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What's Big Starts Small: 6 Ways to Grow Great Faith
Does Your Faith Seem Stuck?
Do you ever feel like you're not growing in your faith the way you're supposed to? It turns out, there are forces working against you--threats to your faith--trying to keep you from flourishing in your relationship with God.
One of Jesus' parables--in fact, the one that gets the most space on God's sacred pages--deals with this very issue. It's the story about the sower, the seed, and the soil (Matthew 13). Just as a farmer doesn't toss seed on the ground to get rid of it, God never brings you into contact with his Word for no reason. A farmer wants fruit, and God wants to help you experience more joy, peace, love, etc.
This book is structured around the six threats Jesus lists in the parable of the sower and the seed--pride, pain, worries, wealth, wants, and not waiting--and the corresponding strategies to overcome them. If you're wondering why your faith isn't working in some aspects of your life, the message of this book may be what you've been looking for.
"Mike Novotny is one of those rare writers who is a real joy to read, and his new book, What's Big Starts Small, is no exception. If you've ever struggled with your Christian life or been frustrated with God, this is the book for you." --PHIL COOKE, PhD, media producer and author of The Way How Christians Blew Our Credibility and How We Get It Back
Do you ever feel like you're not growing in your faith the way you're supposed to? It turns out, there are forces working against you--threats to your faith--trying to keep you from flourishing in your relationship with God.
One of Jesus' parables--in fact, the one that gets the most space on God's sacred pages--deals with this very issue. It's the story about the sower, the seed, and the soil (Matthew 13). Just as a farmer doesn't toss seed on the ground to get rid of it, God never brings you into contact with his Word for no reason. A farmer wants fruit, and God wants to help you experience more joy, peace, love, etc.
This book is structured around the six threats Jesus lists in the parable of the sower and the seed--pride, pain, worries, wealth, wants, and not waiting--and the corresponding strategies to overcome them. If you're wondering why your faith isn't working in some aspects of your life, the message of this book may be what you've been looking for.
"Mike Novotny is one of those rare writers who is a real joy to read, and his new book, What's Big Starts Small, is no exception. If you've ever struggled with your Christian life or been frustrated with God, this is the book for you." --PHIL COOKE, PhD, media producer and author of The Way How Christians Blew Our Credibility and How We Get It Back
208 pages, Paperback
Published June 14, 2022
18 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Mike Novotny
56 books71 followersPastor Mike Novotny pours his Jesus-based joy into his ministry as a pastor at The CORE (Appleton, Wisconsin) and as the lead speaker for Time of Grace, a global media ministry that connects people to God through television, print, and digital resources. Unafraid to bring grace and truth to the toughest topics of our time, he has written numerous books, including 3 Words That Will Change Your Life, What’s Big Starts Small, Gay & God, How to Heal, and Sexpectations.
Mike lives with his wife, Kim, and their two daughters, Brooklyn and Maya; runs long distances; and plays soccer with other middle-aged men whose best days are long behind them. To find all of Pastor Mike's books, go to timeofgrace.store.
Mike lives with his wife, Kim, and their two daughters, Brooklyn and Maya; runs long distances; and plays soccer with other middle-aged men whose best days are long behind them. To find all of Pastor Mike's books, go to timeofgrace.store.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 17, 2022
You seem to be doing all the right things. You read your Bible regularly, you attend worship and Bibles studies and you pray often. Yet your life is not at the level of spiritual maturity you would have thought. You wonder why.
I think Novotny has the answer or at least an answer. Going through Jesus' parable of the seeds, he identifies six enemies to our growing to spiritual maturity. They include pride, pain, worries, wealth, desires, and impatience. He provides good explanations on how these issues derail our growth and provides good suggestions to address each one.
Here are a few of the teachings from Novotny I thought particularly insightful. One was on wealth. “What should be a blessing can leave you stressing as money stops God's Word from producing the kind of joy and peace that the Father intended.” (104) Regarding pride, he drew my attention to the painful reality that I preferred helping people in ways that were convenient for my personality and my time schedule. (44) And then he explored the time we spend on TV shows, watching sports or using apps. He wonders, along with challenging us, how much he could have grown with more intentional use of time. (136)
Those are just a few of the penetrating insights Novotny has on what keeps us from growing. He has included thought provoking questions for personal reflection or group discussion.
I highly recommend this book. Read it only if you really want to know why you are not growing to maturity in Christ and are willing to face the distractions and obstacles Novotny explores. You will find great insight in reading this book, even if you may squirm quite a bit in the process. If you want to put God first, love others well and live life the way God intended, this book will get you on your way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I think Novotny has the answer or at least an answer. Going through Jesus' parable of the seeds, he identifies six enemies to our growing to spiritual maturity. They include pride, pain, worries, wealth, desires, and impatience. He provides good explanations on how these issues derail our growth and provides good suggestions to address each one.
Here are a few of the teachings from Novotny I thought particularly insightful. One was on wealth. “What should be a blessing can leave you stressing as money stops God's Word from producing the kind of joy and peace that the Father intended.” (104) Regarding pride, he drew my attention to the painful reality that I preferred helping people in ways that were convenient for my personality and my time schedule. (44) And then he explored the time we spend on TV shows, watching sports or using apps. He wonders, along with challenging us, how much he could have grown with more intentional use of time. (136)
Those are just a few of the penetrating insights Novotny has on what keeps us from growing. He has included thought provoking questions for personal reflection or group discussion.
I highly recommend this book. Read it only if you really want to know why you are not growing to maturity in Christ and are willing to face the distractions and obstacles Novotny explores. You will find great insight in reading this book, even if you may squirm quite a bit in the process. If you want to put God first, love others well and live life the way God intended, this book will get you on your way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
April 27, 2023
Read this book for a church bible study, it talks about the parable of the sower and breaks down the barriers to growing great faith. A read that challenges my heart and encourages me that by the grace of God I am saved!
August 2, 2022
There is a love of people and a joy in teaching and encouraging others. There are many tough things in these pages but there is also much love and tenderness. Pastor Novotny helped me see with new eyes. If you are a long time Christian there is much in this book to encourage and challenge you. If you are one just exploring what Christianity is about you too will find encouragement here.
I'm a little sad the first read is done. I want to come back and spend more time on the study questions. I hope and pray this little book will be an encouragement to many more people.
Thank you Pastor Mike !
I'm a little sad the first read is done. I want to come back and spend more time on the study questions. I hope and pray this little book will be an encouragement to many more people.
Thank you Pastor Mike !
July 7, 2022
In What’s Big Starts Small, Mike Novotny explored the things that are keeping us stuck in our faith. The book explored Matthews 13 which is about the Sower, seed, and the soil. The book covered the six threats of found in the parable. This included pain, worries, wealth, wants, and not waiting. Each chapter also contained key study questions to answer.
One of my favorite chapters was the one on wealth. He looked at 7 promises that having more money make to us. Some of these included, more comfort, more respect, more security, more rest, and much more. He also looked at thing’s money didn’t tell us. This enclosed, gaining stress to deserve me, exhaust efforts to maintain me, busy trying to manage me, worry about losing me, and much more. Most of us are on the search for a better life and we fall into the torns and traps set before us. He explained the deceiver, the deceived, and the deceivable found in the parable.
I would recommend this awesome book about the sower, seed, and the soil parable to anyone is ready for greater faith. I immensely enjoyed how he broke down the whole story told in three chapters of the Bible where readers could understand it. I loved how he shared the four areas that threatened our faith: shows, sports, apps, and news. He stated how we need to ask ourselves if this is causing us to be fruitful in our walk with God. This book will guide you in overcoming the six areas and provide you with techniques.
One of my favorite chapters was the one on wealth. He looked at 7 promises that having more money make to us. Some of these included, more comfort, more respect, more security, more rest, and much more. He also looked at thing’s money didn’t tell us. This enclosed, gaining stress to deserve me, exhaust efforts to maintain me, busy trying to manage me, worry about losing me, and much more. Most of us are on the search for a better life and we fall into the torns and traps set before us. He explained the deceiver, the deceived, and the deceivable found in the parable.
I would recommend this awesome book about the sower, seed, and the soil parable to anyone is ready for greater faith. I immensely enjoyed how he broke down the whole story told in three chapters of the Bible where readers could understand it. I loved how he shared the four areas that threatened our faith: shows, sports, apps, and news. He stated how we need to ask ourselves if this is causing us to be fruitful in our walk with God. This book will guide you in overcoming the six areas and provide you with techniques.
June 13, 2022
What’s Big Starts Small is a Christian Living book by author Mike Novotny. Mr. Novotny is a new-to-me author and one that will be an author follow for me. He is the pastor of The Core in Appleton, Wisconsin, and he enjoys running.
I believe the author’s purpose in writing What’s Big Starts Small is to help the reader flourish in their relationship with God. With the myriad of questions throughout the book, this would make a great group study. I look forward to referring to it in our lady’s study group.
What’s Big Starts Small is organized into three parts. Part One: Your Potential and Jesus’ Parable. Part Two: The 6 Threats. Part Three: Your Potential (Revisited) I loved What’s Big Starts Small because it helped me understand my potential.
What’s Big Starts Small is a short 200-page book with only 10 chapters, however, it is rich. I give What’s Big Starts Small 5*/5*.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
I believe the author’s purpose in writing What’s Big Starts Small is to help the reader flourish in their relationship with God. With the myriad of questions throughout the book, this would make a great group study. I look forward to referring to it in our lady’s study group.
What’s Big Starts Small is organized into three parts. Part One: Your Potential and Jesus’ Parable. Part Two: The 6 Threats. Part Three: Your Potential (Revisited) I loved What’s Big Starts Small because it helped me understand my potential.
What’s Big Starts Small is a short 200-page book with only 10 chapters, however, it is rich. I give What’s Big Starts Small 5*/5*.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
June 13, 2022
I loved this book. I think this is the best one that he has written so far.
This is a book to be savored and meditated on while reading. There are humorous anecdotes plus deep, thought provoking questions to ponder at the end of each chapter.
I found that although I knew the scripture story referenced very well, I didn’t realize that at times, depending on circumstances, that I had experienced every one of the soils or was part of the problem. It was very relatable.
The great relief was at the end when I was made aware of the parable’s specific title and how it resolved all issues, showing the beauty and awesomeness of our God who knows us so well and still loves us despite our shortcomings while encouraging us to grow patiently. You shouldn’t/can’t really rush the process as it takes time for things like faith to grow and all have their own unique speed.
I would definitely recommend it as a group Bible study or especially one on one with a neighbor/friend or any person who wants/needs to know more about Jesus.
This is a book to be savored and meditated on while reading. There are humorous anecdotes plus deep, thought provoking questions to ponder at the end of each chapter.
I found that although I knew the scripture story referenced very well, I didn’t realize that at times, depending on circumstances, that I had experienced every one of the soils or was part of the problem. It was very relatable.
The great relief was at the end when I was made aware of the parable’s specific title and how it resolved all issues, showing the beauty and awesomeness of our God who knows us so well and still loves us despite our shortcomings while encouraging us to grow patiently. You shouldn’t/can’t really rush the process as it takes time for things like faith to grow and all have their own unique speed.
I would definitely recommend it as a group Bible study or especially one on one with a neighbor/friend or any person who wants/needs to know more about Jesus.
June 18, 2022
What’s Big Starts Small provides a challenge to look at a well-known parable of Jesus from many different angles and to examine your faith walk. Sin so easily entangles us even as we desire to follow Jesus. Praise God for full forgiveness through Jesus!
This book is excellent for personal or group Bible study.
I received access on NetGalleyShelf, as well as, a complementary paperback copy from Bethany House. This review is my own opinion.
This book is excellent for personal or group Bible study.
I received access on NetGalleyShelf, as well as, a complementary paperback copy from Bethany House. This review is my own opinion.
January 11, 2023
Wow, did this book hit home for me! I went into it thinking I knew the parable of the sower and the power of God’s Word, but now I see how often I am a mix of soils. This is one to keep coming back to - a thinker in a good way.
August 26, 2022
Written with great honesty, humor, and at the same time reverence for our amazing God. Extra stars for all of the Zelda and sports references. Best acknowledgements section ever!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews