Customer Reviews

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived: Secrets for Unparalleled Success and Unshakable Happiness from the Life of Jesus

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm going to be 50...someday - to emulate Meg Ryan.

And Steven Scott tells me that on that day, I will have lived 2600 of my (on average) 3,952 weeks. Does that bother you? It bothers me... and I am actually closer to 40 than 50 (wrinkles not withstanding).

Do you want to know that the world is different because you were here?

Steven Scott is an ordinary guy who has succeeded in extraordinary ways because he has used the principles that he learned by following Jesus. With a fair amount of learning from Solomon and Thomas Edison thrown in.

He started his career with eight failures and became a multi-millionaire. In this book, he shows you how to succeed at being the best YOU you can be, by being like Jesus. This book is "How to win friends and influence people" plus every book that John Maxwell ever wrote, all in one. You can save yourself a ton of time and money if you buy, read, highlight, study, and apply the principles of this book.

Rarely do I find a book that I am convinced every one of my kids needs to read. Right now I'm plotting how to get this book in formats that they will all assimilate. (This one's an audio learner (audio book), this one's a visual learner (regular book), what if I read it aloud at bedtime for this one...)

I believe we are all called to greatness. You are called to greatness. God put you on earth for a purpose. You can fulfill it. This book is a great tool.

I have mixed feelings about The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived; well, not the man...but the book about the man. First, a little about the book; written by Steven K. Scott, the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived and The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, it's about Jesus and how his life on earth can be a model for ours to help us in overcoming adversity and/or limitations that challenge our ability to "live our lives with unparalleled success and unshakable happiness."

Ok, so the book is well-written. It is also put together very well, following a very logical progression of alliterated points. There is no question in my mind that the points are practical, balanced, and beneficial for achieving the results promised by the author. I also believe that Jesus is the ultimate model for living life on this earth. Where are my mixed feelings?

As I have said, I agree with the principles and teaching exposited in the book, The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived...I believe them and I try to model and live my life by them. I especially liked the "Whole Different Kind of Love" chapter. I also like very much that almost all the chapters ended with a list of action steps to help the reader with concrete starting points for making change in their life. What I did not care for, and I don't mean this to be a criticism of the book (I really hope I have qualified myself enough by now), is the packaging. I'm left with a taste that the message of Christ's gospel is being hawked as a self-help clinic; "How to be like Jesus in 6 easy steps!" I don't want to imply that is the intent of the author, Scott, I'm just saying that's the aftertaste I'm left with. I think the gospel is about much more than "earthly success" and "unshakeable happiness." I think there is something to eternal joy in the face of and in spite of unspeakable grief and tragedy. I think there are millions of people that might put these principles into action and not achieve the tangible results of earthly success...success is not always measured by what we see in our immediate reality or future.

Bottom Line: It is a good book with solid principles and it is technically accurate. My personal opinion is that the book presents a commercialized message and borders on a "what's in it for me" sales pitch. I'm left feeling a little disappointed.

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived teaches us the principles of fulfillment from the life of Jesus. I think it's interesting, for a Christian, to contemplate the man Jesus as opposed to the diety of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus had a dual nature as both man and God, but this book really investigates how the man acted in order to carry out his divine mission.

From the first chapter, which provides the arguments for why you should base your life on the principles by which Jesus lived his, to the last chapter, which warns against living your life only for the possessions and fame you can garner, this book provides the most useful reference to the principles of life, which Jesus lived and taught, that I have found.

My favorite chapters were "The Sense of Mission", "A Message that Communicates", and "Your Incredible Worth." Here's my favorite quote from the book:

"Think how much better our world would be today if we valued ourselves and those we work with, meet, and interact with in the manner of Jesus"

This statement is made after referencing Matthew 6:26-27 and Matthew 10:29-31 where Jesus reminds his disciples that God takes care of all living things and he cares even more for them. Have you thought of that today? God is caring for every living animal and plany on the planet, but he cares more for that person you're having an argument with than he does the animals and plants. It will make us stop and interact differently if we think like this.

Great book. Much of the content acted as a reminder of past readings, but there were equally as many new and insightful thoughts.

Review:

This book is a rich resource of lessons from the words, life and actions of Jesus Christ - the greatest man who ever lived. Steven K. Scott's insights are both refreshing and challenging. I particularly enjoyed chapter seven: A Manner That Moves Men and Women. I'm glad to have this book in my library and gladly recommend to all my friends.

Summary:

In The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Scott guides readers in a step-by-step application of the life-changing principles, skills, and methods that Jesus used throughout his earthly life. Although believers may spend a lifetime learning from Jesus' teachings, it's easy to overlook the powerful lessons demonstrated in His life. But when these incomparable lessons are learned and put to use, they enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success and happiness.

From Jesus' earthly life readers will learn:

How to break through the barriers that prevent them from achieving extraordinary success at work and relational success at home.

How to experience a level of happiness and fulfillment that nothing the world offers can duplicate.

How to use adversity and opposition as a springboard for greater success.

How to love others in a way that increases their love as well.

No matter what a person's area of expertise and in what setting a person influences others, living by the principles of Jesus' life on earth produces extraordinary success, unprecedented achievements, personal fulfillment, and blessings for others.

Author Bio:

Steven K. Scott is the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, and Mentored by a Millionaire. After failing in nine jobs, he started reading a chapter of Proverbs every day--and the wisdom of Scripture changed his life. Scott and his business partners have built more than a dozen multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, achieving billions of dollars in sales. He is the co-founder of Max International, Total Gym Fitness, and The American Telecast Corporation. He is a popular international speaker on the subjects of personal and professional achievement and the application of biblical wisdom to every area of life.

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott is a great book. Imagine reading a self-help book, one of those books that teach you how to better manage your time, focus on your priorities, cultivate friends, make more money, be fulfilled in your career, have an enviable marriage, be a better parent, etc., etc. Now imagine being told you can do all of the above if you just follow the example of one man: Jesus. This is that book.

Steven K. Scott manages to make complex subjects easy to understand and apply, while not dumbing down his message. This is a rare talent - one I greatly appreciate. We all know we are supposed to be followers of the Master, but this book shows us how to do that in practical terms.

In one of the more wisdom dense books I've read in quite awhile, Steven K. Scott, delivers an enthusiastic and compelling infomercial type of pep-talk that will challenge most readers on several levels. Emotionally, Scott lays out the drives and needs that forge our actions and then he delivers sage Biblical advice that can help to shape actions and to meet needs without leaving trails of destruction in our lives. Financially/Careerwise Scott urges the reader to find that passion, the burn and then harness and focus them into success. He gives helpful guidelines and more wisdom, again, Biblical. His encouragement covers relationships, physical choices and pursuits also painted with wisdom from the book of Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you haven't picked up on the theme, Steven Scott is an on-fire follower of Christ.

If you are looking for a small group Bible study idea, or a book to light a fire under your carcass, or help with some issues that are making your life just not work so well, you could do far worse. Scott is one of the kings of infomercials and his examples of some of his successful ventures hit home with me as I've purchased a few of his products over the years and have wanted quite a few others. Interestingly, his products, no matter how great, how much they stand up to their claims only work when they are used. Same deal with the book.

If Jesus offends you, you may struggle or squirm. However, if you are curious to understand a little bit more about Jesus and His teachings and how they affect you and your life, this is a thoughtful and meaty book that really brings home how intersected life, spirit and soul really are.

I've read this book three times and learn something new each time. Highly recommend for business and life lessons. Gave to several friends and collegues. They loved it.

this book is too much about the author, and not enough about Jesus! He talked more about himself than he talked about Jesus.

Awesome book, loved Steven Scott's understanding of the life of Jesus, and how he has used the same principles of Jesus' personality, in the business world and his personal life. His insights on success in business and relationships is valuable to all. I loved the book, and learned alot from it.

I would reluctantly recommend Steven K. Scott's The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived: Secrets of Unparalleled Success and Unshakable Happiness from the Life of Jesus.[...].

Though the author might have good intentions and several solid bits of instruction, I have difficulty with the general premise of his book. Christ is not concerned with our success and happiness as much as with our trust and obedience. For works on Christian leadership, I would rather one read books like Andy Stanley's Next Generation Leader or Reggie McNeal's Practicing Greatness. They not only are more effective in calling leaders to have integrity and influence but also to exhibit those characteristics for the correct reasons.

Even so, many of his teachings and thoughts were helpful - especially his chapter on "Meaning that Motivates: Finding Your 'Whys.'" The author proposes that "understanding changes minds - action changes lives." He calls all Christ-followers to be intentional in identifying and deepening the reasons why they do what they do. Most people do what they do for one of the following reasons . . .

Personal gratification, money, or material possessions

Approval and applause of others

Fear of failure, criticism, consequences, or loss

Survival or significance

Love

Family

Connection to God

I keep returning to the passage that reads, "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began'" (John 17:1-5).

Official Description: In The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, Scott guides readers in a step-by-step application of the life-changing principles, skills, and methods that Jesus used throughout his earthly life. Although believers may spend a lifetime learning from Jesus' teachings, it's easy to overlook the powerful lessons demonstrated in His life. But when these incomparable lessons are learned and put to use, they enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success and happiness. From Jesus' earthly life readers will learn: How to break through the barriers that prevent them from achieving extraordinary success at work and relational success at home. How to experience a level of happiness and fulfillment that nothing the world offers can duplicate. How to use adversity and opposition as a springboard for greater success. How to love others in a way that increases their love as well. No matter what a person's area of expertise and in what setting a person influences others, living by the principles of Jesus' life on earth produces extraordinary success, unprecedented achievements, personal fulfillment, and blessings for others.

Official Biography: Steven K. Scott is the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, The Greatest Words Ever Spoken, and Mentored by a Millionaire. After failing in nine jobs, he started reading a chapter of Proverbs every day--and the wisdom of Scripture changed his life. Scott and his business partners have built more than a dozen multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, achieving billions of dollars in sales. He is the co-founder of Max International, Total Gym Fitness, and The American Telecast Corporation. He is a popular international speaker on the subjects of personal and professional achievement and the application of biblical wisdom to every area of life.