What do you think?
Rate this book
8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ
Don’t just do the right actions. Build habits—and watch your life be transformed. Many books try to help you do the right actions. But the real key to life transformation—for yourself and then for others—is building habits that become part of your life. Because habits don’t just dictate what you do . They reflect who you are . In 8 Habits for Growth , Darryl Dash wants to show you the eight long-term practices—all very doable—that will lead to permanent growth if you incorporate them into your life. You’ll learn why it’s important Personal growth doesn’t happen overnight. But it does happen, slowly, as you build God’s habits into your life. So what are you waiting for? Start your new habits today and let God transform who you are . . . and who you can become.
- GenresFaith
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
36 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Darryl Dash
4 books38 followersDARRYL DASH is pastor of Liberty Grace Church in Toronto. He is also cofounder of Gospel for Life, and director of Advance Church Planting Institute. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has over 25 years of ministry experience. Darryl is married to Charlene, and has two adult children, Christy and Josiah. You can find Darryl online at www.DashHouse.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 9, 2021
Years ago, I've started reading books expecting to find an answer. A quick answer just for my mind and nothing to do with my everyday routine. Of course, this changed in time and I realize that we are responsible for our life and – for changes.
8 HABITS FOR GROWTH I started to read after a parish weekend – we had an unforgettable kairos and we had teachings about values and virtues, and about spiritual growing. I listened to what I already knew - that things change one small step at a time, and it scared me a little, but the first pages of the book seemed to confirm what I set out to do. More importantly, there is nothing you need to do alone: God’s grace is with me.
I didn’t read the whole book. I started as recommended - one step at a time, slowly. But I know that 8 HABITS FOR GROWTH is what I need and what I will definitely share with other parishioners.
Two things about the book I find the most important:
1. Believers will understand me: deep inside I felt that I could trust the book. That this is a Spirit-inspired concern for man. The author (Darryl Dash) knows what he is doing.
2. Clear structure, specific tasks and issues. Perfect for group work.
I believe the word when I quite:
"These habits can lead you to focus daily on what matters now (God) and how He shows up in your ordinary, complicated life".
8 HABITS FOR GROWTH I started to read after a parish weekend – we had an unforgettable kairos and we had teachings about values and virtues, and about spiritual growing. I listened to what I already knew - that things change one small step at a time, and it scared me a little, but the first pages of the book seemed to confirm what I set out to do. More importantly, there is nothing you need to do alone: God’s grace is with me.
I didn’t read the whole book. I started as recommended - one step at a time, slowly. But I know that 8 HABITS FOR GROWTH is what I need and what I will definitely share with other parishioners.
Two things about the book I find the most important:
1. Believers will understand me: deep inside I felt that I could trust the book. That this is a Spirit-inspired concern for man. The author (Darryl Dash) knows what he is doing.
2. Clear structure, specific tasks and issues. Perfect for group work.
I believe the word when I quite:
"These habits can lead you to focus daily on what matters now (God) and how He shows up in your ordinary, complicated life".
August 5, 2021
The book delivers exactly what it promises. It will be a helpful tool for anyone who wants to grow in their walk with the Lord. Every suggestion in the book is practical and attainable for any Christian. Buy one for yourself and another for someone else and go through it together. You won't regret it.
September 8, 2021
Can our lives really be changed? In 8 Habits for Growth, Darryl Dash gives a simple guide to becoming more like Christ.
Rest
Dash admits that true change in our lives can only come from a changed heart. For the Christian, God gives us a new heart so we can conform to Christ. Interestingly, Dash first recommends that we build the habit of rest. In fact, God commands us to rest. A quick “interlude” on the Sabbath helps us see that God gave us a gift of rest. Dash shows us how we can make the most of it.
Dash says we must avoid activities that might seem like rest but don’t really leave us recharged. Netflix, social media, and unnecessary obligations can be replaced with walks, hobbies, and friends. While physical rest is important, Dash says that true rest can be only found in the freedom and blessing in Christ.
Prayer
The habits of prayer and Bible reading come next, and what Dash does well is give us a primer on how to actually read and make sense of our Bible. Effective engagement with the Bible means using the right tools, understanding the storyline, asking the right questions, and properly looking for Jesus.
With prayer, I appreciate how Dash says that we should have the prayer-posture of a child. We can then learn to manage our life through prayer, helping us manage the stress and complexities of life by giving them to God. This spiritual discipline deserves our attention.
Church
Dash doesn’t just say we should go to church, but he says we should make sure that we are going to the right church. A proper church preaches the Bible, talks about what Jesus did, gives opportunities to grow, follows the Bible’s teachings on how to function, and embodies a healthy culture. Practically, a good church is close to home.
Dash lets you soak in Scripture in showing how to pursue “one another” relationships. Loving, serving, promoting unity, encouraging, avoiding sinning against one another, and confessing sin is all a part of what it means to be a Biblical community. It is clear that Dash knows what it is like to be in a thriving church.
Become
Food and exercise receive attention, and simplifying our lives alongside improving our ability to focus will help you grow and go the distance in your journey. The rest of the book is spent helping you find your own Rule of Life – a set of rhythms and relationships to help you grow spiritually.
This book is simple, straightforward, pointed, and practical. There is wisdom in how we can become more like Jesus. These habits will change you, and they will help you grow.
I received a media copy of 8 Habits for Growth and this is my honest review.
Rest
Dash admits that true change in our lives can only come from a changed heart. For the Christian, God gives us a new heart so we can conform to Christ. Interestingly, Dash first recommends that we build the habit of rest. In fact, God commands us to rest. A quick “interlude” on the Sabbath helps us see that God gave us a gift of rest. Dash shows us how we can make the most of it.
Dash says we must avoid activities that might seem like rest but don’t really leave us recharged. Netflix, social media, and unnecessary obligations can be replaced with walks, hobbies, and friends. While physical rest is important, Dash says that true rest can be only found in the freedom and blessing in Christ.
Prayer
The habits of prayer and Bible reading come next, and what Dash does well is give us a primer on how to actually read and make sense of our Bible. Effective engagement with the Bible means using the right tools, understanding the storyline, asking the right questions, and properly looking for Jesus.
With prayer, I appreciate how Dash says that we should have the prayer-posture of a child. We can then learn to manage our life through prayer, helping us manage the stress and complexities of life by giving them to God. This spiritual discipline deserves our attention.
Church
Dash doesn’t just say we should go to church, but he says we should make sure that we are going to the right church. A proper church preaches the Bible, talks about what Jesus did, gives opportunities to grow, follows the Bible’s teachings on how to function, and embodies a healthy culture. Practically, a good church is close to home.
Dash lets you soak in Scripture in showing how to pursue “one another” relationships. Loving, serving, promoting unity, encouraging, avoiding sinning against one another, and confessing sin is all a part of what it means to be a Biblical community. It is clear that Dash knows what it is like to be in a thriving church.
Become
Food and exercise receive attention, and simplifying our lives alongside improving our ability to focus will help you grow and go the distance in your journey. The rest of the book is spent helping you find your own Rule of Life – a set of rhythms and relationships to help you grow spiritually.
This book is simple, straightforward, pointed, and practical. There is wisdom in how we can become more like Jesus. These habits will change you, and they will help you grow.
I received a media copy of 8 Habits for Growth and this is my honest review.
July 31, 2021
This is my honest review of 8 Habits for Growth by Darryl Dash,Moody Pub. My review of this ebook version given freely with no financial compensation. As believer, this information given in this book is wise indeed. It is beneficial to anyone reading as a tool in your chest of knowledge for spiritual growth. "God delights in satisfying us with himself when we pursue Him,even when we do so imperfectly." We don't have to be perfect on our journey of growth but working toward it at any pace. As long as we keep inching ahead one step at a time. Book is easy to read and apply. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to make habits for growth. I give this book five (5) stars. As a saged believer of over 50+ years,I snagged nuggets too. I chose not to unvail too much in review as you need to read the book and devour. Please get the book and read! #8HabitsforGrowth
May 2, 2024
Great book for practically implementing new spiritual practices that will grow you closer to God.
August 3, 2021
Following in the footsteps of his first book How to Grow, Darryl Dash brings a strong follow-up with 8 Habits for Growth. The book manages to be a “how to” guide without feeling cheap, simplistic, or “one size fits all.” It strongly encourages community study, which implicitly helps to keep the church at the centre, but makes itself accessible to those studying alone.
There is much wisdom in the eight habits, and their order. The first habit is “making time,” which is a habit to help construct habits. From there, his next habit is “rest and refresh,” teaching us dwellers of the land of perpetual busyness healthy rhythms of work and rest. Habits three, four, and five are concerned with scripture, prayer, and Christian community, suggested as “core habits.” The final habit is concerned with perseverance, which helps to tackle the problem of so many “how to” guides, that leave the reader with no clear way forward on completion of the program.
This is not an excellent book for a straight read-through, and while I tend to prefer to sit and read through a book, this is probably a feature rather than a flaw. Many books that attempt to have a learning or growth component typically relegate that aspect of the book to suggestions or questions at the end of a chapter (or worse, in a guide in an appendix), and typically I do not make use of them, even when I intend to go back later and do so. By keeping that material in the body of the book, I am constantly being told to slow down and take the time to develop these habits.
As with Darryl's first book, it is hard to find significant matters for critique. As an academic, I would have liked a chapter (or even a preface) with some of his methodology: why these habits? What was the process of field-testing them? What were some of the responses or critiques from those testers that mattered most, or that most changed what Darryl had planned? I also would have liked to see him reflect on the philosophies that made him frame the book as he did. Especially as the common approach in most of the Christian world is “spiritual disciplines,” why has he chosen to talk about habits? Is it as simple as trying to present the material in a “life-hack” way that speaks to our culture? Or is there something more?
Perhaps it is in a post-Christian age that Christian growth matters more than ever. Deep roots are necessary for survival in our culture's spiritually parched soil. The practices in this book, engaged in wholeheartedly, will help God's people to send deep roots that will nourish the plant and bear much fruit.
There is much wisdom in the eight habits, and their order. The first habit is “making time,” which is a habit to help construct habits. From there, his next habit is “rest and refresh,” teaching us dwellers of the land of perpetual busyness healthy rhythms of work and rest. Habits three, four, and five are concerned with scripture, prayer, and Christian community, suggested as “core habits.” The final habit is concerned with perseverance, which helps to tackle the problem of so many “how to” guides, that leave the reader with no clear way forward on completion of the program.
This is not an excellent book for a straight read-through, and while I tend to prefer to sit and read through a book, this is probably a feature rather than a flaw. Many books that attempt to have a learning or growth component typically relegate that aspect of the book to suggestions or questions at the end of a chapter (or worse, in a guide in an appendix), and typically I do not make use of them, even when I intend to go back later and do so. By keeping that material in the body of the book, I am constantly being told to slow down and take the time to develop these habits.
As with Darryl's first book, it is hard to find significant matters for critique. As an academic, I would have liked a chapter (or even a preface) with some of his methodology: why these habits? What was the process of field-testing them? What were some of the responses or critiques from those testers that mattered most, or that most changed what Darryl had planned? I also would have liked to see him reflect on the philosophies that made him frame the book as he did. Especially as the common approach in most of the Christian world is “spiritual disciplines,” why has he chosen to talk about habits? Is it as simple as trying to present the material in a “life-hack” way that speaks to our culture? Or is there something more?
Perhaps it is in a post-Christian age that Christian growth matters more than ever. Deep roots are necessary for survival in our culture's spiritually parched soil. The practices in this book, engaged in wholeheartedly, will help God's people to send deep roots that will nourish the plant and bear much fruit.
August 10, 2021
Knowing the author Pastor Darryl Dash has been a rich blessing in my life. I have known him for years and he's a former Pastor of mine. His writing has blessed the English Ministry I lead here in South Korea. My congregation has enjoyed discussing together Pastor Dash's earlier book "How to Grow."
Pastor Dash's "8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ" is a great new addition to his previous work. It can almost be read as a continuation of "How to Grow."
In "8 Habits for Growth," Pastor Dash gives a number of practical keys to successful living. Changing one's life for the better can seem a real challenge. However, the book carefully reflects on practices that can be slowly implemented to do just that.
According to Pastor Dash, key habits include such things as resting. They also include reading or listening to the Bible, participating in church life, and more.
Pastor Dash's "8 Habits for Growth" can be read as a practical guide to a better life. I absolutely recommend it to all. I hope to study it together with my church friends in Seoul.
Pastor Dash's "8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ" is a great new addition to his previous work. It can almost be read as a continuation of "How to Grow."
In "8 Habits for Growth," Pastor Dash gives a number of practical keys to successful living. Changing one's life for the better can seem a real challenge. However, the book carefully reflects on practices that can be slowly implemented to do just that.
According to Pastor Dash, key habits include such things as resting. They also include reading or listening to the Bible, participating in church life, and more.
Pastor Dash's "8 Habits for Growth" can be read as a practical guide to a better life. I absolutely recommend it to all. I hope to study it together with my church friends in Seoul.
August 6, 2021
What is evident about '8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ' is the author's heart to see people open up space in their lives through these rhythms for God to transform and work. Though simple and accessible, this book is engaging, thoughtful, honest, realistic, and highly practical. With intention given to the details of the design and layout and inclusion of a daily approach and reflection questions, readers can easily use this as a personal guide, a supplement to devotions, small groups discussions, or implementation into a wider context, all within a reasonable pace. In addition, it was an absolutely refreshing perspective to see a resource written with the church in mind and to be ideally used in the context of growing together.
Aiming for a holistic approach, the author provides wonderful reminders and re-establishments of the goals of the classical core practices (such as Scripture, prayer, worship and community) and couches them within the needed habits of making space, Sabbath, self-care, simplification/prioritizing, and setting a plan for endurance. As such, the impact of '8 Habits for Growth' extends well past the final pages, leading toward ongoing rhythms for gospel change, both personally and communally. Valuable and recommended for beginners and those who have established these habits over their lives!
Aiming for a holistic approach, the author provides wonderful reminders and re-establishments of the goals of the classical core practices (such as Scripture, prayer, worship and community) and couches them within the needed habits of making space, Sabbath, self-care, simplification/prioritizing, and setting a plan for endurance. As such, the impact of '8 Habits for Growth' extends well past the final pages, leading toward ongoing rhythms for gospel change, both personally and communally. Valuable and recommended for beginners and those who have established these habits over their lives!
August 3, 2021
Atomic Habits for the Christian
The author lays out a well-thought-out perspective on Habits for Christians, but not just the spiritual part of life, but for all parts of life. In a culture where habit building, productivity, and climbing the ladder are priorities, this book takes an approach to see why we as Christians should have good habits, but not for our gain, instead, it is for God's glory and the celebration of His design. When the book begins, we read about the importance of taking little steps and taking that habit right into the importance of rest, which is something we all need to improve at. Where this book shines is its ability to not only inform but provide action steps. This book is good to be studied by an individual but it will shine in group discipleship settings where accountability is present. At the end of each lesson, there are reflections, reviews, and questions to help drive the point home that is being made. My worry is for the individual that reads this. With 40 lessons across the 8 habits and the short, to the point length of the lessons, combined with the pressure of finishing something fast, the individual reader might miss out on the importance of this book. Aside from that, this book will allow the reader to walk away with action steps to each lesson, and with the right commitment, they will experience life changing habits.
The author lays out a well-thought-out perspective on Habits for Christians, but not just the spiritual part of life, but for all parts of life. In a culture where habit building, productivity, and climbing the ladder are priorities, this book takes an approach to see why we as Christians should have good habits, but not for our gain, instead, it is for God's glory and the celebration of His design. When the book begins, we read about the importance of taking little steps and taking that habit right into the importance of rest, which is something we all need to improve at. Where this book shines is its ability to not only inform but provide action steps. This book is good to be studied by an individual but it will shine in group discipleship settings where accountability is present. At the end of each lesson, there are reflections, reviews, and questions to help drive the point home that is being made. My worry is for the individual that reads this. With 40 lessons across the 8 habits and the short, to the point length of the lessons, combined with the pressure of finishing something fast, the individual reader might miss out on the importance of this book. Aside from that, this book will allow the reader to walk away with action steps to each lesson, and with the right commitment, they will experience life changing habits.
August 5, 2021
Less is more.
I love Darryl make the key Christian disciplines simple. Darryl has a personable approach in his writing and speaking style. His book taught me to respect myself and my limitations. With enough time and practices, the key steps will help me cultivate a meaningful relationship with God. A strong Christian is not about waking up at 5am for daily devotional. (no offense to early birds) It is about making the time to build a quality relationship with God.
It is perfect for discipleship that provide structure in our daily lives. Questions in the book are great ways to generate meaningful conversations that build strong relationships among those searching and believing.
This is not a theology-heavy reading that lost me. It helps me focus on how to better living in God's word. It is biblical. It guides me step by step one section at a time. It's that simple.
I love Darryl make the key Christian disciplines simple. Darryl has a personable approach in his writing and speaking style. His book taught me to respect myself and my limitations. With enough time and practices, the key steps will help me cultivate a meaningful relationship with God. A strong Christian is not about waking up at 5am for daily devotional. (no offense to early birds) It is about making the time to build a quality relationship with God.
It is perfect for discipleship that provide structure in our daily lives. Questions in the book are great ways to generate meaningful conversations that build strong relationships among those searching and believing.
This is not a theology-heavy reading that lost me. It helps me focus on how to better living in God's word. It is biblical. It guides me step by step one section at a time. It's that simple.
August 4, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author. The book discusses 8 habits for us to grow as Christians: Make Time, Rest and Refresh, Engage the Bible, Speak with God, Worship and Belong, Care for Your Body, Simplify and Prioritize, and Go the Distance. There are 5 lessons for each habit, followed by a review and reflect/respond questions, a summary after all the lessons, and group discussion questions for each habit. This book can be done individually or with a group, and you can work at your own pace. I felt like the book was practical and easy to understand (not necessarily easy to do, but that's the point...to grow!). I would recommend this book to others.
August 4, 2021
Powerful and practical. A great resource for any Christian who wants to become more like Jesus without burning out.
September 2, 2021
Habits aren’t something that you develop overnight, but over time. This guide allows you to set your own pace so you can integrate 8 habits into your everyday life that will help you grow into the person God created you to be.
The book is organized into 8 sections, each showcasing a growth-building habit. I like how the lessons are structured, with short message and ways to reflect and respond to it. I found the chapter review and discussion questions especially helpful. I’ve used my highlighter generously on my copy.
8 Habits for Growth lessons include: Make Time, Rest and Refresh, Engage the Bible, Speak with God, Worship and Belong, Care for Your Body, Simplify and Prioritize, and Go the Distance. The lessons invite you to grow closer to Christ and to strive to be more like Him. I’ve no doubt these lessons will help me in every avenue of my life.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
The book is organized into 8 sections, each showcasing a growth-building habit. I like how the lessons are structured, with short message and ways to reflect and respond to it. I found the chapter review and discussion questions especially helpful. I’ve used my highlighter generously on my copy.
8 Habits for Growth lessons include: Make Time, Rest and Refresh, Engage the Bible, Speak with God, Worship and Belong, Care for Your Body, Simplify and Prioritize, and Go the Distance. The lessons invite you to grow closer to Christ and to strive to be more like Him. I’ve no doubt these lessons will help me in every avenue of my life.
Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.
January 28, 2022
The author stresses that this book is better in a group setting, and given the considerable attention to discussion questions, the book can come across rather light if you are reading it straight through. I did appreciate how the author provided practical tips for reading the Bible daily and daily prayer. I think the book should be better marketed as a group study since it was rather light on content.
October 4, 2021
This is a good guide to developing new habits. I'd already made the time and have been practicing four of the habits involved, but the book makes good points about starting small, learning from what works and what doesn't, forgiving oneself for not meeting the goal but starting fresh until the habit works, etc. This would be a great guide for someone new to Christianity.
March 30, 2022
Small practical lessons to help you live more like Christ. I found it easy to read a chapter a week and learned something valuable in each chapter. Progress not perfection is a quote that stood out to me.
Read
October 3, 2022Darryl Dash does not disappoint with yet another fantastic book!
March 19, 2024
Eminently readable, leaving you with a lot of energy for actually taking action on the incremental habit building this book walks you through. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2025
I really enjoy the format of the book with summary, reflective questions and practice guides, which make this book a handy tool for Christians to organize their life and grow.
October 17, 2025
I was recommended this book from a friend to use in teaching a class habits for a godly life. Found this book to be quite readable and down to earth. The tips addressed in this book were helpful and practical addressing the important tip of starting small and achievable, having the right amount of push and grace at the same time. Thankful that the book mentions the importance of the motivation of habits rather than just ploughing through habits. It also has a number of good questions at the end of each chapter which I found quite helpful. Would recommend and reuse it!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews