Customer Reviews

The Practice of Godliness: Godliness has value for all things

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I meant to read this book for several years before I actually got around to it. I can't believe I waited--it's one of the best Christian books I have read. Many Christian books encourage us to be godly, but they don't tell us how. Most of us know we should be joyful, for instance, but we don't know how to develop joy. We can try to act joyful on the outside, but unless it's from the heart, it is empty. This book takes a practical approach to developing godliness in our lives.

Jerry Bridges defines godliness as "devotion to God which results in a life that is pleasing to him." The first several chapters deal with the devotion. Bridges emphasizes the necessity of a proper motivation, and what's more, he explains some ways in which we can develop that motivation. To me, it was a completely new way of looking at things. In the remainder of the book, Bridges focuses each chapter on one or two godly traits, such as humility, joy, thanksgiving, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, and love. Bridges uses scripture to explore the traits and how we can develop them. I have read much about these traits in the past--what amazed me about this book was the practical guidance for developing them. For instance, Bridges includes many scripture passages we can meditate on and pray through to help us understand certain godly traits and grow in those areas. He also discusses our responsibility vs. God's responsibility for the development of godliness in our lives.

This book gave me a lot to think about and a new perspective on some incredibly important things. I think this book should be recommended reading for every Christian. A very good study guide is also available to supplement the book.

This book is the follow-up to The Pursuit of Holiness, which deals with putting of the old-self. Here, in The Practice of Godliness, the reader sees what Godly virtues a Christian must live and exemplify and how to incorporate them into practical daily living. Upon completion of both books, I was completely broken down and made anew through God. God used Jerry Bridges as the instrument to mold me towards the Christian I must strive to be.

So says the first words of the back cover. And indeed, this book will do everything but force you to become godly. This part is going to be left up to you. The Bible says that the fruit of the spirit are obvious, and so it ought to be. Yet sometimes, in the American society at least, it has become most difficult to keep a Christian witness and remain devoted to God. And so often the joy of Christian living is lost as we enmesh ourselves in the everyday routines of our everyday wrolds. It need not be, and Bridges does a wonderful job covering some of the virtues of the victorious Chrstian life. My suggestion is to get the workbook, get together with several other Christians, and treat this as a Bible study. It makes for wonderful discussions, as I can attest as a Sunday School teacher of adults. This is a book well worth the read.

I don't often give five stars, but Jerry Bridges deserves each one. His writing is simple, straightforward, biblical, and practical. I have been using "The Practice of Godliness" in my mentoring ministry for years. One thing I appreciate about this book is that it really is a Bible study. He uses his writing to illustrate, but the focus is digging into God's word. Whether you are studying by yourself or working with someone else, this is an excellent book!

What is godliness? This is an excellent discussion of the character of God and how we can learn to display those characteristics. It begins with a discussion of devotion -- developing God-centeredness. Then it delves into the action of character building, with chapters on humility, contentment, thankfulness, joy, holiness, self-control, faithfulness, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness & goodness, and love. It also has a great workbook, which can be adapted for a Bible Study group.

I purchased this study guide for our young couples Bible study at my church. I was apprehensive because a lot of study guides don't have good discussion questions. I was pleasantly surprised. The study guide has excellent questions for personal growth and also for group discussion. It also ties in very nicely with the corresponding book.

This is the best study guide I have ever used.

I was encouraged to find a book on spiritual growth that gets it right! Mr. Bridges' concepts rely very strongly on the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about success. He also encourages the reader to look up passages in Scripture that he refers to in the book by often only providing book, chapter and verse referances (without providing every passage word-for-word in his book).

I'm currently reading his earlier book titled "The Pursuit of Holiness". So far, it isn't quite as good as this one. Some of it comes off as a little legalistic, but there are a lot of good points in it as well. Mr. Bridges obviously matured between his writing of "Pursuit..." and "The Practice of Godliness". If you desire to live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, and want some outstanding pointers, read this book!

In this follow up book to The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges speaks to the area of sanctification in the life of the believer. While sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit, the believer needs to develop particular practices in their pursuit of Christ likeness and it is their responsibility to do so, it is never forced by God.

Many Christians today have at best a shallow understanding of living the Christian life. Too often salvation is a `decision' made at a point in time past and that is about the extent of their `spiritual understanding' and there is little or no growth. The genuine believer, however, will grow and develop certain characteristics. It is to this area of life that Jerry Bridges writes about.

After discussing our motivation, the remainder of the books looks at some of the characteristics the believer will have in their practice of godliness: humility, joy, thanksgiving, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, and love. Using Galatians 5:22, 23 and other passages, The Practice of Godliness brings together the role of God and the role of the believer in a great and understandable way.

This book was challenging and convicting, and I would definitely recommend this book to those who have a desire to develop these qualities in their life. Not only that, it is a book that I will re-read many times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

This book is the sequel to "The Pursuit of Holiness" and is equally an incredible guide to spiritual growth. It is so rich with instruction that some chapters need to be read and reread, thought through and taken to heart. These two books will admonish you to a committed lifestyle of surrender and obedience as they reveal a sovereign and omnipotent God Who desires our fellowship, and will lavish upon us His love as He directs our path. I've bought several copies of both to give to friends who are seeking God with their whole heart and desire to walk in His Presence and under His direction.

My Disciplship class has used the book and workbook and we all love it!! Jerry Bridges breaks down each Godliness characteristic into a wholistic view of leading Godly lives. Also, the book's structure is great for leading/growing us throughout the book. Throughout the book Jerry references bible passages which was very important to me and our class. We're moving on to his Pursuit of Holiness book next, and can't wait.