What do you think?
Rate this book
Toolkit for Spiritual Growth II: A Practical Guide to Scripture, Confession, and Time
In this sequel to Toolkit for Spiritual A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving, Fr. Evan Armatas covers three additional spiritual tools—Scripture, confession, and time. Drawing upon the wisdom of the Old and New Testaments, the Orthodox Church, the saints, and years of pastoral experience, Fr. Evan mixes theology with practical advice and personal stories. Readers will better understand the Sacrament of Confession and the importance of reading the Bible and of living in the present, where the eternal touches ordinary time. These spiritual tools will help us heal and become truly human as they provide support to anyone who seeks to live a transfigured life in Christ.
194 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2025
12 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 17, 2025
Easy to read and good reminder of necessary tools to improve your spiritual life. Really like the concept of time chapter! Each volume gets better and better !
August 26, 2025
Toolkit for Spiritual Growth II is a wonderful catechetical resource for anyone interested in deepening the activities of their faith. In this second installment of the Toolkit, Father Evan Armatas discusses the three tools of Scripture, Confession, and Time. After a brief introduction, each of the three tools is discussed within its own fairly substantial, but accessible, chapter. Fr. Evan’s pastoral concern, so evident in his radio show, comes out in the book as well. Anecdotes as well as theology are his tools to educate his readers about each of the topics at hand.
Father Evan began his book by developing his belief that Scripture has utmost importance in the life of the church and the life of the Orthodox Christian. He emphasized the importance of the Scriptures being lived out in community and that the witness of the Orthodox Church should be in continuity with the Scriptures. He discussed the importance of Scripture as part of the tradition of the church, to include its use in divine services and the daily office and the interpretation of Scripture through the services and the lives of the saints. When it turned time for the how-to, his approach to Scripture was essentially to use a plan and read. If you’ve never started, start slow and when you get to the end, go back and read it over and over again. Particularly, he emphasized the importance of the gospels as the primary reading material for the Christian because it is where we encounter the life, message, and ministry of Christ. All solid advice. Personally, I was hoping for more depth within the how-to, like a description of Lectio Divina, or other meditative ways of reading Scriptures. However, I understand that if one comes to the Church without any previous Bible experience, his instructions would have been more than sufficient to get someone started.
When it came to the chapter on Confession, I remarked to my wife, “this chapter is worth the price of admission for this book.” Father Evan was able to talk about the mechanics of confession and provide some tools for it, but it seemed his primary goal was to distinguish the mystery of confession from the popular understanding of Roman Catholic confession. He painted a beautiful picture of the medicinal and healing benefits of the practice of confession, and drew me into a renewed zeal for confession. Confession, as Fr. Evan describes, is less about listing your sins and more about recognizing the illness within so that you may receive medicine to lead toward healing. This chapter provided a hopeful outlook on how confession can and should be experienced within the church.
The last chapter dealt with time. To some, time might feel like a strange topic for a toolkit, but Fr. Evan described a well-developed theology of time that distinguished chronos and kairos time and put our lives into perspective with those two concepts. It comes down to being in the present with God, or not. When we are not in the present with God, we are headed toward sin either because we’re in the fantasy of the past or the future. He made sure to draw the distinction between proper planning and fantasy of the future, because diligence to prepare for the future is part of living in the world. So he went on to describe a couple handfuls of ways to make better use of time so that we stay in the present. One of the most important tools in this section for me to read about was avoiding distraction (i.e. my phone), because it takes us away from the present and instead numbs us to what is happening right now (emotions, frustrations, celebrations, etc).
Overall, Fr. Evan’s book was an easy read with some really important information that will help people grow in their daily walk with Christ. I highly recommend it, especially for people new to (or returning to) the faith who hope to put some action to their beliefs. I hope Fr. Evan continues the series and gives us more tools for the Toolkit!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review of the book.
Father Evan began his book by developing his belief that Scripture has utmost importance in the life of the church and the life of the Orthodox Christian. He emphasized the importance of the Scriptures being lived out in community and that the witness of the Orthodox Church should be in continuity with the Scriptures. He discussed the importance of Scripture as part of the tradition of the church, to include its use in divine services and the daily office and the interpretation of Scripture through the services and the lives of the saints. When it turned time for the how-to, his approach to Scripture was essentially to use a plan and read. If you’ve never started, start slow and when you get to the end, go back and read it over and over again. Particularly, he emphasized the importance of the gospels as the primary reading material for the Christian because it is where we encounter the life, message, and ministry of Christ. All solid advice. Personally, I was hoping for more depth within the how-to, like a description of Lectio Divina, or other meditative ways of reading Scriptures. However, I understand that if one comes to the Church without any previous Bible experience, his instructions would have been more than sufficient to get someone started.
When it came to the chapter on Confession, I remarked to my wife, “this chapter is worth the price of admission for this book.” Father Evan was able to talk about the mechanics of confession and provide some tools for it, but it seemed his primary goal was to distinguish the mystery of confession from the popular understanding of Roman Catholic confession. He painted a beautiful picture of the medicinal and healing benefits of the practice of confession, and drew me into a renewed zeal for confession. Confession, as Fr. Evan describes, is less about listing your sins and more about recognizing the illness within so that you may receive medicine to lead toward healing. This chapter provided a hopeful outlook on how confession can and should be experienced within the church.
The last chapter dealt with time. To some, time might feel like a strange topic for a toolkit, but Fr. Evan described a well-developed theology of time that distinguished chronos and kairos time and put our lives into perspective with those two concepts. It comes down to being in the present with God, or not. When we are not in the present with God, we are headed toward sin either because we’re in the fantasy of the past or the future. He made sure to draw the distinction between proper planning and fantasy of the future, because diligence to prepare for the future is part of living in the world. So he went on to describe a couple handfuls of ways to make better use of time so that we stay in the present. One of the most important tools in this section for me to read about was avoiding distraction (i.e. my phone), because it takes us away from the present and instead numbs us to what is happening right now (emotions, frustrations, celebrations, etc).
Overall, Fr. Evan’s book was an easy read with some really important information that will help people grow in their daily walk with Christ. I highly recommend it, especially for people new to (or returning to) the faith who hope to put some action to their beliefs. I hope Fr. Evan continues the series and gives us more tools for the Toolkit!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review of the book.
September 1, 2025
I've been listening to Fr. Evan for over 5 years since our family started our journey into Orthodoxy, and I've loved his weekly live podcast. When I got the chance to read and review this book, the second installment of the Toolkit for Spiritual Growth series, I knew I just had to. It was just as helpful to me, if not more, than his wonderful podcast. The way Fr. Evan has with words is so comforting. He has a way of explaining things in the church that makes them easy to understand, even for converts like myself who are 5 years in, still having so much goodness to learn.
As I was reading all three sections on the importance of reading the scriptures, confessions, and Theology of Time, I felt as though he and I were having a conversation. It was nice. He offered up wisdom from scriptures, church history, and personal experiences that helped me to see the topic at hand from a new perspective. Again, it just makes this book of wisdom so personal and easy to relate to.
As a former Protestant, converting to Orthodoxy meant I was totally new to confession, and even though I've been doing it for a few years now, I still wonder if I'm doing it correctly. If I'm being honest, sometimes I was a little confused about the necessity, since God forgives us, not men (as the church itself teaches us). But with Fr. Evan's book, he breaks it down practically and explains why the church teaches us to do this and how it is a form of healing for us. Not only did he help me understand, but he also gave some wonderful and very practical ways to approach our confessions, such as how we can prepare, what to expect during, and even some good advice on what not to do. I love that he even shared some of his own confession stories and ways he prepares himself. I'm so grateful he chose to share his personal experience to help us.
I wasn't sure what the chapter on time was going to be about, but I'm a little shook to my core. He begins by teaching us about two different types of time, and that was so interesting and enlightening, but as I read more into the chapter about all the distractions we choose, yes choose, to let derail us and steal our time, I wept. I'm not even kidding. The words he was saying weren't rocket science, and I've thought about some of them before, but the way Fr. Evan explains all these distractions that keep us from living in the present with God, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I do that, sadly, I do choose distractions like social media, to avoid the hard things, and I let them steal my precious time away from my more often than I care to admit. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! Like Fr. Evan says in his book, these distractions we let steal from us eventually become a habit that is hard to break, but I know with praying, fasting, and the help of Christ, I can overcome the distractions I've been choosing. I want my time in the present back!
If you are new to Orthodoxy, this book, as well as the first in this series, is a wonderful place to find easy-to-understand and relatable teachings that are full of wisdom. Even if you are cradle Orthodox, please read these books; it will, if nothing else, be a great refresher for you on all these great tools for our spiritual growth.
I was blessed to receive a copy of this book from Ancient Faith, in exchange, I agreed to read and offer a fair and honest review. I'm so glad I did read it, and I'm thankful for this opportunity to share my feedback.
As I was reading all three sections on the importance of reading the scriptures, confessions, and Theology of Time, I felt as though he and I were having a conversation. It was nice. He offered up wisdom from scriptures, church history, and personal experiences that helped me to see the topic at hand from a new perspective. Again, it just makes this book of wisdom so personal and easy to relate to.
As a former Protestant, converting to Orthodoxy meant I was totally new to confession, and even though I've been doing it for a few years now, I still wonder if I'm doing it correctly. If I'm being honest, sometimes I was a little confused about the necessity, since God forgives us, not men (as the church itself teaches us). But with Fr. Evan's book, he breaks it down practically and explains why the church teaches us to do this and how it is a form of healing for us. Not only did he help me understand, but he also gave some wonderful and very practical ways to approach our confessions, such as how we can prepare, what to expect during, and even some good advice on what not to do. I love that he even shared some of his own confession stories and ways he prepares himself. I'm so grateful he chose to share his personal experience to help us.
I wasn't sure what the chapter on time was going to be about, but I'm a little shook to my core. He begins by teaching us about two different types of time, and that was so interesting and enlightening, but as I read more into the chapter about all the distractions we choose, yes choose, to let derail us and steal our time, I wept. I'm not even kidding. The words he was saying weren't rocket science, and I've thought about some of them before, but the way Fr. Evan explains all these distractions that keep us from living in the present with God, it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I do that, sadly, I do choose distractions like social media, to avoid the hard things, and I let them steal my precious time away from my more often than I care to admit. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! Like Fr. Evan says in his book, these distractions we let steal from us eventually become a habit that is hard to break, but I know with praying, fasting, and the help of Christ, I can overcome the distractions I've been choosing. I want my time in the present back!
If you are new to Orthodoxy, this book, as well as the first in this series, is a wonderful place to find easy-to-understand and relatable teachings that are full of wisdom. Even if you are cradle Orthodox, please read these books; it will, if nothing else, be a great refresher for you on all these great tools for our spiritual growth.
I was blessed to receive a copy of this book from Ancient Faith, in exchange, I agreed to read and offer a fair and honest review. I'm so glad I did read it, and I'm thankful for this opportunity to share my feedback.
August 29, 2025
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect, as I wasn’t familiar with the author and I’m a newly baptized catechumen. I’ve tried reading many Orthodox books, but they’re often too “heavy” for me, and I struggle to fully grasp the content. What I appreciate about Fr. Evan’s writing style is how he blends scripture with his own experiences and the stories of faithful people he’s encountered in his parish. The footnotes help guide the reader through the scripture and narratives, while the testimonies make the book feel more personal and relatable.
I would say this book can definitely be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book yet, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. That said, I believe both books are incredibly valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of our Faith, and they offer helpful guidance for learning more about the traditions and elements we encounter in the liturgy. Of course, catechism is essential, but I feel this book can serve as a gentle and insightful companion for new members of the Orthodox Church, as well as for more experienced readers seeking a fresh perspective.
The book is also very inviting. Even after a long day at work, I found myself wanting to pick it up and continue reading. Although I’m not a native English speaker, I enjoyed the language used throughout and rarely had to look up words except for a few specific church-related terms.
I used the e-book version on my Kobo Nia and it worked perfectly. I downloaded the file on my PC and then transfered it to my e-reader.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in return for a review, but all opinions are entirely my own.
I would say this book can definitely be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book yet, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. That said, I believe both books are incredibly valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of our Faith, and they offer helpful guidance for learning more about the traditions and elements we encounter in the liturgy. Of course, catechism is essential, but I feel this book can serve as a gentle and insightful companion for new members of the Orthodox Church, as well as for more experienced readers seeking a fresh perspective.
The book is also very inviting. Even after a long day at work, I found myself wanting to pick it up and continue reading. Although I’m not a native English speaker, I enjoyed the language used throughout and rarely had to look up words except for a few specific church-related terms.
I used the e-book version on my Kobo Nia and it worked perfectly. I downloaded the file on my PC and then transfered it to my e-reader.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in return for a review, but all opinions are entirely my own.
February 19, 2026
An excellent introduction to Orthodoxy
This review may be a little biased, as I have had the pleasure of attending Fr. Evan's Parish for some time now, but don't let that deter you. TfSG II is a great introductory piece for anyone looking to begin their journey in understanding aspects of the Orthodox Church. Those coming from Protestant backgrounds can examine the lens through which The Church views Holy Scripture. Whereas Catholics may find previously unknown connections in the chapters of Confession; however, where this book truly shines is in it's final act, the theology of time. Fr. Evan paints a fantastic picture that I think so many Christians (regardless of denomination) miss in their daily lives. It challenges you in all of the right ways to reevaluate how you perceive your walk in this life, and provides some solid practical tools for coming to know time in the Orthodox perspective. I wish there was an entire book on this concept quite frankly... and I would be interested to see how more of the early fathers wrote on this exact topic. I will say, for those with some semblance of understanding of The Church or seeking deeper theology, this won't scratch that itch. But, it would still be an excellent tool to reignite one's thinking and re-familiarize ourselves with aspects of the faith that we forget to truly focus on. If you're outside of Orthodox or a catechumen, I can confidently say this quick read is for you!
This review may be a little biased, as I have had the pleasure of attending Fr. Evan's Parish for some time now, but don't let that deter you. TfSG II is a great introductory piece for anyone looking to begin their journey in understanding aspects of the Orthodox Church. Those coming from Protestant backgrounds can examine the lens through which The Church views Holy Scripture. Whereas Catholics may find previously unknown connections in the chapters of Confession; however, where this book truly shines is in it's final act, the theology of time. Fr. Evan paints a fantastic picture that I think so many Christians (regardless of denomination) miss in their daily lives. It challenges you in all of the right ways to reevaluate how you perceive your walk in this life, and provides some solid practical tools for coming to know time in the Orthodox perspective. I wish there was an entire book on this concept quite frankly... and I would be interested to see how more of the early fathers wrote on this exact topic. I will say, for those with some semblance of understanding of The Church or seeking deeper theology, this won't scratch that itch. But, it would still be an excellent tool to reignite one's thinking and re-familiarize ourselves with aspects of the faith that we forget to truly focus on. If you're outside of Orthodox or a catechumen, I can confidently say this quick read is for you!
September 2, 2025
I am newly baptized, and while I learned a lot of theology and doctrines as a catechumen, figuring out how to actually live the faith has been a struggle. This book has really helped me. I will be recommending it to all the other newly converted and catechumens in our parish and also will be looking to buy the first volume soon.
Father Evan combines theology with lots of examples and illustrations and practical advice. His decades of pastoral experience and work with new converts really shine through. Reading this book helped me more than I can express. It helped me to identify more than one root problem hindering spiritual progress, has equipped me with the right language to talk to my priest about it, and has empowered me with a plethora of practical steps forward.
I did wish the first section on Scripture has been fleshed out as much as the other two. It is the shortest section by far. But the other two sections were life-changing. They are at the same time accessible and thorough. This isn’t a book to just read once. This is a handbook to be read several times and consulted as needed. I will definitely be coming back to it again and again.
Thank you, Father Evan!
Father Evan combines theology with lots of examples and illustrations and practical advice. His decades of pastoral experience and work with new converts really shine through. Reading this book helped me more than I can express. It helped me to identify more than one root problem hindering spiritual progress, has equipped me with the right language to talk to my priest about it, and has empowered me with a plethora of practical steps forward.
I did wish the first section on Scripture has been fleshed out as much as the other two. It is the shortest section by far. But the other two sections were life-changing. They are at the same time accessible and thorough. This isn’t a book to just read once. This is a handbook to be read several times and consulted as needed. I will definitely be coming back to it again and again.
Thank you, Father Evan!
September 2, 2025
Excellent book. Once again Fr. Evan has written a book that is clear, concise, and informative. It serves as an excellent tool for both inquirers and cradle orthodox Christians in understanding the hw and the why of the Scriptures, Confession, and surprisingly Time. The chapter on Confession was particularly insightful offering helpful examples and explanations. I initially questioned the need and purpose on the chapter of Time, but it proved to be deeply meaningful. I read the chapter twice and felt as though it was specifically written for me. This book along with the first volume should be in everyone's arsenal to get closer to Christ.
November 3, 2025
What a beautiful guidebook. Congratulations, and many years, Father!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews