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Changed into His Image: God's Plan for Transforming Your Life

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Jim Berg has done a superb job in writing about the subject of sanctification. Down through the years, sanctification (how the Christian is progressively changed so that he or she is more like Christ) has often been misunderstood and misrepresented by preachers and believers alike.

Today, more than ever before, many believers and even pastors donŐt correctly understand this vital subject. The author, rather than using a lot of difficult theological terminology, has used many practical examples from everyday life to to show the believer how he can truly change. Through out the book, he points the believer to GodŐs Word which truly does have the answers for any believer who wants to become more like Christ.

If you donŐt have a clear picture of how you can change and become more like Christ, this is the book for you. If your Christian life has become stale, this book will no doubt open you eyes to your need for REAL, LASTING CHANGE. The author will show you how you can get more out of GodŐs Word and develop a closer relationship to the Lord.

This book is written in a way that it will be very helpful, to parents, pastors, and disciplers, alike. ÒChanged into His ImageÓt will be a real asset to anyone who wants to become more like Christ or anyone who wants to help someone else along this life changing path. I highly recommend this book.

Changed Into His Image,by Jim Berg, is the most complete book about Biblical change on the market. If you are a serious Christian, you need to get this book!

More than a few people have recommended this book as a tool to grow in Christ. And I have read this book and been amazed at Jim Berg's clear understanding of the Scripture and gifted ability to express that in a way that causes the believer to think and change.

Changed Into His Image is Bible-based and yet it is clear and relevant to life situations. For all those who wish to become like Christ, who want to experience more than rote Christianity, who wish be something for God, this book is a must.

What makes this book good is that it is systematic, well organized and personal. He has riveting, dead-on illustrations that bring the Scriptures to life.

I would whole-heartedly reccommend this book to anyone who wishes to advance in God's kingdom. It is the most thoroughly, Bible-based book on Christian growth I have ever come in contact with. It is great not only for personal study, but for group lessons and youth sessions.

Make a small investment, buy this book and watch it change your life.

Dr. Berg begins with showing from the Bible the state of mankind...a sinner. One can not truely be "Changed into His Image" without first putting himself in his proper place...a sinner. From there Dr. Berg goes on to show how the believer can apply Biblical principles to life so that they can truely be "Changed into His Image."

This is an excellent book for Bible teachers, small group leaders, Pastors, and every Christian. I am currently reading it for the second time and am getting more out of the book. This is a must read for all Christians.

Jim Berg, the author, will give you the 'big picture' of sanctification (the believer's growth in holiness). He uses Ephesians 4.22ff as his outline for the book. In that passage, the apostle Paul gives us God's plan for growth in Christlikeness. Three parts of sanctification are given: putting off the old man, having your mind renewed, and putting on the new man. These 3 parts of sanctification could also be called 3 responsibilities for the Christian. This is the blueprint that God gives us for growth in holiness; if a man should expect to see any growth in the Christian life, it is only reasonable that he 'follow God's plan.'

Berg's first chapter is an introduction to the book. There he highlights the goal of sanctification - Christlike humility, and tells us in a nutshell how we reach that goal. We are to work hard (putting off, renewing our minds, and putting on) while we trust the "Person of Change" (the Holy Spirit) to produce the fruit in our lives. The rest of the book explains what it means to put off, renew our minds, and put on. Berg gives 4 chapters per responsibility.

Berg does an excellent job explaining Scripture. He is clear and interesting. His illustrations are very helpful. Not only is he clear, he is applicational. Truth from God's Word is never meant to be only 'understood.' The job of a teacher of the Word is to teach others 'to observe.' Berg does that. He shows the reader how to apply the truths. He intends, as much as he is able, to make it easy to obey by giving simple steps to follow.

This book will be one that you will go back to over and over again. You will use it for your own life. You will use it as you disciple your children, encourage your husband/wife, give counsel to your co-workers, and on and on. It will give clarity to your thinking about the Christian life. It will give you much hope as you see how God intends for you to change to be like Him. It will give you wisdom as you know how to better counsel others from the Word.

Jim Berg is from Bob Jones University. Expect to see some 'separatist fundamentalism' coming out of him. It is unfortunate that Berg uses the King James Version throughout the book. He is not KJV only, but he does prefer the translation for some reason. He does though, explain the out-of-date words for the reader.

Berg assumes that rock music is wrong. He does not make a big deal about it by trying to prove that it is so. He gives an illustration describing a boy that listens to rock music. Most readers will stumble at that point not getting Berg's point. Remember that he assumes rock music is wrong. He does not think that some rock music is wrong, but that all of it is - the very beat itself.

Berg also says that every Christian should be a part of a 'fundamentalist' church. Just assume that the word, 'fundamentalist,' means 'biblical,' and you will be fine.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, inspite of these things, and I am sure you will too.

My first exposure to Jim Berg's book was as a student in my church's Sunday school class. Our church leaders taught an overview of this book's main points over a period of about three months. However, it was not until I actually sat down and read the book for myself that I began to appreciate it fully.

Berg goes to great lengths to dispel many popular misconceptions about the Christian life and how biblical change occurs. He then draws heavily on the authority of scripture to contrast the world's way with God's plan for sanctifying his children. There are illustrations a-plenty and even a few hypothetical examples to show what these principles look like in "real life."

At the end of each chapter is a section called "Time for Reflection" which encourages the reader to make the leap from doctrinal theory to personal application. Each chapter also includes "Words for Disciple Makers," which are targeted toward church leaders and provide useful insights in how to apply these truths as pastors, teachers and counselors. Finally, the book includes appendices with various charts and self-evaluation exercises, and words of counsel to Christians facing different types of issues, such as worry or anger.

Overall I was quite pleased with this book, and vacillated between giving it four or five stars. I settled on four because at times the reading got a little dry, while at other times it seemed too "theological" for many readers or too rudimentary for more mature believers -- in other words, the target audience seemed to shift around a fair bit.

One last note, for what it's worth, the author's affiliation is of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University persuasion, and all scripture references are to the KJV. Even though my background is somewhat less conservative, I don't think this detracts from the overall value of the book (although others may think it does). I have definitely been challenged by this book, and have seen some areas in my Christian walk that could stand some adjustment. Absolutely worth reading, in my opinion.

Changed Into His Image (1st book) and Created for His Glory (2nd), by Jim Berg, comprise a pair of books that is HANDS DOWN the most practical work on biblical Christian growth available. Changed Into His Image covers the biblical teaching of sanctification (Christian growth), the frustrations of an idle Christian life, and how a Christian can overcome his old sinful nature through spending time with God. The second book, Created for His Glory is just as phenomenal, and takes the Christian the next step in understanding Christianity as the Creator designed it to be. Both are MUST OWN works for any Christian desiring to grow spiritually according to God's Word. I will sing it's praises 'til my dying day--it's worth its weight in gold. Buy 1 for you and 2 to give away!

I am a student ministries Pastor in Green Bay, WI. We recently did a study through this book with our youth leaders, and we were greatly blessed and encouraged. Berg clearly writes out of his passion for Christ and his desire to see others grow. One of the things that make the book so practical is that it is written first for the benefit of Jim's own children and then for others.

The best part about the book is that is thoroughly biblical. Berg begins by showing us the depravity of our hearts apart from God and how we need to see the sinfulness of our flesh and prepare to do battle against it. He then instructs a person how to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Finally, he gives practical help for the one who is battling to put off the flesh and be transformed who also wants to help others to do the same.

If you are looking for a great manual for your leadership team that will help them examine their own hearts and prepare to disciple others, look no further. I know of no other work on sanctification and growth that is so practical and thorough.

A group of us at church have been going through this Bible study. We have all found it very challenging and thought-provoking, and I have grown a lot through it. The book is good for group studies or for one-on-one discipleship. Definitely worth the read, but don't forget to get the study guide with it. The two work hand-in-hand. If you take the time to go through this thirteen-week study, you will definitely be on you way to being changed into the image of Christ.

One of the best Bible studies out there. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.