obedience and appreciation to God.

In this work, Sproul makes clear the aim of bible study, prayer, worship, service, and stewardship is to further God's Kingdom - therefore to glorify God. These things can be thought of as means of grace. Tools and instruments used by God to strengthen and nurture the believer to grow into more conformity of Christ. In no way does the believer merrit, earn, deserve, or contribute toward one's Salvation based on these activities. The prayer of Jabez skips over other means and argues for shorter simpler prayer to build God's kingdom. Seeking a larger ministry seems to be the chief concern. Five Things seeks to instruct the Christian to grow closer to God through a more humble servanthood. Sproul argues that the book of Exodus describes how the people were freed from serving the Pharaoh into service of God. Through the power of Salvation one is redeemed from the service of Satan into God's service. Recommended reading is J I Packer about the joy of rendering obedience to God without giving a specific book title.

Sproul talks of talent, physical ability, opportunity and wealth as things from God. Ownership of these qualities are God's not yours. One does not have the right to use poorly. One should use these things to further God's Kingdom. Recommended reading is Resources for Deacons Tim Keller.

Sproul makes a distinction between stewardship and service. Referring to Romans 12:1,2 The Christian is to give his body as a living sacrifice. How is the Christian to use what God has given for a time to use? Christians are to be stewards of what God has given them. Ten is a fair portion for both the poor and wealthy to give God. Sproul goes into detail the importance of the believer to finance God's ministry. Sproul then goes into detail the importance of those trusted with running a ministry to be good stewards of the finances, maintenance of the buildings, equipment, and any other physical assets of said ministry. He also talks the importance of treating those put under your authority fairly.

Rating:
Summary: five good essentials
Review: This book lays some pretty good foundation for the believer. I wholeheartedly agree that reading and studying the WHOLE bible is key to more growth. As for praying, I liked Dr. Sproul's take on it except that he states that prayer is an obligation or a duty of the Christian. While I agree that we as Christians ought to pray, and often, to look on it as an obligation to God could very easily end up a mundane task (not everyone who does their duty enjoys it). The worship chapter was quite good. My only disagreement would be the "do not neglect the assembling of yourselves together". I believe that does not necessarily mean a church building. This simply means believers in fellowship with other believers. Matt 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them". Also the law of tithing is supported in this book as if we were in the old covenant. I do not oppose tithing per-se, but when you make a certain amount or percentage a mandate, there is no room for grace. The New Covenant does not establish the law of tithing. Acts 15 convinces me of this. All in all, Dr.Sproul is a very sound and exellent teacher. The fact that I have personal disagreements with some issues in this particular book would never keep me from reading his other material. (see my review on Dr. Sproul's book Chosen by God)