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Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival
OVER 400,000 COPIES SOLD! Revival isn’t just an emotional experience. It’s a complete transformation. It can happen in your heart, in your home, in your church, and in your world. Restore your first love. Develop a heartfelt desire for God’s Word. Resolve conflicts. Repair relationships. Remove bitterness, fear, and worry. Refresh your spirit. Renew your mind. Reenergize your life. You can get back your passion and zeal for the Lord. Begin by Seeking Him! "Seeking Him was transformative for me. ... It brought me nearer to the Father and helped me learn how to seek Him with joy. I totally believe it can do the same for everybody else." Jackie Hill Perry, Author, speaker, artist "Every pastor’s dream. Finally! A guide to assist every member in personal revival and every church in corporate revival." Tony Evans, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship "An intimate and insightful guide to holy living, a heaven-blessed soul, and a happy heart that can’t help but to be on fire for the Lord Jesus!" Joni Earackson Tada, Joni and Friends
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
202 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
84 books254 followersNancy DeMoss Wolgemuth also known as Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the host and teacher for Revive Our Hearts and Seeking Him, two nationally-syndicated programs heard each weekday on over 1,000 radio stations. She is a mentor and spiritual mother to thousands of women and a leader of the True Woman movement.
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May 1, 2012Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom have produced a magnificent interactive study for those who want to go deeper with God, and experience Christ’s grace and empowerment in every area of their lives. Seeking Him will help you examine yourself in light of Scripture. It will take you to God’s throne, where you’ll realize He alone can meet your deepest needs, and He alone is worthy of your worship. I highly recommend this work.
January 30, 2025
Absolutely loved going through this study—-this will always stay in my collection.
April 19, 2016
We did this as a ladies Bible study at our church and everyone had positive reviews. Unlike some studies, it forces you to confront various issues and really think about how God views them and what you've overlooked. I think many people rate sins and see dishonesty, pride as not that bad. This book shows that all sin is serious and we need to keep an open communication with God and confess any sin we find in our hearts.
The study is broken into 5 days with 2-3 pages per day. Then there are about 9 group study questions that summarize the whole week. The reading each day wasn't overwhelming but it struck deep. Most of the ladies in our group were moms of young kids or working full time outside the home and they were able to do the reading easily.
I believe Christians at all stages of maturity in their faith would benefit from reading this. I know some people had negative reviews because the material was depressing. They didn't want to think about what sin is apparently because that's the nature of sin! It's not pretty and it's not pleasant to think about all the ways we fail. But if we never acknowledge those sins, how will we ever confess and change?
Overall this was an eye opening book and I'm glad we did it. It renewed in me a desire to study God's Word and know Him better.
The study is broken into 5 days with 2-3 pages per day. Then there are about 9 group study questions that summarize the whole week. The reading each day wasn't overwhelming but it struck deep. Most of the ladies in our group were moms of young kids or working full time outside the home and they were able to do the reading easily.
I believe Christians at all stages of maturity in their faith would benefit from reading this. I know some people had negative reviews because the material was depressing. They didn't want to think about what sin is apparently because that's the nature of sin! It's not pretty and it's not pleasant to think about all the ways we fail. But if we never acknowledge those sins, how will we ever confess and change?
Overall this was an eye opening book and I'm glad we did it. It renewed in me a desire to study God's Word and know Him better.
October 31, 2020
A summertime deep dive into this incredible study with some very dear friends. Highly recommend this!
March 22, 2020
***DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FOR FREE FROM MOODY PUBLISHERS TO REVIEW***
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom constructed the 12-week Bible study titled Seeking Him: Experiencing The Joy Of Personal Revival. This is the first book I have reviewed for Moody Publishers this year. After taking a brief hiatus from book-reviewing, I decided to review this book that has, according to the “MPNewsroom” website, sold over 400,000 copies. Because of the high number of copies this book has sold, it is important to see whether or not what it has to offer is in alignment with the Word of God.
Before I get into the content and structure of this book, it is worth noting the people that endorsed this book. Sadly, some of the more prominent heretics, false teachers and Gospel compromisers endorse this book. This includes but is not limited to Jackie Hill Perry, Tony Evans, Greg Laurie, Kay Arthur, Crawford W. Loritts Jr., and Mark Jobe. Despite that alarming list of endorsements, that alone is not reason enough to either affirm or reject this book. Regardless of who affirms or rejects any book, an analysis of the content should always be considered if not outright performed.
Structure-wise, this book has an introduction and brief sections about both how to get the most out of this study and how to lead a church through this study (pp. viii-xv). Twelve lessons follow (pp. 1-252). Weirdly, a section on suggestions for group leaders immediately follows lesson twelve (pp. 253-256). Given that this book seems to be designed for both interaction and leading a church through the study, it would have made more sense to put that section before the sections on the lessons. After all, it would have better equipped the group leaders for the twelve lessons before they started instead of afterwards. Finally, some pages of acknowledgements and information about the authors conclude this book (pp. 257-259).
In the introduction, the authors try to sell the reader on the idea of experiencing personal revival (p. viii). They define revival as “what happens when God’s people, whether individually or corporately, are restored to a right relationship with Him. Revival is a supernatural work of God — it is not something we can manufacture or package” (p. ix). In defining this word, they use no biblical texts for support. This is basically their own manmade definition. Already I have a problem; not only are these authors trying to sell me something, but they do not even appeal to either a historical Bible teaching or the Word of God itself in their selling points. Instead, it is their own manmade doctrine.
One thing I did appreciate was the authors’ clear design for the study. I went through this book in about three weeks. According to the authors, however, the design of the study is to be twelve weeks or longer (p. xiii). Furthermore, the study is ideally more for small groups than it is for individuals (p. xiii). However, an individual can still discover why no group should partake in this study (more on that later).
It should be noted that this study was originally released in 2004 (p. xv). Furthermore, it appears many a church leader used this study “as a combined, church-wide experience” (p. xv). Given that, it is definitely important to see what the contents of this study offer.
As mentioned earlier, this book has twelve lessons. Each lesson has six elements. Furthermore, these elements are spread over the course of five days (presumably for a Monday-Friday format). Here are the elements (pp. xiii-xiv):
Going Deeper In The Word – This is a sidebar feature that contains various Bible passages for the reader to read. A memory verse is featured right above it.
Faith-Builder Story – Covering day one, these “inspirational, true” stories (albeit subjective) are meant to acquaint the reader with the theme of the lesson.
Truth Encounter – Covering days 2-4, this section aims to help one grow in the “understanding of the heart and ways of God” via the study of Bible passages related to the lesson.
Making It Personal – Covering day five, this section contains questions meant to engage the reader in “personal reflection and response.”
Seeking Him Together – This section contains questions meant to “guide group discussion and prayer time.”
Memory Verses, Key Points, Tips, Insights and Quotes – This is sidebar information throughout the lesson. This consists of background information, quotes and Bible verses.
From a structure standpoint, I cannot argue with this format: it provides clarity, it provides order, and it makes the study easy to do. “Bible studies” that provide order, clarity, and simplicity can be effective if the content is good
Speaking of content, this book absolutely suffers in that category. First, the Bible passages in this book are often ripped out of context. Second, the questions in this study are atrocious. For example, in day two of the first lesson, the reader is instructed to read Hosea 10:12-13 (p. 5). There is already a problem because context would demand the reader start at Hosea 4:1 in that particular section. After the Scripture reading, the reader is then asked in regards to Hosea 10:12, “What do you think it means to ‘break up your fallow ground’” (p. 6). This type of question invites all kinds of potential errors to arise. One must understand that truth is outside of us. Truth is in the Scriptures (John 17:17; see also 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 12:6 and Malachi 3:6). Therefore, the question shouldn’t be, “what do you think it means to break up your fallow ground.” Rather, the question should be, “what does that verse mean?” Sadly, this instance is not in a vacuum in this book; this type of thing (be it out-of-context passages, awful questions, or even narcigesis and passages with unnecessary omissions) occurs throughout the book (pp. 26, 28, 30, 86, 106, 108, 130, 133, 136, 145, 167, 173-174, 220).
Another problem with this book involves its sixth element. The memory verses this element features are often out of context. Furthermore, the authors could have done a much better job in who they quoted. While not every source quoted was a bad one (Voddie Baucham, C.S. Lewis, R.C. Sproul, Jonathan Edwards and C.H. Spurgeon being some of the better non-Bible sources the authors quoted to name a few), there is no excuse for quoting such compromisers, false teachers, hirelings and the like such as Jackie Hill Perry, Francis Chan, Rosaria Butterfield, Greg Laurie, Roy Hession, Jen Wilken, Tony Evans, Tim Keller, Blll Bright and David Jeremiah, (pp. 9, 33, 39, 49, 67, 71, 91, 99, 135, 142, 153, 209, 221, 230).
CONCLUSION
I really hope that the 400,000+ people that purchased this book recognize this book for what it’s worth; it’s a book with little discernment, some to much irreverence for the Word of God and bogus questions that should not be asked or encouraged in any Bible study. I hope people understand that amount of copies sold for a book don’t automatically make the book a good one. One would be wise to refrain from using this book in a Bible study, much less a church-wide experience.
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom constructed the 12-week Bible study titled Seeking Him: Experiencing The Joy Of Personal Revival. This is the first book I have reviewed for Moody Publishers this year. After taking a brief hiatus from book-reviewing, I decided to review this book that has, according to the “MPNewsroom” website, sold over 400,000 copies. Because of the high number of copies this book has sold, it is important to see whether or not what it has to offer is in alignment with the Word of God.
Before I get into the content and structure of this book, it is worth noting the people that endorsed this book. Sadly, some of the more prominent heretics, false teachers and Gospel compromisers endorse this book. This includes but is not limited to Jackie Hill Perry, Tony Evans, Greg Laurie, Kay Arthur, Crawford W. Loritts Jr., and Mark Jobe. Despite that alarming list of endorsements, that alone is not reason enough to either affirm or reject this book. Regardless of who affirms or rejects any book, an analysis of the content should always be considered if not outright performed.
Structure-wise, this book has an introduction and brief sections about both how to get the most out of this study and how to lead a church through this study (pp. viii-xv). Twelve lessons follow (pp. 1-252). Weirdly, a section on suggestions for group leaders immediately follows lesson twelve (pp. 253-256). Given that this book seems to be designed for both interaction and leading a church through the study, it would have made more sense to put that section before the sections on the lessons. After all, it would have better equipped the group leaders for the twelve lessons before they started instead of afterwards. Finally, some pages of acknowledgements and information about the authors conclude this book (pp. 257-259).
In the introduction, the authors try to sell the reader on the idea of experiencing personal revival (p. viii). They define revival as “what happens when God’s people, whether individually or corporately, are restored to a right relationship with Him. Revival is a supernatural work of God — it is not something we can manufacture or package” (p. ix). In defining this word, they use no biblical texts for support. This is basically their own manmade definition. Already I have a problem; not only are these authors trying to sell me something, but they do not even appeal to either a historical Bible teaching or the Word of God itself in their selling points. Instead, it is their own manmade doctrine.
One thing I did appreciate was the authors’ clear design for the study. I went through this book in about three weeks. According to the authors, however, the design of the study is to be twelve weeks or longer (p. xiii). Furthermore, the study is ideally more for small groups than it is for individuals (p. xiii). However, an individual can still discover why no group should partake in this study (more on that later).
It should be noted that this study was originally released in 2004 (p. xv). Furthermore, it appears many a church leader used this study “as a combined, church-wide experience” (p. xv). Given that, it is definitely important to see what the contents of this study offer.
As mentioned earlier, this book has twelve lessons. Each lesson has six elements. Furthermore, these elements are spread over the course of five days (presumably for a Monday-Friday format). Here are the elements (pp. xiii-xiv):
Going Deeper In The Word – This is a sidebar feature that contains various Bible passages for the reader to read. A memory verse is featured right above it.
Faith-Builder Story – Covering day one, these “inspirational, true” stories (albeit subjective) are meant to acquaint the reader with the theme of the lesson.
Truth Encounter – Covering days 2-4, this section aims to help one grow in the “understanding of the heart and ways of God” via the study of Bible passages related to the lesson.
Making It Personal – Covering day five, this section contains questions meant to engage the reader in “personal reflection and response.”
Seeking Him Together – This section contains questions meant to “guide group discussion and prayer time.”
Memory Verses, Key Points, Tips, Insights and Quotes – This is sidebar information throughout the lesson. This consists of background information, quotes and Bible verses.
From a structure standpoint, I cannot argue with this format: it provides clarity, it provides order, and it makes the study easy to do. “Bible studies” that provide order, clarity, and simplicity can be effective if the content is good
Speaking of content, this book absolutely suffers in that category. First, the Bible passages in this book are often ripped out of context. Second, the questions in this study are atrocious. For example, in day two of the first lesson, the reader is instructed to read Hosea 10:12-13 (p. 5). There is already a problem because context would demand the reader start at Hosea 4:1 in that particular section. After the Scripture reading, the reader is then asked in regards to Hosea 10:12, “What do you think it means to ‘break up your fallow ground’” (p. 6). This type of question invites all kinds of potential errors to arise. One must understand that truth is outside of us. Truth is in the Scriptures (John 17:17; see also 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 12:6 and Malachi 3:6). Therefore, the question shouldn’t be, “what do you think it means to break up your fallow ground.” Rather, the question should be, “what does that verse mean?” Sadly, this instance is not in a vacuum in this book; this type of thing (be it out-of-context passages, awful questions, or even narcigesis and passages with unnecessary omissions) occurs throughout the book (pp. 26, 28, 30, 86, 106, 108, 130, 133, 136, 145, 167, 173-174, 220).
Another problem with this book involves its sixth element. The memory verses this element features are often out of context. Furthermore, the authors could have done a much better job in who they quoted. While not every source quoted was a bad one (Voddie Baucham, C.S. Lewis, R.C. Sproul, Jonathan Edwards and C.H. Spurgeon being some of the better non-Bible sources the authors quoted to name a few), there is no excuse for quoting such compromisers, false teachers, hirelings and the like such as Jackie Hill Perry, Francis Chan, Rosaria Butterfield, Greg Laurie, Roy Hession, Jen Wilken, Tony Evans, Tim Keller, Blll Bright and David Jeremiah, (pp. 9, 33, 39, 49, 67, 71, 91, 99, 135, 142, 153, 209, 221, 230).
CONCLUSION
I really hope that the 400,000+ people that purchased this book recognize this book for what it’s worth; it’s a book with little discernment, some to much irreverence for the Word of God and bogus questions that should not be asked or encouraged in any Bible study. I hope people understand that amount of copies sold for a book don’t automatically make the book a good one. One would be wise to refrain from using this book in a Bible study, much less a church-wide experience.
May 3, 2011
Our church chose this book for a womens bible study. Two different groups, one met Tuesday mornings, one Thursday evenings. I led the Tuesday morning group, and for the most part it was an older group (grandmothers and great grandmothers) of women, which may have impacted how this study went.
We found this book to be rather depressing. For at least 9 of the weeks we were "digging deep" and finding all the things we had ever done, thought, or possibly done wrong in our lives. There were constant, page after page, lists of "problem areas" to look for in our lives. It got to the point where you felt guilty for things you might have thought, it just went on and on listing all the problems in lives..
There was very little scripture to look up. The few chapters we enjoyed the most had scriptures for us to look up, compare, interpret.. those lessons we enjoyed. The last two lessons, week 11 and 12, were much more positive.. but 2 weeks at the end of a 12 week study? Had I not been part of this group, I would have never made it that far with this book.
Each chapter starts with a real life story of someone who has a sin in their lives, confesses it, and deals with large consequences.. either going back 15 years to tell a boss they stole something, or announcing to their congregation that they are involved in sexual sins, things along that line. I had already read the book Brokenness by this author, so I knew about the revival series, and assumed that is where most of these stories came from. Some of the women in our group, not familiar with that background, were really skeptical that ALL of those stories could be true, there were just too many of them.
It ended up being a wonderful 12 weeks. I got to know older women in our congregation that I may never have gotten to know well otherwise. We had great discussions, and great fellowship.
But I wouldn't recommend this book, nor ever choose to use it for another study group.
We found this book to be rather depressing. For at least 9 of the weeks we were "digging deep" and finding all the things we had ever done, thought, or possibly done wrong in our lives. There were constant, page after page, lists of "problem areas" to look for in our lives. It got to the point where you felt guilty for things you might have thought, it just went on and on listing all the problems in lives..
There was very little scripture to look up. The few chapters we enjoyed the most had scriptures for us to look up, compare, interpret.. those lessons we enjoyed. The last two lessons, week 11 and 12, were much more positive.. but 2 weeks at the end of a 12 week study? Had I not been part of this group, I would have never made it that far with this book.
Each chapter starts with a real life story of someone who has a sin in their lives, confesses it, and deals with large consequences.. either going back 15 years to tell a boss they stole something, or announcing to their congregation that they are involved in sexual sins, things along that line. I had already read the book Brokenness by this author, so I knew about the revival series, and assumed that is where most of these stories came from. Some of the women in our group, not familiar with that background, were really skeptical that ALL of those stories could be true, there were just too many of them.
It ended up being a wonderful 12 weeks. I got to know older women in our congregation that I may never have gotten to know well otherwise. We had great discussions, and great fellowship.
But I wouldn't recommend this book, nor ever choose to use it for another study group.
January 31, 2021
Seeking Him is a wonderful devotional about seeking God deeper and coming back to the one who initiated our relationship with Him.
As someone whose first time doing a devotional like this, I was unsure of what to expect from it.
But this plan turned out to exceed my expectations and more. It talked about revival and defined it in a deeper and meaningful way. It talked about all the various kinds fo topics such as sin, the Holy Spirit and used real life stories and examples to make it relatable.
I love how Scripture focused this plan was. Everything that was stated was backed up with some sort of Scripture to ensure that it was straight from the Bible. Certain parts of this plan convicted me for sure and I found myself seeing things about myself that I didn't know were there, allowing me to change for the better.
Easy to follow and speaks straight to the heart, this plan is wonderful as it is life-changing.
Thank you Moody Publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
As someone whose first time doing a devotional like this, I was unsure of what to expect from it.
But this plan turned out to exceed my expectations and more. It talked about revival and defined it in a deeper and meaningful way. It talked about all the various kinds fo topics such as sin, the Holy Spirit and used real life stories and examples to make it relatable.
I love how Scripture focused this plan was. Everything that was stated was backed up with some sort of Scripture to ensure that it was straight from the Bible. Certain parts of this plan convicted me for sure and I found myself seeing things about myself that I didn't know were there, allowing me to change for the better.
Easy to follow and speaks straight to the heart, this plan is wonderful as it is life-changing.
Thank you Moody Publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 29, 2016
What makes this book on revival unique is that it’s loaded with clear and uncertain direction in how to have a personal revival. The seemingly simple topics – humbling yourself, honesty, repentance, grace, holiness, obedience, a clear conscience, forgiveness, sexual purity, the Holy Spirit, a personal devotional life – are like fire and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).
It’s formatted as a workbook, so it can be used individually, or in a small group, or as a resource for guiding others in spiritual renewal. Coinciding worksheets are also available online that are very useful.
It’s formatted as a workbook, so it can be used individually, or in a small group, or as a resource for guiding others in spiritual renewal. Coinciding worksheets are also available online that are very useful.
February 8, 2015
The book covers a wide range of topics under the broad theme of how to experience a closer walk with God. I would say that most, if not all, of those topics are better covered in other sources. However, the strength of the book is as a group study, and being able to look at all of the topics in one volume together.
{Read my full review here}
{Read my full review here}
August 20, 2007
WOW! A life changing book on experiencing personal revival. Things I didn't know and needed to...to experience personal revival and what's required to have those truly transparent relationships to get there. You think you know alot until you read this and find out how very much we still must learn to get it right. Awesome read! Highly recommend this!
March 4, 2008
My husband and I did this series with our small group at church and it was great! It really forces you to look at your life and realize things about yourself. It is a life changing book on personal revival. I would highly recommend this book and if you read it, do it with a group or at least one other person so you can discuss what you are reading to get the most out of the series.
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November 9, 2008This was an excellent Bible Study addressing personal revival by addressing issues in one's own life. Humility, honesty, repentance, grace, holiness, obedience, having a clear conscience, forgiveness, purity, being filled with the Spirit and "Seeking Him" daily, are all topics that are covered. This is one of the best studies I've participated in.
May 31, 2007
This is actually a Bible study, but it is one of the most convicting ones I've studied yet. Totally humbling experience if you let it be. Kind of makes you feel like crap, but hopefully that will spur on changes.
August 4, 2009
Was a really good way of delving into some significant places of the heart--such as unforgivness and pride--to prepare for a revival of the spirit.
October 19, 2009
Half-way through this study book now. Takes you through a process to prepare your heart for personal revival. Makes you look honestly at the true condition of your heart. Good study!
January 7, 2010
Our women's Bible study did this book. I did miss a few chapters while away.
June 30, 2014
So far so good. Im loving this book. This is what were reading in small groups. :)
January 7, 2011
Most in depth, soul searching, breaking the fallow ground of your heart bible study I have ever done.
March 20, 2012
This was an excellent bible study that helps anyone desiring to seek a more personal relationship with Christ.
July 23, 2012
Excellent Bible Study...personal, Biblical, thot-provoking. Would be great for a small group study!
July 30, 2012
Produced a mighty work of God in my life. When we seek Him, we will find Him!
September 1, 2012
Excellent Study
March 7, 2013
Desiring a deeper seek of God? buy and get to studying Seeking Him. This devotional is an essential to building one spiritual discipline and resetting the heart for personal revival.
June 9, 2013
Wonderful Bible study
January 28, 2017
Meh, 3 and a half stars. It would occasionally get legalistic and vague. Made for better discussion groups rather than a read alone.
August 13, 2023
Super encouraging and convicting.
January 31, 2019
Good; includes daily readings but some exercises can be pretty involved for small groups where members all within and have young families.
This requires I pretty solid commitment of time. It does very well with exercises that lead readers to dig deeply into where they are in sanctification and what sins they are convicted about by God.
This is not a lightweight daily devotional.
This requires I pretty solid commitment of time. It does very well with exercises that lead readers to dig deeply into where they are in sanctification and what sins they are convicted about by God.
This is not a lightweight daily devotional.
August 19, 2019
This is designed to be for personal or group study. You have five days of study material. Nancy as always has created a deeply personal experience with your Heavenly Father. How to reclaim personal forgiveness, remove pride and become humble. Ability to see the world as a deep place desperate for love and acceptance. The world needs hope but you have to experience it first.
March 11, 2020
Although Nancy is a teacher of women, we men can learn from her, too. Seeking God is for anyone who truly wants to know Him, serve Him, and love Him better. Four-stars because I found the layout a bit confusing.
June 5, 2018
This is a deep and convicting study.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews