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Enjoying Jesus: Experience the Presence and Kindness of the Son of God in Everyday Life
What does it look like to enjoy a relationship with Jesus Christ here and now?We know Jesus has saved us. We know we need to trust him. But too often there’s little sense of a lived experience of him—of enjoying him and being a joy to him, of loving him and being loved by him, of interacting with him as we walk through each day.
In Enjoying Jesus, Tim Chester looks at how Jesus acted and interacted with people in Luke’s Gospel. But he doesn’t leave it there. He looks at how Jesus relates to us in the same way now, by his Spirit. Readers will be helped to understand how they can enjoy a close relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives.
This book is ideal for anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with Jesus, especially those who feel disconnected from God or those going through the motions of the Christian life without joy. It will also help new Christians who want to understand how Jesus is with them by his Spirit.
Each chapter includes reflection questions and practical suggestions on how to experience a close, joyful relationship with Jesus. The accompanying discussion guide makes this a useful resource for small groups.
In Enjoying Jesus, Tim Chester looks at how Jesus acted and interacted with people in Luke’s Gospel. But he doesn’t leave it there. He looks at how Jesus relates to us in the same way now, by his Spirit. Readers will be helped to understand how they can enjoy a close relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives.
This book is ideal for anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with Jesus, especially those who feel disconnected from God or those going through the motions of the Christian life without joy. It will also help new Christians who want to understand how Jesus is with them by his Spirit.
Each chapter includes reflection questions and practical suggestions on how to experience a close, joyful relationship with Jesus. The accompanying discussion guide makes this a useful resource for small groups.
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2024
126 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Tim Chester
151 books186 followersDr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed enjoying God more than I enjoyed enjoying Jesus for some reason
But in real life i enjoy them both
But in real life i enjoy them both
January 13, 2025
A beautifully written testimony to Jesus real and living relationship with us. Will be re-reading this
October 3, 2024
“Take steps towards him in love and obedience, and he’ll make his home with you and transform your heart.”
When I saw the title for this book I was really excited to read it. Jesus has always been part of my life, which is a blessing, but it also comes with certain stagnant feelings at times. I wanted to rejuvenate my relationship with Christ in a way that influenced my day-to-day life.
In that way, I’m not entirely sure if this book accomplished that.
I still recommend it— I have no issue with anything he wrote in the book. I think many readers will find it really helpful.
For me personally, for whatever reason, I found myself really distracted reading it. Certain chapters were more engaging than others, but I often found myself re-reading the same paragraph over and over again until my brain comprehended that I was reading something. I don’t know if ‘bored’ is the right word, but it just wasn’t quite the read I was expecting.
And that’s partly on me. I can’t always go into a book with my own expectations and not a willingness to see what God has for me in it. I could have done a better job of staying focused. And to his credit, the section headings throughout the book are really helpful in getting back on track with what points he was trying to make.
Yet, when I was almost finished with the book, I had an experience that really clarified something for me.
At the end of every chapter Chester includes an action step and some reflection questions. The reflection questions weren’t super profound or deep and I’m not sure how much discussion would really come from them. The action step often required imagination.
Imagine you are in the room with Jesus, imagine Jesus praying for you, imagine what it will be like to see Jesus face to face. I appreciate this exercise and I think it’s important, but I struggled to do it.
However, my husband and I finally got around to starting the series The Chosen which is a depiction of Jesus’ life. I know we’re late to the game, but we’ve watched a few episodes now.
And I will tell you, those three episodes did more for me than this entire book. I don’t know if it’s right for me to say that, but in terms of visualizing Jesus and my relationship to him, that show (at least as far as we’ve watched) really kind of nailed it for me.
Chester’s book tries to use words to remind you how Jesus sees you and how praying to him and engaging with him pleases him. But, for one example, in The Chosen, there is this scene where Jesus is surrounded by children and he asks them if they know a certain prayer. They all start reciting it. The look that Jesus has for those children praying (to him) and speaking Scripture is hard to put into words, but it speaks a thousand of them. You see it and you just realize the compassion Christ has for you. It captured the intimacy of a relationship with him.
Perhaps Chester’s book will do that for many readers. For whatever reason, my heart needed the visual more than the words. Maybe I’ve inundated myself with so many words about it that they’d lost their meaning to me. Maybe I just needed a different picture.
It was just that scene that hit me like- ‘Oh, this is what Tim Chester is trying to do in his book! This is what he’s trying to get me to recognize and reflect on.’ Jesus is real and transcendent and we can be in true relationship with him. It’s easy to lose sight of that and feel like God is far away and too busy and important for us. This scene reoriented my perspective.
Even as I say that, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there were several things that resonated with me in the book as well.
There are 14 chapters each detailing a different attribute of God or gift he has given us and how we can enjoy it. His presence, his compassion, his shelter, his touch, his vitality, his glory, his voice, his connection, his anger, his intercession, his reign, and his wealth.
What stood out to me is this overarching idea that as Christians, we want Jesus, and we have Jesus. He gave the illustration of a bride on her wedding day. Why is she getting married? Hopefully she doesn’t answer she just wants his money, or the security, or the house. No, she just wants him. I remember that feeling from my own wedding day.
As the church, we are the bride of Christ, our life is about wanting him. And he is all we need.
No matter what happens in this life, no matter what worst-case scenario flits in my mind from day to day, I have all I ever need— Jesus Christ.
I thought this quote he included from Thomas Watson was powerful:
This book is essentially a reminder of all we have in Christ and that is a good thing to be reminded of.
A few other points I found interesting:
- His chapter on the anger of Jesus was interesting to read because we usually think of anger as a bad thing, and truly, we rarely get it right. But Jesus’ anger was righteous. Chester points out that we see in Scripture when Jesus is the most anger it’s usually because of two things: passion for God’s glory or his love for the afflicted. And that tells us exactly what we need to care the most about: God’s glory and the afflicted. Are those things that get us worked up? Is that what enrages us the most?
- In his chapter about the delight of Jesus he talks about the Song of Solomon and how a lot of people don’t realize that it’s not just a picture of romantic love, but it’s a picture of Jesus and his bride, the church. That Jesus enjoys his time with us. He looks forward to being with us and hearing our voice. The song talks about ‘foxes’ that try to get in the way of their love, and how we should try to catch our own foxes that hinder our ability to be with Jesus and delight in his presence and his delight in us.
- In his chapter about the glory of Jesus he talks about FOMO. There is a lot of people who view following Christ as ‘missing out’ on everything. Sobriety means we can’t have wild nights out. Generosity means we can’t have the fanciest car or the biggest house. Service means we put others’ needs ahead of our own. Chastity means we can’t have all the sex everyone else is having before marriage. What an empty life! they might think. And maybe sometimes we think it too. Our devotion to following Christ might make us feel like we’ve lost something or we’ve missed out on something. But Chester reminds us that we share in Christ’s glory. As Paul said, “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” In Christ we have a much more full life because we enjoy him forever. He surpasses all else. He is the pearl of great price. We should sell it all to have him. He could never disappoint. I like this quote:
One last comment on the book. He begins his book with a chapter titled ‘Mike and Emma’s Tuesday Afternoon.’ It was a narrative about Mike and Emma and various struggles they had that day. This is the illustration and foundation that Chester builds on to show us how to put these chapters into practice. In between the chapter teaching and the action/questions, we get a snippet from Mike and Emma’s day with an extra paragraph added to show how they reoriented that experience or struggle around the attribute or gift from God.
I thought this was a really good way to show readers how this can be applied in real life. It identified relatable interactions and thoughts that we might have and showed how we can adjust our thinking and look to Jesus during those times.
Recommendation
I do recommend this book. I’ve stated that it didn’t quite do what I was hoping it would do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a worthy book to read. There are lots of good things in here and I think if I read it again in another season of life I might have a completely different experience with it.
It wasn’t my favorite read of the month, but I won’t disregard it or keep it from anyone else.
We should all be enjoying Jesus, and this book may be what you need to remind yourself of all the ways and reasons that we can delight in the Lord every day.
**Received a copy via The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review**
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When I saw the title for this book I was really excited to read it. Jesus has always been part of my life, which is a blessing, but it also comes with certain stagnant feelings at times. I wanted to rejuvenate my relationship with Christ in a way that influenced my day-to-day life.
In that way, I’m not entirely sure if this book accomplished that.
I still recommend it— I have no issue with anything he wrote in the book. I think many readers will find it really helpful.
For me personally, for whatever reason, I found myself really distracted reading it. Certain chapters were more engaging than others, but I often found myself re-reading the same paragraph over and over again until my brain comprehended that I was reading something. I don’t know if ‘bored’ is the right word, but it just wasn’t quite the read I was expecting.
And that’s partly on me. I can’t always go into a book with my own expectations and not a willingness to see what God has for me in it. I could have done a better job of staying focused. And to his credit, the section headings throughout the book are really helpful in getting back on track with what points he was trying to make.
Yet, when I was almost finished with the book, I had an experience that really clarified something for me.
At the end of every chapter Chester includes an action step and some reflection questions. The reflection questions weren’t super profound or deep and I’m not sure how much discussion would really come from them. The action step often required imagination.
Imagine you are in the room with Jesus, imagine Jesus praying for you, imagine what it will be like to see Jesus face to face. I appreciate this exercise and I think it’s important, but I struggled to do it.
However, my husband and I finally got around to starting the series The Chosen which is a depiction of Jesus’ life. I know we’re late to the game, but we’ve watched a few episodes now.
And I will tell you, those three episodes did more for me than this entire book. I don’t know if it’s right for me to say that, but in terms of visualizing Jesus and my relationship to him, that show (at least as far as we’ve watched) really kind of nailed it for me.
Chester’s book tries to use words to remind you how Jesus sees you and how praying to him and engaging with him pleases him. But, for one example, in The Chosen, there is this scene where Jesus is surrounded by children and he asks them if they know a certain prayer. They all start reciting it. The look that Jesus has for those children praying (to him) and speaking Scripture is hard to put into words, but it speaks a thousand of them. You see it and you just realize the compassion Christ has for you. It captured the intimacy of a relationship with him.
Perhaps Chester’s book will do that for many readers. For whatever reason, my heart needed the visual more than the words. Maybe I’ve inundated myself with so many words about it that they’d lost their meaning to me. Maybe I just needed a different picture.
It was just that scene that hit me like- ‘Oh, this is what Tim Chester is trying to do in his book! This is what he’s trying to get me to recognize and reflect on.’ Jesus is real and transcendent and we can be in true relationship with him. It’s easy to lose sight of that and feel like God is far away and too busy and important for us. This scene reoriented my perspective.
Even as I say that, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there were several things that resonated with me in the book as well.
There are 14 chapters each detailing a different attribute of God or gift he has given us and how we can enjoy it. His presence, his compassion, his shelter, his touch, his vitality, his glory, his voice, his connection, his anger, his intercession, his reign, and his wealth.
What stood out to me is this overarching idea that as Christians, we want Jesus, and we have Jesus. He gave the illustration of a bride on her wedding day. Why is she getting married? Hopefully she doesn’t answer she just wants his money, or the security, or the house. No, she just wants him. I remember that feeling from my own wedding day.
As the church, we are the bride of Christ, our life is about wanting him. And he is all we need.
No matter what happens in this life, no matter what worst-case scenario flits in my mind from day to day, I have all I ever need— Jesus Christ.
I thought this quote he included from Thomas Watson was powerful:
“If God be our God, then, though we may feel the blows of evil, we do not feel the sting… if we lose our name, it is written in the book of life. If we lose our liberty, our conscience is free. If we lose our belongings, we possess the Pear of price. If we meet storms, we know where to put into harbor… God is an infinite ocean of blessedness, and there is enough in him to fill us all… Believers may lose everything else, but we cannot lose our God. God is ours from everlasting in election, and to everlasting in glory.”
This book is essentially a reminder of all we have in Christ and that is a good thing to be reminded of.
A few other points I found interesting:
- His chapter on the anger of Jesus was interesting to read because we usually think of anger as a bad thing, and truly, we rarely get it right. But Jesus’ anger was righteous. Chester points out that we see in Scripture when Jesus is the most anger it’s usually because of two things: passion for God’s glory or his love for the afflicted. And that tells us exactly what we need to care the most about: God’s glory and the afflicted. Are those things that get us worked up? Is that what enrages us the most?
- In his chapter about the delight of Jesus he talks about the Song of Solomon and how a lot of people don’t realize that it’s not just a picture of romantic love, but it’s a picture of Jesus and his bride, the church. That Jesus enjoys his time with us. He looks forward to being with us and hearing our voice. The song talks about ‘foxes’ that try to get in the way of their love, and how we should try to catch our own foxes that hinder our ability to be with Jesus and delight in his presence and his delight in us.
- In his chapter about the glory of Jesus he talks about FOMO. There is a lot of people who view following Christ as ‘missing out’ on everything. Sobriety means we can’t have wild nights out. Generosity means we can’t have the fanciest car or the biggest house. Service means we put others’ needs ahead of our own. Chastity means we can’t have all the sex everyone else is having before marriage. What an empty life! they might think. And maybe sometimes we think it too. Our devotion to following Christ might make us feel like we’ve lost something or we’ve missed out on something. But Chester reminds us that we share in Christ’s glory. As Paul said, “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” In Christ we have a much more full life because we enjoy him forever. He surpasses all else. He is the pearl of great price. We should sell it all to have him. He could never disappoint. I like this quote:
“Life with Jesus is not an empty life. Yes, following Jesus can involve sacrifice. We have to give up sinful pleasures. We have to say no to temptation. We have to deny ourselves as we serve others in love. Our model is the cross, where Jesus offered up his life for us, embracing its suffering and shame. This is our calling as Christians. But it’s never an empty life; it’s an adventure with him. The pleasures we give up are more than replaced by the glory of Jesus. Christ is fullness, and he offers fullness.”
(and further, the ‘pleasures’ we give up are not the pleasures we think they are. They won’t satisfy. Those ‘pleasures’ are really what define an empty life.)
One last comment on the book. He begins his book with a chapter titled ‘Mike and Emma’s Tuesday Afternoon.’ It was a narrative about Mike and Emma and various struggles they had that day. This is the illustration and foundation that Chester builds on to show us how to put these chapters into practice. In between the chapter teaching and the action/questions, we get a snippet from Mike and Emma’s day with an extra paragraph added to show how they reoriented that experience or struggle around the attribute or gift from God.
I thought this was a really good way to show readers how this can be applied in real life. It identified relatable interactions and thoughts that we might have and showed how we can adjust our thinking and look to Jesus during those times.
Recommendation
I do recommend this book. I’ve stated that it didn’t quite do what I was hoping it would do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a worthy book to read. There are lots of good things in here and I think if I read it again in another season of life I might have a completely different experience with it.
It wasn’t my favorite read of the month, but I won’t disregard it or keep it from anyone else.
We should all be enjoying Jesus, and this book may be what you need to remind yourself of all the ways and reasons that we can delight in the Lord every day.
**Received a copy via The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
September 26, 2024
“Enjoying Jesus: Experience the Presence and Kindness of the Son of God in Everyday Life” is the next book in a series by Tim Chester related to growing in our relationship with God.
In the Intro, I was struck by how he writes about when people speak of having a personal relationship with Jesus but often actually meaning only being saved by Him. He writes,
“Too often there's little sense of a lived experience of Jesus—of enjoying him and being a joy to him, of loving him and being loved by him, of interacting with him day by day.”
The book then aims to help the reader understand what a “real, living relationship with Jesus” looks like. This would be an excellent book to gift to a newer believer or to read as a group discipleship resource with the action step and reflection questions at the end of each chapter. It could even be used as a daily devotional with the average of 12-15 pages per chapter.
Highlights:
“…especially in difficult times, we may need to hold on to his presence by faith, trusting that he's with us even when it doesn't feel like it.”
“Gentleness is what’s in his heart, and so gentleness is what spills out when he sees you in need.”
“When everything else goes wrong, remember that you still have Jesus. . . what can bring you through those times is seeing the surpassing glory of Jesus.”
“…through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to meet you every time you read his word and speak with him in prayer.”
“The expert in the law wanted to serve so he could make himself right with God; Jesus wants to make us right with God so
we can serve.”
“Listening to Jesus is not another task we have to complete—in addition to all the catering we have to do! Listening is the act through which we receive Christ's words of grace.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 4
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Total: 3.75
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In the Intro, I was struck by how he writes about when people speak of having a personal relationship with Jesus but often actually meaning only being saved by Him. He writes,
“Too often there's little sense of a lived experience of Jesus—of enjoying him and being a joy to him, of loving him and being loved by him, of interacting with him day by day.”
The book then aims to help the reader understand what a “real, living relationship with Jesus” looks like. This would be an excellent book to gift to a newer believer or to read as a group discipleship resource with the action step and reflection questions at the end of each chapter. It could even be used as a daily devotional with the average of 12-15 pages per chapter.
Highlights:
“…especially in difficult times, we may need to hold on to his presence by faith, trusting that he's with us even when it doesn't feel like it.”
“Gentleness is what’s in his heart, and so gentleness is what spills out when he sees you in need.”
“When everything else goes wrong, remember that you still have Jesus. . . what can bring you through those times is seeing the surpassing glory of Jesus.”
“…through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to meet you every time you read his word and speak with him in prayer.”
“The expert in the law wanted to serve so he could make himself right with God; Jesus wants to make us right with God so
we can serve.”
“Listening to Jesus is not another task we have to complete—in addition to all the catering we have to do! Listening is the act through which we receive Christ's words of grace.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 4
Content: 4
Enjoyment: 3
Total: 3.75
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
August 8, 2025
Oh boy did I enjoy Enjoying Jesus.
Tim Chester walks us through different facets of Jesus' character or work and shows how those things are still true today - and how exactly they make a difference in the mundane, mediocre moments of life.
Possibly my favourite thing about Tim Chester's writing is that he actually grasps what normal life looks like for normal Christians. No pretending. He sets the bar really low for us - using 'Mike and Emma's Tuesday afternoon' as a realistic example of our weariness, grumbling, doubt, anxiety. And then he sets the bar gloriously high for Jesus. Here's the resplendent, eternal One sympathising with me, orchestrating the universe, sharing all his fullness.
I'm super impressed how Tim handles extremely complex ideas about the Trinity and the incarnation in calm, easy language. Yes, he skates over a ton of theological debates, but that's not what we came here for. He also invites us to 'imagine' Jesus doing various things, which sounds a bit loosey-goosey. I think he means 'visualise' - focusing on things that are, not on things we've made up.
It would have been nice to have chapters on Jesus' holiness/judgment and on Jesus' power to transform us, not simply to protect us - it felt like those were big gaps.
But above all the book impressed on me the HUGENESS of the Incarnation. I (we?) often skate over it to get to the Big Stuff of justification and resurrection - but those things are only possible if Jesus is fully human and fully God. Every element of his sympathy depends on his God-Man humanity - not just in history, but in glory. This really stunned me.
4.5
Tim Chester walks us through different facets of Jesus' character or work and shows how those things are still true today - and how exactly they make a difference in the mundane, mediocre moments of life.
Possibly my favourite thing about Tim Chester's writing is that he actually grasps what normal life looks like for normal Christians. No pretending. He sets the bar really low for us - using 'Mike and Emma's Tuesday afternoon' as a realistic example of our weariness, grumbling, doubt, anxiety. And then he sets the bar gloriously high for Jesus. Here's the resplendent, eternal One sympathising with me, orchestrating the universe, sharing all his fullness.
I'm super impressed how Tim handles extremely complex ideas about the Trinity and the incarnation in calm, easy language. Yes, he skates over a ton of theological debates, but that's not what we came here for. He also invites us to 'imagine' Jesus doing various things, which sounds a bit loosey-goosey. I think he means 'visualise' - focusing on things that are, not on things we've made up.
It would have been nice to have chapters on Jesus' holiness/judgment and on Jesus' power to transform us, not simply to protect us - it felt like those were big gaps.
But above all the book impressed on me the HUGENESS of the Incarnation. I (we?) often skate over it to get to the Big Stuff of justification and resurrection - but those things are only possible if Jesus is fully human and fully God. Every element of his sympathy depends on his God-Man humanity - not just in history, but in glory. This really stunned me.
4.5
July 12, 2025
Read at the Redeemer ladies study group.
I was unwell a lot during this so didn’t get everything but I enjoyed the chapter on taking communion and the deeper meaning of it.
No more conjuring up guilt and sadness which I’ve done since childhood trying to prove my sincerity and earn Gods favour. I can giddily receive the Lords supper as though it was handed to me from Jesus himself. A celebration. An invitation. A special moment with my saviour. I am welcome. I get to take part. I get to enjoy this victory.
Joy is the appropriate response to complete union with God. Jesus isn’t dead. I’m not at a funeral. I’m tired of this grandpa.
I was unwell a lot during this so didn’t get everything but I enjoyed the chapter on taking communion and the deeper meaning of it.
No more conjuring up guilt and sadness which I’ve done since childhood trying to prove my sincerity and earn Gods favour. I can giddily receive the Lords supper as though it was handed to me from Jesus himself. A celebration. An invitation. A special moment with my saviour. I am welcome. I get to take part. I get to enjoy this victory.
Joy is the appropriate response to complete union with God. Jesus isn’t dead. I’m not at a funeral. I’m tired of this grandpa.
February 22, 2025
Glorious book.
Tim Chester, simply yet sublimely, walks us through what it means to enjoy Jesus today… When he is in heaven.
Chester has an ability to shed deep theology, Puritan pastoral warmth, and everyday Christianity, in a way that is accessible and exciting.
Read this book!
Tim Chester, simply yet sublimely, walks us through what it means to enjoy Jesus today… When he is in heaven.
Chester has an ability to shed deep theology, Puritan pastoral warmth, and everyday Christianity, in a way that is accessible and exciting.
Read this book!
November 30, 2024
4.5 stars
One chapter in particular got me so JAZZED about Jesus and really that is more than I could’ve asked for!!!!
One chapter in particular got me so JAZZED about Jesus and really that is more than I could’ve asked for!!!!
June 9, 2025
+ Packed with too-good-to-be-true truths. Very relatable, down to Earth and accessible read.
- Almost too many unbelievable truths to act on.
= One I'll come back to again, I'm sure. An essential reminder we're in an active, living relationship with Jesus, and shouldn't simply be storing up knowledge about him for the sake of it.
- Almost too many unbelievable truths to act on.
= One I'll come back to again, I'm sure. An essential reminder we're in an active, living relationship with Jesus, and shouldn't simply be storing up knowledge about him for the sake of it.
January 9, 2025
A great sequel to Enjoying God that encouraged me to have a deeper relationship with Christ.
November 27, 2024
Wonderful
July 25, 2025
Very good- definitely will help me enjoy Jesus more.
The chapters on anger and justice were particularly helpful!
The chapters on anger and justice were particularly helpful!
November 20, 2024
Tim Chester’s Enjoying Jesus is a beautiful invitation to experience the presence, peace, and joy of walking with Jesus every day. This book offers rich, practical insights into how believers can encounter the kindness and love of Jesus through the Holy Spirit—not as abstract theology, but as something deeply personal and accessible in the everyday rhythms of life. Chester’s conversational and approachable tone makes even the most complex theological concepts simple and tangible, guiding readers toward a deeper intimacy with Christ.
What sets this book apart is Chester's ability to move beyond dry theology and into the lived experience of faith. He doesn’t just talk about Jesus; he invites readers into a genuine relationship with Him, focusing on how to recognize and enjoy His presence in the ordinary moments. Enjoying Jesus is more than a theological treatise—it’s a roadmap to savoring a thriving, active, loving relationship with Jesus every day.
This “new to me” author’s skillful use of practical action prompts, reflection questions, and relatable illustrations grounds abstract spiritual truths in real life. His approach to spiritual disciplines is particularly refreshing—what could feel like obligatory routines becomes a joyful invitation to fully embrace Jesus. Rather than viewing practices as duties to check off, Chester encourages readers to see them as opportunities to completely delight in and reverently respond to Christ’s ongoing presence.
For anyone seeking to deepen their walk with Christ, rekindle a sense of wonder in their faith, or simply explore what a vibrant relationship with Jesus looks like, Enjoying Jesus is a must-read. It inspired me to recognize Jesus in the mess of everyday life and challenged me to embrace Him more fully and consistently.
I received a paperback copy of Enjoying Jesus from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, pacing, content, and substance of this book; while also reflecting on how impactful it has been on me personally, ensuring transparency and reliability.
What sets this book apart is Chester's ability to move beyond dry theology and into the lived experience of faith. He doesn’t just talk about Jesus; he invites readers into a genuine relationship with Him, focusing on how to recognize and enjoy His presence in the ordinary moments. Enjoying Jesus is more than a theological treatise—it’s a roadmap to savoring a thriving, active, loving relationship with Jesus every day.
This “new to me” author’s skillful use of practical action prompts, reflection questions, and relatable illustrations grounds abstract spiritual truths in real life. His approach to spiritual disciplines is particularly refreshing—what could feel like obligatory routines becomes a joyful invitation to fully embrace Jesus. Rather than viewing practices as duties to check off, Chester encourages readers to see them as opportunities to completely delight in and reverently respond to Christ’s ongoing presence.
For anyone seeking to deepen their walk with Christ, rekindle a sense of wonder in their faith, or simply explore what a vibrant relationship with Jesus looks like, Enjoying Jesus is a must-read. It inspired me to recognize Jesus in the mess of everyday life and challenged me to embrace Him more fully and consistently.
I received a paperback copy of Enjoying Jesus from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, pacing, content, and substance of this book; while also reflecting on how impactful it has been on me personally, ensuring transparency and reliability.
June 22, 2025
This book has been such a blessing to me. Exactly what the title says it exactly what you will walk away from with this book. Plenty of scripture throughout the book of Luke that points to how the Jesus of then is the Jesus of today and will be tomorrow. He is present with us through the spirit even when we don’t even notice or feel Him. Leaves you with discussion questions and an action at the end of every chapter, the action is what I absolutely loved.
The last chapter absolutely left me in awe. I don’t often think of Jesus returning (at least not as much as I should) but it’s so vital to understanding why certain things of this life just simply don’t matter when in comparison to the return of Jesus one day.
“Yes we care about life in this age. But we don’t invest major time and resources, in creating a perfect home, or securing our perfect job, or enjoying the perfect holiday, or curating the perfect Instagram page, or getting the perfect body. Why would you do that? That’s like building the perfect Sandcastle! You’re investing in what’s not going to last. One day our perfect lives will be washed away, like sand castles in the waves. But when you invest in the people of Jesus, in the mission of Jesus, you’re investing in eternity.”
The last chapter absolutely left me in awe. I don’t often think of Jesus returning (at least not as much as I should) but it’s so vital to understanding why certain things of this life just simply don’t matter when in comparison to the return of Jesus one day.
“Yes we care about life in this age. But we don’t invest major time and resources, in creating a perfect home, or securing our perfect job, or enjoying the perfect holiday, or curating the perfect Instagram page, or getting the perfect body. Why would you do that? That’s like building the perfect Sandcastle! You’re investing in what’s not going to last. One day our perfect lives will be washed away, like sand castles in the waves. But when you invest in the people of Jesus, in the mission of Jesus, you’re investing in eternity.”
January 21, 2025
Very good.
Found the chapter on enjoying the intercession of Jesus particularly great.
"It wasnt that the Father felt ill disposed towards us so Jesus had to step in, it is the Father who takes the initiative. The Father doesn't want our faith to fail so he appoints Jesus to intercede for us...
...It's Jesus who is made our advocate because he is the member of the Trinity who has experienced life as human being, with all the weakness and temptations that brings."
Found the chapter on enjoying the intercession of Jesus particularly great.
"It wasnt that the Father felt ill disposed towards us so Jesus had to step in, it is the Father who takes the initiative. The Father doesn't want our faith to fail so he appoints Jesus to intercede for us...
...It's Jesus who is made our advocate because he is the member of the Trinity who has experienced life as human being, with all the weakness and temptations that brings."
January 9, 2025
Rich, easy to read, full of Bible, makes me delight in Jesus more. "Enjoying Jesus" is worth reading slowly and chewing over, I feel like I'll keep coming back to it. A wonderful, enjoyable, practical book.
January 1, 2025
A good reminder of the goodness of Christ, and all that we get to take part in.
Read
December 10, 2024A truly outstanding book and well worth a read
May 13, 2025
some good bits, but want a massive fan.
seemed a bit vague and full of intangible Christian language lacking much i could get to grips with.
seemed a bit vague and full of intangible Christian language lacking much i could get to grips with.
December 30, 2024
*audiobook
December 25, 2025
Didn’t really finish this, nice read but began to feel abit repetitive, like 90% of Christian literature nothing bad but it just became dragged, could have suited a shorter devotional style
March 19, 2025
One of those Christian books that felt like it should have hit harder than it did. Some very helpful chapters on the Delight and Intercession of Jesus, but perhaps overall it asked for a lot of imagination without always giving the clearest demonstration. Also, I did not like the 'Mike and Emma' sections - mini fictions are not Chester's strong point. That said, may be more to others' tastes than mine - the truths at least were good.
April 25, 2025
Picked as our church Lent book but not the book for me. The author uses 2 characters, Mike and Emma, to set up situations and show how they solve them, but I found this irritating and a bit fake feeling. What he actually had to say aside from that was pretty good, and I liked the suggestions for how to apply what the chapter had been about, and that he encouraged you to reflect on what you had previously done. Not a bad book, just didn't resonate with me.
March 5, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Tim Chester encourages his readers to truly recognize and dwell on the ways that Jesus loves us and is present with us in our everyday lives. Each chapter in this book is about a different attribute of Jesus, such as his compassion, glory, intercession, and reign, and Chester unpacks each of these attributes in detail, exploring Scripture passages related to these themes and suggesting action steps that people can take to better connect with this aspect of who Jesus is. Each chapter concludes with an addition to a fictional case study for how some people might integrate these ideas into their day-to-day, along with a brief action step and some reflection questions.
This book is full of encouraging truths, and it can help people connect with Jesus as a person, instead of just having head knowledge about him. I especially appreciated the chapter about Jesus's anger, which is an under-acknowledged aspect of his character that means a lot to me personally. However, even though I appreciate the author's goal and found many aspects of this book helpful, I also thought it was longer and wordier than it needed to be, and that it could have packed an even greater punch if it had been more concise. Some of the chapters have overlapping themes, and aspects of the book seem repetitive.
This is a great book for both new and longtime Christians who want to better understand and engage with the character and presence of Jesus. This is suitable for individual reading and for church groups to read together, and it can also be appropriate for family devotions with older children and teens.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Tim Chester encourages his readers to truly recognize and dwell on the ways that Jesus loves us and is present with us in our everyday lives. Each chapter in this book is about a different attribute of Jesus, such as his compassion, glory, intercession, and reign, and Chester unpacks each of these attributes in detail, exploring Scripture passages related to these themes and suggesting action steps that people can take to better connect with this aspect of who Jesus is. Each chapter concludes with an addition to a fictional case study for how some people might integrate these ideas into their day-to-day, along with a brief action step and some reflection questions.
This book is full of encouraging truths, and it can help people connect with Jesus as a person, instead of just having head knowledge about him. I especially appreciated the chapter about Jesus's anger, which is an under-acknowledged aspect of his character that means a lot to me personally. However, even though I appreciate the author's goal and found many aspects of this book helpful, I also thought it was longer and wordier than it needed to be, and that it could have packed an even greater punch if it had been more concise. Some of the chapters have overlapping themes, and aspects of the book seem repetitive.
This is a great book for both new and longtime Christians who want to better understand and engage with the character and presence of Jesus. This is suitable for individual reading and for church groups to read together, and it can also be appropriate for family devotions with older children and teens.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 10, 2025
I wanted to like this more than I did. Enjoying Jesus has a warm tone and some genuinely helpful reflections — I especially appreciated the chapter on Jesus’s anger, which I found to be the most insightful part of the book.
That said, overall, the book felt too light and experimental for my taste. The writing leans toward the reflective and emotional rather than the doctrinal or theological, and sometimes it drifts into what I’d call “fluff” — ideas that sound nice but aren’t developed deeply or clearly supported from Scripture. I also found some of the theology unclear or at least not quite in line with what I’d call traditional evangelical teaching.
Still, I can see how others might enjoy it if they’re looking for something devotional and heart-focused rather than analytical or theological. The aim — to help believers delight in Jesus in everyday life — is a good one, and Chester’s pastoral warmth comes through even when I didn’t fully agree with his approach.
That said, overall, the book felt too light and experimental for my taste. The writing leans toward the reflective and emotional rather than the doctrinal or theological, and sometimes it drifts into what I’d call “fluff” — ideas that sound nice but aren’t developed deeply or clearly supported from Scripture. I also found some of the theology unclear or at least not quite in line with what I’d call traditional evangelical teaching.
Still, I can see how others might enjoy it if they’re looking for something devotional and heart-focused rather than analytical or theological. The aim — to help believers delight in Jesus in everyday life — is a good one, and Chester’s pastoral warmth comes through even when I didn’t fully agree with his approach.
September 2, 2025
Completely brilliant! This book is so real, so engaging, so practical and oh so uplifting!
My relationship with Jesus has deepened and been enriched in so many lovely ways.
If you're tired, discouraged, frustrated, and a little ashamed at finding a real, deep, enjoyable relationship with Jesus impossible to grasp, then read this book.
Chester is so engaging and accessible in how he writes, and I loved the practical exercise at the end of each chapter.
Time to start a book club at church and read this book with my church family!
My relationship with Jesus has deepened and been enriched in so many lovely ways.
If you're tired, discouraged, frustrated, and a little ashamed at finding a real, deep, enjoyable relationship with Jesus impossible to grasp, then read this book.
Chester is so engaging and accessible in how he writes, and I loved the practical exercise at the end of each chapter.
Time to start a book club at church and read this book with my church family!
November 27, 2025
I’ve enjoyed quite a few of Tim’s books so when this was recommended warmly by a friend I ordered it and began. I think it’s become my favourite Tim Chester book and has warmed my heart and challenged my thinking as he has encouraged me to think about my lived experience of Jesus presence every day.
The book is built on 2 core ideas:
1. What Jesus was like on earth is what he is like in heaven now
2. Whilst Jesus is bodily in heaven, he is also present in earth by the Holy Spirit.
Each chapter walks through an aspect of application of those two truths to our enjoyment of Jesus everyday.
The book is built on 2 core ideas:
1. What Jesus was like on earth is what he is like in heaven now
2. Whilst Jesus is bodily in heaven, he is also present in earth by the Holy Spirit.
Each chapter walks through an aspect of application of those two truths to our enjoyment of Jesus everyday.
December 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and found it so helpful to refresh my understanding of who Jesus is and what that means for my day to day life. Jesus life on this earth gave us a more tangible way for us to know God and invite us into a personal relationship with Him. Jesus is a person of compassion, protection, connection, joy, sorrow, understanding, patience, justice and so much more. I highly recommend reading this book to stimulate your thoughts about how Jesus is truly God come near!
May 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this - very refreshing. I think I will want to reread at some point. Biblical and practical - I liked the challenges at the end of each chapter to try something new this week. I also found the Mike and Emma narrative helpful- some have said it felt a bit forced/fake but surely that's the point to show the impact of the truths being looked at and how they might impact a person in their daily life so it has to fit the rest of the book?!
November 20, 2025
From start to finish this book has refreshed and renewed my desire to know more of Jesus in my life, and its a book I would gladly pass on, though I might want it back to read again!! It's a great reminder that Jesus walks with us wherever we are, and in all circumstances of life, and that we can enjoy him because he reached out to us in love. The questions at the end of each chapter are practical and spiritual In equal measure, making this a great book to study in a small group.
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