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Changed into His Image: God's Plan for Transforming Your Life
Are you trying to grow spiritually without fully understanding God's plan for your life? That's like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle without looking at the picture on the box. If Christian growth seems confusing and elusive--if you're discouraged by your own lack of spiritual progress--this book is for you. Changed into His Image Student Edition is a thirteen-week study that includes daily activities and encouragement. Through clear biblical teaching and practical examples, Jim Berg teaches you how to build an intimate and satisfying relationship with God --the "missing piece" in the experience of many believers. Discover the joy and stability that comes by cooperating with God's plan for transforming your life.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1999
139 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 14, 2020
I'm a pretty avid read of Christian living books, but no book outside the Bible has impacted my thinking as much as this one. I would easily say this book is in in my top 3 favorite books. There is so much to consider in it regarding the work of God in sanctification that I find myself already wanting to read it again. Great book!
March 24, 2025
What a great book. I started a long time ago & finished the last of it recently. It has been a great resource dealing with people & their problems. I’ve also used it in classroom settings.
Berg has laid out the case for the use of Scripture in dealing with mankind. God’s Word has the answers, 2 Peter 1:3. I appreciate the confidence that he shows & encourages.
Dealing with anger, bitterness, depression, fear… it will be dealt with here. This is a book that I will come back to again & again. There is no higher recommendation I can give this book. I hope it helps to change you into His image.
Berg has laid out the case for the use of Scripture in dealing with mankind. God’s Word has the answers, 2 Peter 1:3. I appreciate the confidence that he shows & encourages.
Dealing with anger, bitterness, depression, fear… it will be dealt with here. This is a book that I will come back to again & again. There is no higher recommendation I can give this book. I hope it helps to change you into His image.
February 20, 2014
A great book in having our lives transformed to what God wants our lives to be. Also a great book on counseling with many practical helps, and on discipleship training of counselors in dealing with Christians who need counseling. There is a lot of practical help in this book which is all based on knowing the Word of God and how to use it. This is a book I can use for reference to different problems Christians have. There is a Scripture index and a Topical index in back of the book which enables me to quickly find what I need to find. I will probably read this book again next year, because there was so much to learn from it.
March 6, 2015
I have been fortunate over the last few years that there comes along at least one book a year that changes my life.
This is one of those books. A masterful use of Scripture and real-life illustrations provide an in-depth look at being changed into the image of God. these are things "we've always known" but not really lived.
This may be a book I reference often.
This is one of those books. A masterful use of Scripture and real-life illustrations provide an in-depth look at being changed into the image of God. these are things "we've always known" but not really lived.
This may be a book I reference often.
October 29, 2009
This book will kick your butt a little (okay, a lot). This is a great book to do as study with a group as it will bring up a ton of pertinent discussion on personal spiritual development and accountability.
August 31, 2011
Very helpful to my spiritual growth as a young college student. Dr. Berg is a master of illustration, he knows his Bible well, and he has a great deal of experience in counseling.
March 4, 2016
I tried to read this at a slow pace, but it still was quite heavy reading and a lot to take in. Quite encouraging and convicting to read. Definitely recommend to teenagers and adults!
September 4, 2016
An excellent excellent study.
November 11, 2023
This was good but would be better if the editor / author had cut a third of it out.
January 14, 2021
An outstanding book for any and all Christians. This book will be especially helpful to those who often find themselves encouraging & helping other Christians in their walk with God. Berg gives practical solutions but never departs from the answer - God's Word!
The author divides the book into three parts:
Part 1 - Restraining Your Flesh
Part 2 - Renewing Your Mind
Part 3 - Reflecting Your Lord
An abundance of helpful resources can be found in the appendices of the book including the "Basics" series from the author. These are Basics for Angry Believers, Basics for Depressed Believers, Basics for Hurting Believers, Basics for Pressured Believers, and Basics for Worried Believers.
Before Berg begins with the different parts of the book, he lays out his premise in chapter one entitled "Understanding Biblical Change." On the first page, he states, "Once he [a Christian] becomes a child of God, God begins a process in him that changes him to become more like Christ in his attitudes, ambitions, and actions."
In my opinion, this first chapter sets the stage for the entire book rather well. Berg nails what is the main problem with all of us - US! He states that our real problems go much deeper and remind us of an important Biblical principle to understand about change: "Our greatest problems are never around us; they are in us." He goes on to say in this chapter that "God's word is clear that our real problems are not the result of pressures from someone or something outside of ourselves. we do not sin because of financial, social, medical, or circumstantial pressures. We sin because each of us has a sinful heart."
Get this book! Read it and then re-read it. Its principles will only help you to become more like Christ yourself and then help others whom you influence in their journey toward Christlikeness.
The author divides the book into three parts:
Part 1 - Restraining Your Flesh
Part 2 - Renewing Your Mind
Part 3 - Reflecting Your Lord
An abundance of helpful resources can be found in the appendices of the book including the "Basics" series from the author. These are Basics for Angry Believers, Basics for Depressed Believers, Basics for Hurting Believers, Basics for Pressured Believers, and Basics for Worried Believers.
Before Berg begins with the different parts of the book, he lays out his premise in chapter one entitled "Understanding Biblical Change." On the first page, he states, "Once he [a Christian] becomes a child of God, God begins a process in him that changes him to become more like Christ in his attitudes, ambitions, and actions."
In my opinion, this first chapter sets the stage for the entire book rather well. Berg nails what is the main problem with all of us - US! He states that our real problems go much deeper and remind us of an important Biblical principle to understand about change: "Our greatest problems are never around us; they are in us." He goes on to say in this chapter that "God's word is clear that our real problems are not the result of pressures from someone or something outside of ourselves. we do not sin because of financial, social, medical, or circumstantial pressures. We sin because each of us has a sinful heart."
Get this book! Read it and then re-read it. Its principles will only help you to become more like Christ yourself and then help others whom you influence in their journey toward Christlikeness.
June 27, 2008
A potentially "life changing" book! What is our goal as Christians???? To live a nice life here on earth & then go to heaven? - this book made me realize there is SO MUCH MORE to it than the here-and-now. Our pastor has often said, "God is more concerned about our character than our comfort; He cares more about our holiness than our happiness." Now, the strange - and wonderful - fact is that if we strive to be a holy Christian of character, we will find COMFORT in God and HAPPINESS in serving Him completely. The earthly things will not matter so much as we conform to HIS image, the very pattern of God. Unattainable - but something to strive for daily - to be LIKE JESUS, to surrendar all our earthly desires to His will. It is a life of sacrifice - and yet, a rich life of blessing because God provides all we NEED. HE is all we need. I could go on about the lessons I learned, the first being the concept of the "tea bag": Chrisians are like a tea bag; when we get into hot water, what is in us will come out...sadly, I've seen some ugly things come out of me! I need to be MORE changed. This book can not change you - but it can show you how GOD wants to change you, to live in His image.
June 28, 2010
The book Changed into His Image by Jim Berg is not to be taken lightly. It is an intense study on how we think and act, as individuals, and how we are designed to think and act, as created beings. No one can read this book and believe, in honesty, that he or she measures up to the standards that God has set. That said, there is hope that we can grow into the likeness that Christians are designed to reflect -- it is a life-long process.
Fortunately, I approached this book as a study rather than simply sitting down to read it. It is best absorbed in small doses with a pad and pen at the ready. There are too many places where notes should be made for further study, points should made for personal application, and biblical references captured to dig deeper. The bibliography, references to Scripture, and topical index all provide more grist for refining a perspective on God and His Word. The appendices include rich tools for study within the book and for reference if the reader is called on to provide counsel.
Although this book is highly recommended, it is not for the faint of heart and not for the one who does not desire to search his heart.
Fortunately, I approached this book as a study rather than simply sitting down to read it. It is best absorbed in small doses with a pad and pen at the ready. There are too many places where notes should be made for further study, points should made for personal application, and biblical references captured to dig deeper. The bibliography, references to Scripture, and topical index all provide more grist for refining a perspective on God and His Word. The appendices include rich tools for study within the book and for reference if the reader is called on to provide counsel.
Although this book is highly recommended, it is not for the faint of heart and not for the one who does not desire to search his heart.
December 1, 2016
I went through this as part of a counseling class. We also did the companion workbook, Taking Time to Change. I think what made this book so impactful was that we not only did the workbook, but we also discussed our answers in the workbook. There were a lot of things that I had to grudgingly answer about myself, but then to actually discuss it and discuss why it was so difficult to admit, really made me want to change it and made me see the problem that it really is.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to take a hard, serious look at themselves and what needs to change. But I would 100% recommend the workbook with it and strongly recommend doing it with a group or buddy (possibly a spouse or friend).
I think reading this book on its own would be difficult because the chapters are very long (sometimes 30 pages) and can be overwhelming. Reading one chapter a week and going back over each section definitely made it more impactful.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to take a hard, serious look at themselves and what needs to change. But I would 100% recommend the workbook with it and strongly recommend doing it with a group or buddy (possibly a spouse or friend).
I think reading this book on its own would be difficult because the chapters are very long (sometimes 30 pages) and can be overwhelming. Reading one chapter a week and going back over each section definitely made it more impactful.
December 2, 2016
We did this as our ladies Bible study and all the ladies enjoyed it. Unlike some other study books today, this one starts with our sin problem and what we need to do address it. Then it moves on to living our Christian life, becoming godly examples, and what that all looks like. The study guide was easy to read but wasn't simplistic in content. It truly is amazing, that the God of the universe wants to have a relationship with me, a sinner. The more I'm hit with that truth the more I desire to leave the things of this earth and follow Him.
March 8, 2013
This is one of the best books I have ever read! It goes beyond the surface and digs to the heart of what your life is really like. It was convicting and soul-searching, but more importantly, it didn't just state the author's opinion - the author used Scripture to back up everything he wrote. Honestly, the truths contained in the book changed the way I think, the way I act, the way I view other people, and the way I view my own life.
February 1, 2014
Berg’s book, even though a bit lengthy, is genuinely a top-quality book on how a Christian grows and changes. Written for the layperson, I found his illustrations helpful and his insights solidly biblical. IMHO, a must-read for any Christian who wants to understand the growth process in his/her life.
April 18, 2011
This is a serious, scripturally based book on being changed into the image of Christ. Reading the bible along side is a necessity. I did it as a study with a lot of women, and we became much closer as we shared with one another. Lots of great info. on parenting and discipling others who are interested in following God.
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December 15, 2012It's taken me a while to reach page 6, I admit.
After watching his videos and understanding his point of view, his life and passion, transformation has started having a teeny-weeny admirable touch to it.
I'd say it's best for group study, personal discipline and growth, and the general content is one for mature spiritual digestion.
It truly is life-changing!
After watching his videos and understanding his point of view, his life and passion, transformation has started having a teeny-weeny admirable touch to it.
I'd say it's best for group study, personal discipline and growth, and the general content is one for mature spiritual digestion.
It truly is life-changing!
November 26, 2021
A thoroughly biblical and immensely practical book on the progressive sanctification of believers. Jim Berg has done a wonderful job presenting a concise study of both the believer’s responsibility and God’s continuing work in the process of sanctification. Highly recommended and I intend to take our church through this book in the near future.
May 10, 2012
This book was used at a Bible college that my children went to.... they shared it with me... and I was so glad they did. It is the kind of book that should be read again and again...taking little bites all along the way!
December 12, 2012
A wonderful, wonderful book. It is written by Dr. Jim Berg, who serves on the staff at Bob Jones University. He wrote this book for his children to have a Godly hand-book as they were growing up. The result is a wonderful, well-written books that is not just for children, but adults as well.
July 13, 2016
This is a good, thorough book about sanctification and the issues of the heart that are involved. It is a bit lengthy as it also includes sections for disciple-makers or counselors as well as a number of helpful appendices at the end.
June 1, 2016
I highly recommend this book, for basic Christian living. We read it together as a couple every night, and it produced great conversation and fruit in our marriage. It would also be profitable for teachers, students, mentors, etc. or to be read alone.
January 17, 2017
Fantastic! Though not addressed by name, anthropology seems to be a large percentage of the book. It establishes the essential, base nature of mankind. Also, very balance in regard to sanctification- i.e definitely, not man-centered.
September 10, 2013
Great Bible study. Jim Berg teaches how to be more like Christ. This won't happen overnight. It should be our daily heart's cry to be more like Thee.
March 4, 2018
Jim Berg originally wrote Changed into His Image for his daughters, and we can all be grateful that he has made it available to larger readership. It may contain the most helpful and practical instruction I have ever received in living the Christian life, and you may find that it has a similar impact on you.
Dr. Berg's book serves as a kind of manual for Christian growth, a guide to the process of sanctification (becoming more and more holy, or, which is the same thing, becoming more and more like Jesus). As the title suggests--and as Dr. Berg makes clear early on--this book is about change. And, of course, not just any change will do. The change God works in us through sanctification is not simply to make us well-adjusted, morally upright, or happy and successful. By grace we are being empowered to become like Christ (sanctification) and to become useful to Christ (service).
God, of course, takes the initiative in the work of sanctification. It is "the process whereby the Spirit of God takes the Word of God and changes us to become like the Son of God" (p. 9). Sanctification is a reality only where the Spirit of God is actively engaged. This is unquestionably the case. Still, we have a role to play as well, and Dr. Berg's book is intended to serve as a guide for playing our role faithfully.
Essentially, there are three major responsibilities that believers have in the process of sanctification. They are laid out in Ephesians 4:22-24 and in James 1:21-25. Dr. Berg's book as a whole is organized in such a way as to walk the reader through the details of these three responsibilities. We are to (1) counter the flesh ("everything within us that attempts to make life work apart from God," p. 25), (2) cultivate a renewed mind (through meditation on Scripture), and (3) claim responsibility for the way we influence others.
You will want to read this book studiously. Dr. Berg goes deeply into each of these three areas, and he is quite thorough. If you are like me, you will want to read the book more than once, take notes, and review what you have read. Ideally, you and I would commit to memory the concepts developed in the pages of this book.
Along with helpful instruction, there are additional features that enhance the book's value. Summary charts appear throughout the text, and the appendices provide articles, forms, and processes that make the concepts of the book highly accessible.
Changed into His Image could be read in pursuit of any of a number of different purposes. It would be useful for personal or group study. It would be profitable for counselors, and it could even serve as the primary curriculum for discipleship training. Engaged or married couples who are looking for biblical help in improving their relationships would find this book helpful, as would parents and their children. (Many of Dr. Berg's concepts are applied to family living.)
There is a companion study guide to this volume entitled Taking Time to Change, and there are additional resources on the web at www.changedintohisimage.com. This book and all its supporting materials were prepared to teach us how to live faithfully before God.
Secure a copy of this book and read it. Mark it. Learn it. And absorb it. It will convict you of the sin, aimlessness, and lack of discipline that characterize your walk with Christ, but it will also guide you to a new level of intimate fellowship with Christ and usefulness to Him.
Dr. Berg's book serves as a kind of manual for Christian growth, a guide to the process of sanctification (becoming more and more holy, or, which is the same thing, becoming more and more like Jesus). As the title suggests--and as Dr. Berg makes clear early on--this book is about change. And, of course, not just any change will do. The change God works in us through sanctification is not simply to make us well-adjusted, morally upright, or happy and successful. By grace we are being empowered to become like Christ (sanctification) and to become useful to Christ (service).
God, of course, takes the initiative in the work of sanctification. It is "the process whereby the Spirit of God takes the Word of God and changes us to become like the Son of God" (p. 9). Sanctification is a reality only where the Spirit of God is actively engaged. This is unquestionably the case. Still, we have a role to play as well, and Dr. Berg's book is intended to serve as a guide for playing our role faithfully.
Essentially, there are three major responsibilities that believers have in the process of sanctification. They are laid out in Ephesians 4:22-24 and in James 1:21-25. Dr. Berg's book as a whole is organized in such a way as to walk the reader through the details of these three responsibilities. We are to (1) counter the flesh ("everything within us that attempts to make life work apart from God," p. 25), (2) cultivate a renewed mind (through meditation on Scripture), and (3) claim responsibility for the way we influence others.
You will want to read this book studiously. Dr. Berg goes deeply into each of these three areas, and he is quite thorough. If you are like me, you will want to read the book more than once, take notes, and review what you have read. Ideally, you and I would commit to memory the concepts developed in the pages of this book.
Along with helpful instruction, there are additional features that enhance the book's value. Summary charts appear throughout the text, and the appendices provide articles, forms, and processes that make the concepts of the book highly accessible.
Changed into His Image could be read in pursuit of any of a number of different purposes. It would be useful for personal or group study. It would be profitable for counselors, and it could even serve as the primary curriculum for discipleship training. Engaged or married couples who are looking for biblical help in improving their relationships would find this book helpful, as would parents and their children. (Many of Dr. Berg's concepts are applied to family living.)
There is a companion study guide to this volume entitled Taking Time to Change, and there are additional resources on the web at www.changedintohisimage.com. This book and all its supporting materials were prepared to teach us how to live faithfully before God.
Secure a copy of this book and read it. Mark it. Learn it. And absorb it. It will convict you of the sin, aimlessness, and lack of discipline that characterize your walk with Christ, but it will also guide you to a new level of intimate fellowship with Christ and usefulness to Him.
April 18, 2022
This content has the potential to usher you into a deeper relationship with the Judeo/Christian God of the bible. When read with an open mind and heart, it will bring an understanding and desire to know God more fully and to see how it is accomplished. Obtaining loving union with Him in a real and consistent way is meant to be a reality in our lives. But - often it is not. There are reasons why it is not and we can know what they are and enter in!
Although I consider this book an "easy read" and many of the examples over-simplified, it will take you as deep as you want to go. The simplicity that is in Christ is not complicated, but it is profound! God's directives can be understood and appropriated at any level - there is always more to learn and exercise in our practical lives. I "see" my past, present and future in a new light now. God's ways and truth never change - but we do - for better or worse. This book brings the puzzle pieces of God's bedrock truths into clear focus. I highly recommend it to anyone: those seeking God, those newly born again, those in the doldrums of a languishing spiritual life, and us "old-timers" in the faith. Everyone can benefit!
Although I consider this book an "easy read" and many of the examples over-simplified, it will take you as deep as you want to go. The simplicity that is in Christ is not complicated, but it is profound! God's directives can be understood and appropriated at any level - there is always more to learn and exercise in our practical lives. I "see" my past, present and future in a new light now. God's ways and truth never change - but we do - for better or worse. This book brings the puzzle pieces of God's bedrock truths into clear focus. I highly recommend it to anyone: those seeking God, those newly born again, those in the doldrums of a languishing spiritual life, and us "old-timers" in the faith. Everyone can benefit!
January 24, 2019
This book probably falls closer to a 2.5 star book for me. On the one hand, the book frequently used the vocabulary of my legalistic upbringing. It’s possible that I was reading more of my background into Berg’s words than intended, which would mean that my cringing says more about reactions to my past than Berg’s actual arguments and thoughts. The legalistic language was especially prominent in the appendices to the book.
On the other hand, the rest of the book did a decent job at giving practical direction towards pursuing sanctification, while not boiling everything down into inflexible formulas. This facet of the book can be helpful for setting up a jumping off point from which to set plans to pursue growth in your Christian life.
Which, is why I’m vacillating between the 2.5 and 3 stars. I do believe that there are helpful portions in this book, but the legalistic assumptions connected with them offset much of its value.
On the other hand, the rest of the book did a decent job at giving practical direction towards pursuing sanctification, while not boiling everything down into inflexible formulas. This facet of the book can be helpful for setting up a jumping off point from which to set plans to pursue growth in your Christian life.
Which, is why I’m vacillating between the 2.5 and 3 stars. I do believe that there are helpful portions in this book, but the legalistic assumptions connected with them offset much of its value.
September 4, 2018
This book lays out the Christian walk that should be. There is no pulling punches and for those that find it boring I would encourage you to examine your definition of salvation and how it impacts your life. There is so much in this book to unpack that a single reading isn't sufficient. This book may easily become my devotional book as I re-read it and evaluate my walk as I use it along side the Bible in my daily walk.
May 14, 2021
This book is excellent. It helps the believer see his heart the way God sees it, and then offers a Biblical method to "Change Into His Image." I highly recommend this book. It is one that should be read often. The only negative is that it contains examples of rather "adult" sins and so I am very hesitant to use it with my teens and pre-teens. If it were not for these examples, it would make a great family Bible study. I wish he had been more discrete.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews