Good to Great in God's Eyes: 10 Practices Great Christians Have in Common

by Chip Ingram

Now available in an updated edition, Good to Great in God's Eyes shows how Christians can honor God with lives of great faith and excellent work. Believers become great in God's eyes by applying the 10 common characteristics of great Christians. Using Scripture, personal stories, and examples from Christians who left a lasting legacy, bestselling author Chip Ingram offers practical steps for becoming great in all areas of life, in spiritual growth, family, relationships, and career. This updated edition features a new foreword by Bob Buford, a new introduction, and helpful discussion questions to facilitate group or individual study.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Leadership, Christianity, Christian Living, Religion, Personal Development

245 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2007

About the author

Chip Ingram is the teaching pastor and CEO of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip is the author of many books, including Culture Shock, The Real Heaven, The Real God, The Invisible War, and Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great! While none of the 10 practices surprised me, they challenged me to examine my own life and live even more radically for God. I will be rereading this in the future.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am on journey to understanding Greatness. I don't want to just be a good Christian...I want to be a Great one. Chip has outlined 10 practices that all Great Christians have in common. Fantastic read!

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a fine line between simple and simplistic. For me, this book fell on the wrong side of that line. I did glean some useful tidbits, but most of those were via quotes from C.S. Lewis or Howard Hendricks.

[Shawn Hudgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second time to read this book. However, this time it made more of an impact on my life. As life moves forward at such a pace with church, family, work, sports, etc., it's easy to get into a routine and get satisfied with mediocrity. There's nothing profound about each principle but they are challenging. The common text for each chapter title is 'Great'; i.e., Dream Great Dreams, Pray Great Prayers, Take Great Risks, etc. which doesn't leave a spot for mediocrity. I am already taking steps of action as a result of this reading and I'm growing dissatisfied with mediocrity. I don't see these principles as a list to check off but as Chip writes "these principles are, however, an opportunity to fulfill the highest and best purposes God has for you." Chip's second principle is Read Great Books, I would add this one to your list.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only I could implement just 10% of all the sermons I've heard. Or adopt all the good ideas from the books I've read. How different would my life be?
The principles in this book sound so simple, maybe too simple, but implemented they are incredibly life-changing. Really loved this book but felt a sense of defeat - how can I get myself to implement even half of this principles on a consistent basis? I'm already set in my ways, in my thinking, in my habits and in what I think makes my life work and that is so difficult to change. That's a shame because I need to adopt these principles....urgently!

[Donna McTaggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my eye because "Good to Great" by Jim Collins is one of my most fave books.
It was my first experience with Chip Igram and I was not disappointed!

"Becoming great in the things that matter most." ~Chip Ingram (back cover).
Can't say it better than that.

Each chapter offered insights that will continue to challenge me for a long time!
- Think Great Thoughts
- Read Great Books
- Pursue Great People
- Dream Great Dreams
- Pray Great Prayers
- Take Great Risks
- Make Great Sacrifices
- Enjoy Great Moments
- Empower Great People
- Develop Great Habits

[Evan Þ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This's a book about spiritual disciplines - not particular disciplines (though he does recommend them, such as regular Bible reading and prayer), but a reminder to consider them. Ingram reminds you to consider what you want your life to have been - and then, how to get there. He explores, encourages, and helps visualize practices such as prayer and mentorship and charitable work, as well as dreaming great dreams for God's glory.

I haven't yet really put any of this into practice - I finished this just before leaving for the meetup - but I mean to at some time soon.

[John T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book full of spiritual insights, some which are issues I am struggling with, have struggled with for much of my life both before and after accepting Christ. This book may not be for brand new believers as it could be overwhelming but it most certainly can provide spiritual guidance and wisdom. I fully intend to reread/review portions of this likely again and again.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who have pursued a walk with God for years, this book is somewhat basic. But it is a good reminder of what it takes to prosper as a follower of Christ. I especially appreciated the chapters on pursuing great people, reading great books, and investing in the lives of others.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two chapters were solid, rest of the book were kinda simple and a throw away kinda list of thinking processes. Not my favorite book but the Lord told me a thing or two in the first two chapters. Read those and move on

[Tyler Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked most of this book. I think it’s probably 4+ stars just as the content, but the section on dreaming great dreams was transformational for me and I’ve put into practice a lot of the challenges in the book. The practical use of the book after reading is huge.

[Carol Apgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Content

This book had a lot of really practical things to consider. I have a lot of respect for the author and his honesty of things he has struggled with was a great encouragement to me.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing too ground-shaking here, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ingram has a gift for saying old truths in new ways, and this book has definitely caused me to think differently.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The title may sound a little strange, but it has good principles to work into your life, reading great books, investing in great people, enjoying great moments. Good stuff.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of the good stuff, right here. Great book, helpful, insightful and full of excellent resources to use!

[Anna Reimink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written yet a slow read for me. I think this will be most beneficial for young believers. Could also be a good Bible study book as it has great reflection questions with each chapter.

[David Pulliam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best chapter was on thinking great thoughts but it didn’t go very well after that, some of it was obvious vanilla counsel that we all now but struggle to put into practice.

[Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

would read again

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical and unlike the books that focus on greatness as the world sees it.

[Oluremi Ladeji · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not unusually for Christians especially new converts to ponder how their ambitions and dreams relate to the new found faith. To be more precise many Christians both new and old usually wonder if it is ok to be ambitious, or to aspire greatness afterwards the scriptures clearly told us we are not of this world. The fact is Jesus does not ask us to rid ourselves of passion or dreams, but to turn the passions toward God.
Well, the disciplines struggled with the same issues as we can clearly see in Luke 22 right after Christ instituted the Lord’s Super. The argument was which of the disciples should be considered the greatest. Christ did not rebuke nor condemn his followers but rather turned it into a teachable moment by defining greatness with a familiar but counterintuitive conduit. Furthermore, In John 17:4 Christ also asked God to glory him before his crucifixion “I have brought you glory on each by completing the work you gave him to do” Christ asked God to glorify him on earth and that his glory be shared with his disciples.
In a nutshell Chip Ingram’s “Good to Great in God’s Eyes” defined the attributes of greatness from God’s perspective. Chip Ingram delineating 10 practices great Christians have in common: (1) Think great thoughts, (2) Read Great Books, (3) Pursue Great People, (4) Dream Great Dreams, (5) Pray Great Prayers, (6) Take Great Risks, (7) Make Great Sacrifices, (8) Enjoy Great People, (9) Empower Great People, and (10) Develop Great Habits
According to Chip Ingam the practices are not required for salvation but an opportunity to fulfill the highest and best purposes God has for your life. Moreover, followers of Christ who dream of eternal impact in God��s life are motivated to do whatever it takes to be used by God. So if you desire to start the new year dreaming of having eternal impact in the kingdom of God or if you envision crossing the finish line as one of God’s great saints “Good to Great in God’s eyes” is a must read for you.

[Paul Goble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents a set of practices to help "good" Christians become "great" Christians. The book is aimed at readers who already understand the basics of Christian life and who want to make a lasting impact on the world. Readers who are still at the figuring-out-how-to-pray-and-read-the-Bible stage will be baffled; readers who have been immersed in solid teaching for decades will be mostly disappointed. Although it assumes the reader is motivated to become great, the practices are still useful for less-ambitious people. The book is unusual in that it falls between the vast numbers of "practical Christianity for beginners" and "profound theology for experts" books.

Chip Ingram avoids the pitfalls which I expected to find in this genre. For example, goal-setting advocates typically shove narrowly-defined exercises at the readers, in which they are expected to come up with a clear statement of their life's mission in a matter of a few minutes. In the "Dream Great Dreams" chapter, Ingram recognizes that big goals may come along later in life, catalyzed and refined by crises, key encounters, and fresh insights. So instead of a goal-setting recipe, he provides tips for capturing and capitalizing on those moments when we begin to see our future direction.

The writing is lively, organized and error-free. Each chapter includes exercises which are suitable as a basis for group discussion or individual reflection. A companion video series provides focus for each idea while providing additional material (it's not just a summary of the book!).

[Stephanie Ziebarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been a Christ-follower in vocational ministry for two decades, I have developed a short list of key books that I regularly recommend to others who want to grow. This excellent book has made the list! Easy-to-read, engaging, inspiring, challenging, practical, scriptural... it is good for anyone who wants to pursue greatness in the Christ-following life--or even for anyone who simply wants to grow.

I am thankful the chapter "Enjoy Great Moments" was included amid the exhortations to read great books, think great thoughts, pursue great people, etc., because people who are in pursuit of greatness often need to remember that key parts of that pursuit include rest, gratitude, enjoying God's gifts, etc.

This book is wonderful for personal reading, but also excellent to go through with a small group or in an accountability or mentoring relationship. I recently went through it with a mentee, and we both greatly benefited.

I received this book as a giveaway through Goodreads First Reads and am so glad I did.

[Some · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike Jim collins' secular work which has been misused by Pop "Christians" Spiritualists, this one helps discerning believers and anyone with a shread of common sense come into the presence of what greatness is and how it is lived out.

What you will find here is what meaningful (healthy) influences can do to boost the daily walk and devotion, humbleness, and passion for His recipe for success - a word so abused by so many Pop "Christian" influencers.

Strongly recommended for those times you have read a considerable amount in the Bible itself and seek contemporary inspiration.

Bill Tucker, read this and tell me if you like it.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Good to Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram very slowly over the course of the last year. I think I averaged about one chapter per month. I found it to be a very practical book full of anecdotal and Scriptural support for living out one's Christian faith in a way that aspires to greatness rather than mediocrity. While the title may cause some to think this book's subject is more on how to earn one's way into heaven, the content is clear that salvation is by grace through faith, and the practices identified in this book are geared toward living with impact in light of one's salvation. Highly recommended for Christians seeking depth in their walk with the Lord.

[Michelle Albanese · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book, I was kind of irritated by the title. It reminded me of the 10 Easy Steps to this or that books. You know the books - the title grabs your attention, but they speak in generalities, but don't really tell you anything you didn't already know. However, I had read other Chip Ingram books so I decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed the first few chapters. Chip gives plenty of specifics and his down-to-earth style with lots of stories about himself held my interest. The later chapters were good too, and maybe I was just ready to move on to something else, but I was not as gripped.

[Thomas Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a busy work schedule and my four year commitment to writing a book, I have neglected personal reading time. This book was recommended by the facilitator/pastor of an adult Bible study group. Great Book! The author, Chip Ingram, brings to the table, meat. The author's writing style is clear, simple, and articulate; this makes it easy for anyone - unbeliever to mature Christian - to easily understand his messages. I found in every chapter issues I need to work on and incorporate in my life. "Good to Great in God's Eyes" is refreshingly unique, has thoroughly thought-out ideas, and is exceptionally well written.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Especially the first few chapters. My favorite chapters were: Think Great Thoughts, Read Great Books, Pursue Great People and Develope Great Habits. Most of the book is very challenging - not to understand but to put into practice. Chip Ingram always comes across as a real person even though he is a pastor... the book is written the way he speaks. Overall a challenging and inspiring book.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife bought this for me without knowing much about it but that it sounded like a business book I had read. The first two or three chapters didn't offer much to me but I'm enjoying the middle section on Great Prayers and Great Risks.

[Andrew Carretto · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't what I thought it was going to be. High hopes were set after reading Jim Collins "Good to Great" book, but this one could have been summed up with a beginner outline. Not much depth involved.

[Dory]

12/15/09 - I saw this book in Borders recently and it looked interesting. I'll probably check pricing on Amazon, though! :) My boss is reading a secular business book called Good to Great, which Ingram mentions in his intro.