Learning to Be Loved: The Everyday Believer's Guide to a Rich Relationship with God

by David Bowden, Mart Green

Are you feeling spiritually stuck? Release that frustration and discover a more natural way to relate to God in this biblically grounded, transformative book about how our passionate and creative God offers us gateways--that are already in our lives--to draw us closer to him.

What if intimacy with God doesn't begin with us knocking at God's door but with God knocking down ours? In Learning to Be Loved, author and Spoken Gospel CEO David Bowden and Hobby Lobby's Mart Green remind us that spiritual growth starts not with our giving but with our receiving.

This unique and freeing invitation to respond to God's initiative

Common misconceptions that can hold back our spiritual growthPractical "doors"--such as dreams, wounds, and generosity--that are already in your life as ways for you to organically connect with God according to how he has made youA vision of the Christian life that isn't about doing the right things but learning how receiving God's love moves us toward the right thingsPractices to help you partner with God in living your own spiritual story rather than always comparing yourself to other peopleCombining David's careful study and poetic voice with Mart's decades of wisdom about the simplicity of a life lived toward God, Learning to Be Loved unites biblical rigor and personal experience to show that intimacy with God isn't based on our ability to connect with him--but on all the ways he is constantly connecting with us.

Genres: Christian Living, Christianity, Spirituality, Christian, Faith, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Daivd^^Bowden

Reviews

[Kylin Swearingen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is amazing. There is no other way to put it. I think that most Christians should read and let it change the way they think.

[Marv Gordner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It really encouraged me in my Christian faith.

[LeRicecrispie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book, really gave me a deeper perspective of God’s love for me. Highly recommend!

[Teddy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe one of the most important things in your relationship with God is to learn, meditate on and sit in the understanding of His love.
If we did nothing else but wake up every day and acknowledge that He loves us, thank Him for loving us so well and then try to carry that through our day we would be changed.
This book is beautiful!
I love the two perspectives and writing styles of both men.
It is very well written, well thought out and organized.

This book…
-is full of scripture.
-is full of practical ideas for how to experience God’s love.
-has questions and potential journal prompts to think and go deeper.
-has so many stories of miracles, examples of God’s love and what is being done in His church.

Great to do a chapter a day or weekly alone or with a study group.

[Cindy Beam · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is pursuing us!

This book is for people who struggle to see our invisible God and what he’s doing in our lives. The authors show God pursuing believers in all aspects of life from their circumstances, to the arts, to spiritual disciplines, personal choices, and their personal spirituality. It’s well organized, and full of real life examples. I will now intentionally watch for signs of his pursuit of me because I deeply desire a rich and authentic relationship with my Lord and Savior!

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

recently, I have been struggling to understand what it means to have the fear of God, and knowing the love of God and this book helped me understand how I should be praying. Instead of praying “Lord show me your love”, i understood that He is and i am not the one that is able to accept it so now my prayers look more like “Lord help me see your love”. i think that is something we can only find spending time in prayer and God’s word but this book definitely helped me see a different perspective!

[Noah Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bowden’s sections were very helpful, even when pushing into some more uncomfortable charismatic elements (for me). I honestly could have completely done without Green’s interjections.

[BlueBird · Rating 5 out of 5]

My relationship with God was once full of fire and deep desire to tell others about Him and live out His word. I still am, yet the burning fire was burning low. I had no idea how it happened, life just got more challenging for me, and over time I found myself thinking about my old ways and the lies of how "happy" I was back then. I miss my Father a lot yet felt He was far away no matter how much I pray or read the Bible. I felt so lost in my faith that I went searching for books addressing this issue.
This book thankfully was not afraid to dive into the gray matters of a relationship with the Lord from knowing that he loves me even when I do not always love myself to allowing myself to be weak, human, and fully seen by Him. Chapters three and seven really did give me an exposer check I needed. Chapter three helped me realized that there are still some deep wounds that still need healing, and this does not make me any less faithful. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) As for chapter seven, music has always been a powerful expression when simply saying something was not enough. There are two sentences that stuck with me after that chapter: "Let worship teach you the love of God as you learn about him through song. When was the last time you let yourself feel God's love by embodying it in song?" (pg.84) There is this song deep within me, playing inside my heart called "Run to the Father" by Matt Maher- and this is my heart song about my relationship with God.
Needless to say, this book challenged and deepen my relationship with Him. This is one of the few books out here that is a real gemstone. Please take it from me, take your time with this book and really reflect on it and where you are with Jesus. You will not regret it.

[Todd McClincey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good. As a start to understanding how spiritual formation works in a person, and the lies that we need to unlearn to truly grow to be more like Christ, it is good. I think it is more about the fact that I could have gotten the same materials from Willard, Chan, Eldredge, Comer, Barton, and so many others in this vein. (even Groeschel’s books).

I think this is more indicative of me the reader and not the content. I feel like it will speak to someone who needs to hear what they have to say.

[Carol Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book!

I was tremendously blessed by this book. So much so, that I am turning back to page 1 and reading it again. I need to digest and internalize everything written in these pages. Learning is a process and there is nothing greater than knowing that God loves me. This book is so rich it requires a 2nd reading for me!

[Josh Tyree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this solely off the title but it ended up being a great Christian living book—one of the best I’ve read in recent years—addressing so many different facets of our walk with the Lord.

[Emma LeBouef · Rating 4 out of 5]

was not expecting this book to be abt spiritual disciplines!! but good nonetheless, wish they would have tied back to the title and its themes more throughout tho

[Elise Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. I’ve been a big fan of Spoken Gospel and David Bowdens ministry from the beginning series on exodus that I listen to on Spotify back in 2016. Since then I recommend Spoken Gospel to anyone and everyone that will listen to recommendations for podcast.
I really enjoyed David’s first book “Rewire your Heart” and am loving his new one as well. His partnership with Matt Green is excellent as his lives testimonies fit so well with the topics. I received this book for Christmas and have already almost finished it.
Thank you for your amazing stories and honesty about the church and the Christian walk.