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The Discipline of Grace Study Guide

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First of all, thanks go out to Stephanie Chalfant at NavPress for this review copy of The Discipline of Grace and The Discipline of Grace Study Guide.

So learn to "preach the gospel to yourself" everyday, and in the joy and strength of knowing your sins are forgiven and sin's dominion is broken, press on to become holy as He is holy. This closing sentence succinctly lays out the major aims of The Discipline of Grace. Speaking with the heart of a pastor, Jerry Bridges encourages believers to take an active approach to discipleship, while keeping a proper grounding in the gospel as Christ-centered and Spirit-empowered. The message of the gospel as an essential element for both believer and unbeliever takes center stage. Bridges shows throughout the fallacy of thinking we can "earn" righteousness or holiness, while still lifting up a challenge to actively engage in the process of spiritual growth.

The heart of a pastor can be easily seen in the many stories and quotes offered, and a strong push towards action, towards application. The text strives to relate Biblical truth in an easily digestible form. Overall, Bridges is successful in demonstrating to the reader the need for personal and proactive action, and the need for dependence on God's gift of forgiveness and the empowering work of the Spirit as a foundation for discipleship. Bridges success in accomplishing his objective got better as the book progressed, especially after chapter 6. It is clear that this is not just some academic subject to Bridges, but rather worthy of deep, personal involvement, and with weighty implications for the life and mission of Christ's body.

Unfortunately, there is a certain lack of precision throughout. And while this does not necessarily affect the final outcome once the general tenor of Scripture is dealt with, when addressing specific verses and passages, Bridges sometimes makes some "blunders" that are common in popular "Bible study". The most common is over-reading, imbuing words with greater meaning, extent or specificity than a passage requires. This often puts his logic on an insecure footing exegetically, even when used to bolster a point that is in the end theologically sound. Frequent references to passive voice in the Greek language are used to make definite theological arguments about agency. This always makes me cringe a little, as very rarely is agency declared outright in these passages (the emphasis being on the subject's experience of the action, not on the action's agency), and when it is, it often is not so clearly or unambiguously the agent declared by Bridges.

In a couple places there are mistakes that seem to come from a failure to reference (or maybe a lack of availability of?) good background sources, trusting a "plain-sense" English reading of Scripture. For example, Bridges' use of the reference to "Daniel" in Ezekiel 14:44 (p. 158) is most likely inaccurate. And as this is used to make a multi-paragraph point, the whole logical progression is given a shaky footing. While the Mosaic Law is described and handled well for the most part, often it is described and related in terms and categories that are common (p. 116) but which are not found in the background material or in the historical understanding of these passages.

Bridges has a love for quotes in this book, and specifically for Puritan writers - though this is likely based on the subject matter of this book and the Puritan propensity to write on the topics of self-discipline, sin and the sin nature. That being said, I could have done with a few less quotes, paraphrased or otherwise. I felt that John Owen was quoted so much that were I to read him now, I would have a continuous experience of deja vu. John Murray also received a thorough coverage within these pages. I have nothing against quotes, and in more devotional or introspective works, this is somewhat common. But the length and frequency was probably excessive in light of his repeated need to paraphrase the antiquated quotes and the wealth of Scripture he was also trying to feed into his reasoning and pastoral musings.

While I may seem to have presented a lot of negatives, Bridges writing style is quite clear. A number of places stand out for their ability to relate theological truth in powerful ways. When he covers Deuteronomy 6, his progression (pp. 115-121) from love to obedience and the connection between the two is executed brilliantly. Similarly, the call to pursue holiness rather than passively wait is handled very effectively (p. 136).

Finally, if using this book in a group, I would suggest only the leader(s) getting the full book. The study guide covers much of each chapter verbatim, and what is not covered verbatim is rephrased into question form. These questions will provoke a lot of group thought. If reading on one's own without a group, I feel a struggle between suggesting just reading the book and also getting the study guide, thus having response-generating questions. Having both the book and the study guide for personal study seems highly redundant based on the content. If you are just reading, I would make sure to read with Scripture close at hand, and plenty of time to pray over what you find.

Overall, a lack of exegetical and logical precision is overcome by some very powerful writing and keen insight into our sin nature and the spiritual tools at a believer's disposal. An overall emphasis on the gospel - on God's grace, Christ's suffering, and the Spirit's continued work - provides a solid foundation for spiritual growth.

In "The Discipline of Grace: Study Guide" Jerry Bridges gives the church an outstanding workbook on sanctification. In this very helpful study guide Bridges doesn't aim to bring a balance between grace and works, but demonstrates through fine exegetical effort that one is saved by grace alone and those who are saved God extends grace to bring about sanctification within the believer. Thus the Christian obeys God's word and practices good works not in order to gain Justication (declared righteous) /God's acceptance but one follows hard after God because one IS saved; the Christian seeks to live in a righteous manner because he loves God and is eternally grateful for the salvation freely provided. God first loved us so we respond in obedience as we embrace scriptural disciplines out of love and thanksgiving for the person and work of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

To become more like Jesus and to grow in good works (sanctification: becoming holy/separated unto God) one must work out, not FOR our salvation as revealed in Ephesians Two. Holiness comes when one affirms, aims for, and walks in the clear commandments of God through applying potent biblical disciplines. The author provides many helpful ideas for those who seek holiness and growth in the Lord.

Titus 3:5-8 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Endorsed by:
- Ligonier Ministries
- Luder Whitlcik
- Navigators

Bridges presses: "The pursuit of Holiness must be anchored in the grace of God; otherwise it is doomed to failure" Remember the 3 G's:
Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude:
All men are Guilty of sin against a holy God; God extends free Grace because Christ died for the ungodly; now because one is saved from guilt by grace follow God out of gratitude. This is a simple but powerful way to practice holiness.

Chapters include:

- How good is good enough
- Preach the Gospel to yourself
- We Died to sin
- Disciplined by grace
- The Disciplines of choices, convictions, watching, and adversity
- And more.

The Gospel is: Christ lived, died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and one is saved by this by grace alone through faith alone.
One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions

I enjoyed this book very much. It gave me understanding of doctrinal truths that were difficult to articulate. I have added many of these points covered to my tool belt to use in teaching and encouraging others as they begin their walk of faith. It is an excellent study to use with new believers.

The only thing I found that distracted me was that some points in chapters towards the end were a little redundant. I was hoping to find the final chapter a summarization of all the important points covered in the entire book since there was so much to set a foundation.

Still this was an excellent study that has enabled me to more clearly explain and teach the Gosple.

Jerry Bridges writes with authority and preciseness, covering a subject too many of us have pondered, but had very little modern Bible commentators to draw from. He is very careful to present the need of: discipline ( the attitude of responsibility) towards God's free gift of Grace is revealed with great care & humility by the author. He also gives thoughtful suggestions as to how to align holistic living under the un-merited provision of Grace. Thanks to a courageous effort here that may 'rock' a few heads-in-the-sand, or heads-in-the-clouds mentalities, but in my opinion, that would be a good thing. Grace was meant to be 'lived-out' pursueing Holiness with the idea; we submit ourselves to God first, in turn we will be directed towards serving others' needs (By His dircetion, not our own), and in doing so our own sanctification will mature according to God's purpose, the uplifting of His kingdom, not ours.

This is a study where you want both the book and the study guide. Spend the money, get it. You're life will be forever changed.