What do you think?
Rate this book
2 Chairs: The Secret That Changes Everything
In this inspiring book, Bob Beaudine helps you live a life guided by your relationship with God by asking three critical questions.
In this world you will have trouble. Count on it!
It might be something small or something big, but you know you don't have an answer. You've come to a realization there is a limit to what you can do alone. For such times as these, 2 Chairs asks three vital questions:
Does God know your situation?
Is it too hard for Him to handle?
Does He have a good plan for you?
Following these questions, Bob Beaudine offers seven practical steps to walk courageously, faithfully, and cheerfully through your trouble whether it is a minor issue or a major crisis.
In this world you will have trouble. Count on it!
It might be something small or something big, but you know you don't have an answer. You've come to a realization there is a limit to what you can do alone. For such times as these, 2 Chairs asks three vital questions:
Does God know your situation?
Is it too hard for Him to handle?
Does He have a good plan for you?
Following these questions, Bob Beaudine offers seven practical steps to walk courageously, faithfully, and cheerfully through your trouble whether it is a minor issue or a major crisis.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published August 23, 2016
189 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Bob Beaudine
4 books23 followersBob Beaudine is the president and CEO of Eastman & Beaudine and recognized as the top Sports/Entertainment search executive in the U.S. Beaudine also serves as a member of the SMU Cox School of Business Associate Board. Bob and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for 24 years and have three grown daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 25, 2024
This book is a theological mess.
The author seems to have rebranded prayer to something he calls “two chairs”. What you’re supposed to do during prayer / two chairs is tell God everyone wrong with your life then God will tell you everything you need to know for earthly success. This author describes a god whose main priority is that we are happy and successful and needs us to listen to him so that we can achieve that. My prayer / two chairs for the author is that instead of assuming our inner dialogue as the words of the Biblical God to actually go to the Bible where he can find the never changing true revelation of the real God. Once he does that he’ll find that Jesus (whose weirdly never mentioned in the book) has already told us how to pray / two chairs and in that we are supposed to revere His name, build His Kingdom, follow His will, ask only for our daily bread, ask for forgiveness, and ask to be delivered from sin. All things that the author has forgotten to mention in his book.
There’s one thing that I really like about the book. On multiple occasions he tells stories of people (including god himself!) telling him how important this book is. Basically he’s using the book to tell us how good the book is. That’s the level of confidence I’m striving for am I right.
The author seems to have rebranded prayer to something he calls “two chairs”. What you’re supposed to do during prayer / two chairs is tell God everyone wrong with your life then God will tell you everything you need to know for earthly success. This author describes a god whose main priority is that we are happy and successful and needs us to listen to him so that we can achieve that. My prayer / two chairs for the author is that instead of assuming our inner dialogue as the words of the Biblical God to actually go to the Bible where he can find the never changing true revelation of the real God. Once he does that he’ll find that Jesus (whose weirdly never mentioned in the book) has already told us how to pray / two chairs and in that we are supposed to revere His name, build His Kingdom, follow His will, ask only for our daily bread, ask for forgiveness, and ask to be delivered from sin. All things that the author has forgotten to mention in his book.
There’s one thing that I really like about the book. On multiple occasions he tells stories of people (including god himself!) telling him how important this book is. Basically he’s using the book to tell us how good the book is. That’s the level of confidence I’m striving for am I right.
February 8, 2017
You must read this book! I devoured it and immediately put the 2 chairs into action. The first time I used the 2 chairs I was blown away by what a powerful tool it is. I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. Thank you Bob Beaudine for sharing this concept! #2chairs
January 17, 2024
There is no salvation in Bob Beaudine’s “good news” of 2 chairs. There is no explanation of God’s plan for redemption through the death of his son on the cross to reconcile His people to Himself, the only reason we can hypothetically sit in 2 chairs and have communion with the Father. The book does provide some scripture out of context, a vague sense of judeo-christian spirituality, and some self help strategies.
August 2, 2018
Quality time
From the first few words of this book, I felt the Lord's presence. Years ago, I used to spend an hour every morning with the Holy Spirit, but I got out of the habit. Oh, I'm still wa!king with Jesus and am trusting Him more than ever, but there's nothing like spending quality time listening to His voice. Two Chairs is just what I needed to rekindle my desire for long-overdue intimate fellowship with God.
From the first few words of this book, I felt the Lord's presence. Years ago, I used to spend an hour every morning with the Holy Spirit, but I got out of the habit. Oh, I'm still wa!king with Jesus and am trusting Him more than ever, but there's nothing like spending quality time listening to His voice. Two Chairs is just what I needed to rekindle my desire for long-overdue intimate fellowship with God.
June 9, 2018
This book just helps to remind us that we need to stop daily and talk with God. Telling him our troubles and fears and trusting that he has a plan for us and trusting that this is a good plan. He tells personal stories and helps us to realize we need to change our own views. He talked to his dad one time about an episode of "Magnum, PI" where Magnum is trying to get into his place before the dogs saying, "Don't look at the dogs! Don't look at the dogs!" So whenever he and his dad were traveling and he started to stress over things he couldn't control, his dad would get him to look forward by reminding him of this line.
It is a good book to read, it gives some good tips just to get through life.
It is a good book to read, it gives some good tips just to get through life.
July 8, 2019
3 Stars for 2 Chairs
Ultimately, this is a book with an important and clear message: In the morning, go to a special spot and spend time alone with God. Talk to Him, listen to Him, and tell Him what you're going through.
Here's why it received 3 stars: The author loves himself too much. Every other page was all about his successes (from eating with presidents and famous coaches to going further up the vocational ladder). Yes, it's important to show your credibility, but I didn't need it this often. The lack of humility kind of sullied this book for me, which is sad because the message is so relevant.
You can read this book quickly, or you can just skip the "look at me!" book and understand this: God wants a relationship with you, so give Him that opportunity at the start of each day.
Ultimately, this is a book with an important and clear message: In the morning, go to a special spot and spend time alone with God. Talk to Him, listen to Him, and tell Him what you're going through.
Here's why it received 3 stars: The author loves himself too much. Every other page was all about his successes (from eating with presidents and famous coaches to going further up the vocational ladder). Yes, it's important to show your credibility, but I didn't need it this often. The lack of humility kind of sullied this book for me, which is sad because the message is so relevant.
You can read this book quickly, or you can just skip the "look at me!" book and understand this: God wants a relationship with you, so give Him that opportunity at the start of each day.
March 22, 2022
This was an excellent book for anyone looking to strengthen their relationship with God and come to know him on a more personal level. A non-denominational, quick, influential read! Highly recommend!
June 6, 2024
This book is amazing and what I needed in this time of my life. Everyone should set up 2 chairs in the morning. ☀️
October 2, 2025
I read it a couple of years ago. A spiritual uplifting book.
July 11, 2019
If you want a closer wall with God, this is a must have. I'm enjoying it.
July 28, 2018
This book was given to me by a pastor in reference to my need for more consistent time with the Lord in prayer. It was given with the caveat that it was written by a businessman and was not a theological treatise. That is very true. 2 Chairs refers to the practice Beaudine picked up from his mom of setting up two chairs across from each other every morning in order to talk with the Almighty. Beaudine gives several stories of how these times gave him guidance and insight or sometimes simply encouragement with which to face the day. Every day Beaudine runs through these questions: Does God know and does he care about your situation? Can he do anything about your situation? Does he have a plan for you? There are obvious answers for these questions but after reminding ourselves of the answers with him we are then ready to talk through with him, “Ok, so what’s the plan today?” I have to say I was alarmed when the author suggested his daughter fix her negative thoughts by devoting time talking with God every morning (2 Chairs) and listening to Joel Osteen every morning. There is very obviously a pop-pysch influence or an otherwise Prayer of Jabez, Jeremiah 29:11, God is for your happiness, American Prosperity gospel flavor. Despite that, I do believe Beaudine believes and has lived communing with God in the way he describes. And Beaudine has encouraged me to have this time with the most important figure in my day. I think his excitement over being with and hearing directly from God has pushed me in the right way and the right direction.
August 6, 2016
A Fresh Way to Meet Each Day with God
For years, I’ve started my day reading my Bible and prayer, Bob Beaudine uses 2 CHAIRS as an image to encourage readers. Beaudine asks three simple yet disruptive questions:
1. Does God know your situation? Yes!
2. Is this too hard for Him? No!
3. Does He have a good plan for you? Yes!
The book provides seven practical steps for the reader to use. As Beaudine writes, “What’s amazing is that when you set up your 2 CHAIRS and start a simple dialogue with god like this, He actually speaks back. In fact, don’t do 2 CHAIRS if you really don’t want god to talk, because He will talk. Why? Well, for no other reason than He loves you. And He wants you to know it. You’re His son, His daughter, and there’s nothing more important to Him than spending time with you. He has so much He wants to share.” (Page 79)
No matter where you are in life, 2 CHAIRS combines practical guidance with pointed personal biblical storytelling to make this book easy to read cover to cover. I highly recommend 2 CHAIRS.
For years, I’ve started my day reading my Bible and prayer, Bob Beaudine uses 2 CHAIRS as an image to encourage readers. Beaudine asks three simple yet disruptive questions:
1. Does God know your situation? Yes!
2. Is this too hard for Him? No!
3. Does He have a good plan for you? Yes!
The book provides seven practical steps for the reader to use. As Beaudine writes, “What’s amazing is that when you set up your 2 CHAIRS and start a simple dialogue with god like this, He actually speaks back. In fact, don’t do 2 CHAIRS if you really don’t want god to talk, because He will talk. Why? Well, for no other reason than He loves you. And He wants you to know it. You’re His son, His daughter, and there’s nothing more important to Him than spending time with you. He has so much He wants to share.” (Page 79)
No matter where you are in life, 2 CHAIRS combines practical guidance with pointed personal biblical storytelling to make this book easy to read cover to cover. I highly recommend 2 CHAIRS.
October 5, 2019
There were good tidbits in this book, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was from a “name it and claim it” perspective, especially when the author suggested listening to Joel Osteen, who is ALL name it and claim it, prosperity gospel. *cringe*
One does not need to set up two chairs in order for God to speak to them. Either it “works” & you start using that as a magic formula to hear from God (dangerous) or it doesn’t work (my personal experience) and you start getting frustrated with God. Again, I found a few good nuggets in the book but overall I would be careful to recommend because of the prosperity gospel undertones.
One does not need to set up two chairs in order for God to speak to them. Either it “works” & you start using that as a magic formula to hear from God (dangerous) or it doesn’t work (my personal experience) and you start getting frustrated with God. Again, I found a few good nuggets in the book but overall I would be careful to recommend because of the prosperity gospel undertones.
October 17, 2017
I read this book as part of a men's group at church. While the 3 questions the reader is challenged to ask in a daily conversation with God are thought provoking, the emphasis on listening to God is not well developed which, inadvertently I think, can lead to a dependence upon the listener's imagination rather than Scripture to shape what God is "revealing". Psalm 1:2 provides better instruction for how to "listen" to God. However, the book did convict me of the need to carve out time daily to listen to God and not merely race through a devotion and prayer time.
February 12, 2019
Awe inspiring book. As a Christian who prays daily, this book led me into a new and amazing way to talk to Jesus. You know that He is sitting down with you and listening to all you say. Then, when you have told Him or asked Him about all the pertinent issues infiltrating your life, He talks to you. Suddenly He is actually with you and conversing with you. Wow! Wonderful!
March 25, 2020
Even though it was a short book (less than 140 pages) I felt like it was really repetitive. I just didn't like the author's voice either.
May 3, 2023
Read this to better understand the type of writing one of my students would like to do. I am not the intended audience.
January 6, 2026
Because this is a faith-based book I'm extra nit-picky. There were some good points made but overall it seems like a little overly sensationalized way of marketing prayer.
I like the concept of a formal set aside time and place like setting up physical chairs, but I also dislike the argument that you shouldn't replicate this in your bed, in your pajamas, or other ways throughout your life or day, because that actually goes against Scripture and makes it less accessible and natural to pray without ceasing and abide in Him.
Prayer with the expectation that God will speak to us every time is also a presumption and could set believers up for disappointment or frustration. I know some believers have testimonies where God was silent for periods of time in their lives or they were not able to hear from Him and went through seasons of doubt and drought in their faith. The Bible doesn't promise a daily response but Jesus taught us how to pray and cast our cares on Him. To sit in anticipation and hope of receiving God's word is a great concept though and I agree it won't happen as easily if we don't make time for it, though God is not limited by our lack. He can and does speak whenever He needs to BUT it is a great spiritual habit to cultivate the "be still and know" practice of listening for His voice.
Many of the author's anecdotal stories protray how using the 2 chairs "technique" gave his family, friends, and acquaintances great positive outcomes, and his reference to Joel Osteen is another clue to his leaning towards prosperity gospel beliefs. We shouldn't expect to use techniques to create a positive outcome but in all things to seek to be conformed to God's will, and that includes times God doesn't intervene or answer or give us relief from our situation. While the author probably believes this to be true, the way he wrote this book leans more in the direction of "do this, get that."
This was written by a businessman, not a theologian, and he says God told him to write this book and that it would help many people, and maybe it has, but I don't believe it is theologically sound enough to be one of the greats that will stand the test of time. For a better exploration of how God speaks to us I would recommend Rusty Rustenbach's Guide for Listening and Inner Healing Prayer, and He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer.
Some points I did appreciate:
We don't operate the way the world does and our first line of help should be to seek God's help over experts and the world's resources.
Friendship is a fading resource that we should not overlook by being too busy, and God can use the people already in our lives to aid and give guidance if we seek His leading on WHO we should have in our inner circle.
God won't reveal everything to us all at once so we need regular time with Him to know His plan for our lives and receive real-time guidance, even down to small decisions and interventions throughout our day.
The Three Questions are great questions and worth remembering in hard situations:
1. Does God know my situation?
2. Is it too hard for God to handle?
3. Does God have a good plan for me?
And since we don't know that plan we need to spend time regularly with Him so He can show it to us.
I like the concept of a formal set aside time and place like setting up physical chairs, but I also dislike the argument that you shouldn't replicate this in your bed, in your pajamas, or other ways throughout your life or day, because that actually goes against Scripture and makes it less accessible and natural to pray without ceasing and abide in Him.
Prayer with the expectation that God will speak to us every time is also a presumption and could set believers up for disappointment or frustration. I know some believers have testimonies where God was silent for periods of time in their lives or they were not able to hear from Him and went through seasons of doubt and drought in their faith. The Bible doesn't promise a daily response but Jesus taught us how to pray and cast our cares on Him. To sit in anticipation and hope of receiving God's word is a great concept though and I agree it won't happen as easily if we don't make time for it, though God is not limited by our lack. He can and does speak whenever He needs to BUT it is a great spiritual habit to cultivate the "be still and know" practice of listening for His voice.
Many of the author's anecdotal stories protray how using the 2 chairs "technique" gave his family, friends, and acquaintances great positive outcomes, and his reference to Joel Osteen is another clue to his leaning towards prosperity gospel beliefs. We shouldn't expect to use techniques to create a positive outcome but in all things to seek to be conformed to God's will, and that includes times God doesn't intervene or answer or give us relief from our situation. While the author probably believes this to be true, the way he wrote this book leans more in the direction of "do this, get that."
This was written by a businessman, not a theologian, and he says God told him to write this book and that it would help many people, and maybe it has, but I don't believe it is theologically sound enough to be one of the greats that will stand the test of time. For a better exploration of how God speaks to us I would recommend Rusty Rustenbach's Guide for Listening and Inner Healing Prayer, and He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer.
Some points I did appreciate:
We don't operate the way the world does and our first line of help should be to seek God's help over experts and the world's resources.
Friendship is a fading resource that we should not overlook by being too busy, and God can use the people already in our lives to aid and give guidance if we seek His leading on WHO we should have in our inner circle.
God won't reveal everything to us all at once so we need regular time with Him to know His plan for our lives and receive real-time guidance, even down to small decisions and interventions throughout our day.
The Three Questions are great questions and worth remembering in hard situations:
1. Does God know my situation?
2. Is it too hard for God to handle?
3. Does God have a good plan for me?
And since we don't know that plan we need to spend time regularly with Him so He can show it to us.
May 18, 2023
I like the concept. It is easy for the time set aside for the Lord to become indistinguishable from the completion of a homework assignment. You read the passage, answer the questions, and move on with your day. And prayer? How often it becomes just a laundry list of requests.
The "2 Chairs" method is more conversational in nature. Talk to God as you would a friend. Use the same language, convey the same thoughts/worries/concerns. And then.... LISTEN. My favorite suggestion of the entire book was the 80/20 rule - for every one minute you speak, listen for four. Honestly, this is good life advice in general, but have you ever structured your prayers that way?
Reading the book compelled me to change up the way I pray for the better, so I guess I owe Bob Beaudine a big high five if I ever run into him in Plano. But frankly, the book was terrible. The writing was bad, the stories were unconvincing, and the name dropping nauseating. There were a couple of comments that made me question his theology (recommending Joel Osteen is a RED FLAG in my mind!).
So would I recommend the book to a friend? Not a chance. But would I share with the concept of 2 Chairs, and the ways in which it can improve the way we pray? Without hesitation. Two stars, Mr. Beaudine.
The "2 Chairs" method is more conversational in nature. Talk to God as you would a friend. Use the same language, convey the same thoughts/worries/concerns. And then.... LISTEN. My favorite suggestion of the entire book was the 80/20 rule - for every one minute you speak, listen for four. Honestly, this is good life advice in general, but have you ever structured your prayers that way?
Reading the book compelled me to change up the way I pray for the better, so I guess I owe Bob Beaudine a big high five if I ever run into him in Plano. But frankly, the book was terrible. The writing was bad, the stories were unconvincing, and the name dropping nauseating. There were a couple of comments that made me question his theology (recommending Joel Osteen is a RED FLAG in my mind!).
So would I recommend the book to a friend? Not a chance. But would I share with the concept of 2 Chairs, and the ways in which it can improve the way we pray? Without hesitation. Two stars, Mr. Beaudine.
April 2, 2019
The underlying message of this book is very good, and something I believe in. However, I just couldn't get past his style of writing. Between all of the personal experience examples he uses throughout the book - many of which are very extraordinary and out of reach for most (invitations to the White House, personal meetings with famous people, etc.) - and the constant use of explanation marks in an attempt to add emphasis and drama to a point, came off as a bit cheesy to me. And, some of Beaudine's statements lead me to believe he subscribes to the "prosperity Gospel," something I strongly oppose. Having a personal relationship with our Father, through Jesus, and having daily prayer and conversations with Him is very important, and the author does a good job of "selling" this. However, his approach and writing style had be cringing throughout the read.
February 29, 2020
I didn’t start reading 2 Chairs until months after I had purchased it. Probably because God knew I would need it more now than then.
The process of 2 Chairs is simple, and I have added it to my morning quiet time with God. I look so forward to telling stories like the ones in Mr. Beaudine’s life. Stories of things that turned around, troubles that produced good things instead of bad, and instances of God working when I put greater trust in Him.
My favorite part of the book was when Bob told about his 2 Chairs experience with God before appearing on the Today Show. But so many other parts of this book will stick in my memory for years to come.
Does God know your situation? Yes! Is it too hard for him to handle? No! Does God have a plan for you? Yes! Now, set up your 2 Chairs and find out what he wants for you to do next.
The process of 2 Chairs is simple, and I have added it to my morning quiet time with God. I look so forward to telling stories like the ones in Mr. Beaudine’s life. Stories of things that turned around, troubles that produced good things instead of bad, and instances of God working when I put greater trust in Him.
My favorite part of the book was when Bob told about his 2 Chairs experience with God before appearing on the Today Show. But so many other parts of this book will stick in my memory for years to come.
Does God know your situation? Yes! Is it too hard for him to handle? No! Does God have a plan for you? Yes! Now, set up your 2 Chairs and find out what he wants for you to do next.
October 21, 2022
2 Chairs has made more of an impression on me than any other book I've read in the past decade! I loved it and am living it. I had a relationship with God long before 2 Chairs, however, the action steps this book leads you to has contributed to making my relationship better. It didn't change God, it changed me on how I interact with God and my expectations to hear him.
I felt the Holy Spirit's presence and was touched as I read. Most praying ends at amen...Bob reminds us to listen with the 80/20 rule. I thank God for this book.
I felt the Holy Spirit's presence and was touched as I read. Most praying ends at amen...Bob reminds us to listen with the 80/20 rule. I thank God for this book.
March 24, 2023
If you already spend time with God, there isn’t much here. I was thinking half way through that although the point is spending time with God, God wasn’t really a major character. The book was feeling incredibly self-helpy. Then in a story, he shares how he encouraged his daughter to listen to Joel Osteen sermons because of the positivity. That confirmed this isn’t a book about deepening your relationship with God but about helping yourself to solve your own problems and few better.
I can’t think of any reason to read this book.
I can’t think of any reason to read this book.
April 30, 2020
As Christians, we know that we should talk to God in prayer, but how often do we actually take the time to listen? In “2 Chairs,” Bob Beaudine encourages the reader to do just that. While it may seem strange at first, and everything we take in must be filtered through the Word, Bob’s message in this book can help the reader experience a deeper level of intimacy with God than they have ever known. I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of this book!
March 13, 2021
It gets personal
The Bible talks about a personal relationship with God. This book just drives home the point and how important it is for us to pray, talk and LISTEN. God has an incredible plan for each of us and this book gives us some insight about plugging into a conversation with Him daily can change our attitude help us live ‘the good life’ here as he prepares us for eternity with Him.
The Bible talks about a personal relationship with God. This book just drives home the point and how important it is for us to pray, talk and LISTEN. God has an incredible plan for each of us and this book gives us some insight about plugging into a conversation with Him daily can change our attitude help us live ‘the good life’ here as he prepares us for eternity with Him.
September 26, 2022
I am not a Christian. I am not even a theist. The book still resonated with me and described it as taking the time each day to frame your thoughts and live with intentionality. What kind of day do you want to have? How do you want to interact and influence the others around you? How will you show love to the others in your life? It could be having a conversation with God or it could be a conversation with your ancestors or even your future self.
June 9, 2024
How do we know what God is “saying” versus the thoughts in your head? Also, the blame for unanswered prayers - even if the prayer is simply, “God, give me peace of mind, God, give me clarity, God, give me closure, God, give me understanding” … If you end up with more confusion, more pain, no peace of mind, no charity, and it’s apparently your fault for not hearing from God. You’re not being quiet enough to listen to his voice or something. I dunno.
February 15, 2025
3.75
My dad chose this book as his “book of the month” to improve himself and I randomly owned a copy so I decided to read it with him. It is a really beautiful concept to start every day having a real conversation with God- planning out your day with Him and asking for His input. It is a simple book with nice stories but my favorite part was being able to talk to my dad about the effect it’s had on his heart since he put it into place.
My dad chose this book as his “book of the month” to improve himself and I randomly owned a copy so I decided to read it with him. It is a really beautiful concept to start every day having a real conversation with God- planning out your day with Him and asking for His input. It is a simple book with nice stories but my favorite part was being able to talk to my dad about the effect it’s had on his heart since he put it into place.
July 15, 2017
This was an excellent and refreshing read about a daily time spent talking with God and listening for His direction. I particularly liked the three disruptive questions. They will be helpful to disrupt the anxiety and worry one faces in different situations - because the questions point us to God and His truth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews