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Weird by Craig Groeschel
'When people describe my lifestyle or family as weird, I find comfort,' writes author Craig Groeschel. Who then shares a Christ-centered philosophy, on everything from money to scheduling to purity, to help you break out of the normal rut and live according to the rhythms of God's grace and truth of his word. Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are, at best, strained and, in most cases, just surviving. Even though we live in one of the most prosperous places on earth, normal is still living paycheck to paycheck and never getting ahead. In our oversexed world, lust, premarital sex, guilt, and shame are far more common than purity, virginity, and a healthy married sex life. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn't working. Groeschel's WEIRD views will help you break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.
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First published March 9, 2011
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About the author
Craig Groeschel
98 books1,647 followersCraig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, a multisite church with locations throughout the United States and globally at Life.Church Online.
Craig and his wife Amy started Life.Church in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma in January 1996. While Life.Church has grown over the years, its mission remains the same: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Today, the church is known for its innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel, launching the first fully digital church experience in 2006 and the most downloaded Bible app in history, YouVersion, in 2008.
As a widely respected leader in the Church, Craig speaks frequently at leadership events and conferences worldwide. He is a New York Times best-selling author with books about topics like dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, and more. He also hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, a practical tool to spark new ideas and prompt innovative thinking in leaders at every level within any organization.
Craig and Amy married in 1991 and have six children. They live in Oklahoma where Life.Church began.
Visit www.craiggroeschel.com to be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, books, leadership events, and more.
Craig and his wife Amy started Life.Church in a two-car garage in Edmond, Oklahoma in January 1996. While Life.Church has grown over the years, its mission remains the same: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Today, the church is known for its innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel, launching the first fully digital church experience in 2006 and the most downloaded Bible app in history, YouVersion, in 2008.
As a widely respected leader in the Church, Craig speaks frequently at leadership events and conferences worldwide. He is a New York Times best-selling author with books about topics like dating and marriage, social media, purpose, direction, church leadership, and more. He also hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, a practical tool to spark new ideas and prompt innovative thinking in leaders at every level within any organization.
Craig and Amy married in 1991 and have six children. They live in Oklahoma where Life.Church began.
Visit www.craiggroeschel.com to be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, books, leadership events, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
July 27, 2011
Because 'wide is the road that leads to destruction...,' Groeschel posits those on the narrow road must be the weird ones and he proceeds to give advice on how we may become weirder. Only problem is it is not that weird. This book aims at being counter-cultural but it has nothing of the prophetic political oomph of, say "The Upside Down Kingdom" by Donald Kraybill. Maybe that is just being picky and an unfair evoking of an Anabaptist, but I just think this book lacks an edge.
Example: Groeschel begins his book by discussing time. He, being weird, says that rather than trying to do everything you need to prioritize the things that are really important, live lives that are fully in the moment, and establish a rhythm of working and rest (Sabbath). All good advice mind you. But is it weird? I would expect and see all of the same advice in a variety of self-help and business books. No revolutionary weirdness here.
Groeschel goes on to talk about money. After all it is so normal for people to amass big debt and be miserly. Groeschel's 'weird' advice is this: Don't spend money you don't have, live within your means and be content, and be generous. Clearly, most people don't do this at the level which he is advocating, but does that make it weird? You might as well say that professional athletes are weird because most people just watch. In fact, most people respect people who are generous and manage money well. It is not something 'weird' that people look askance upon, but something praiseworthy. Case in point, most people respect that Bill Gates started a foundation giving away gazillions of dollars (conservative estimate) even if they bemoan Windows based operating systems. People like when people do good things with their money, it isn't weird. Just rare.
Perhaps where he comes closest to weirdness (against cultural values) is in his discussion of Love and relationships and sex. Our culture is increasingly (or seemingly?) sexually permissive. Against this Groeschel holds to traditional Christian standards, no adultery, no pornography, no lust, no friends-with-benefits. All good stuff and maybe weird to some people. But again I think weird is the wrong word. People definitely respect those who remain faithful in marriage and relationships and try to raise good children. Elite may be good word if it didn't have so many elitist connotations. One wonders why he didn't call this book Holy. That is the biblical word for set apart and special and could aptly be applied to most of the material. Of course you know the reason is well as I do. People don't buy books on holiness because it isn't sexy. It is better to name a book something like 'weird' because there is a gimmick which appeals to our deviant nature.
In the last section, Groeschel addresses 'values.' By this he means contra- our culture cultivating a relationship with God where our hearts break for the things that break His heart. He also talks about allowing God to change the parts of our hearts that are setting up obstacles in relationship with Him. Again, all well and good, but why call this section values. Why not commitment? Values is such a wet dog word.
Okay so this is the only Groeschel book I have read and based on some of the reviews it sounds like I read the wrong one if I am to give him a fair shake. Actually he comes across as likeable and has some great things to say. He says somethings very well. On the critical side, beside the central image of this book being inappropriate and misapplied, I found this book too individualistic. It is really a Christianized self-help book (albeit with some great content). This isn't necessarily bad, we need to address the individual. But if you are going to write a book about the counter-cultural weirdness of Christianity at least include a section on how the church is a beacon of hope against systemic injustice. The weirdness of the gospel is not that people who believe it are moral and have good character. The weirdness of the gospel is that Christ and his Kingdom calls every other kingdom into question (even America). Add that, and maybe this book would have something weird to say. As it is, it is simply a better version of a number of other books I've read.
Example: Groeschel begins his book by discussing time. He, being weird, says that rather than trying to do everything you need to prioritize the things that are really important, live lives that are fully in the moment, and establish a rhythm of working and rest (Sabbath). All good advice mind you. But is it weird? I would expect and see all of the same advice in a variety of self-help and business books. No revolutionary weirdness here.
Groeschel goes on to talk about money. After all it is so normal for people to amass big debt and be miserly. Groeschel's 'weird' advice is this: Don't spend money you don't have, live within your means and be content, and be generous. Clearly, most people don't do this at the level which he is advocating, but does that make it weird? You might as well say that professional athletes are weird because most people just watch. In fact, most people respect people who are generous and manage money well. It is not something 'weird' that people look askance upon, but something praiseworthy. Case in point, most people respect that Bill Gates started a foundation giving away gazillions of dollars (conservative estimate) even if they bemoan Windows based operating systems. People like when people do good things with their money, it isn't weird. Just rare.
Perhaps where he comes closest to weirdness (against cultural values) is in his discussion of Love and relationships and sex. Our culture is increasingly (or seemingly?) sexually permissive. Against this Groeschel holds to traditional Christian standards, no adultery, no pornography, no lust, no friends-with-benefits. All good stuff and maybe weird to some people. But again I think weird is the wrong word. People definitely respect those who remain faithful in marriage and relationships and try to raise good children. Elite may be good word if it didn't have so many elitist connotations. One wonders why he didn't call this book Holy. That is the biblical word for set apart and special and could aptly be applied to most of the material. Of course you know the reason is well as I do. People don't buy books on holiness because it isn't sexy. It is better to name a book something like 'weird' because there is a gimmick which appeals to our deviant nature.
In the last section, Groeschel addresses 'values.' By this he means contra- our culture cultivating a relationship with God where our hearts break for the things that break His heart. He also talks about allowing God to change the parts of our hearts that are setting up obstacles in relationship with Him. Again, all well and good, but why call this section values. Why not commitment? Values is such a wet dog word.
Okay so this is the only Groeschel book I have read and based on some of the reviews it sounds like I read the wrong one if I am to give him a fair shake. Actually he comes across as likeable and has some great things to say. He says somethings very well. On the critical side, beside the central image of this book being inappropriate and misapplied, I found this book too individualistic. It is really a Christianized self-help book (albeit with some great content). This isn't necessarily bad, we need to address the individual. But if you are going to write a book about the counter-cultural weirdness of Christianity at least include a section on how the church is a beacon of hope against systemic injustice. The weirdness of the gospel is not that people who believe it are moral and have good character. The weirdness of the gospel is that Christ and his Kingdom calls every other kingdom into question (even America). Add that, and maybe this book would have something weird to say. As it is, it is simply a better version of a number of other books I've read.
September 20, 2020
Did you ever attend a purity conference with your youth group in high school?
Because if not, don't worry. This book will provide all the cringe and false cheer without the inability to breathe because the middle school boy sitting next to you is wearing too much Axe. Did I say sitting next to? Ha. Not if you are female. Guys on the left, girls on the right. No purpling.
I see you trying to cross that invisible line, Timmy. And I be judging you.
I'm not entirely sure where to start with this book because I do think its heart is in the right place. It is like "be weird! and by weird I mean don't cheat on your wife!"
And I'm all down for encouraging people not to cheat on their spouses. And for encouraging them to spend time with their kids, avoid crippling debt, and occasionally call their grandma. There is nothing inherently wrong with anything this book encourages you to do, and in fact this definition of being "weird" will probably improve your quality of life considerably.
But none of it is mind blowing and none of it is Gospel.
You can follow everything Groeschel encourages you to do in this relatively short volume, be as weird as you like, and still miss grace.
And I'm not saying this book needed to be Gospel. That isn't Groeschel's goal...I don't think. But for a book that presents itself as a Christian reaction to the world, it really offers very little about heart-change and a whole lot about behavior-change.
I'm also not really sure who the intended audience for this book is. High schoolers? Probably not, since he talks a lot about sex, marriage, raising kids. Parents/couples? If so, the book is more about individual behavior than relational. And also, all the advice about "keeping four feet on the ground" while dating is going to be kind of...moot.
Maybe his comments about sex and porn are to inspire parents to have more open conversations with their kids about these things, but again, it is addressed more personally than "make sure your kid knows this or that..."
It is a weird jumble of advice, personal application, and funny stories about his 6 kids.
Overall, I don't recommend this one. If you want a book on time management, check out Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy. And if you want something about how to raise kids or why to avoid porn or what it takes to become financially stable...there are a million other books out there that address the topics in depth and not as a piecemeal "this is how to live your life."
If you want my harshest opinion, this book epitomizes why so many young people who were "Jesus Freaks" in high school end up burning out and leaving the faith once they hit college or young adulthood. Pithy stories and hard and fast rules might read well and motivate you for a month or two, but once you finally come face to face with the realities of life, it won't take you far. Identifying "Weird" because you don't sleep around or watch Say Yes To The Dress or let your kids play Webkinz 7 days a week is all well and fine. But those aren't a foundation for faith or a guarantee of good behavior.
And to be kinder, I don't think this book intends its list of rules to serve as a replacement for faith. It merely presents several suggestions for how to be a good Christian in a sex-saturated world. But it offers very little new and a whole lot of cringe.
I don't remember what I paid for this one but I hope it wasn't a lot because it is going back to Goodwill.
Because if not, don't worry. This book will provide all the cringe and false cheer without the inability to breathe because the middle school boy sitting next to you is wearing too much Axe. Did I say sitting next to? Ha. Not if you are female. Guys on the left, girls on the right. No purpling.
I see you trying to cross that invisible line, Timmy. And I be judging you.
I'm not entirely sure where to start with this book because I do think its heart is in the right place. It is like "be weird! and by weird I mean don't cheat on your wife!"
And I'm all down for encouraging people not to cheat on their spouses. And for encouraging them to spend time with their kids, avoid crippling debt, and occasionally call their grandma. There is nothing inherently wrong with anything this book encourages you to do, and in fact this definition of being "weird" will probably improve your quality of life considerably.
But none of it is mind blowing and none of it is Gospel.
You can follow everything Groeschel encourages you to do in this relatively short volume, be as weird as you like, and still miss grace.
And I'm not saying this book needed to be Gospel. That isn't Groeschel's goal...I don't think. But for a book that presents itself as a Christian reaction to the world, it really offers very little about heart-change and a whole lot about behavior-change.
I'm also not really sure who the intended audience for this book is. High schoolers? Probably not, since he talks a lot about sex, marriage, raising kids. Parents/couples? If so, the book is more about individual behavior than relational. And also, all the advice about "keeping four feet on the ground" while dating is going to be kind of...moot.
Maybe his comments about sex and porn are to inspire parents to have more open conversations with their kids about these things, but again, it is addressed more personally than "make sure your kid knows this or that..."
It is a weird jumble of advice, personal application, and funny stories about his 6 kids.
Overall, I don't recommend this one. If you want a book on time management, check out Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy. And if you want something about how to raise kids or why to avoid porn or what it takes to become financially stable...there are a million other books out there that address the topics in depth and not as a piecemeal "this is how to live your life."
If you want my harshest opinion, this book epitomizes why so many young people who were "Jesus Freaks" in high school end up burning out and leaving the faith once they hit college or young adulthood. Pithy stories and hard and fast rules might read well and motivate you for a month or two, but once you finally come face to face with the realities of life, it won't take you far. Identifying "Weird" because you don't sleep around or watch Say Yes To The Dress or let your kids play Webkinz 7 days a week is all well and fine. But those aren't a foundation for faith or a guarantee of good behavior.
And to be kinder, I don't think this book intends its list of rules to serve as a replacement for faith. It merely presents several suggestions for how to be a good Christian in a sex-saturated world. But it offers very little new and a whole lot of cringe.
I don't remember what I paid for this one but I hope it wasn't a lot because it is going back to Goodwill.
April 11, 2016
Groeschel makes the argument that in order to truly live the Christian life you must forfeit living a "normal" life. I agree with that and found bits of the book inspiring. But, overall, I thought the narrative voice was mediocre and most of the content was underwhelming. Moreover, the author has a blatantly upper-middleclass worldview and a tendency to judge others (and at times he makes judgements about others in the same paragraph that he claims to be nonjudgemental.) There was also a gross "superiority" vibe that came from the narration ("*Normal* people have affairs! It's so much better to be *weird* like us and prioritize our marriage!!") that made it seem like he doesn't really have a strong interpersonal understanding of the world he just makes judgements against society at large. Like he looked around and said, "Hey, it looks like there are a lot of overworked people in the world. That must be because they're greedy people with bad priorities" without ever making an attempt to understand where people are coming from. All of this together made the text pretty alienating. (Plus he refers to homosexuality as a "depraved" behavior. I'm sorry but there's just no way I could give a text that called homosexuals "depraved" any semi-decent rating.)
August 4, 2016
Pastor Groeschel shares many of his sermons in this book, dovetailing around the theme of being weird for Christ, since "normal isn't working." Each chapter takes on an aspect of life that, if lived normally, results often in failure, stagnation, and lack of joy and satisfaction in the Lord. He is amusing, anecdotal, and makes good points. There's a lot of take away here, and, like a Sunday sermon, we tend to forget what we've heard unless we take special care to remember. I'll probably be re-reading this one, at least in part, and checking the pages for little arrows I wrote in at places I need to study again. Some of the chapters are stronger than others, but overall Groeschel has me convinced that I'm not nearly weird enough. (Are you?)
September 1, 2017
I can't think of a good way to express it that comes out the way I really mean it. The best I can do is that Craig Groeschel's Weird...isn't all that weird. Craig Groeschel's Weird is what I suspect the vast majority of people would call normal. Groeschel's Weird is...have a savings account. Don't be a buffoon when traffic is bad. The only chapter where he can really claim to be swimming upstream, culturally, is the chapter on premarital sex.
And I don't disagree with any of this. Nor am I saying things should be really freaky. Saying that now is a time to be counter-cultural is not saying that every possible counter to the culture is good. It's more that there is more to Christian virtue than what gets covered in a middle school civics course.
Also, wow is it hard to get past the fact that I don't like the author. I don't mean I know Craig Groeschel and/or know some scandalous bit of gossip about him. I don't, and I don't. What I mean is, the book is very much about how he has lived his life, and I just really don't like the guy.
He seems like the sort of guy that goes to university on an football scholarship and gets his degree in marketing. And yeah, I looked at his bio, and my point isn't no good person gets a sports scholarship and chooses marketing for his degree, or that people that follow that life are bad people. I am not saying it is wrong to enjoy sports, to be good at sports, or wrong to study marketing. But it's not the sort of person I identify with, so if the book hinges greatly on "identify with my life", it falls flat for anyone who doesn't identify. Also, when I say the words "brand-name clothes, football scholarship, marketing degree, megachurch," I bet the first concept that comes to your mind is not "counter-cultural."
And I don't disagree with any of this. Nor am I saying things should be really freaky. Saying that now is a time to be counter-cultural is not saying that every possible counter to the culture is good. It's more that there is more to Christian virtue than what gets covered in a middle school civics course.
Also, wow is it hard to get past the fact that I don't like the author. I don't mean I know Craig Groeschel and/or know some scandalous bit of gossip about him. I don't, and I don't. What I mean is, the book is very much about how he has lived his life, and I just really don't like the guy.
He seems like the sort of guy that goes to university on an football scholarship and gets his degree in marketing. And yeah, I looked at his bio, and my point isn't no good person gets a sports scholarship and chooses marketing for his degree, or that people that follow that life are bad people. I am not saying it is wrong to enjoy sports, to be good at sports, or wrong to study marketing. But it's not the sort of person I identify with, so if the book hinges greatly on "identify with my life", it falls flat for anyone who doesn't identify. Also, when I say the words "brand-name clothes, football scholarship, marketing degree, megachurch," I bet the first concept that comes to your mind is not "counter-cultural."
June 5, 2017
Craig has great concepts but has little follow through in thoroughly explaining how scripture in context relates to issues he presents. The topic is too narrow and forced into every chapter. It seemed that the word and concept of "weird" failed to be more than a filler word built up by a scarce attempt to bring depth through self gratifying stories. This book falls short and highlights how popular pastors can get away with very little scholarship. Hard read.
March 16, 2018
this was a pretty good book. It covers a wide range of topics all related to the subject of what it means to live as a true Christian. there are five categories with three chapters in each category. my favorite one was definitely the first one, time. I would recommend this book.
April 29, 2011
The book started with a question that the author asked himself and challenged his readers to ask the same. Which road are you on, the narrow or the wide. If you are on the wide, you are pretty normal. Your life is normal, your life is no different than most, however, if you are on the narrow, you are pretty weird and people will notice. The book had 5 parts that help you identify what path you are on. Time, money, relationships, sex and values. I really enjoyed this book. It did not shy away from the hard stuff and was true to the word as to how our hearts can be changed. Our hearts are changed when the focus is on God and not our selves. He challenges you to face the truth about yourself and who God is. It is not enough to acknowledge. I also was intrigued about his comment on sin. Sexual sin that it is a sin that is more damaging to our relationship with God and with others. He gives a very good bibical response to that gives you hope and a reason. There is reason for our hope and I thought this book gave reasons that will reasonate with anyone. It has humor, but not at the expense of who God is but of who we are. This was a very fast and delightful read. I am thrilled to read more of his books.
February 14, 2012
Weird: Because Normal Isn't Working by Craig Groeschel was a really interesting read for me. It challenged me to think about what's "normal" in today's society and how going against what's normal in many cases is what the bible encourages all of us to do. For example, it's normal to have a large amount of debt, to spend all our time working or running to and from events, appointments and various other commitments and even getting divorced from our spouse when things get tough. This book got me to think more about the way that I am living my life now and the things that I need to do to align myself more to what God wants - what most likely will make me seem Weird to everyone else.
Really good read that I would recommend other Christians checking out.
Really good read that I would recommend other Christians checking out.
March 1, 2018
This author came across as judgmental and privileged. Two of my least favorite things. While Christians do have to do “weird” things like pray often, be reverent, and seek him it doesn’t mean we exclude, pass judgment, or overlook the basics like love and kindness. Maybe this was a huge turnoff because I watched a video along with it and heard the author spew hate towards non christians and LGBTQ. Most definitely the last thing I’ll read by this guy.
September 26, 2021
Oh boy. There are some problems:
- um why didn’t anyone tell him that the word “eskimo” is considered a slur. I know this is a 10 year old book. But it was a slur 10 years ago.
- his chapter on sex had me raging. So much subtlety blaming people for someone else’s sin (“don’t dress in revealing clothes. Or for men in tight shirts showing off your muscles or you’ll cause someone to sin.”) Can we stop?? I’m all for keeping sex inside marriage. I’m all for not having affairs, but this is all the purity culture crap that actually ruined marriages for those who bought into it as the way to safe guard their marriage. Purity is not a list of check boxes. It can’t be obtained by following a list of rules. It’s a heart stance.
- for a pastor who went to seminary I’m shocked no one told him to check context of a verse. He used Phil 4:13 to talk about being able to do anything. That verse is about facing persecution. 🙄 NIV updated it the year this book came out, but many other translations already had it “fixed” to its proper meaning “I can do all THIS through Christ who strengthens me.” The this is in reference to the verse right before. Which is about facing persecution. 🤦🏻♀️
This book is completely skippable. His ideas of living weird aren’t that weird. Like if you’ve ever attended church or read literally any other Christian book you’ve seen his standards. But he sure comes across as high and mighty in telling you his not-so-new ideas. Basically don’t live outside your means, make sure you rest. Hey don’t cheat on your spouse. Spend time with your kids. Be a good person.
I basically follow all his “weird” principles, and I’m still pretty normal. This book falls flat. I don’t know that he really knows that many “normal” people and instead made a ton of assumptions in order to explain his “weird” idea.
Someone else’s review talked about how this book is missing the gospel and I have to agree. It’s a bunch of “Christian living” principles. You could do every single thing he talks about and completely miss Jesus. Completely miss changing the world around you for Jesus. Completely miss the kingdom of God. It’s just a bunch of “be good” principles in a pretty little package and what God calls us to is a much messier life than that. There is so much more adventure with Jesus. There is so much more living WITH people, not looking down on them as being “normal” to your “weird.”
- um why didn’t anyone tell him that the word “eskimo” is considered a slur. I know this is a 10 year old book. But it was a slur 10 years ago.
- his chapter on sex had me raging. So much subtlety blaming people for someone else’s sin (“don’t dress in revealing clothes. Or for men in tight shirts showing off your muscles or you’ll cause someone to sin.”) Can we stop?? I’m all for keeping sex inside marriage. I’m all for not having affairs, but this is all the purity culture crap that actually ruined marriages for those who bought into it as the way to safe guard their marriage. Purity is not a list of check boxes. It can’t be obtained by following a list of rules. It’s a heart stance.
- for a pastor who went to seminary I’m shocked no one told him to check context of a verse. He used Phil 4:13 to talk about being able to do anything. That verse is about facing persecution. 🙄 NIV updated it the year this book came out, but many other translations already had it “fixed” to its proper meaning “I can do all THIS through Christ who strengthens me.” The this is in reference to the verse right before. Which is about facing persecution. 🤦🏻♀️
This book is completely skippable. His ideas of living weird aren’t that weird. Like if you’ve ever attended church or read literally any other Christian book you’ve seen his standards. But he sure comes across as high and mighty in telling you his not-so-new ideas. Basically don’t live outside your means, make sure you rest. Hey don’t cheat on your spouse. Spend time with your kids. Be a good person.
I basically follow all his “weird” principles, and I’m still pretty normal. This book falls flat. I don’t know that he really knows that many “normal” people and instead made a ton of assumptions in order to explain his “weird” idea.
Someone else’s review talked about how this book is missing the gospel and I have to agree. It’s a bunch of “Christian living” principles. You could do every single thing he talks about and completely miss Jesus. Completely miss changing the world around you for Jesus. Completely miss the kingdom of God. It’s just a bunch of “be good” principles in a pretty little package and what God calls us to is a much messier life than that. There is so much more adventure with Jesus. There is so much more living WITH people, not looking down on them as being “normal” to your “weird.”
February 8, 2023
If you’re not content looking and acting like the rest of the world, join the club and prepare to be weird. I don’t want to be a part time Christian who sails by with simply being saved. I desire to be a sold out CHRISTian, one who lives it and freely shows others that there is a better way of living. I want to be weird and shine Jesus’ light with every step I take! The more we become like Christ, the more different we will be compared to the world and all I will say to that is YES PLEASE!!!!
This book had me reflecting on things in my own heart and mind, some of which I’ve already begun to put into practice. Society is not my measuring stick, the Almighty and His Word are. And as such, we are here to be ambassadors for the Kingdom and that means we are called to rock the boat NOT roll with the tide. Be who God created you to be and let Him have His way in you and in your life. Be weird and stand out for all the right reasons.
This book had me reflecting on things in my own heart and mind, some of which I’ve already begun to put into practice. Society is not my measuring stick, the Almighty and His Word are. And as such, we are here to be ambassadors for the Kingdom and that means we are called to rock the boat NOT roll with the tide. Be who God created you to be and let Him have His way in you and in your life. Be weird and stand out for all the right reasons.
May 17, 2022
This was a very good book about living through true Christianity and being honest with your faith.
Really inspiring read.
I am loving Craig's writing. Definitely one of my favorite Christian authors.
4.6/5
Really inspiring read.
I am loving Craig's writing. Definitely one of my favorite Christian authors.
4.6/5
September 8, 2020
Groeschel gives practical advice again on living your fullest faith-filled life.
December 20, 2021
How we stand in the right path though maybe the populculture said otherwise. A back to the Truth movement, and dare to say no though maybe others would said we are weird.
May 21, 2012
The book Weird, by Craig Groeschel, is an amazing recourse to have to help you during tough times in your Christian walk. It focuses on five main points; time, money, relationships, sex, and values. It gives you insight on how to keep your life “weird” in these areas. The “Time” section talks about how we always need to use our time to serve the Lord, and not wait until later. “There is no time like the present.” The “Money” section discusses about how having money doesn’t make you happy. You need to be generous with what you have been blessed with and serve the Lord with it. In the “Relationship” section, Groeschel talks about how we need to only be with other Christians. We shouldn’t be with non-Christians, hoping that they will change someday, even though it is very evident that they won’t. The “Sex” section states very clearly that sex is intended only for marriage, not for anything else. We as a nation need to get that through our heads. The final section, “Values,” discusses having a divine burden that bothers you so much that you have to take action and do something about it. It forces us to do God’s work.
I really did enjoy the book, Weird.I read it with my youth pastor in a book study group, and that helped tremendously. It was very down to earth, and it gave me many moments in life that I can personally relate to. It also helped inspire me to think outside the box as to how I can be “Weird” in my walk with God.
I personally would recommend this book to any Christian, especially an adult Christian who is in a committed relationship or marriage. More of this book speaks directly to you than anyone else. It is still a good read for younger Christians though. As Groeschel states in the book, “Normal isn’t working.”
I really did enjoy the book, Weird.I read it with my youth pastor in a book study group, and that helped tremendously. It was very down to earth, and it gave me many moments in life that I can personally relate to. It also helped inspire me to think outside the box as to how I can be “Weird” in my walk with God.
I personally would recommend this book to any Christian, especially an adult Christian who is in a committed relationship or marriage. More of this book speaks directly to you than anyone else. It is still a good read for younger Christians though. As Groeschel states in the book, “Normal isn’t working.”
September 13, 2022
I picked up this book because it is written by the pastor of the mega church that my daughter and son in law have started attending. I wanted to get a feel for what this guy is all about. He is head of a many campus church that people in all locations watch remotely every week.
The goal of the book is to urge us not to live lukewarm and compromising lives as Christians.
The repeated use of calling the Christian life weird got old and annoying. Rather than encouraging us to live pure Christian lives we are encouraged to be weird … I get it….not like current culture. Even so I don’t think God is asking us to be weird.
I didn’t buy the book but read the ebook on Scribd while listening to the audiobook.
I should have read the book in print. The audiobook is read in a sing songy style.
Parts of the book that seemed self promoting seemed even more so because of the style in which they were out loud.
The point that this is not our home is good, and that we are different because we have been changed. And I did appreciate the challenge at the end of the book:
What is the one thing I desire of God?
What one thing do I lack?
What one thing do I need to let go?
What one thing do I need to claim?
The goal of the book is to urge us not to live lukewarm and compromising lives as Christians.
The repeated use of calling the Christian life weird got old and annoying. Rather than encouraging us to live pure Christian lives we are encouraged to be weird … I get it….not like current culture. Even so I don’t think God is asking us to be weird.
I didn’t buy the book but read the ebook on Scribd while listening to the audiobook.
I should have read the book in print. The audiobook is read in a sing songy style.
Parts of the book that seemed self promoting seemed even more so because of the style in which they were out loud.
The point that this is not our home is good, and that we are different because we have been changed. And I did appreciate the challenge at the end of the book:
What is the one thing I desire of God?
What one thing do I lack?
What one thing do I need to let go?
What one thing do I need to claim?
July 28, 2011
Nothing like a friend asking to borrow a book to get me to finally actually read it. My pastor Craig wrote this book earlier this year to accompany a sermon series of the same name that had one of my favorite weeks of the last couple of years (Week 2, Weird is Better). When I've seen the messages, I tend to take the book for granted. I'm glad I finally pulled this off the shelf.
The voice is totally Craig's. His message: If you want to be like normal people, think and act the way normal people act. Looking at what is the norm in our culture and the world around me, I'll take "weird" every time (Frustrated side note: You'll hear folks talk about The U.S. being a "Christian Nation." If this is true, something has gone very wrong with Chrisianity.) The book's focus is to be different in the way you handle: 1) your time, 2) your money, 3) your relationships, 4) sex, and 5) your values.
A good read for any Christian who wants something different than the norm, especially young Christians.
The voice is totally Craig's. His message: If you want to be like normal people, think and act the way normal people act. Looking at what is the norm in our culture and the world around me, I'll take "weird" every time (Frustrated side note: You'll hear folks talk about The U.S. being a "Christian Nation." If this is true, something has gone very wrong with Chrisianity.) The book's focus is to be different in the way you handle: 1) your time, 2) your money, 3) your relationships, 4) sex, and 5) your values.
A good read for any Christian who wants something different than the norm, especially young Christians.
August 17, 2011
Pastor Groeschel's argument is that Christians should be different from unbelievers, and that compared to them, (the normal people), we should appear "weird". He offers advice for how to get areas of our life to be more Christ-like.
November 4, 2013
Outstanding book. A great look at how Christians should stand out from the crowd in different areas of our lives. Very engaging and thought provoking. He brings it to a very firm conclusion that leaves no doubt about where we should stand. Well done!
November 2, 2011
A great read for all Christians about how to really live for Jesus, not settling for worldly standards. Well written and thought-provoking.
November 24, 2011
Excellent read. It provides plenty of motivation to be a Christian on fire for the Lord. I highly recommend it.
January 24, 2012
A great overview of what a Christian life should look like compared to what mainstream American culture might consider Christian.
June 26, 2017
My wife and I lead a small group within our church. Recently, when we were looking for a new topic series to discuss in group, one of the members brought this book, "Weird" by Craig Groeschel, to our attention. Everyone liked the book's concept theme: that Christians should strive to live lives weird because normal is not working, and we set out on a six week study. It was fantastic!
After discussing the overall theme, the book digs deeper into five individual topics for which we are called upon to be weird: time, money, relationships, sex and values. Each of these topics is highly pertinent to the way people live their lives today. We live lives that are stretched beyond our margins, having little to no time for family and rest, spending beyond our resources, and sacrificing our most important relationships (including our relationship with God) for what the world calls important. This book challenged the norms...they are not working, and in fact are utterly failing us. The Bible prescribes a life of weirdness beyond the norms of this world. That is the focus of "Weird".
It was a fantastic six week study for our group, and challenged each of us in our daily walk with God, and in the decisions we make regarding the resources with which we've been blessed. Also, the "Weird" group discussion guide was a perfect accompaniment for us - giving us excellent questions and background to lead the small group. Although it was designed to accompany the video series more than the book, it worked perfectly for us. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
After discussing the overall theme, the book digs deeper into five individual topics for which we are called upon to be weird: time, money, relationships, sex and values. Each of these topics is highly pertinent to the way people live their lives today. We live lives that are stretched beyond our margins, having little to no time for family and rest, spending beyond our resources, and sacrificing our most important relationships (including our relationship with God) for what the world calls important. This book challenged the norms...they are not working, and in fact are utterly failing us. The Bible prescribes a life of weirdness beyond the norms of this world. That is the focus of "Weird".
It was a fantastic six week study for our group, and challenged each of us in our daily walk with God, and in the decisions we make regarding the resources with which we've been blessed. Also, the "Weird" group discussion guide was a perfect accompaniment for us - giving us excellent questions and background to lead the small group. Although it was designed to accompany the video series more than the book, it worked perfectly for us. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
December 12, 2022
Surprisingly great read; another amazing book by Pastor Craig Groeschel. It’s obvious that as Christians we must strive to be different from the crowd, but even in environments where that’s made easier (such as the Bible College I attend), it can be easy to blend in and remain “normal.” This sounds fine until you realize that “normal” is still depressed, anxious, overly stressed, and burning the candle at both ends.
If I had to give a single word to describe this book, it would be “liberating.” Considering my upbringing, I’ve always felt a little bit different from others (although I’m sure everyone feels that way). Groeschel gives you the freedom in this book to be “weird”—that is, the God-honoring type of “weird.” To be “weird” in a way which pleases Him. I’ll take that valuable insight to heart as I strive for a unique path which honors my Lord!
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’ve always felt as if you weren’t “normal”… or even if you feel like you are.
If I had to give a single word to describe this book, it would be “liberating.” Considering my upbringing, I’ve always felt a little bit different from others (although I’m sure everyone feels that way). Groeschel gives you the freedom in this book to be “weird”—that is, the God-honoring type of “weird.” To be “weird” in a way which pleases Him. I’ll take that valuable insight to heart as I strive for a unique path which honors my Lord!
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’ve always felt as if you weren’t “normal”… or even if you feel like you are.
January 7, 2020
This book is a clear compilation of multiple sermons along a similar theme: being weird. While this is common for many beginnings of books, I feel the depth of the book is the same level of depth as a sermon: many key moments mentioned in the beginning and the end with much repetition in the middle. Extra depth would have been more appreciated in a written setting.
On the content itself, I felt the best chapters were the final chapters on how Christianity and weirdness go together. Much of the earlier chapters felt more self-help with a hint of Christian themes rather than how Christianity can mold your time and money. I also felt the sections on sex and relationships were redundant. It would have been better to discuss strong Christian friendships, not simply relationships.
On the content itself, I felt the best chapters were the final chapters on how Christianity and weirdness go together. Much of the earlier chapters felt more self-help with a hint of Christian themes rather than how Christianity can mold your time and money. I also felt the sections on sex and relationships were redundant. It would have been better to discuss strong Christian friendships, not simply relationships.
April 4, 2020
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
- 1 Peter 1:14-16
This book is ultimately a call for divinely-inspired non-conformance, or personal holiness. I am legitimately challenged and definitely recommend to other Christians who are dissatisfied with the status quo.
- Romans 12:2
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
- 1 Peter 1:14-16
This book is ultimately a call for divinely-inspired non-conformance, or personal holiness. I am legitimately challenged and definitely recommend to other Christians who are dissatisfied with the status quo.
October 31, 2022
Really fantastic!
Love Groeschel's pithy style of writing. It's a laugh out loud funny and thorougly enjoyably read, while cutting through all of the pretense to what really deeply matters in a way that grabs you and won't turn you loose. I've lied awake at night and found my mind drifting off during the day thinking, searching myself, talking with God and listening intently to the Holy Spirit far more than ever before. Read this book if you want massive change, meaning, purpose, and permission to live the different, amazing, weird kind of life that He created each of us to live full-out for Him.
Love Groeschel's pithy style of writing. It's a laugh out loud funny and thorougly enjoyably read, while cutting through all of the pretense to what really deeply matters in a way that grabs you and won't turn you loose. I've lied awake at night and found my mind drifting off during the day thinking, searching myself, talking with God and listening intently to the Holy Spirit far more than ever before. Read this book if you want massive change, meaning, purpose, and permission to live the different, amazing, weird kind of life that He created each of us to live full-out for Him.
July 21, 2018
I really loved most of this book. Being different and your own person on the right path is the basis for this book. He addresses everything from church to finances to sex and sexuality. That last one is where I had a bit of an issue leading to 3 stars instead of more. I agreed with a lot of what he said but the homosexuality/ bisexuality aspect was a point of contention. I do not feel anyone should be treated differently including those non straight neighbors. He didn't come right out and say that but I got that vibe. The rest of the book was very good.
December 31, 2019
I'd heard Craig Groeschel speak at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit a few years ago and wanted to check out this book for a potential group study at church. I appreciated the reminders about technology, busy-ness, and good things in life crowding out the *best* things; about "To-Don't" lists; and about spending within your means. However, the outdated bro-culture/frat-culture/college references, complete disregard for Christian covenant relationships of same-sex partners, and lightly misogynistic undertones of the purity culture sections were off-putting.
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