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Training: How Do I Grow as A Christian?
The Christian life is many things, so it can be hard to know how exactly we should live it. Training is a guide to show new Christians just that—how you should live and grow. Walking through the basic spiritual disciplines, Training uses short stories to show how you can love God and your neighbor. What does it look like to follow Jesus, listen to God, talk to God, love your spiritual family and love the lost? That’s what this book is all about.
- GenresChristianDiscipleship
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2019
12 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Adams
36 books9 followersAdams studied journalism and religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Masters of Divinity from Southern Seminary. Isaac served briefly overseas with the International Mission Board before serving on staff with organizations like Together for the Gospel, CROSS Conference, and The Front Porch.
In 2017, he founded United? We Pray, a ministry devoted to praying about racial strife—especially between Christians. He is the lead pastor of Iron City Church in Birmingham.
In 2017, he founded United? We Pray, a ministry devoted to praying about racial strife—especially between Christians. He is the lead pastor of Iron City Church in Birmingham.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 18, 2021
Isaac Adams has blessed the wider church (and the local church) with this gem of a little book geared toward helping new Christians begin to sprout and grow with deep roots and wider reach. While some works on spiritual disciplines either (a) get too laborious or (b) confuse the relationship between divine grace and human responsibility, Adams offers both distinct clarity and solid meat.
Adams breaks the growth elements of a Christian into two categories: personal training and public training. Elements of personal training include discipleship, listening to God through the Bible, prayer, and worship. Public training would include involvement in a church family and committing to evangelism to seek others so they might know Jesus. There is an obvious overlap between the two categories and each spiritual discipline is interdependent on the other, which even Adams would admit. For example, one cannot become a better disciple without commitment to the Scriptures and prayer, etc. Adams does a great job of showing these connections along the way without breaking the pace of the book.
The book's pace and journey is one's of its great strengths. No chapter breaks twenty pages, and sections are kept short so that the reader gets the sense of making good progress through the material, but there are always exhortations worth chewing on more slowly. Two key areas come to mind:
On discipleship: "A solo disciple is a contradiction in terms...In fact, following Jesus is a pretty public thing. Just as there are no solo disciples, there are no secret disciples. Disciples are...meant to be billboards you can see, not ninjas you can't."
On prayer, and what we ask for when we pray in Jesus' name: "The point isn't that we robotically say the words 'In Jesus' name' at the end of our prayers, as if that phrase is a kind of heavenly hall pass for our prayers. Our hope isn't that God hears our prayers because we say the right words; our hope is that God hears our prayers because of Jesus. Sometimes, Christians want a big sign to prove God is there and that He listens. But we have something better than a sign; we have a Savior."
Another strength of the book is the parallel story Adams builds in, the experience of a new follower of Jesus named Jason. Jason's struggles, experiences, and breakthroughs mirror the teaching of the book so that the reader has a hypothetical, yet flesh-and-blood, example to gauge how this might take root.
A couple of questions cloaked as criticisms might arise regarding any book on spiritual disciplines and growth in grace. One might be the issue of how churchmanship might sway the emphasis of the author. I can safely say that of course, there will be differences between two different people. Adams, a Baptist, will say things differently than I, an Anglican, might at particular junctures. On the chapter on the church, we might agree to disagree on who receives baptism and what it represents. But that is not the issue. The issue is, how do what we call the spiritual disciplines appear to a new believer (or even a pre-believer), and how can we adjust our thinking to empathize with them on their path as they grow in grace, and how can we participate in that?
That leads to another matter in which I think Adams does yeoman work. Sometimes--in the wider Reformed tradition of which I am a part--you'll hear people say "But salvation is more than just the believer being justified and growing individually in the grace of Christ! There are cosmic dimensions to this! Our salvation leads to impact for creation care, social justice, and _______ (fill in the blank with the issue du jour)." Yes, Abraham Kuyper stressed the thoroughness of redemption and how it's not just a Christian saying "it's just me-and-Jesus". The application of redemption goes wider than we can even imagine. But Adams has a singular (and proper, I might add) goal for this book, to ask "How do we get spiritual infants to start walking?" And the truth is, we can't turn on the fire hose and expect them to stand. As Bill Murray said in "What About Bob?", it's baby steps. If I'm coaching players who are new to football, I start with the basics and maybe they can play out of the I-formation; to expect them to master fifteen different formations and strategies is unhelpful and damaging. Adams does his greatest service by having a targeted aim and getting us to think about how we can help train new followers of Jesus. Plenty of other books can go into greater depth on other matters. Adams has written a concise masterpiece for a solely needed purpose.
Adams breaks the growth elements of a Christian into two categories: personal training and public training. Elements of personal training include discipleship, listening to God through the Bible, prayer, and worship. Public training would include involvement in a church family and committing to evangelism to seek others so they might know Jesus. There is an obvious overlap between the two categories and each spiritual discipline is interdependent on the other, which even Adams would admit. For example, one cannot become a better disciple without commitment to the Scriptures and prayer, etc. Adams does a great job of showing these connections along the way without breaking the pace of the book.
The book's pace and journey is one's of its great strengths. No chapter breaks twenty pages, and sections are kept short so that the reader gets the sense of making good progress through the material, but there are always exhortations worth chewing on more slowly. Two key areas come to mind:
On discipleship: "A solo disciple is a contradiction in terms...In fact, following Jesus is a pretty public thing. Just as there are no solo disciples, there are no secret disciples. Disciples are...meant to be billboards you can see, not ninjas you can't."
On prayer, and what we ask for when we pray in Jesus' name: "The point isn't that we robotically say the words 'In Jesus' name' at the end of our prayers, as if that phrase is a kind of heavenly hall pass for our prayers. Our hope isn't that God hears our prayers because we say the right words; our hope is that God hears our prayers because of Jesus. Sometimes, Christians want a big sign to prove God is there and that He listens. But we have something better than a sign; we have a Savior."
Another strength of the book is the parallel story Adams builds in, the experience of a new follower of Jesus named Jason. Jason's struggles, experiences, and breakthroughs mirror the teaching of the book so that the reader has a hypothetical, yet flesh-and-blood, example to gauge how this might take root.
A couple of questions cloaked as criticisms might arise regarding any book on spiritual disciplines and growth in grace. One might be the issue of how churchmanship might sway the emphasis of the author. I can safely say that of course, there will be differences between two different people. Adams, a Baptist, will say things differently than I, an Anglican, might at particular junctures. On the chapter on the church, we might agree to disagree on who receives baptism and what it represents. But that is not the issue. The issue is, how do what we call the spiritual disciplines appear to a new believer (or even a pre-believer), and how can we adjust our thinking to empathize with them on their path as they grow in grace, and how can we participate in that?
That leads to another matter in which I think Adams does yeoman work. Sometimes--in the wider Reformed tradition of which I am a part--you'll hear people say "But salvation is more than just the believer being justified and growing individually in the grace of Christ! There are cosmic dimensions to this! Our salvation leads to impact for creation care, social justice, and _______ (fill in the blank with the issue du jour)." Yes, Abraham Kuyper stressed the thoroughness of redemption and how it's not just a Christian saying "it's just me-and-Jesus". The application of redemption goes wider than we can even imagine. But Adams has a singular (and proper, I might add) goal for this book, to ask "How do we get spiritual infants to start walking?" And the truth is, we can't turn on the fire hose and expect them to stand. As Bill Murray said in "What About Bob?", it's baby steps. If I'm coaching players who are new to football, I start with the basics and maybe they can play out of the I-formation; to expect them to master fifteen different formations and strategies is unhelpful and damaging. Adams does his greatest service by having a targeted aim and getting us to think about how we can help train new followers of Jesus. Plenty of other books can go into greater depth on other matters. Adams has written a concise masterpiece for a solely needed purpose.
May 22, 2024
Read with a member of CHC.
Great intro to the Christian life, how to grow and be trained for godliness in the context of the local church.
Great intro to the Christian life, how to grow and be trained for godliness in the context of the local church.
August 9, 2023
"Training - How Do I Grow as a Christians?" is part of the First Step series from 9Marks. It's listed as seventh in order, but I've only read one other from the series, "Believe."
In my context, I minister to college students. Many of whom are new to the Christian faith. All ten books might be great, but I see incredible value in paring "Believe" and "Training" together (in that order) to work through with students. I look forward to testing it out with a student this fall semester.
Isaac Adams did a great job distilling the basics of what a new Christian needs to start growing in his or her faith.
In my context, I minister to college students. Many of whom are new to the Christian faith. All ten books might be great, but I see incredible value in paring "Believe" and "Training" together (in that order) to work through with students. I look forward to testing it out with a student this fall semester.
Isaac Adams did a great job distilling the basics of what a new Christian needs to start growing in his or her faith.
December 3, 2023
Such a helpful book! I especially enjoyed the sections on Bible study and the church.
Left with one question… is Jason really Isaac? (The part about him being of Irish descent threw me off, though. Hmmm…) ;)
Left with one question… is Jason really Isaac? (The part about him being of Irish descent threw me off, though. Hmmm…) ;)
January 15, 2021
Crawl - Walk - Run!
Isaac Adams writes about following Jesus like a coach of players brand new to a game. Using a sample figure through the book he highlights the challenges new Christians will face. His sample figure isn’t an D1 running back but someone lacing cleats for the first time! He sets a realistic tone for growth and gracious hand to help when one gets tripped up.
Even the layout matches goal. Breaking up the text with questions and highlights in BOLD makes it feel like Adams is in a conversation making sure you’re able to grasp what he’s saying before moving on.
This is a great tool to use with anyone who’s learning to follow Jesus!
Isaac Adams writes about following Jesus like a coach of players brand new to a game. Using a sample figure through the book he highlights the challenges new Christians will face. His sample figure isn’t an D1 running back but someone lacing cleats for the first time! He sets a realistic tone for growth and gracious hand to help when one gets tripped up.
Even the layout matches goal. Breaking up the text with questions and highlights in BOLD makes it feel like Adams is in a conversation making sure you’re able to grasp what he’s saying before moving on.
This is a great tool to use with anyone who’s learning to follow Jesus!
April 25, 2020
I wish I could give this book 6 stars! Honestly, this was such an encouragement to me. Even as a believer for a number of years, this encouraged and reminded me to focus on the basics. Adams explains the necessary foundational basics of reading your bible, worship, prayer, and many more, all with helpful stories, illustrations, and diagrams (not to mention KILLER one-liners).
Do yourself a favor and read this book, then when you're finished grab a friend and read it together! My new go-to book in encouraging new Christians.
Do yourself a favor and read this book, then when you're finished grab a friend and read it together! My new go-to book in encouraging new Christians.
January 28, 2022
I like the actual content for training. Discipleship, listening to God, talking to God, living for God, church, evangelism.
That’s a lot to unpack to a new believer and I think he does a pretty good job of keeping it simple but teaching it thoroughly.
I do not like the “Jason” and the Illustrations.
That’s a lot to unpack to a new believer and I think he does a pretty good job of keeping it simple but teaching it thoroughly.
I do not like the “Jason” and the Illustrations.
December 5, 2019
I loved this book, especially the writer's style and the layout of each chapter. This is a great little book for a new believer as well as a believer at any stage of their faith because it provides such clear wisdom that all will be blessed by reading it.
April 6, 2023
Very basic introduction to life as a follower of Jesus. Explains the basics of personal spiritual discipline and commitment to the Christian community. Would be useful for a new believer; I read it with a young man with a church background and it was a little too basic for that purpose.
July 29, 2021
Simply well detailed book; a very good source of help for growing and spiritually battling Christians! :)
P.s : I'm carrying it with me on my journey✈️
P.s : I'm carrying it with me on my journey✈️
October 27, 2025
I was given this book after I was baptized. Such a helpful and simple take on how to approach what it means to be a Christian.
April 10, 2021
Excellent for all believers. We are using it on Wednesday night Bible study. Great discipleship tool.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews