What do you think?
Rate this book
Eats With Sinners: Reaching Hungry People Like Jesus Did
In Jesus' day, eating with someone acknowledged that person as an equal. Religious leaders considered it unthinkable for a Jewish teacher to eat with common people. But Jesus cared more about saving souls than saving face.
So who are you eating with? Eats with Sinners introduces a biblical model for evangelism—building relationships like Jesus did, one meal (or cup of coffee) at a time.
• Each of 13 chapters concludes with a "Meal Plan," which contains questions and directives designed to give individual readers or small group members the opportunity for personal reflection and practical application of the principles outlined in each chapter.
• Fun sidebars scattered throughout the book feature recipes, meal traditions in Jesus' day, and case studies.
So who are you eating with? Eats with Sinners introduces a biblical model for evangelism—building relationships like Jesus did, one meal (or cup of coffee) at a time.
• Each of 13 chapters concludes with a "Meal Plan," which contains questions and directives designed to give individual readers or small group members the opportunity for personal reflection and practical application of the principles outlined in each chapter.
• Fun sidebars scattered throughout the book feature recipes, meal traditions in Jesus' day, and case studies.
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Arron Chambers
14 books3 followersArron Chambers, author of Running on Empty: Life Lessons to Refuel Your Life (Life Journey, 2005), Scripture to Live By (Adams Media, 2007), and Remember Who You Are! (Standard Publishing, July 2007), Yendo Con El Tanque Vacío (Spanish Translation of Running on Empty--Zondervan, November 2007), Go! (Standard Publishing, July 2009), and Eats With Sinners (Standard, November 2009) is the Lead Minister of Journey Christian Church in Greeley, Colorado.
He is also an Adjunct Professor at Florida Christian College, Contributing Editor and Blogger for The Christian Standard, President & Founder of Tri Life, Inc., a triathlete, an inspirational speaker who speaks to thousands of people each year, husband of a lovely wife, and the father of 4 beautiful kids.
Arron is also the Executive Producer and on-air host of the prime-time TV program, Enjoy the Journey with Arron Chambers. Arron holds the following degrees: Master of Arts (Church History/Theology): Abilene Christian University, May 2000; Bachelor of Theology: Florida Christian College, May 1993; Bachelor of Arts (Major-Preaching; Minor-Counseling): Florida Christian College, May 1992.
He is also an Adjunct Professor at Florida Christian College, Contributing Editor and Blogger for The Christian Standard, President & Founder of Tri Life, Inc., a triathlete, an inspirational speaker who speaks to thousands of people each year, husband of a lovely wife, and the father of 4 beautiful kids.
Arron is also the Executive Producer and on-air host of the prime-time TV program, Enjoy the Journey with Arron Chambers. Arron holds the following degrees: Master of Arts (Church History/Theology): Abilene Christian University, May 2000; Bachelor of Theology: Florida Christian College, May 1993; Bachelor of Arts (Major-Preaching; Minor-Counseling): Florida Christian College, May 1992.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 25, 2011
I wasn't terribly crazy about this book. I assumed it would be about one-on-one discipling and using meal times to break bread with those who are hurting. There was a little of that, but it was far more focused on what churches as a whole can do to be welcome and inviting. Such material is out there and it's been done better.
Plus, the layout of the book looks like it was done in Word and the book sorely needed an editor as it went on strange tangents and went from one idea to the next without any transition. Also, it had recipes that appeared through the book whenever the layout person felt it necessary. The recipes weren't terribly groundbreaking and seemed to be pies and cookies and casseroles (mostly) that had been renamed to give them a godly title. Last, Chambers makes a few comments which I think were jokes but read as being incredibly insensitive and arrogant.
All in all, this book wasn't worth the time or money.
Plus, the layout of the book looks like it was done in Word and the book sorely needed an editor as it went on strange tangents and went from one idea to the next without any transition. Also, it had recipes that appeared through the book whenever the layout person felt it necessary. The recipes weren't terribly groundbreaking and seemed to be pies and cookies and casseroles (mostly) that had been renamed to give them a godly title. Last, Chambers makes a few comments which I think were jokes but read as being incredibly insensitive and arrogant.
All in all, this book wasn't worth the time or money.
March 5, 2018
I'll admit, I was a bit disappointed as I started reading this book. The build-up was high, and while the book has some helpful tools and ideas, I had a hard time getting past the author's voice. My expectations definitely changed my impression - I was expecting a more practical analysis of ways to, well, eat with sinners, and what the book really contains is a long series of exhortations to examine your heart and WANT to eat with sinners. Which is not a bad thing to do, at all!
May 10, 2020
This book was incredibly frustrating. Had it not been required reading for the training program I am in, I would not have completed it. First of all, it is incredibly repetitive. The entire book is summed up in the title, and everything else feels like a laborious repetition of it. Also, it is an incredibly insensitive repetition of a beautiful concept put forth by Jesus. The whole point of eating with other people who don't know Jesus is so that you can love them the way Jesus did and share that love. However, Arron Chambers consistently uses language and stereotyping that is not loving to the various people groups he refers to. He even acknowledges the fact that the term "lost people" is seen as problematic in American culture, and yet persists in using it anyway.
Also, from a ministry side of things, his perspective is largely outdated and impractical. Most people in the world are not working from a "pastor of a mega-church" type background and he consistently uses examples that only apply in this setting. In addition to this, none of the information he shares is practical. I was hoping for a book that legitimately tells me how I can better "eat with sinners." I want to know how to love the various people around me well, who come from Muslim, Agnostic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and various other religious backgrounds. I want to know how to share Jesus well with people who have no knowledge of the Bible at all. I want to know how to love and share and be with my friends who are currently celebrating Ramadan or who have don't know that Christmas isn't about the birth of Santa. And this book did nothing but demonstrate a vague, "yes, that's a good idea," in reference to my questions.
If you are looking for a book that will help you in the area this book promises to, don't look here. I would suggest a memoir like, "I Dared to Call Him Father," by Bilquis Sheikh or nonfiction books like: "Serving God in a Migrant Crisis," or "Mosaic" by Jared Looney.
In the end, I do appreciate what Arron Chambers was trying to do. And I am thankful that He does care about this topic. But you would be much better off if you simply read the Gospels and then went elsewhere for practical wisdom and advice.
Also, from a ministry side of things, his perspective is largely outdated and impractical. Most people in the world are not working from a "pastor of a mega-church" type background and he consistently uses examples that only apply in this setting. In addition to this, none of the information he shares is practical. I was hoping for a book that legitimately tells me how I can better "eat with sinners." I want to know how to love the various people around me well, who come from Muslim, Agnostic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and various other religious backgrounds. I want to know how to share Jesus well with people who have no knowledge of the Bible at all. I want to know how to love and share and be with my friends who are currently celebrating Ramadan or who have don't know that Christmas isn't about the birth of Santa. And this book did nothing but demonstrate a vague, "yes, that's a good idea," in reference to my questions.
If you are looking for a book that will help you in the area this book promises to, don't look here. I would suggest a memoir like, "I Dared to Call Him Father," by Bilquis Sheikh or nonfiction books like: "Serving God in a Migrant Crisis," or "Mosaic" by Jared Looney.
In the end, I do appreciate what Arron Chambers was trying to do. And I am thankful that He does care about this topic. But you would be much better off if you simply read the Gospels and then went elsewhere for practical wisdom and advice.
October 4, 2022
I so wanted to like this book and it was on my "to read" shelf for a few years. On the upside, when he actually references Scripture (about 10% of the total content), he makes some excellent and challenging points. All of that could be boiled down into a booklet and it would have more impact. Better yet, let me save you from reading this book by giving you its essence: Imitate Jesus by loving sinners enough to engage them, build a relationship with them, and eat with them. Make opportunities to discuss spiritual things, share the gospel, and model it in your life.
One of the problems with the book is with the 90% that isn't from Scripture. All of that consists of one story after another with no real connection to Scripture or to evangelism. Most would be better in secular motivational books. Worse is when he takes a story (like John Sulley) and says something like "and Jesus is like that", which of course He isn't. It seems that with a Bible spanning 4000 years and with 2000 years of church history, he could have found a few relevant examples that do tie to evangelism and to Scripture. (Although I'm not a NASCAR fan, I thought his joke at their expense was uncalled for.)
Lastly, although I believe him to be orthodox in his theology, I wish he demonstrated a higher view of Jesus and His mission. After properly identifying Jesus' goal and purpose to go to Jerusalem to die, he then asks the reader to consider their Jerusalem. As if any goal I could have is in any way comparable to Jesus' purpose of dying for His people.
What could have been a challenging and provoking book ended up being fluff with lots of motivational non sequiturs. Rather than taking the time to read it, go talk with someone about Jesus.
One of the problems with the book is with the 90% that isn't from Scripture. All of that consists of one story after another with no real connection to Scripture or to evangelism. Most would be better in secular motivational books. Worse is when he takes a story (like John Sulley) and says something like "and Jesus is like that", which of course He isn't. It seems that with a Bible spanning 4000 years and with 2000 years of church history, he could have found a few relevant examples that do tie to evangelism and to Scripture. (Although I'm not a NASCAR fan, I thought his joke at their expense was uncalled for.)
Lastly, although I believe him to be orthodox in his theology, I wish he demonstrated a higher view of Jesus and His mission. After properly identifying Jesus' goal and purpose to go to Jerusalem to die, he then asks the reader to consider their Jerusalem. As if any goal I could have is in any way comparable to Jesus' purpose of dying for His people.
What could have been a challenging and provoking book ended up being fluff with lots of motivational non sequiturs. Rather than taking the time to read it, go talk with someone about Jesus.
June 14, 2017
very practical look at our call to connect with the people God has in our worlds, our circles, our communities.
February 4, 2019
Theologically, this book is sound. I feel that it could've been condensed, but it had great points and ideas for tangible and realistic ways to reach those who don't know Jesus.
July 5, 2021
Some good points and ideas in here but overall not great writing and some of the examples are a stretch.
February 22, 2023
I read this book about once every two years. It’s such a great guide for sharing truth with grace and loving people like Jesus does.
March 8, 2010
Reading,"Eats With Sinners", I really enjoyed the casual, conversational style with personal ancedotes that peppered throughout the book.
It was a very challenging reminder of how we, as followers of Christ, sometimes play it too sense and sometimes, borderline 'Pharisee" with our faith and in the process forget about the people whom our Saviour sought the most often.
I was reminded of Mathew 9:9-12 (NKJV):
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (Matthew 9:9-12, New King James Version)
"Eats With Sinners" is a modern outlook that challenges the reader and the follower to redefine and relook how we follow our faith and to step out of our comfortable safety zones and life and truly follow our Father as He calls us to.
This isn't about going to a far off country, but just the simple of act of ministry, straight from our front doors. It could be our next door neighbors that rub us the wrong way, the homeless that we pass by each day on the highways and freeways, the single parent struggling down the street, our co-workers, strangers we just meet by chance.
Where-ever we are, "Eats With Sinners", asks us to lift up our veils and judgement and truly minister to those who need Him with our love, our care and our hearts.
Simple-we say,but often we forget to minister even just by our prescence at a resturaunt tables, where our actions speak louder than our words. Ministering, doesn't have to be grand-it can be something as simple as "sitting down and having coffee with someone", as the publisher shares,
In Jesus' day, eating with someone acknowledged that person as an equal. Religious leaders considered it unthinkable for a Jewish teacher to eat with common people. But Jesus cared more about saving souls than saving face.
So who are you eating with? Eats with Sinners introduces a biblical model for evangelism—building relationships like Jesus did, one meal (or cup of coffee) at a time.
More unique features that could be found are easy to follow, actual recipes that are shared, sidenotes about traditions from Our Saviour's time,case studies and more.
It was a very challenging reminder of how we, as followers of Christ, sometimes play it too sense and sometimes, borderline 'Pharisee" with our faith and in the process forget about the people whom our Saviour sought the most often.
I was reminded of Mathew 9:9-12 (NKJV):
9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (Matthew 9:9-12, New King James Version)
"Eats With Sinners" is a modern outlook that challenges the reader and the follower to redefine and relook how we follow our faith and to step out of our comfortable safety zones and life and truly follow our Father as He calls us to.
This isn't about going to a far off country, but just the simple of act of ministry, straight from our front doors. It could be our next door neighbors that rub us the wrong way, the homeless that we pass by each day on the highways and freeways, the single parent struggling down the street, our co-workers, strangers we just meet by chance.
Where-ever we are, "Eats With Sinners", asks us to lift up our veils and judgement and truly minister to those who need Him with our love, our care and our hearts.
Simple-we say,but often we forget to minister even just by our prescence at a resturaunt tables, where our actions speak louder than our words. Ministering, doesn't have to be grand-it can be something as simple as "sitting down and having coffee with someone", as the publisher shares,
In Jesus' day, eating with someone acknowledged that person as an equal. Religious leaders considered it unthinkable for a Jewish teacher to eat with common people. But Jesus cared more about saving souls than saving face.
So who are you eating with? Eats with Sinners introduces a biblical model for evangelism—building relationships like Jesus did, one meal (or cup of coffee) at a time.
More unique features that could be found are easy to follow, actual recipes that are shared, sidenotes about traditions from Our Saviour's time,case studies and more.
July 8, 2015
I was "raised" on Bill Hybels' Becoming a Contagious Christian and have used that training program for personal evangelism is every congregation that I have served. BCC has become the staple training material for personal evangelism because it builds on biblical teaching, draws from numerous personal stories, develops a user-friendly conceptual construct and has lots of practical advice for implementing Hybels' approach to sharing the faith. However, the styles that Hybels' developed have often been criticized for pigeon-holing individuals. Additionally, it has now been around for 20 years, so it might be time for an update to meet new cultural conditions.
I really liked Chambers' book because it has many of the same features as Hybels' classic. Yet, instead of personality styles, he bases his argument for engaging in personal evangelism in character traits of faithful disciples (like urgency, tolerance, mercy and humility). This allows Chambers' approach a wider spectrum of application because his method is truly rooted in relationship. Also, I really appreciated the inclusion of a "workbook" whereas the BCC requires additional materials to get the full spectrum of materials. And, since this is a book about eating with others, I thought the recipes scattered throughout were cool and useful.
I really liked Chambers' book because it has many of the same features as Hybels' classic. Yet, instead of personality styles, he bases his argument for engaging in personal evangelism in character traits of faithful disciples (like urgency, tolerance, mercy and humility). This allows Chambers' approach a wider spectrum of application because his method is truly rooted in relationship. Also, I really appreciated the inclusion of a "workbook" whereas the BCC requires additional materials to get the full spectrum of materials. And, since this is a book about eating with others, I thought the recipes scattered throughout were cool and useful.
Read
February 11, 2018Arron Chambers tries to "reach hungry people like Jesus did" in his new book Eats with Sinners. This should be a popular book. After all, Chambers encourages people to go out to eat, and no one really needs a good excuse to do that.
Chambers focuses on Christians meeting the lost where they are: in the midst of their lives. He encourages Christians to spend time with people who don't go to their church. He wants them to find people they don't know and strike up a conversation, eventually becoming close enough to take them out to eat. Chambers' point is that in the Jewish society in which Jesus lived, eating with someone was an intimate act, one that symbolized friendship. This should be no different today. Christians should start eating with those who are not Christians. Only then can they truly make a difference in others' lives.
This book has a simple feel to it, and the lay out makes it good for a small group study. There are discussion questions at the end of every chapter, as well as recipes and party ideas interspersed throughout. This book challenges Christians to meet the lost where they are: outside of church buildings.
Chambers focuses on Christians meeting the lost where they are: in the midst of their lives. He encourages Christians to spend time with people who don't go to their church. He wants them to find people they don't know and strike up a conversation, eventually becoming close enough to take them out to eat. Chambers' point is that in the Jewish society in which Jesus lived, eating with someone was an intimate act, one that symbolized friendship. This should be no different today. Christians should start eating with those who are not Christians. Only then can they truly make a difference in others' lives.
This book has a simple feel to it, and the lay out makes it good for a small group study. There are discussion questions at the end of every chapter, as well as recipes and party ideas interspersed throughout. This book challenges Christians to meet the lost where they are: outside of church buildings.
October 17, 2016
Gave it 2 stars because of the writing style. I love the man's heart and his message, but I honestly just don't think he's a good writer. There were way too many one-sentence or one-word paragraphs, which upped the page count considerably. There's also a lot of fat that could have been trimmed out. I feel like he could have said all of the same things while using a third of the amount of words and the book would have been stronger for it because the reader wouldn't have to sift through all the inconsequential fluff. There are also these weird food recipes scattered throughout (not sure why - I guess encouraging hospitality) with silly names like "Darkness to Light" Cookies and "Compassion" Chicken Noodle Soup. And a final frustration was the author constantly sounded like someone who was not blessed with the gift of wit but desperately trying to be witty... as opposed to someone like N. D. Wilson or G. K. Chesterton whom you can tell both have it just flowing out of them naturally. I was rolling my eyes a lot reading this book.
July 2, 2011
This is an awesome book for anyone who wants to approach the world the way Jesus did. I was reminded of my younger years when i was so busy in the church, I didn't have time for people outside the church, let alone have real friends "out there". That's pretty much the opposite of the way Jesus did it.
Arron Chambers was a recent guest on my show, Teen Talk Radio. If you'd like to hear him live, check him out here: http://toginet.com/podcasts/teentalkr... or on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/te....
Arron Chambers was a recent guest on my show, Teen Talk Radio. If you'd like to hear him live, check him out here: http://toginet.com/podcasts/teentalkr... or on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/te....
October 14, 2020
This book was written by a white Christian man for other white christians. It’s offensive and insensitive to anyone outside of the church. If you work in ministry with any people of diversity or in any way cross culturally, please do not read this book. If you want to truly eat with sinners, how about actually doing that? Take the basic fundamentals out of this but throw the rest away. We’re about 60 years ahead of the outdated, judgmental prejudice throughout this book.
Read
August 3, 2011I thought that this book was ok. It is a good introductory book to train Christ followers to be like Jesus was. Jesus was always eating with sinners and this book shows the biblical basis for that and why that needs to be our practice as well.
I like that the book includes recipes so that the reader can put this into practice as their are reading it.
I like that the book includes recipes so that the reader can put this into practice as their are reading it.
Read
August 3, 2011Not a bad book. Got a little repetitious within some chapters. The book is about 200 pages long, but if it didn't repeat things in highlight boxes or have so many quote and recipe boxes in it...I doubt the book was over 100 regular pages...and even still, the book was a little drawn out in making it's point.
September 9, 2013
I was anxious to read this book and it did not disappoint. I found it very challenging in terms of being bold and looking for simple ways to show caring and love for those around us. Once we have established a relationship, we can share the true important things in life with them, that Jesus loves and cares for them more than we do.
April 7, 2010
This book was inspirational and motivating! I love food and I love the idea that food can be a tool to better know a person and to share the good news of Christ. Loved, loved, loved this book beyond words.
Want to read
April 27, 2014This book was recommended in Peter Boghossian's "A Manual for Creating Atheists" as an example of Relationship Evangelism in Christian practice (p. 96).
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews