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The Good Book: 40 Chapters That Reveal the Bible's Biggest Ideas
The Good Book offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible's biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps readers understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible.
Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible, The Good Book will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.
The Good Book:
is a great evangelism tool for explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and the core beliefs of Christianity;
gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a framework to help them understand Scripture passages;
helps longtime Christians rediscover the basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and
encourages Scriptural literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible each day for forty days.
The Good Book is great for individuals, and it can also be used by small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one Bible chapter each week. The Good Book will help people understand and live by the transformative truths of the Bible.
Designed as a forty-day journey through forty key chapters of the Bible, The Good Book will appeal to those who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.
The Good Book:
is a great evangelism tool for explaining the major themes of Scripture to those who want to know more about God, Jesus, and the core beliefs of Christianity;
gives new believers an overview of the Bible and lays a framework to help them understand Scripture passages;
helps longtime Christians rediscover the basic themes of Scripture and experience these truths in a new way; and
encourages Scriptural literacy as it pushes readers to read both one chapter of the book and one chapter of the Bible each day for forty days.
The Good Book is great for individuals, and it can also be used by small groups in an eight-week church-wide program or a forty-week journey that focuses on one Bible chapter each week. The Good Book will help people understand and live by the transformative truths of the Bible.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2017
305 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Deron Spoo
5 books15 followersDeron Spoo is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past 16 years, Spoo has guided the church as it transitions from being simply a downtown church to a regional church committed to urban ministry. Church members describe him as "down to earth" and "authentic." His television devotionals, First Things First, reach 100,000 people each week. Spoo is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Paula, have three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 28, 2017
Though the Bible is the world's bestselling book, it can seem big, complicated and mysterious. Now there is a way that will help you unpack its biggest ideas, making the whole Bible accessible. By zeroing in on just 40 key Bible chapters, The Good Book unlocked the major themes of Scripture to reveal God's heart and mind, making the Bible uniquely personal. The Good Book will help you discover not only the Bible's core truths but also the One who is behind every word on every page. As you delve into Scripture, you will draw closer to the God who loves you and who wants you to experience the joy of learning into his gracious plan for your life.
The Good Book in broken down into 8 different sections; In The Beginning, God is Good When Life Gets Messy, God is Big, Tough Love, Troubled Times, Jesus Has Just Entered The Building, Jesus Won't Leave Us As We Are, Following Jesus and God's Message For You. Each section is then broken down into several chapters that go along with the main idea of the section, such as many chapters from Genesis appearing in the first section In The Beginning. For example, the very first chapter in the first section is titled, You're More Like God Than You Think, Genesis 1. Before the first page of each chapter, the scripture in reference is printed so the reader can read the Biblical chapter before reading the chapter discussing it. The author also provides a short For Reflection section at the end of each chapter, which is helpful in bringing the idea of the chapter to a conclusion.
Although I am very familiar with most of the scripture presented in the book, I enjoyed the set up of the book and think that it would be especially helpful for those who are new to the Bible. Even though I am very familiar with the scriptures presented, I enjoyed the way the book was written and it gave me a chance to re-read some chapters that I don't come across often in my daily devotionals or scripture writing. There are a lot of chapter presented that individuals who are familiar with the Bible will probably have read several times such as Genesis, Psalm 23 and 1 Corinthians 13. I think this is a great book for anyone who is new to the Bible or who wants to take a different approach in reading or re-reading some of the chapters that contain the Bible's biggest ideas. I think it would also be a good book to use in a Bible study setting. It is easy to read and the author gives us insight into how to apply the Biblical chapters presented in the book into our daily lives.
Thank you to the publisher for sending my an ARC.
The Good Book in broken down into 8 different sections; In The Beginning, God is Good When Life Gets Messy, God is Big, Tough Love, Troubled Times, Jesus Has Just Entered The Building, Jesus Won't Leave Us As We Are, Following Jesus and God's Message For You. Each section is then broken down into several chapters that go along with the main idea of the section, such as many chapters from Genesis appearing in the first section In The Beginning. For example, the very first chapter in the first section is titled, You're More Like God Than You Think, Genesis 1. Before the first page of each chapter, the scripture in reference is printed so the reader can read the Biblical chapter before reading the chapter discussing it. The author also provides a short For Reflection section at the end of each chapter, which is helpful in bringing the idea of the chapter to a conclusion.
Although I am very familiar with most of the scripture presented in the book, I enjoyed the set up of the book and think that it would be especially helpful for those who are new to the Bible. Even though I am very familiar with the scriptures presented, I enjoyed the way the book was written and it gave me a chance to re-read some chapters that I don't come across often in my daily devotionals or scripture writing. There are a lot of chapter presented that individuals who are familiar with the Bible will probably have read several times such as Genesis, Psalm 23 and 1 Corinthians 13. I think this is a great book for anyone who is new to the Bible or who wants to take a different approach in reading or re-reading some of the chapters that contain the Bible's biggest ideas. I think it would also be a good book to use in a Bible study setting. It is easy to read and the author gives us insight into how to apply the Biblical chapters presented in the book into our daily lives.
Thank you to the publisher for sending my an ARC.
May 26, 2017
The Good Book by Deron Spoo is a great resource for people who are new to Scripture, and it helps more seasoned readers look at the Bible with fresh eyes. The book is divided into 8 sections pertaining to various themes/truth, and the 5 chapters included in each section spotlight a different ‘essential’ chapter of the Bible.
There are a few passages that seasoned readers can successfully assume are included in this devotional-style book. Genesis 1. Psalm 23. John 3. Romans 8. 1 Corinthians 13. But there are several chapters of the Bible included here that I wouldn’t necessarily have picked if I were writing this book, and therefore they grabbed my attention.
Another thing I enjoy about The Good Book is that the narrative (after each spotlight of a Biblical chapter) focuses on understanding the Bible as it relates to God being here. With you. With me. And how that affects our daily lives. This isn’t a textbook for exposition (but you will learn things). Instead, the narrative is peppered with personal stories, candid conversation, and questions for reflection.
Bottom Line: The Good Book by Deron Spoo is a book I would readily give to someone who’s looking at a Bible for the first time. It’s great for a general overview of the Big Story that unfolds from Genesis to Revelation, and its personal application will help the Bible to become more personal to the reader. But it’s also a book that I would happily use as the basis for a small group study with my ‘tribe’ of friends who are familiar with the Bible and the redemption story it tells – because it helps us see God’s Story from perhaps a new perspective. It’s easy to read, the questions for reflection are meaningful, and the structure of the narrative can lead to deeper understanding of the Bible and – most importantly – of Jesus.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
See my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
There are a few passages that seasoned readers can successfully assume are included in this devotional-style book. Genesis 1. Psalm 23. John 3. Romans 8. 1 Corinthians 13. But there are several chapters of the Bible included here that I wouldn’t necessarily have picked if I were writing this book, and therefore they grabbed my attention.
Another thing I enjoy about The Good Book is that the narrative (after each spotlight of a Biblical chapter) focuses on understanding the Bible as it relates to God being here. With you. With me. And how that affects our daily lives. This isn’t a textbook for exposition (but you will learn things). Instead, the narrative is peppered with personal stories, candid conversation, and questions for reflection.
Bottom Line: The Good Book by Deron Spoo is a book I would readily give to someone who’s looking at a Bible for the first time. It’s great for a general overview of the Big Story that unfolds from Genesis to Revelation, and its personal application will help the Bible to become more personal to the reader. But it’s also a book that I would happily use as the basis for a small group study with my ‘tribe’ of friends who are familiar with the Bible and the redemption story it tells – because it helps us see God’s Story from perhaps a new perspective. It’s easy to read, the questions for reflection are meaningful, and the structure of the narrative can lead to deeper understanding of the Bible and – most importantly – of Jesus.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
See my review at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 25, 2017
I am enjoying working through this book. Each section is composed of five chapters and I like the way these chapters are “bite-sized”. I am folding this reading into my quiet time and that is working nicely.
The five chapters in each section build the case for the idea that is covered in each section. I like the way the Bible reading is actually printed right in the book and is followed by the authors explanation.
The ideas presented in The Good Book do indeed seem to give a general, overall framework for what are some major themes in the Bible. The author does not go into arguments to prove the claims of the Bible, or into a word by word breakdown. The ideas appear focused on increasing the understanding of how God could be working in an individual’s life, based on how He has worked through the past.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The five chapters in each section build the case for the idea that is covered in each section. I like the way the Bible reading is actually printed right in the book and is followed by the authors explanation.
The ideas presented in The Good Book do indeed seem to give a general, overall framework for what are some major themes in the Bible. The author does not go into arguments to prove the claims of the Bible, or into a word by word breakdown. The ideas appear focused on increasing the understanding of how God could be working in an individual’s life, based on how He has worked through the past.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
March 27, 2017
Standard disclaimer. I got an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Deron Spoo has written an excellent book that can be used in so many different ways. It can be used as a personal devotional, a Christian Education class, a Bible study, etc.
My only disappointment, minor because I may have read something into his introduction. I was under the impression that he had created this book of stories to help an unchurched (ignostic he calls them) to understand the Christian faith better. In reality the title says it all, 'the Bible's biggest ideas.
The book is written to all levels. A person who has read the Bible and studied it can gain some new insight. I know that I looked at some scriptures in a way that I would not have before. On the other hand, a person who is unchurched can pick up the book can gain an understanding of what it truly means to be a Christian and what we believe.
Forty ideas are presented. 20 from the Older Testament (Old means we do not use it any more, older means it still has value), and 20 from the New Testament. One might have their own scriptures that they might include, but I feel that Mr. Spoo has chosen with care what he thought were the best ones. I am sure it was hard to narrow it down to 40 ideas.
If you are looking for a book that argues theology, this is not it. Nor does it deal with the issues that as Christians separate us into denominations. It does, however, introduce the key concepts of Christianity in nice bite sized pieces.
High recommendations from me on this book.
My only disappointment, minor because I may have read something into his introduction. I was under the impression that he had created this book of stories to help an unchurched (ignostic he calls them) to understand the Christian faith better. In reality the title says it all, 'the Bible's biggest ideas.
The book is written to all levels. A person who has read the Bible and studied it can gain some new insight. I know that I looked at some scriptures in a way that I would not have before. On the other hand, a person who is unchurched can pick up the book can gain an understanding of what it truly means to be a Christian and what we believe.
Forty ideas are presented. 20 from the Older Testament (Old means we do not use it any more, older means it still has value), and 20 from the New Testament. One might have their own scriptures that they might include, but I feel that Mr. Spoo has chosen with care what he thought were the best ones. I am sure it was hard to narrow it down to 40 ideas.
If you are looking for a book that argues theology, this is not it. Nor does it deal with the issues that as Christians separate us into denominations. It does, however, introduce the key concepts of Christianity in nice bite sized pieces.
High recommendations from me on this book.
May 13, 2017
From chapter one: You’re more like God than anything else he created. At times you might feel worthless. Perhaps this is why the first chapter of the Bible sends the unmistakable message that you are priceless. Even on days when you feel barely human, you are, in fact, more like your Creator than anything else in existence.
Premise/plot: This book is meant as a guidebook to the Bible for spiritual ignostics; the term describes those "with no God history and no Christian memory." In other words, those new believers or near believers that have not grown up in the church or in Christian culture. Spoo has selected forty chapters of the Bible to serve as the "basis of the faith we know as Christianity…" and which are "absolutely essential for understanding the big ideas of the Bible."
The book is divided into eight sections with five chapters apiece. Each chapter is prefaced with one of the forty chapters of Scripture. So at the very, very least--if readers don't skim the reprints--one will have read forty whole chapters out of the Bible. Spoo encourages his readers to read these scriptures before and after his "brief exploration" of each passage.
The forty chapters: Genesis 1, 3, 6, 12, 22; Exodus 3, 14, 20; Judges 16; 1 Samuel 17; Job 1; Psalm 23, 51, 139; Proverbs 1; Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 1; Daniel 3, 6; Jonah 1; John 1, 3; Luke 2, 8, 15; Matthew 5, 6, 7, 28; Mark 15; Acts 1, 2, 9, 10; Revelation 22; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5; James 1; 1 John 3.
My thoughts: I have very mixed feelings on The Good Book.
Spoo seems to be suggesting that new believers need to read books about the Bible more than they need to read the Bible itself--that handing a new believer, a new disciple, a copy of this book, for example, would be more beneficial than handing them the very Word of God. He assumes that they simply are not ready for the Bible.
Spoo promises much in the introduction. "After understanding these chapters, you’ll be able to recognize the rhythm of the Scriptures and tap your toes to the cadence." Also, "Finally, I encourage you to reread the Bible chapter with the benefit of knowing more about the context and content." I was led to believe that Spoo's exploration of these passages would be MEATY, providing actual content and context. I didn't find that to be the case.
Though the introduction seems to be God-centered, gospel-centered, Spoo has a tendency to wander into it's-all-about-you land. In some of his discussions, the focus doesn't seem to be on God but on YOU and what YOU can get from the passage to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
But. My main issue with this book, however, is the dominance of stories, more stories, even more stories which overbalance any focus on the text of Scripture itself. There may be the barest of backbones of context-capable of being detected within each chapter, but, the focus isn't on the Word of God, isn't on the divine or human author of the book, isn't on what it meant to the original audience or even what it means today to you and me. If you're clueless--truly clueless--about the Bible, about the faith, hearing anecdotes and personal stories that have just the smallest link to the Scripture passage itself will not strengthen your faith and shine light on your path.
I'll swing over to the positive side for a minute. He said two things in the introduction that I wholeheartedly agree with.
1) "Reject the tendency to be satisfied with your current understanding of the Bible. Refuse the temptation to think that what you grasp of the Scriptures today is somehow enough."
2) "Remember that the ultimate benefit of reading the Scriptures isn’t greater familiarity with the Bible but deeper intimacy with God."
And there were plenty of solidly true statements for new believers to digest within the book itself.
In conclusion, IF I bought the premise that new believers need books for new believers and not the Word of God itself, would I hand them Spoo's The Good Book, OR, would I choose another book instead? That's a question I think is worth asking--and answering. I don't think it would be my top choice--or even in my top five.
Premise/plot: This book is meant as a guidebook to the Bible for spiritual ignostics; the term describes those "with no God history and no Christian memory." In other words, those new believers or near believers that have not grown up in the church or in Christian culture. Spoo has selected forty chapters of the Bible to serve as the "basis of the faith we know as Christianity…" and which are "absolutely essential for understanding the big ideas of the Bible."
The book is divided into eight sections with five chapters apiece. Each chapter is prefaced with one of the forty chapters of Scripture. So at the very, very least--if readers don't skim the reprints--one will have read forty whole chapters out of the Bible. Spoo encourages his readers to read these scriptures before and after his "brief exploration" of each passage.
The forty chapters: Genesis 1, 3, 6, 12, 22; Exodus 3, 14, 20; Judges 16; 1 Samuel 17; Job 1; Psalm 23, 51, 139; Proverbs 1; Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 1; Daniel 3, 6; Jonah 1; John 1, 3; Luke 2, 8, 15; Matthew 5, 6, 7, 28; Mark 15; Acts 1, 2, 9, 10; Revelation 22; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5; James 1; 1 John 3.
My thoughts: I have very mixed feelings on The Good Book.
Spoo seems to be suggesting that new believers need to read books about the Bible more than they need to read the Bible itself--that handing a new believer, a new disciple, a copy of this book, for example, would be more beneficial than handing them the very Word of God. He assumes that they simply are not ready for the Bible.
Spoo promises much in the introduction. "After understanding these chapters, you’ll be able to recognize the rhythm of the Scriptures and tap your toes to the cadence." Also, "Finally, I encourage you to reread the Bible chapter with the benefit of knowing more about the context and content." I was led to believe that Spoo's exploration of these passages would be MEATY, providing actual content and context. I didn't find that to be the case.
Though the introduction seems to be God-centered, gospel-centered, Spoo has a tendency to wander into it's-all-about-you land. In some of his discussions, the focus doesn't seem to be on God but on YOU and what YOU can get from the passage to make you feel warm and fuzzy.
But. My main issue with this book, however, is the dominance of stories, more stories, even more stories which overbalance any focus on the text of Scripture itself. There may be the barest of backbones of context-capable of being detected within each chapter, but, the focus isn't on the Word of God, isn't on the divine or human author of the book, isn't on what it meant to the original audience or even what it means today to you and me. If you're clueless--truly clueless--about the Bible, about the faith, hearing anecdotes and personal stories that have just the smallest link to the Scripture passage itself will not strengthen your faith and shine light on your path.
I'll swing over to the positive side for a minute. He said two things in the introduction that I wholeheartedly agree with.
1) "Reject the tendency to be satisfied with your current understanding of the Bible. Refuse the temptation to think that what you grasp of the Scriptures today is somehow enough."
2) "Remember that the ultimate benefit of reading the Scriptures isn’t greater familiarity with the Bible but deeper intimacy with God."
And there were plenty of solidly true statements for new believers to digest within the book itself.
In conclusion, IF I bought the premise that new believers need books for new believers and not the Word of God itself, would I hand them Spoo's The Good Book, OR, would I choose another book instead? That's a question I think is worth asking--and answering. I don't think it would be my top choice--or even in my top five.
March 16, 2017
Encouraging people to read the Bible has been a goal at least since the book of Deuteronomy was written. The refrain was picked up by Paul in his epistles and the church fathers added their voice in various ways even to the point of coming up with a three-year cycle of Bible reading so believers could work their way through the Bible over three years.
I have found that it is difficult to both read and understand the Bible when I try to read it through in a year. So, I like the idea of a Bible reading plan that provides a way to read the Bible and get an overview without having to read 4 or 5 chapters a day. That is what Deron Spoo has provided in The Good Book. Kyle Idelman writes in the preface that this book “…takes you on a journey through the forty most essential themes in Scripture.”
The author takes twenty chapters from the Older Testament and twenty chapters from the New Testament to give an overview of the Bible. He is not the first provide a Bible reading plan that takes the reader through the Bible. (I used E-100 a few years ago.) However what Deron Spoo adds is a brief commentary after each reading that puts the chapter in a specific context and within the context of Scripture.
After the reading in Jonah Deron connects the Older Testament and the New Testament with a chapter called Why Two Testaments? He shows that, though there is a 400-year gap between the two testaments, they fit together and the New Testament continues the story begun in Genesis 1.
I might ask why one of my favorite books did not at least get a chapter but, by and large, the author has chosen well and does a good job of tying everything together. The illustrations he uses are helpful in picturing the state of the world. For example, he tells us that the largest man-made object on our planet is the Fresh Kills Landfill and says it is telling that largest man-made item on the planet is a pile of garbage. We have made a mess of God’s creation.
Each reading concludes with a commentary and thoughts for reflection making this book a good Bible study resource. It would make a good small group study. It could encourage people to read the Bible and give opportunity to dig in.
I do have few concerns. In the author’s commentary on Genesis 1 Deron writes, “Many people wonder whether Adam and Eve were the only people God directly created. In later chapters of the Bible, their descendants went off and met other people east of Eden. Where did these people come from?”
There are explanations about the people East of Eden that don’t imply that God also created other people besides Adam and Eve. If God created other people I would have to wonder not only if Jesus died for them but also whether they ever sinned. I, for one, would not want to marry a person who never sinned. Although I have met many spouses who think they are perfect I think we all trace our ancestry back to Adam and Eve.
There was one other issue that gave me pause. Maybe in a group discussion the author could have cleared this up but right now all I have is his commentary and I don’t know where he is going with it. My concern comes from the commentary on Romans 8 entitled “Is God Ever Mean?”. I understand the author’s concern to present a balanced picture of God but I wondered if Deron was downplaying the reality of judgement. I do not believe God is mean or vindictive but at the same time I believe he is holy and just.
All in all, I think this book will be helpful the those who are biblically illiterate or alliterate. I believe the Bible is a living book and we can get caught up in that life if we read it. This is one pastor’s effort to get people to read the Bible.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.com with the understanding I would read it and write a review.
I have found that it is difficult to both read and understand the Bible when I try to read it through in a year. So, I like the idea of a Bible reading plan that provides a way to read the Bible and get an overview without having to read 4 or 5 chapters a day. That is what Deron Spoo has provided in The Good Book. Kyle Idelman writes in the preface that this book “…takes you on a journey through the forty most essential themes in Scripture.”
The author takes twenty chapters from the Older Testament and twenty chapters from the New Testament to give an overview of the Bible. He is not the first provide a Bible reading plan that takes the reader through the Bible. (I used E-100 a few years ago.) However what Deron Spoo adds is a brief commentary after each reading that puts the chapter in a specific context and within the context of Scripture.
After the reading in Jonah Deron connects the Older Testament and the New Testament with a chapter called Why Two Testaments? He shows that, though there is a 400-year gap between the two testaments, they fit together and the New Testament continues the story begun in Genesis 1.
I might ask why one of my favorite books did not at least get a chapter but, by and large, the author has chosen well and does a good job of tying everything together. The illustrations he uses are helpful in picturing the state of the world. For example, he tells us that the largest man-made object on our planet is the Fresh Kills Landfill and says it is telling that largest man-made item on the planet is a pile of garbage. We have made a mess of God’s creation.
Each reading concludes with a commentary and thoughts for reflection making this book a good Bible study resource. It would make a good small group study. It could encourage people to read the Bible and give opportunity to dig in.
I do have few concerns. In the author’s commentary on Genesis 1 Deron writes, “Many people wonder whether Adam and Eve were the only people God directly created. In later chapters of the Bible, their descendants went off and met other people east of Eden. Where did these people come from?”
There are explanations about the people East of Eden that don’t imply that God also created other people besides Adam and Eve. If God created other people I would have to wonder not only if Jesus died for them but also whether they ever sinned. I, for one, would not want to marry a person who never sinned. Although I have met many spouses who think they are perfect I think we all trace our ancestry back to Adam and Eve.
There was one other issue that gave me pause. Maybe in a group discussion the author could have cleared this up but right now all I have is his commentary and I don’t know where he is going with it. My concern comes from the commentary on Romans 8 entitled “Is God Ever Mean?”. I understand the author’s concern to present a balanced picture of God but I wondered if Deron was downplaying the reality of judgement. I do not believe God is mean or vindictive but at the same time I believe he is holy and just.
All in all, I think this book will be helpful the those who are biblically illiterate or alliterate. I believe the Bible is a living book and we can get caught up in that life if we read it. This is one pastor’s effort to get people to read the Bible.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.com with the understanding I would read it and write a review.
May 23, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it fascinating and it allowed me to go deeper in the word. The author explained at the beginning of the book the difference between Old and New Testament. In his reference he said "Older Testament is the faith history of the Hebrew people. The New Testament is a collection of twenty-seven books written in the Greek language by the first followers of Christ." We know that the Bible has been rewritten and interpreted many times over. So the question arises " Which is the original and true depiction of the Bible?
The book starts in Genesis where everything was pure and beautiful. It is a good picture to see that God's intention was for mankind to live in beauty and without any sickness or suffering. What changed that? We can look further in the chapter and see where things went wrong. I loved how the author breaks down scriptures and shows us what the word means. It is very in-depth and powerful. At the end of each chapter is a Reflection. It really makes you take a look at yourself and see where there are areas you need to work on in in your life.
One of my favorite chapters was Matthew 6. In the scriptures it talks about worry. That is one thing I have struggles with for a long time. God doesn't want us to worry because He has provided our needs. "Jesus commands us not to be concerned with what is around us (clothes) or what is in us (food)." We all have a tendency to worry, but I am reminded that worry doesn't change anything.
Another chapter that really stood out for me was Job. I remember this book from the Bible so well. Job suffered many losses, suffered terrible diseases yet He still trusted God. It is hard to trust when you are in the middle of a battle. We question why we are suffering and when will it stop. This chapter was so powerful to me because it reminded me once again that " great suffering produces great faith." We need to keep our eyes focused on God and not our circumstances.
I have really enjoyed this book and it has encouraged me in many ways. Each chapter I read gave me insight in His Word and helped me walk through some challenges I face in my life. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is thought provoking, encouraging and life changing.
I received a copy of this book from a LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.
The book starts in Genesis where everything was pure and beautiful. It is a good picture to see that God's intention was for mankind to live in beauty and without any sickness or suffering. What changed that? We can look further in the chapter and see where things went wrong. I loved how the author breaks down scriptures and shows us what the word means. It is very in-depth and powerful. At the end of each chapter is a Reflection. It really makes you take a look at yourself and see where there are areas you need to work on in in your life.
One of my favorite chapters was Matthew 6. In the scriptures it talks about worry. That is one thing I have struggles with for a long time. God doesn't want us to worry because He has provided our needs. "Jesus commands us not to be concerned with what is around us (clothes) or what is in us (food)." We all have a tendency to worry, but I am reminded that worry doesn't change anything.
Another chapter that really stood out for me was Job. I remember this book from the Bible so well. Job suffered many losses, suffered terrible diseases yet He still trusted God. It is hard to trust when you are in the middle of a battle. We question why we are suffering and when will it stop. This chapter was so powerful to me because it reminded me once again that " great suffering produces great faith." We need to keep our eyes focused on God and not our circumstances.
I have really enjoyed this book and it has encouraged me in many ways. Each chapter I read gave me insight in His Word and helped me walk through some challenges I face in my life. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is thought provoking, encouraging and life changing.
I received a copy of this book from a LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.
May 17, 2017
At first I thought it would be an overview, a broad historical approach that might give readers a chronological sense of the Bible's timeline and significant events. And it does work through the books of the Bible in order. But Spoo isn't giving a history lesson. He's presenting major themes that impact readers as they get to know the God who revealed himself through his word. "Biggest ideas"—not every significant event or person. Sure, we'll encounter some of those as we go along, but they aren't the focus.
Organized in eight sections of five lessons each, the book spends much more time in the New Testament than it does in what Spoo calls the Older Testament (to avoid the idea of obsolescence, he explains, which I thought was a little forced). And while I think he skipped many important passages in the Old(er) Testament, I can understand his focus on the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus.
Each chapter begins with a passage from scripture, followed by an essay connecting the theme of the text to personal application. Using stories and explanation, they read much like an engaging—and short!—sermon might. Each chapter ends with reflection questions.
This resource can be used in groups or individually. It could be a great tool to use with families! It's not supposed to take the place of Bible reading but rather to help give context and color to what sometimes is too familiar or utterly foreign, depending on your upbringing. Think of it as an introductory study book for the new believer or someone still seeking to understand what the Bible is all about. Teens and adults who were raised in church and can feel complacent in their biblical literacy will gain a fresh perspective of the richness found in God's word.
The Good Book is definitely a step apart from the usual Bible studies. When you are ready to approach God's word from a new, birdseye, perspective, pick this one up.
(I received a free copy for review.)
Organized in eight sections of five lessons each, the book spends much more time in the New Testament than it does in what Spoo calls the Older Testament (to avoid the idea of obsolescence, he explains, which I thought was a little forced). And while I think he skipped many important passages in the Old(er) Testament, I can understand his focus on the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus.
Each chapter begins with a passage from scripture, followed by an essay connecting the theme of the text to personal application. Using stories and explanation, they read much like an engaging—and short!—sermon might. Each chapter ends with reflection questions.
This resource can be used in groups or individually. It could be a great tool to use with families! It's not supposed to take the place of Bible reading but rather to help give context and color to what sometimes is too familiar or utterly foreign, depending on your upbringing. Think of it as an introductory study book for the new believer or someone still seeking to understand what the Bible is all about. Teens and adults who were raised in church and can feel complacent in their biblical literacy will gain a fresh perspective of the richness found in God's word.
The Good Book is definitely a step apart from the usual Bible studies. When you are ready to approach God's word from a new, birdseye, perspective, pick this one up.
(I received a free copy for review.)
May 26, 2017
My Thoughts:
It seems most Bible studies are topical in subject; and, as there is nothing inherently wrong with studying topics from the Bible, it does take away from understanding several factors. These factors are Bible history, the Bible's revelation of God to people, other Bible themes, and how Scripture points to Jesus Christ.
The Good Book is a wonderful study of the Bible, because it studies 40 important passages of the Bible, that gives the reader a well-rounded view of the whole of the Bible.
Each chapter is about 7-8 pages in length, this includes the Bible passages. I believe with short chapters the book is an approachable type book for a new Christian. And highly usable for limited study times at meetings.
The Good Book is geared towards group studies. But, I read and studied the book on my own and enjoyed it.
The chapters end with a brief, "For Reflection" spot. One or two questions are given for discussion.
A new Christian or a person who has not been in a Bible study before can be a bit timid about studying the Bible with other people. The Good Book is an accessible and engaging tool to study the Bible.
On the other hand, Spoo makes the point of stating seasoned Christians who have studied the Bible can gain from The Good Book. Spoo's sage words for,
the experienced Bible readers, I offer a word of advice: Reject the tendency to be satisfied with your current understanding of the Bible. Refuse the temptation to think that what you grasp of the Scriptures today is somehow enough. Don't just settle for wading in the surf. Dive deeper! Untold riches await your discovery. Page 17.
I love the illustrations given in The Good Book. For example, chapter 13 is on Psalm 51. A story is told of the British fox who has "devised an imaginative-make that ingenious-method to rid itself of fleas." This illustration is given to show a "picture of cleansing!" All the illustrations are from the world around us that we can relate to and understand.
Definitions of key words are given throughout the book. Words like righteousness, kingdom, wisdom, insight, and discipline are defined for clarity.
My favorite quote:
The challenge is before you: never assume God is on your side. Instead, make every effort to be certain you're on God's side. Many of history's most dangerous and destructive people have been those who assumed that God supported their every action and agenda. Wise are those who don't see themselves as infallible. Humble are those who consistently take inventory of their motives and means of success. Page 173-174.
Source: Free copy from David C. Cook and Litfuse Publicity Group.
It seems most Bible studies are topical in subject; and, as there is nothing inherently wrong with studying topics from the Bible, it does take away from understanding several factors. These factors are Bible history, the Bible's revelation of God to people, other Bible themes, and how Scripture points to Jesus Christ.
The Good Book is a wonderful study of the Bible, because it studies 40 important passages of the Bible, that gives the reader a well-rounded view of the whole of the Bible.
Each chapter is about 7-8 pages in length, this includes the Bible passages. I believe with short chapters the book is an approachable type book for a new Christian. And highly usable for limited study times at meetings.
The Good Book is geared towards group studies. But, I read and studied the book on my own and enjoyed it.
The chapters end with a brief, "For Reflection" spot. One or two questions are given for discussion.
A new Christian or a person who has not been in a Bible study before can be a bit timid about studying the Bible with other people. The Good Book is an accessible and engaging tool to study the Bible.
On the other hand, Spoo makes the point of stating seasoned Christians who have studied the Bible can gain from The Good Book. Spoo's sage words for,
the experienced Bible readers, I offer a word of advice: Reject the tendency to be satisfied with your current understanding of the Bible. Refuse the temptation to think that what you grasp of the Scriptures today is somehow enough. Don't just settle for wading in the surf. Dive deeper! Untold riches await your discovery. Page 17.
I love the illustrations given in The Good Book. For example, chapter 13 is on Psalm 51. A story is told of the British fox who has "devised an imaginative-make that ingenious-method to rid itself of fleas." This illustration is given to show a "picture of cleansing!" All the illustrations are from the world around us that we can relate to and understand.
Definitions of key words are given throughout the book. Words like righteousness, kingdom, wisdom, insight, and discipline are defined for clarity.
My favorite quote:
The challenge is before you: never assume God is on your side. Instead, make every effort to be certain you're on God's side. Many of history's most dangerous and destructive people have been those who assumed that God supported their every action and agenda. Wise are those who don't see themselves as infallible. Humble are those who consistently take inventory of their motives and means of success. Page 173-174.
Source: Free copy from David C. Cook and Litfuse Publicity Group.
June 17, 2017
I was interested in reading The Good Book by Deron Spoo because I'm always looking for a good teaching devotional resource. The Good Book is almost a discipleship-type resource - it takes you through 40 important chapters of the Bibles and covers the biggest topics and ideas of the Bible. The corresponding chapter of the Bible is included with the chapter expounding it. The chapter of the Bible is provided in the author's favorite translation (Christian Standard Bible), but you can grab your Bible and read it in your own translation if you prefer, which is what I did.
The Good Book is divided into eight sections: In the Beginning; God Is Good When Life Gets Messy; God Is Big; Tough Love, Troubled Times; Jesus Has Just Entered the Building; Jesus Won't Leave Us as We Are; Following Jesus; and God's Message for You. Deron takes the reader on a sweeping overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Each chapter provides the Bible passage, Deron's thoughts on it and the takeaway lesson from it, and a few questions for reflection or discussion. This is a perfect gift book, book for Sunday School classes or small groups to go through, or just a book to read on your own as a devotional, which is what I did. I enjoyed Deron's easy style of writing and his way of drawing the reader in and making the content interesting while still providing essential truths. The ideas Deron focuses on are the very basic building blocks of Christianity, which makes The Good Book a very accessible guide to new believers while also being a good refresher course for those who have been Christians for awhile. Highly recommended.
The Good Book is divided into eight sections: In the Beginning; God Is Good When Life Gets Messy; God Is Big; Tough Love, Troubled Times; Jesus Has Just Entered the Building; Jesus Won't Leave Us as We Are; Following Jesus; and God's Message for You. Deron takes the reader on a sweeping overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Each chapter provides the Bible passage, Deron's thoughts on it and the takeaway lesson from it, and a few questions for reflection or discussion. This is a perfect gift book, book for Sunday School classes or small groups to go through, or just a book to read on your own as a devotional, which is what I did. I enjoyed Deron's easy style of writing and his way of drawing the reader in and making the content interesting while still providing essential truths. The ideas Deron focuses on are the very basic building blocks of Christianity, which makes The Good Book a very accessible guide to new believers while also being a good refresher course for those who have been Christians for awhile. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2021
I liked this book. I didn't think I would, but I did. The reason that I didn't think I would was that I read some reviews here where they didn't like the book. One reviewer said that it was more about "you" than about God. I really didn't pick up on that so much. Another said that it was full of irrelevant stories and not really a "Bible" study. Again, I thought the stories were relevant and added insight. This is probably not a book that I would have bought or even considered but it was a free book from David C. Cook publishers. They offer a free book weekly and I downloaded this one. It is definitely not an in depth Bible study but more of a devotional. I have studied the Bible for a lot of years but am definitely NOT a Bible scholar. Anyway, I was not expecting a lot from the book. I just wanted an addition to my daily Bible study that was not related to the Sunday School lesson I was working on. I liked the idea that this book included an entire chapter of the Bible to read instead of just a verse or two like most devotionals. That said, I was definitely surprised to find that I really DID like this book, in spite of the poor reviews! There was rarely a chapter that did not give me some new insight into the passage being covered. One example, from Genesis 22, page 45. "Abraham valued obeying God more than he valued understanding him....Perhaps it's time we take a cue from Abraham, a master of faith, and put our focus and energy into obedience rather than comprehension."
So, all in all, I do recommend this book as long as you keep in mind that it is a devotional, NOT an indepth Bible study.
So, all in all, I do recommend this book as long as you keep in mind that it is a devotional, NOT an indepth Bible study.
May 29, 2017
Oh my goodness - this book is absolutely amazing! It is geared toward the new believer but, honestly, I learned so much and had such a new insight to Scripture through this book!
It's 40 chapters of the Bible, focusing on the biggest ideas that we should know about. It by no means infers that there are only 40 chapters worth reading but it truly focuses in on the chapters that tells us who God is.
Each chapter starts out with the Scripture from the Bible that we are focusing on, then there is an explanation after this gives us insight to what we've read. It's definitely not like reading a text book as the author brings life into his explanations with stories and fresh writing. I learned so much from what the author shared. He doesn't talk down to the reader but draws us in by showing how timely and exciting the Word of God is!
At the end of this are statements and questions for reflection. I really enjoyed this as I was able to focus in on what I learned and dig deeper into the chapter that was taught on. As many years as I have studied the Bible, I was amazed at all the treasures I found through this book. It's truly fantastic!
It is definitely a good book for new believers or would be a great book for sharing the Gospel principles to others. I love how it explains things so well without being dry. It's an excellent book and I highly recommend it! I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
It's 40 chapters of the Bible, focusing on the biggest ideas that we should know about. It by no means infers that there are only 40 chapters worth reading but it truly focuses in on the chapters that tells us who God is.
Each chapter starts out with the Scripture from the Bible that we are focusing on, then there is an explanation after this gives us insight to what we've read. It's definitely not like reading a text book as the author brings life into his explanations with stories and fresh writing. I learned so much from what the author shared. He doesn't talk down to the reader but draws us in by showing how timely and exciting the Word of God is!
At the end of this are statements and questions for reflection. I really enjoyed this as I was able to focus in on what I learned and dig deeper into the chapter that was taught on. As many years as I have studied the Bible, I was amazed at all the treasures I found through this book. It's truly fantastic!
It is definitely a good book for new believers or would be a great book for sharing the Gospel principles to others. I love how it explains things so well without being dry. It's an excellent book and I highly recommend it! I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group
May 17, 2017
Many people today are not familiar with the Bible and its major concepts. Some might find the Bible intimidating. Spoo has taken 40 chapters from the Bible, those containing the big ideas of the Bible, and has tried to make them understandable and personal.
The format of the book includes each Scripture passage so the book can be read without having a Bible nearby. The chapter in the Bible is followed by comments from Spoo and then a small section with comments and questions for reflection.
I appreciate Spoo's comments. He sometimes adds cultural or historical information to help readers understand the major theme represented by that particular Bible chapter. He also adds stories to illustrate the themes. I didn't see the significance of some of the stories, such as what was found upon demolishing of the Alton Towers Corkscrew roller coaster.
This is a good book for people unfamiliar with the Bible who want to know its major themes. It is good for someone who looks at the Bible and has no idea where to begin to understand it. It is also a good book for Christians who don't regularly read their Bible, to be reminded of these themes and experience them in a fresh way. It would make a good forty day time of Bible refreshment, such as for Lent or Advent.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The format of the book includes each Scripture passage so the book can be read without having a Bible nearby. The chapter in the Bible is followed by comments from Spoo and then a small section with comments and questions for reflection.
I appreciate Spoo's comments. He sometimes adds cultural or historical information to help readers understand the major theme represented by that particular Bible chapter. He also adds stories to illustrate the themes. I didn't see the significance of some of the stories, such as what was found upon demolishing of the Alton Towers Corkscrew roller coaster.
This is a good book for people unfamiliar with the Bible who want to know its major themes. It is good for someone who looks at the Bible and has no idea where to begin to understand it. It is also a good book for Christians who don't regularly read their Bible, to be reminded of these themes and experience them in a fresh way. It would make a good forty day time of Bible refreshment, such as for Lent or Advent.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse. My comments are an independent and honest review.
May 18, 2017
If you are looking for a closer walk with God, then please, look no further than this book. It is a book that is well written, and well organized. The aspects of this book are wonderful and really leave the reader thinking things through. Each page is different, each page helping you to understand a little more about God and what you need to do to truly listen to Him, to hear Him out, and make yourself a better person for Him.
The way The Good Book is laid out makes it easy to follow. I understand things a little differently now, in a good way, of course. Mr. Spoo has created a wonderful book, filled with truth and information that will be with the reader long after they finish. This book has verses from the Bible with each chapter and leaves it open for a great discussion and break down of the Bible!
This is a definitely worthy of beyond 5 stars. It’s a great companion to the Bible and and will make a great addition to any Bible study or library collection. Don’t miss out on this great book! This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads
The way The Good Book is laid out makes it easy to follow. I understand things a little differently now, in a good way, of course. Mr. Spoo has created a wonderful book, filled with truth and information that will be with the reader long after they finish. This book has verses from the Bible with each chapter and leaves it open for a great discussion and break down of the Bible!
This is a definitely worthy of beyond 5 stars. It’s a great companion to the Bible and and will make a great addition to any Bible study or library collection. Don’t miss out on this great book! This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads
May 30, 2017
“The Good Book” was a pleasantly surprising read for me. I have read books that are structured similarly to this which take key chapters of the Bible to reveal the biggest themes but the way they are presented are not always accessible for most readers. Deron Spoo has done well to weave in key themes to 40 carefully chosen chapters of the Bible. The themes are presented in a way that is very accessible and easy to read as well as understand yet offer practical application to daily life.
This is a resource which will be helpful for many who seek to understand the Bible more fully. If you have picked up a Bible in the past and set it aside because you have found it confusing, this could be a very helpful resource to connect further with in helping understand more fully who God is.
Each chapter is followed by reflection questions and suggestions to allow the reader to engage more fully in the text of the Bible and these 40 chapters.
Even if you have read the Bible for years and feel you understand it well, this could be a helpful resource in pointing toward deeper application and understanding.
This is a resource which will be helpful for many who seek to understand the Bible more fully. If you have picked up a Bible in the past and set it aside because you have found it confusing, this could be a very helpful resource to connect further with in helping understand more fully who God is.
Each chapter is followed by reflection questions and suggestions to allow the reader to engage more fully in the text of the Bible and these 40 chapters.
Even if you have read the Bible for years and feel you understand it well, this could be a helpful resource in pointing toward deeper application and understanding.
June 7, 2018
Wonderful walk through the Bible
I read this book in conjunction with "The Good Book" DVD bible study and the companion participant's guide. It was not necessary to use this book with the participant's guide and DVD but this book gave additional insight and fleshed the study out further. The DVD study contained a lot of personal stories that are not in this book and even the information that was included in both the DVD and this book was presented differently so it was not boring to both read the book and watch the DVD.
I very much enjoyed how the overview of the Bible was presented in "The Good Book". I have been a Christian for over 40 years and yet I found things to discover and ponder as I journeyed through the chapters that Deron selected. I also believe that Deron has achieved his stated intent of providing a resource for someone unfamiliar with the Bible to get a good feel for what the Bible is about by reading through these 40 chapters. The Bible is an amazing book and Deron has provided a wonderful resource to assist us in getting to know both the Bible and its author better.
I read this book in conjunction with "The Good Book" DVD bible study and the companion participant's guide. It was not necessary to use this book with the participant's guide and DVD but this book gave additional insight and fleshed the study out further. The DVD study contained a lot of personal stories that are not in this book and even the information that was included in both the DVD and this book was presented differently so it was not boring to both read the book and watch the DVD.
I very much enjoyed how the overview of the Bible was presented in "The Good Book". I have been a Christian for over 40 years and yet I found things to discover and ponder as I journeyed through the chapters that Deron selected. I also believe that Deron has achieved his stated intent of providing a resource for someone unfamiliar with the Bible to get a good feel for what the Bible is about by reading through these 40 chapters. The Bible is an amazing book and Deron has provided a wonderful resource to assist us in getting to know both the Bible and its author better.
August 18, 2018
TO THOSE LEADING A STUDY: You do not necessarily need this book in order to use "participants guide." However, the participants guide can feel a bit confusing on its own, especially at the beginning. I bought the guide first, thinking it was a "book/guide." It is NOT. I was leading a book study, so when I realized this, I decided to buy this book to give me a better frame of reference. For about 1/2 of the book, it was extremely helpful and followed along with the guidebook very well. Each chapter is an easy read and has simple ways of connecting to your personal life with his stories. In my study, I used the book to read excerpts from, but I did not require the participants in the study to get their own book. They only got the study guide and it worked out fine this way.
However, for the last half of this book, it really didn't go along with the participants guide too much. I began to reference it less and less in our book study around the halfway point, as it didn't seem to follow like-for-like. It was still a great read, and I am glad I got to go through it myself, either way.
However, for the last half of this book, it really didn't go along with the participants guide too much. I began to reference it less and less in our book study around the halfway point, as it didn't seem to follow like-for-like. It was still a great read, and I am glad I got to go through it myself, either way.
June 6, 2017
My Thoughts On This Book: As a pastor I found this book to be a great resource and a must in a pastors/churches library. If you want to get a better understanding of the Bible this book is for you. is a resource which will be helpful for many who seek to understand the Bible more fully. I loved the way Spoo set up individual chapters and then followed each one with reflection questions and ways for the reader to become more fully engaged in the Bible.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 7, 2017
"The Good Book" by Deron Spoo will take you on a journey through 40 essential themes in the Bible. Spoo highlights key verses to give new Christians a basic understanding of the Christian values, but even the most mature Christians will find appreciation for the principles.
Some people think that the Bible is a "one and done" type of book, but it's not..each time you open your Bible, or study a certain scripture you will find something new.
*Disclaimer*
I received a copy of this book free to review. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
Some people think that the Bible is a "one and done" type of book, but it's not..each time you open your Bible, or study a certain scripture you will find something new.
*Disclaimer*
I received a copy of this book free to review. I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
January 2, 2018
The Bible is a lot to unpack. It is filled with stories, lessons, history, and so much more. The Good Book is a great tool to help unpack and understand all that the Bible has to offer. It's divided into eight different parts pertaining to each theme or lesson, if you will, to make things even easier. The author has created this tool so that readers can take reading and understanding the Bible step-by-step so you don't feel overwhelmed and/or confused. A great learning and teaching tool from the beginner to the seasoned.
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
May 17, 2017
This is a great tool to use as you study the Bible or read it alone. It breaks the bible down to where it's easy to understand what's being said. I like the historical information the author adds as well as the stories he shares. He has highlighted forty chapters and points out how the things that happened years ago are still relevant to us today.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2019
Didn't think I'd like it
How can you only choose 40 chapters to highlight out of the entire Bible? I didn't think the author would choose the chapters I found most interesting or instructive. However, as the author says, perhaps these 40 chapters will encourage readers to read the rest of the Bible. I personally found myself confirming the tenets of my faith as I read. Great job!
How can you only choose 40 chapters to highlight out of the entire Bible? I didn't think the author would choose the chapters I found most interesting or instructive. However, as the author says, perhaps these 40 chapters will encourage readers to read the rest of the Bible. I personally found myself confirming the tenets of my faith as I read. Great job!
May 18, 2019
I read this book for a church review. While I thought it was two elementary for my level of Bible teaching I still found it engaging and interesting. They were a little nuggets I gleaned from the book. Things that I haven’t necessarily thought about it and passages that I have read over and over. I think this book is a perfect book for new believers seekers for those wanting to study popular passages.
April 23, 2020
This was a wonderful book that my church Radiance assigned to read before Easter. It gives a great summary for 40 chapters in the Bible, the 40 chapters itself, small stories told by the author that relate to that chapter, and 1-2 reflection or challenge questions. I really enjoyed it and loved reading it, especially in light of the pandemic in my mornings to start off the day with God's hope and love.
May 8, 2021
This was a great journey into the Bible! For people used to reading a 1 or 2 page daily devotional book, this is different. This devotional includes 5 to 9 pages in each chapter, but they are well worth it! Each chapter of the Bible was copied into the book so you didn’t have to find it in your personal copy of the Bible. This saves the reader time which is well spent reading the pastor/author’s brilliant interpretation.
May 10, 2025
A useful devotional book on the Bible. The author takes the 40 most popular and significant chapters from Genesis in the Old Testament all the way through to Revelation in the New Testament and finishing with Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians and 1 john. After each chapter there is a commentary and reflection. A good overview of the Bible with an invitation at the end of the book to explore it in more depth.
February 8, 2020
I thought this was a good introductory book to the Bible. If someone has never read the Bible this gives you a good overview of the 40 chapters that you read in the book and they are made very practical by the author.
August 25, 2021
Thought provoking
These 40 chapters of the Bible are only the starting point. The insights in each of these chapters wets the appetite of the reader to investigate more of the Scriptures.
These 40 chapters of the Bible are only the starting point. The insights in each of these chapters wets the appetite of the reader to investigate more of the Scriptures.
January 26, 2023
This is my second time reading this book and I think it’s a great little synopsis of the Bible. Fantastic commentary & life application ideas. A good read to share with friends (Laci, Rebecca, Rachael, & Lacey).
December 11, 2017
It enhanced the scripture they chose to highlight. Presented different thoughts and ideas.
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