The Renewed Mind: Becoming the Person God Wants You to Be

by Larry Christenson

Becoming the Person God Wants You to Be Have you ever tried to break a bad habit? By sheer will power you set your mind to overcome it ... but suddenly, there it is again! Do you ever have thoughts rise up in your mind which would make you blush if they were suddenly broadcast over a loudspeaker? Experiences like this express the gap which exists between what we are and what we want to be. This book is all about bridging that gap! In a vivid series of images and parables, the Christian life is depicted not as a drear duty, but as an adventure of faith--living each day by the guidance and power of Christ's indwelling presence. The Renewed Mind touches on five major areas of the spiritual on GodFacing challengesPatienceDisciplinePrayer This expanded edition includes new selections from Larry Christenson's other memorable teachings--Back to Square One and The Notre Dame Football Talk--plus new study questions.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1974

Reviews

[Debie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this in our Life Group (small group) and really enjoyed it. The chapters are short and easy to read, but hold great practical ideas and analogies. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which are simple, but brought much discussion and lead to further topics and deeper dialogue. I recommend this for an individual, but is great for small groups, and I think a young adult or youth group would get a lot from this as well.
The Renewed Mind is great for new Christians as well as mature Christians. Larry Christenson is very insightful as he uses stories and "pictures" to convey biblical principals, that can sometimes be hard to grasp, so we can mature and grow in our walk with God, allowing The Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
There are 5 major areas discussed in the book: Dependence on God, Facing Challenges With The Authority of Christ, Patience, Discipline & Prayer. The practical examples and anecdotes are easy to understand and help you recognize how to apply these principals to your life. Side note: The last two chapters on prayer brought much discussion to our group on what we felt the author was trying to convey and whether we agreed with him or not. (Remember this is just one person's opinion, but you can also gain great wisdom from other God lead Christians who teach from Biblical Truth.) I highly recommend reading this with your small group.

[Raymond O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard a lot about this book and was very excited to finally read it. For the most part, I would recommend this book but I would not consider it a transformative book. A lot of the book was topical with scripture but I was really hoping it would be more applicable. Some of the topics seemed to be out-of-nowhere and lacked a full explanation as to how it pertains precisely to a renewed mind.

[Evonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple and rudimentary. Even though I've read this three times now (this is my first time since joining goodreads, hence the recent 'read' date) I still find gems in there worth lingering over. Great illustrations. Basic. True for a new believer and true for the seasoned believer. Well worth reading over and over again.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would probably be a good book for someone first exploring the subject, but I would have preferred something much more in-depth. The information is good, and it's handled well, but it was review and renew rather than deepen.

[Jay Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Changing

I am a hard sell when it comes to reading. My mind wonders endlessly. But I found this very readable! More importantly, I found it life changing!!!

[Kaylee Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I would’ve read this closer together but still really good

[Ann Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book if you are ready to come closer to God

Simple to follow and maps out ways to come closer to God and see stumbling blocks and ways to over come them

[Zaccaria Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians would agree that having a renewed mind and way of thinking is essential to the Christian life and in becoming more like Christ day by day. This book is insightful and practical in its teaching of both why it is important for a Christian to renew their mind and how to achieve it. The renewed mind is beautifully written in easy to understand language and the author's use of analogies to express key ideas made it both relatable and applicable to the reader.

[Adrienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and cover piqued my curiosity, and enjoy reading nonfiction books to build the spirit-person as well as the mind.

The first chapter topic on "go back to square one" has definitely captured my attention and vividly could picture the game analogy to how it is for the Christian life.

My favorite part of the book was the four practical steps when facing temptation. I believe this has really spoke to my heart and mind, and will help me when temptation rises up in me when dealing with the lusts of the flesh. I also liked the section on judging, and how we are to be forgivers instead for we know that God is the final judge. Moreover as believers we are to purge; be separate and peculiar people who do not fall into the trap of thinking that they have a great tower of strength (even to fight temptation), can mix with the things of the world, and still stay close to Jesus. We are only fooling ourselves. We can never be part of the world--following their system, their beliefs, and actions.

This book is definitely a useful tool for believers and those reminders to keep us on track according to the Word of God, but also some parts are written in layman terms or parables/analogies to clearly understand the Word itself. I would highly recommend this book to be added to your Kindle library or get the printed copy to put on your shelf. I am so blessed to read this for free and will keep on my cloud library for sure to read on any of my devices.

I received a free eBook copy on Amazon through a BookBub alert.

4.5 stars

Adrienna Turner
Author of God is in the Equation and The Day Begins with Christ

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Larry Christenson has a practical approach to teaching. He doesn't just tell you what to do, he tells you how to do it. He covers a wide expanse in this 143 page book and at times I found myself wishing he would delve more deeply into a topic. However, he left me with several truths upon which to meditate. For example: "The process of Christian growth boils down to this: Learning to depend on Jesus in every circumstance." Granted, right? But we don't know whether or not we ARE depending on Jesus until the trials come and take away those other things we depend on so greatly, like health, money, even character traits like our own inner strength. But Christenson writes that instead of becoming bitter we should ask, "Lord, what is it in me that requires such rough treatment?" I love that.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the best Bible-based books I've read in a while. Brother Christenson has a way of talking to you in layman's terms and using stories as a teaching tool. I was a bit wary at first, because I read the author bio and it said that he was a Lutheran minister. I'm not at all familiar with that denomination, but it was just good Christian doctrine. This book just reminds us how we can all renew our relationship with Christ and devote all of our lives to Him, not just some of it. I would recommend. Good book.

[booksthrubifocals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides fresh insights no matter how often it is read

I read this book for the first time more than forty years ago. I just completed it again and plan to start over from the beginning. It is ever fresh, full of truth and so very well written that it will remain on my all time favorite list of spiritual resources. It is as appropriate for mature Christians as for new believers and transcends denominational borders! I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Joyce]

Great book, lots of insight on things that I should have already been doing. Sometimes it takes a book and a different perspective from someone else to start working on the issues we all have in life.

[Lydia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book that can change your life!! I learned so much from this book that I will apply to my Christian life and improve it! A must read for anyone who feels they need a change in their life !!!!!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

This book is amazing in presents Gods truth in a very practical way. His illustrations of how God often sends us back to "start" for lessons He wants to teach us. This book is certainly anointed and helped me understand a closer relationship with Jesus.

[George]

This is a great book that helps to explain in practical ways why things don't always work out the way we think they should. It also gives a heaven centered perspective to the events in our lives.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book to help in studying the Bible, living the Christian life and enabling a more satisfying prayer life.

[Marcy Stearns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a couple really good chapters. Sometimes I had trouble following his logic.