Growth: Training vs. Trying (Pursuing Spiritual Transformation) [Paperback]

John Ortberg (Author), Laurie Pederson (Author), Judson Poling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pursuing Spiritual Transformation | Publication Date: August 29, 2000

What would your life be like if Jesus lived it? Imagine the change you would experience in your thoughts, actions, and relationships. Think of the joy and freedom that could transform every area of your life. That's exactly what God has in mind for you! You'll find out how in Growth. Through personal study and small group interaction, this study sets you on a path to live out the character of Jesus in this world as only you can. It happens not by trying hard, but by training. By cultivating spiritual disciplines--Scripture meditation, prayer, solitude, endurance, loving others--you'll discover the joy of being transformed by Christ and the freedom of living each day sustained by his power. Leader's guide included! Growth group sessions are: Training to Live Like Jesus The Practice of Scripture Meditation The Practice of Solitude Simple Prayer Three Transforming Prayers The Roundabout Way And the Greatest of These Is Love

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

John Ortberg is a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Each week he speaks to thousands of people at the church's New Community services. John has written for Christianity Today and is a frequent contributor to Leadership Journal

From the Back Cover

What would your life be like if Jesus lived it? Imagine the change you would experience in your thoughts, actions, and relationships. Think of the joy and freedom that could transform every area of your life.

That’s exactly what God has in mind for you! You’ll find out how in Growth. Through personal study and small group interaction, this study sets you on a path to live out the character of Jesus in this world as only you can. It happens not by trying hard, but by training. By cultivating spiritual disciplines--Scripture meditation, prayer, solitude, endurance, loving others--you’ll discover the joy of being transformed by Christ and the freedom of living each day sustained by his power.

Leader’s guide included!

Growth group sessions are: Training to Live Like Jesus The Practice of Scripture Meditation The Practice of Solitude Simple Prayer Three Transforming Prayers The Roundabout Way And the Greatest of These Is Love

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310220750
• ISBN-13: 978-0310220756
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent narrative and exercises, mediocre questions, May 20, 2003

By 

Anon "a_reader_from_socal" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Growth: Training vs. Trying (Pursuing Spiritual Transformation) (Paperback)

Growth: Training vs. Trying is a very readable book with short but pointed narratives and spritual exercises.

Each lesson identifies an area of discipline. The text isn't afraid to address common misunderstandings, mistakes and shortcoming when it comes to our exercising a certain discipline. And yet, it is encouraging and helpful in allowing the reader to see where he/she would rather be in his/her relationship with God and how to get there. The spiritual exercises are especially helpful in moving the reader from "theory" in the lesson to practical daily "application".

While the text and the spiritual exercises were excellent, the bible study questions were a bit lacking and not necessarily good in prompting meaningful discussion. I would not use it as is but rather as a roadmap/guide in exploring key ideas and develop your own questions for small group discussions.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great word picture, February 25, 2008

By 

Darien Gabriel "dariengabriel.com" (Summerville, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Growth: Training vs. Trying (Pursuing Spiritual Transformation) (Paperback)

I recommend this book because of the ideas presented and how they communicate.

The idea of training versus trying really resonated with me and I believe others. What Ortberg writes here is alone worth the purchase of the book. If using this in a small group helps others move from trying to training, it's money well spent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for new small groups, June 22, 2009

By 

Michael Duncan (Mobile, AL (USA)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Growth: Training vs. Trying (Pursuing Spiritual Transformation) (Paperback)

This is the best book I've been through so far for helping small groups get started. It lays the foundation for what it takes to have a sucessful small group. I've been working with off campus small groups at my church for 4+ years now, and this is really good stuff.