The Commands of Jesus: For Meditation and Discussion

by Kenneth D. Chastain

The focus is on the commands of Jesus. What did He tell His followers to do and not to do? Each command, taken directly from the Bible, is followed by a series of questions to stimulate individual meditation or group discussion.

Genres: Faith, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2014

Reviews

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the way the author executed his book. He gave no thoughts on how to meditate upon the Word, or expound upon the sections he chose. The author simply found a "command" and stated it in the most basic way before quoting the verse. Then he lists a set of questions that are short and to the point. I can see how someone strong in the Word could use this but it is not for someone new in the Spirit, who would find this style, stark.

I can see were this could be used in a small group setting for Bible study, such as a Sunday School class where back up explanations and discussion would elucidate the verses.

[Robin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the myriad of the hundreds of pages of the Good Book [The Bible], the Lords given His followers specific things he’d love them to do and things he would not want them to do. However, in the process of reading it from cover to cover, depending how astute the reader might be, some of His commands might have gotten lost along the way.

What the author, Kenneth D. Chastain, did here in this book is to have methodically swift The Bible’s pages to pull out all of our Lord’s commands, and to give his readers a list of them.

However, in his wisdom, Mr. Chastain knew his readers would run the gamut of being a newcomer to the House of the Lord, who would be like a newborn child not knowing a single thing about His greatness; to those who’ve been totally faithful since they could first speak. Therefore, I believe, this is why the author has taken these commands one by one; given a brief description of each one, followed by the biblical citation for each one. The author then concludes each command by giving his readers specific things to do to encourage their own meditation on what they’ve read, as well as questions to test their understanding; both of which can be used in a group.

While I’ve read this book in one sitting in order to review it; the best way to fully reap and enjoy the benefits this book has to offer, is to read one command a day. And for having given his readers a marvelous guide to become a better follower of our Lord, I’m glad to give Mr. Chastain the 5 STARS he’s gotten from this reviewer of Christian books.

NOTE: I received a KINDLE copy of this book from the author through a giveaway he had on GoodReads, and the above has been my honest opinion.

[Heather L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was generously gifted a copy of The Commands of Jesus: For Meditation and Discussion in exchange for my honest review. The book offers a straightforward presentation of Jesus’ commands, paired with basic Websters definitions and reflection questions. While the tone felt a bit mechanical—almost like it was written by AI—it’s clear the intent is sincere. For those seeking a simple, structured devotional guide, this serves as a good starting point.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that all commands are followed by interesting and often challenging questions. I look forward to using this guide again in the future and working out answers to ALL the questions posed.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the free copy of this book.

[Erica Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great book in a group setting so you can have discussions over the questions asked. I do wish the author would have spent more time discussing the passages quoted and referenced more than just writing them out to get a more in depth study.

[Verlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good daily study of Jesus instruction and parables. The Bible passages are KJV and I find reading a more modern version more enjoyable to read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Aletha Pagett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great resource for a Bible study or Sunday school teacher. I do wish the author would have chosen something other than the King James version to make it more user friendly.

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is from a giveaway- thank you for including me as a giveaway winner!"The Commands of Jesus: For Meditation and Discussion" by Kenneth D. Chastain offers a detailed examination of Jesus's teachings, aimed at encouraging both personal reflection and group discussions. The book is well-structured, with each chapter focusing on a specific command, followed by commentary and practical applications.

Chastain’s writing is clear and methodical, making it accessible to a broad audience. The dual emphasis on meditation and discussion provides a balanced approach, catering to different learning and engagement styles. For those interested in deepening their understanding of biblical teachings, this book can serve as a useful guide.

However, the book may not stand out for those already familiar with similar works or seeking more in-depth theological analysis. While it effectively covers the basics, it doesn’t offer particularly novel insights or groundbreaking interpretations.

Overall, "The Commands of Jesus" is a competent resource for those looking to explore Jesus’s teachings in a structured format, though it may not be particularly compelling for readers seeking a more profound or innovative exploration of the subject.

[Debra Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads and the following is my honest review. The Commands of Jesus: For Meditation and Discussion is a Christian Non-Fiction study guide of the four New Testament Gospels. It's divided into two parts: Jesus said "Do" and Jesus said "Don't". Each page leads off with verbs, their Biblical definition, and relevant Scriptures. These are followed by up to twelve questions for you to meditate on alone, or to discuss in a group. It works very well either way. I found this to be a great study of the commands of Jesus in the Gospels. It may look confusing at first glance, but once you begin to work through it, you'll see how it all fits together! I recommend that you have your study Bible with you because the author, Kenneth Chastain, uses the KJV of Scripture and most of us do not. This is a very insightful and thought provoking study. I enjoyed working through this guided study.

[Nathaniel Geyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book was meant for group and not an individual.