Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy

by Mark Batterson

True success doesn’t happen overnight. The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reveals a life-changing truth about achievement: God is building you up steadily so you’re ready for overnight success.

“How did you go bankrupt?” asked a character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. The reply? “Two ways . . . gradually then suddenly.”

In this illuminating book, Mark Batterson reveals that every area of life—from personal growth to professional development to spiritual transformation—follows this same pattern. What we perceive as sudden success is the result of little decisions compounding over time.

Gradually Then Suddenly will help you
• cultivate cathedral thinking—adopt a long-term perspective that changes your daily decisions and life trajectory
• leverage the compound effect—discover how courageous decisions and consistent routines domino into life-changing results
• harness the power of persistence—commit yourself to the long game, and the impossible becomes possible
• curate core convictions—discover how to defy peer pressure, popular opinion, and political correctness by defining your deepest convictions

Drawing from compelling biblical examples, fascinating historical stories, and hard-won leadership insights, Batterson demonstrates that God uses long obedience in the same direction to prepare us for sudden moments of major progress.

For anyone feeling stuck in the “gradually” phase, this book is a beacon of hope. If you do the right things day in and day out, God is going to show up and show off His faithfulness—not just for you but for generations to come.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 4, 2025

About the author

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.

Reviews

[Pete Karjanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Mark Batterson has done it again. Every one of his books feels like an expedition — a journey through time, Scripture, and the human heart — and “Gradually Then Suddenly” may be his most complete map yet. In these pages, he traces how faith and perseverance converge over years, sometimes decades, to produce what the world calls “overnight success.”

What I love most about Pastor Mark’s writing is how he builds his insights not on platitudes, but on patterns — drawn from history, science, architecture, and the quiet corners of Scripture. He reaches backward and outward: from the cathedrals of Europe to the trenches of innovation, from Nehemiah’s wall to the moonshot spirit of modern dreamers. He reminds us that God is the ultimate architect of both patience and surprise — the slow burn and the sudden breakthrough.

This book is not just about achieving goals; it’s about cultivating faithful momentum. Batterson calls us to live with a long horizon — what he describes as “cathedral thinking.” It’s the kind of faith that keeps building when the scaffolding blocks the view, trusting that one day the veil will lift and the full design will be revealed.

As always, his storytelling shines. Pastor Mark has an uncommon gift for uncovering little-known historical episodes and threading them seamlessly into spiritual truth. Each chapter feels like a spark that lands somewhere between a sermon and a field guide for Holy Curiosity and endurance.

Reading “Gradually Then Suddenly” came at the perfect time for me. It spoke directly into the long game of vision, the discipline of small daily obedience, and the mystery of how God brings things to fruition in His own time. For anyone walking through a season of preparation — or what feels like delay — this book offers oxygen for your calling.

In true Batterson fashion, it’s both encouraging and catalytic. You finish the final page not with a checklist, but with a renewed sense of wonder that God writes in slow ink — until suddenly, He doesn’t.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Batterson’s Gradually, Then Suddenly beautifully captures how breakthroughs rarely happen overnight — they’re the fruit of daily faithfulness. Drawing on stories like Olympic swimmer Rowdy Gaines training thousands of hours for a one-minute race, and the 600-year construction of the Cologne Cathedral, Batterson reminds us that steady obedience always precedes “sudden” success. These are only two examples of many Batterson uses to drive his points deeper.

What I really enjoyed most is how practical and hopeful this book feels. Batterson’s themes of “cathedral thinking” and “compound faith” challenge us to build what outlasts us for the next generations and trusting that God is working even when we can’t see it. His tone is encouraging, pastoral, and deeply rooted in Scripture.

If there’s a critique, it’s that the central metaphor — “gradually, then suddenly” — can feel a bit forced at times. Not every story of waiting ends with visible reward, and I wished he’d explored that outcome a little more. Still, this book is timely, heartfelt, and exactly the reminder many of us need: faithfulness in the gradual always leads to God’s purpose in the sudden. I will read this book again when I need encouragement on God’s timing.

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley but wasn't obligated to post a review. All opinions are my honest opinions.

[Anthony Hessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor Mark Batterson delivers another impactful and inspiring book that concentrates on the way in which the gradual, slow and incremental changes often bring about sudden and dramatic results. In the pages of the book, we are prompted to find the consistent, God-honoring steps needed to set up big breakthroughs through looking at three main aspects: Long Vision, Long Obedience, and Long Legacy. The book offers hints at one of my other favorite books of his, Win the Day, in which he outlines the seven practical habits to help harness the power of each day. When combining the power of daily habits and slow incremental changes—doing things gradually—Batterson shows us that “if you do the right things day in and day out, God will show up and show off.” As with all of Mark’s books, his humor, imagination, meticulous research, inspiring stories, energy, and fresh and insightful writing style make for an enjoyable and impactful overall work, and another absolute must-read for anyone looking for dramatic results through long obedience in the same direction. And as with so many of his other books, this one is one that I am already re-reading, and will be listening and re-listening to as well.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Gradually Then Suddenly” is the latest book by Mark Batterson, pastor of the National Community Church in Washington, D.C.

Impatience is an epidemic in today’s world. We live with information from around the world at our fingertips 24/7. Why wait to learn how to beat a video game by trial and error? All you have to do is watch a YouTube video. Why spend time finding someone who knows something and have a conversation with them when you can Google it?

When do we want it? Now! Like, right now. And honestly, that might take a bit longer than I want it to.

Pastor Batterson addresses this, but in a different context. He is addressing it from the standpoint of what is your purpose in life? What hard things would you like to accomplish?

Guess what, every over night sensation to years to build. And yours will too.

This book is an excellent reminder of the trials and errors of life and how they not only build people, but dreams.

So step into the Dream Factory, pull up a comfortable chair, and dive deep into this book. It will inspire you.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Cheri Swalwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to read during this season in my life. Mark Batterson's books always uplift, encourage, and help people see the God still is working miracles in 2025 and beyond. The faith of this man is contagious and grows my own faith in my own life. I love how he brings other stories into his books, showcasing other miracles with other people or reminding us that most people succeed gradually, then suddenly. One of the stories that stuck with me (I had heard it before but the way Mark recounted it resonated with me) was how many times Abraham Lincoln tried and failed ... until he succeeded! He became President at the right moment in history and is known for one major decision that has impacted our world positively generation after generation. I've been praying this month for wisdom and guidance about something and this book was a huge encouragement.

I received a complimentary copy from netgalley but wasn't obligated to post a review. All opinions are my honest opinions.

[Tom Burkholder · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Gradually Then Suddenly, author and pastor Mark Batterson, writes about true success does not come overnight…. or does it? In this thought provoking book, Batterson outlines how God uses the gradual faithfulness of our lives and then suddenly…. we are there. Batterson writes: “"When you are born, you look like your parents," said Dr. Crawford Loritts. "When you die, you look like your decisions." Destiny is not a mystery. Destiny is a series of decisions—big decisions and little decisions, predecisions and daily decisions. And every decision has a domino effect. For better or for worse, we look more and more like our decisions every day. The good news? You are one decision away from a totally different life. My prayer is that God would give you the clarity, the conviction, and the courage you need to make that decision.” This was a great read with lots of challenging thoughts and giving great stories and examples! I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting and encouraging book from Mark Batterson. He developes the theme of long obedience in the same direction that leads to great success in the Kingdom of God. The book is full of illustrations of how God works in small ways through the obedience of his children. The small things open the door for God to work in big ways. As Jesus said, the follower who is faithful in small things will be given responsibility over big things.
I enjoy Batterson's books because they can be read in small doses. Each page has a new illustration that focuses on the main theme of the book. Batterson sometimes gets redundant talking about the great things God has accomplished in his life and church, but it doesn't come across as egotistical or bragging. He just likes to brag on God.

[Anthony Cappoferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal! Every sentence of every page is meaningful and impactful. Incredibly encouraging. This is probably my favorite work of Mark Batterson behind only The Circle Maker (an absolute must read for any believer). I highly, HIGHLY recommend Gradually Then Slowly for anyone looking for both spiritual and also life encouragement.

[Adam Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in years! I am a big Mark Batterson fan and have enjoyed many of his previous books, but I think this is his best yet. I cannot remember a book I have highlighted and underlined as much as I have in this one. This will be a well that I go back to often to be challenged and inspired and much reflection.

[Kenny Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In full disclosure, the author Mark Batterson has been my pastor for twenty years. Accordingly, it’s hard for me to be objective here. I do think Mark does an excellent job highlighting how God begins to move in powerful ways with a gradual start, but in His perfect timing can accomplish great and unexpected things.