The Defining Verse: Find Your Life’s Sentence Through the Lives of 63 Bible Characters

by Warren W. Wiersbe

“Scripture frequently sums up a man’s life in a single sentence.” – Charles Spurgeon Start the New Year by discovering the Bible verse that best represents your story! Do you know the Bible verse that defines your life? Inspired by the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, Warren Wiersbe launched a personal study of the lives of prominent Bible characters. Interested in more than biographical facts, Wiersbe sought out the themes of each person’s life as reflected in the pages of Scripture. The Defining Verse takes you into the lives of sixty-three Biblical men and women who encountered an extraordinary God, from Noah and Moses to John the Baptist, The Samaritan Woman, and Jesus Himself. For each, Wiersbe identifies a Scripture verse that sums up that individual’s life and then reflects on the lessons to be learned, both positive and negative. Now including a personal study for personal self-reflection, you will not only be challenged by these examples, you will be driven to consider what your “life sentence” will be. This book is a great resource for ministry leaders, pastors, and small group looking to do a character study of the people of the Bible. For individual readers, The Defining Verse is perfect for personal study and reflection as they discover their own personal life Bible verse. Previously released under the title Life Sentences.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Defining Verse spotlights 63 biblical men and women, each viewed through the lens of a single verse that captures their walk with God.

Take Ruth, for example. Her defining verse is Ruth 1:16 —
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
Wiersbe explores this as more than loyalty to Naomi—it’s Ruth’s bold declaration of faith and trust in a new future with God.

This book offers fresh perspectives and spiritual encouragement, rooted in Scripture.

Now to figure out my defining verse!

Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Robert Kiefer
Length: 21h 57m

[Adam Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Love how the chapters are divided. Great read and character study reference.

[David A. Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Wiersbe Never Disappoints

This book is a fabulous source of devotional material! You will find nuggets of gold on every page! Jesus is Lord!!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the walk through the bible characters with this book.

[Allison Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorites. Like sitting with an old friend learning worlds if new things and not even knowing your learning.