Interesting account of how Cordeiro took responsibility for his own spiritual growth. Instead of complaining 'I am not getting fed in this church' he explains how he became a self starter and learned how to learn on his own. As a you pastor in Hawaii, he came across a biography of Titus Coan who was a missionary to the islands in the mid 1800's. Cordeiro slowly learned from the lessons Coan wrote about 130 years before Cordeiro got to the islands. As an RV full-timer, we do not have the luxury of going to a great church that meets our needs. So we have to figure out how to fill that need by listening to good sermons and reading good books. Sometimes we find a good church, other times we attend and leave unfulfilled. This book is a great perspective on how to grow spiritually on your own.
“Enter the Bible daily” (p. 207). This sums up what The Divine Mentor, by Wayne Cordeiro, is all about. It is powerful book about the power of God’s Word and how the simple habit of engaging in the Word on daily basis will dramatically impact one’s life. Cordeiro has a deep & authentic passion for Scriptures and that passion leaps off the page. This book not only paints a beautiful and accurate picture of the way God uses the Bible, but he gives the reader practical tools to make daily reading of the Bible a reality. If you are looking for an encouraging & remarkably helpful book to jumpstart a Bible-centered life, I highly recommend this book.
One of the best books I have read this year. This is an easy-to-read plan on how to read, understand and apply what the Bible talks about to one's life.
Through the use of this 4-step process (S.O.A.P.), Cordeiro not only "fed" himself spiritual principles for Biblical living, he grew a church (many churches) in Hawaii to over 14000 people.
The daily devotional 4-step process goes like this:
S - select a scripture passage or verse O - observe what you see in this selection, what is being communicated to the original reader A - apply this principle to your own life and situation P - that the Holy Spirit will in deed use this principle to make you more like Himself!
An essential part of this process is the daily journaling of the process. This process becomes more personal and is often the difference between information and TRANSFORMATION!
There are two ways to learn: one's own experience or to learn from another's Wisdom There is always a cost, a pain to pay: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.
This process can be used in groups, with one-on-one discipleship relationships and by oneself.
Lots of good nuggets of wisdom are included in the book: - look at Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, the people of the Bible --- as mentors for yourself in your life - this is a self-feeding program; without a self-feeding program, one's spiritual life is weak - spending 40 minutes a day, asking God to guide and direct your thoughts is like Mary at the foot of Jesus - it is important to have daily devotionals as described, because we tend to 'drift'
I am totally psyched about the practicality of the message of this book! -
Take a common practice (intake of God’s Word) and do something uncommon with it (read it daily for a lifetime, invite others to do it with you, and watch what God does with that). What are my last 5 that only I can do? Only I can be responsible for my spiritual growth. Only I can be the husband to my wife. Only I can be the dad to my daughters. Only I can take ownership of my physical health. Only I can discipline myself where I need to improve personally.
This was one of the best Christian books I have ever read. This was such a relatable book. It feels like it was written for someone like me, in this middle-life stage of life - thirsty for the Word, but not knowing how to get started but needing the final nudge. I savored each section and highlighted major parts of the book. I plan to recommend this book to my family and friends, as this book has inspired me to pick up my Bible daily. This book has encouraged me to spend daily time with God by reading the Bible more consistently and thoroughly. When writing my thoughts down in my daily journaling, I am developing a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. I am learning to hear His Voice in the words. In the silence, I am learning to to guided by the Holy Spirit when going through a scripture. I know it’s real and it is making an impact because I think about it throughout the day. The Word of God is like daily bread. My only challenge will be to remain consistent with the habit. I will need to pray to keep God’s Word inside me.
One of my top five favorite books. Very helpful in understanding how to read Gods word and apply it to your life. It helped me begin the process of enjoying how to journal instead of just reading for knowledge It clarified some of the misconceptions I had when I was a young and naive believer like, “the KJV version being the only version anointed by God and not being allowed to read the Bible with others.” This book has helped me resuscitate my desire to be in the presence of God and to hear his voice from the book only He inspired.
If anyone is lost or discouraged from their journey with reading the Bible in the past, I highly recommend pairing this book with your reading. The Divine Mentor and many others are waiting for you in each page you read.
Excellent teaching on how to do daily personal Bible study. Very encouraging, gentle and wise. This is a good primer for quality quiet times and would be good for use with college students and new believers.
For whatever reason, most of the scriptures were left without their references. I had to constantly interrupt my reading to refer to the lists in the back just to find out where these verses actually were in the Bible. This was annoying and tedious every time. It's a book about studying the Bible, for the love! Why not put the scripture references? I deducted a star for this.
Our church board read this book together. Pastor Wayne Cordeiro really demonstrates the importance of reading the Bible for a relationship and for wisdom. It's a good reminder that it's not something to just check off on a to-do list. One of the most practical takeaways for me was just in how to approach devotional time: with my Bible (obviously), a notebook, a pen, a Bible reading plan, AND my planner. The planner is for when my mind starts to wonder to my to-do list, write it down (brain dump) and the move on. This simple tip has so helped me to focus better!
Favorite Excerpts:
"Protecting and cultivating your spiritual root system is not a pill to swallow that automatically will bring you health, wealth, and a perfect family. But it will give you wide-open access to an all-wise, all-powerful God who will personally walk with you step by step. You’ll embark on an adventure that will introduce you to lifelong mentors who may save your health, your marriage, your ministry, and your future."
"I hate to break the bad news to you, but about 80 percent of all you do, anyone can do! For example, going to work, attending meetings, checking e-mail, answering phones, going to soccer games and lunches and dinners. Additionally, about 15 percent of all you do someone with some measure of training could do in your place. Whether it’s selling a product, running a program, teaching a class, or fixing a problem, there is education and training available for someone else to do what you do. But at least 5 percent of what you do, only you can do. No one else can do it for you. The last 5 percent . . . it’s something we have to discover and then be responsible for. • • Only I can be a husband/wife to my spouse. • • Only I can be a father/mother to my children. • • Only I can grow myself spiritually. • • Only I can keep myself healthy. • • Only I can keep myself disciplined."
"Neglecting devotions will cause you more problems, more quickly, than just about anything you can name. Spending unrushed time alone with God in His Word releases a fountain of refreshment from the very core of your being."
"When you miss your devotions one day, you notice. When you miss them two days, your spouse and kids notice. And when you miss them three days, the world notices."
On second reading this book seemed even more relevant than it did at first. Very impactful and full of wisdom, in it Cordiero illustrates to believers the simple but effective truth that we all need to know the Bible intimately for it to impact our lives. We also need to read it daily, and right through. After a long life of Bible reading – on the strength of this book I committed my self to following Cordeiro's reading plan and am now into the third year of reading the bible through chronologically in one year. I choose a different translation every year, and having read The New King James Version and the New International Version, am now reading the Jewish Study Bible for Jews and Christians and my understanding has deepened and grown with every reading. Next year I will read the Amplified Bible, a version I have always loved. I recommend the Divine Mentor to anyone who is serious about studying the Bible.
Everyone looking for growth needs a mentor to guide them - for encouragement, for challenging, for learning from the wisdom they've garnered throughout life. In the Divine Mentor, Cordeiro proposes that a lot of the wisdom we need for life comes from observing and reflecting on the stories God has given us through the lives of people in the Bible, and listening to the Holy Spirit as God weaves that truth into our lives.
The more we sit daily at the feet of Jesus, the more we will look like him.
My favorite illustration in the book was of the idea of learning guitar from a once-a-week class vs. learning daily, one on one from a master musician. Being mentored in that way, you would pick up a lot of the mannerisms and habits of that musician. In a once a week class, you might learn some things, but you would never be mistaken for having studied with someone so closely.
I am so glad that this book captured my attention because it was well worth the time investment to read it. There were times it brought tears to my eyes. This author’s insights gave reasons to read the Bible which were truly fresh and revelatory for me. He includes helpful ways to journal and follow a reading plan should anyone find themselves stuck and not knowing where to start! My favourite part was learning to see the authors of the books of the Bible as mentors; this along with the SOAP method of journaling will change the way I do my daily quiet time forever! Families will benefit from this as children follows along with reading and journaling the same Scriptures as the parents are reading. Love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had been saying to God that I needed organization, a way to study His word that I felt would enable me to capture everything in an orderly way, allowing source for the word I like to listen to from various preachers as well. I wanted to prioritize His word above all, but I needed to keep things straight as I listened to a variety of messages from all over the Bible. I came close when I heard Tim Keller preach a message on how to meditate on the scriptures, but this brought it all home in the organized passage I had been waiting to find. I am thankful to God for this answered prayer.
Wayne Cordeiro reminds us that spending time with God should be foremost in our minds and in our lives. Cordeiro stresses the importance of spending time in Scripture and shows how he journals with the SOAP method. he also gives a read through the Bible roadmap. The book is filled with practical truths and pastoral wisdom I heard about the book when visitng a church. Their profession of faith group had used the book. I can see why. Cordeiro stresses why being rooted in God, and not letting the world crowd out His presence, is vital. I gave four stars because the book can get repetitive, but it is a great reminder of who should be our guiding light.
I loved this book! It was a given to me as a gift. But down to it, it was amazing and refreshing giving me a fresh perspective on spending time in Gods word and a great and encouraging way to do so. This book encourages you to live in the scripture to learn from what God is telling us in a way I found refreshing. I had been using his method to f journaling before but had fallen away from it but now I have a renewed vigor to stay with it and draw upon all the people God has placed in the Bible for us to learn from. I truly hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
The best modern-day book of getting back into the Bible that I've read, hands down. Cordeiro's stories perfectly weave in with his advice to get back to the Bible as our basis for growth in the Christian faith. He includes the reading plan that he promotes through his church and journals. The plan is a great place to start if you are looking for help getting through the Bible. I can't recommend this book high enough!
About halfway through this book, I realized that I read it several years ago. I slowly remembered that on the first reading I wasn't overly impressed. I suspect that reaction had more to do with me than the quality of the book. Having finished it today, I find myself wanting to share it with all sorts of folks. There is much wisdom tucked in to each page. And I'm inspired again to read the only Inspired Book.
Simple yet incredible, moved me to do daily devotions
I've always been scared of daily devotions. Never put it into my time or had it as a priority. I read the bible sometimes, but not consistently and not with taking notes. This book all points to scripture, and certainly moved me to do daily devotions. I need to allow Jesus into the pastures each day to water his grace upon me. I urge anyone to read this book.
Wayne Cordeiro came out with the S O A P method. Well, actually he didn't create it. It was quite an ancient thing called Lectio Divina. Wayne merely introduced us to this good old teaching of the past. But Wayne packages it differently, he knows what it meant to sit at the feet of the Savior. And now he introduces to us what it really means in this fast-paced 21 century.
Solid Biblical advocation for consistent and meaningful study of Scripture and personal growth.
Loved the concept of entering the Bible instead of reading the Bible... seeing yourself alongside each of the characters (mentors) that the reader is there to learn from and making it a priority to continue the practice on a daily basis.
I thought this book was just okay. I think there were some good principles but felt that they came across as 'look at me' and 'God speaks through me so you should listen'. I also felt that it was encouraging me to find mentors in the Bible and not in those elders around me. I think this is a both/and and not an either/or.
Cordiero had a wonderful mix of stories, scripture, and information. I loved texting my friend from Hawaii afterwards and asking if she’s been to a certain event or place that the author has mentioned in the book. He convinced me to begin using the SOAP acronym, so I’ve been trying to journal most mornings
This book truly changed the way I spend time with the Lord and how I perceive the bible. If you will just do what is outlined in the book and implement Corderio's simple tools, your life will forever be overflowing with a bounty of wisdom and a deeper relationship with God.
Learn how to wLk a straight and narrow path from the Devine mentor himself. A new way to read and receive from the bible. And to learn how to listen and hear from the Holy Spirit.
Wow! Such a great read! This has really impacted my time with God and changed my focus from a burden or duty of getting in the word each day, but now an opportunity to hear from the greatest teachers ever. I have already enjoyed putting some of these practices in place before completing the book!
Some solid wisdom and convicting truth. The book promotes a hard and fast sort of "program" for devotions, which is off-putting to me. Otherwise, I appreciated all the insights related to the importance of regular daily intake of Scripture.