This book is such a surprise because I would expect it’s just the usual book format that we all know. But as I open it from the postal package, it was this big journal size book. And as I thumb a few pages, the fonts are big and lots of lines which is where you’ll jot your answer. So this is not a usual book. And so is the content.
Matt Rogers “Aspire” is geared for one on one discipleship by tackling first the very foundation of the Christian faith which is the gospel. This book unravels the basic topics pertaining to the gospel in a 15 week study. The weekly studies discuss the gospel incorporated in some Christian doctrines. The starting point is creation where sin enters and how sin where our worship changes its focus from God to Satan. As the book progresses we see how this gracious and merciful God redeems these fallen worshipers. Of course when discussing doctrine, theological words are needed to be defined. “Aspire” covers that by highlighting these important words and defining it. The book’s later parts prepares the reader to be mission minded and to disciple too.
Now comes the sweaty part: the questions. You need to answers these to get most of the book. The questions on each part of the study are not just your run-of-the-mill passive questions you can get from a study guide in a usual book. Rather these questions will make you think and reflect for a moment. Also some of the questions are quite personal. And if you think this question and answer portion of “Aspire” left all the figuring out to the readers, think again. Chunks of biblical content are explained enough for you to chew and be satisfied on. “Aspire” will aid anyone to a healthy spiritual growth fit to be a disciple of Christ.
“Aspire” is well written, theological rich and personal workbook that will ground you in solid foundation. If you don’t know where to start with your discipleship, this book will definitely get you a jump start. If this book is so good how much more would be the sequel? For a pastor this will be a go to book for a deep one on one discipleship. For the individual Christian, prepare for a book that will pull you into a deep understanding of the redemptive story of God. Highly recommended.
My verdict: 5 out of 5 stars
(I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review)
Oh boy where do I start with this great book? Oops! Yes I already blurted out that this book is awesome. The character of God as a subject of a book might bring in your mind outstanding authors who made a name out of that subject. Wilkin did admit in her book that authors like A. W. Tozer, R. C. Sproul etc., who wrote books on the attributes of God, did influence her in writing the subject. However consider this book as a take on the attributes of God with a female perspective.
Some short books nowadays that teach basics are called “primer”, “sampler” and “bite-sized”. They carry topics that some of us think should be discussing in a thick volume. These are the most needed books in this fast paced culture that won’t eat away your time. They should be easily understand and accessible to anyone but still carry striking content. And that I think “Pastor and Counseling” by Pierre and Reju cornered those requirements.
This book is a sort of sequel to “Total Church” with the same authors. This is a sort of “the rubber meets the road” kind of book. Picking up this book you’ll dive immediately to the subject. Not that you need to get “Total Church” to understand this (which I haven’t read also) but as you can see this book can be categorized with those “church engaging the culture” books that are already out in the market. Yet this book even if you read similar stuff does have some great insights and some gems in it. This book uses 2 Peter as main text drawing some principles.
There are few books that are geared for this kind of topic. The most notable and most popular is the “Purpose Driven Youth Ministry” by Doug Fields which really sets the bar of what an effective and practical guide in youth ministry. Fields mostly sets the program (complete with diagrams, templates, graphs) which is comprehensive. He shared some biblical insights here and there. But in “Gospel-Centred Youth Ministry”, having the gospel in the very heart of this kind of ministry IS practical.
Starting this week we will check out a comicbook published by Kawangis Komiks an imprint of Church Strengthening Ministry (CSM). This 5 part series are written and drawn by the dynamic husband and wife tandem of Arya Chelabian and Faye Villanueva. A 5 part book of what they call a Pinoy Manga is something that will First stop is Book 1 of the series is “Si Lakan.”
Dr. Smalley has been writing for decades now about relationship (a trip to Book Sale or any 2nd hand bookstore will affirm that) which it is a no surprise that he would release another one on that subject. You might think what else he could write about or this might contain the usual advice he gives in his previous books. Nevertheless, it’s a good thing that we have some tools that are up to date and can be use to improve our relationship.