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Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church
Paul David Tripp’s Weekly Devotional Helps Readers Prepare Their Hearts for Church
Christians understand the importance of attending church, but many find their attention being pulled away from worship because of family, schedule, work, finances, and other distractions. With so much on their minds, how can churchgoers prepare their hearts to offer God the worship he deserves?
In Sunday Matters, Paul David Tripp shares 52 devotions about the beauty and significance of church, helping Christians engage in vibrant gathered worship each week. Each short, accessible meditation highlights an essential spiritual topic, including divine grace, gratitude, our identity in Christ, and dependence on the Lord. Over the course of a year, Sunday Matters will strengthen each believer’s personal relationship with God and fill churches with joyful, engaged, and passionate worshipers.
52 Weekly Each reading includes Scripture and thought-provoking questions to prepare hearts for gathered worship Theologically rich entries in a conversational, inspiring tone for churchgoers, pastors, and worship leaders alike Written by Bestselling Author Paul David Author of 30+ books, including New Morning Mercies, Lead, and Parenting
Christians understand the importance of attending church, but many find their attention being pulled away from worship because of family, schedule, work, finances, and other distractions. With so much on their minds, how can churchgoers prepare their hearts to offer God the worship he deserves?
In Sunday Matters, Paul David Tripp shares 52 devotions about the beauty and significance of church, helping Christians engage in vibrant gathered worship each week. Each short, accessible meditation highlights an essential spiritual topic, including divine grace, gratitude, our identity in Christ, and dependence on the Lord. Over the course of a year, Sunday Matters will strengthen each believer’s personal relationship with God and fill churches with joyful, engaged, and passionate worshipers.
52 Weekly Each reading includes Scripture and thought-provoking questions to prepare hearts for gathered worship Theologically rich entries in a conversational, inspiring tone for churchgoers, pastors, and worship leaders alike Written by Bestselling Author Paul David Author of 30+ books, including New Morning Mercies, Lead, and Parenting
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
290 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Paul David Tripp
129 books1,435 followersPaul was born in Toledo, Ohio to Bob and Fae Tripp on November 12, 1950. Paul spent all of his growing years in Toledo until his college years when his parents moved to Southern California.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
At Columbia Bible College from 1968-1972, (now Columbia International University) Paul majored in Bible and Christian Education. Although he had planned to be there for only two years and then to study journalism, Paul more and more felt like there was so much of the theology of Scripture that he did not understand, so he decided to go to seminary. Paul met Luella Jackson at College and they married in 1971. In 1971, Paul took his first pastoral position and has had a heart for the local church ever since. After college, Paul completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary (now known as Philadelphia Theological Seminary) in Philadelphia (1972-1975). It was during these days that Paul’s commitment to ministry solidified. After seminary, Paul was involved in planting a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (1977-1987) where he also founded a Christian School. During the years in Scranton, Paul became involved in music, traveling with a band and writing worship songs. In Scranton, Paul became interested in biblical counseling and decided to enroll in the D.Min program in Biblical Counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul then became a faculty member of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (CCEF) and a lecturer in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. Paul has also served as Visiting Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2009, Paul joined the faculty of Redeemer Seminary (daughter school of Westminster) in Dallas, Texas as Professor of Pastoral Life and Care.[1]
Beginning in June, 2006, Paul became the President of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." In addition to his current role as President of Paul Tripp Ministries, on January 1, 2007, Paul also became part of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA where he preached every Sunday evening and lead the Ministry to Center City through March, 2011 when he resigned due to the expanding time commitments needed at Paul Tripp Ministries.
Paul, Luella, and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and have lived there ever since. Paul is a prolific author and has written twelve books on Christian living which are sold internationally. Luella manages a large commercial art gallery in the city and Paul is very dedicated to painting as an avocation.[2] Paul’s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ really does speak with practical hope into all the things they will face in this broken world. Paul is a pastor with a pastor’s heart, a gifted speaker, his journey taking him all over the world, an author of numerous books on practical Christian living, and a man who is hopelessly in love with Luella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 20, 2023
This is such a beautifully written devotional. It works well for individuals and families. I especially appreciate how well Paul Tripp walks through the gospel every week, while reminding us of the importance and significance of corporate worship on Sunday mornings.
December 28, 2025
Finally completed this book and I loved it! Due to my daily reading plan I don’t have a reading of scripture to read on Sunday morning so the past year I’ve read this book on Sunday. Each Sunday it has a devotional with a few reflection questions on why corporate worship is important. It is convicting, encouraging, and gospel centered. Highly recommend!
December 28, 2025
If you’re looking for a great year-long but low-commitment book to read with your family, this is a great once-a-week weekly devotional that emphasizes the benefits and importance of corporate worship.
If you’re like me - Sunday mornings can be hectic and challenging- getting a family up and around for church is for some reason even harder than other days that start earlier and with less time available. I often leave the house angry, frustrated, at the end of my patience, and about as far away from the desire to join the saints in worship than any other time in the week. I am thankful for a 20+ minute drive to try to re-establish some degree of reverence, but even that can be a struggle.
This book is a helpful tool around the breakfast table to slow things down a little bit and help redirect our minds and hearts to things of Christ. Each reflection is followed with scripture and a few discussion questions that all of my children could contribute to.
This doesn’t solve all of my Sunday mornings trials, but it is a demonstration and reminder of what truly matters, and a 10 minute weekly remembrance to rally around when our times are hardest. I am not suggesting that this be your only family devotions - but it is an especially poignant reminder of where our priorities with the lives of the saints should be.
If you’re like me - Sunday mornings can be hectic and challenging- getting a family up and around for church is for some reason even harder than other days that start earlier and with less time available. I often leave the house angry, frustrated, at the end of my patience, and about as far away from the desire to join the saints in worship than any other time in the week. I am thankful for a 20+ minute drive to try to re-establish some degree of reverence, but even that can be a struggle.
This book is a helpful tool around the breakfast table to slow things down a little bit and help redirect our minds and hearts to things of Christ. Each reflection is followed with scripture and a few discussion questions that all of my children could contribute to.
This doesn’t solve all of my Sunday mornings trials, but it is a demonstration and reminder of what truly matters, and a 10 minute weekly remembrance to rally around when our times are hardest. I am not suggesting that this be your only family devotions - but it is an especially poignant reminder of where our priorities with the lives of the saints should be.
January 7, 2026
PDT is a classic!!! Was a little behind so didn’t finish in 2025, but he is a great author, and really explains why Sundays matter so much, not just Sabbathing but the act of going to church and being in a community of believers- it’s a wonderful thing!!
December 29, 2025
This was a beautifully written devotional and reminder of why we gather on Sundays to be continually pointed to Christ and the gospel. Highly recommend!
April 28, 2025
Es un libro que me ayudó mucho a tener presente el privilegio de poder congregarme y la preparación que debo tener incluyendo leer el pasaje que se van a predicar con antelación. Muy bueno.
February 5, 2024
I’ve read several of Paul Tripp’s books, most of them being his books of devotional readings (daily, Lent, Advent, etc.). This new book features a reading for each week of the year (reading 51 is for Easter week and 52 is for Christmas). The brief devotionals are intended to help prepare your heart for the beauty of what Sunday worship has to offer you. After each reading, there are suggested scripture passages to read, reflection questions and a family discussion section.
I enjoyed these readings, and commend this book - and all of Paul Tripp’s books - to you.
Here are 20 of my favorite quotes from the book:
• He has ordained his church to regularly gather, that we would remember once again, grieve once again, celebrate once again, and go out and live in light of the beautiful values of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• These regular gatherings of God’s people are not first an obligation; they are a gift. They are not first a duty; they are a welcome.
• The most valuable thing in all of life is my union with Christ. By grace, he is in me and I am in him.
• We gather again to worship because we need to be confronted again and again with the centrality of God in all things. We need to be reminded once again that everything in life is about him.
• We need to understand again that he knows what we need far better than we ever will, and that what he wants for us is better than anything we could ever want for ourselves.
• The gospel narrative pushes us to live with eternity in view. It calls us away from focusing only on the pleasures, the opportunities, the temptations, the responsibilities, and the cravings of this moment.
• He is in control of every aspect of our present and our future, and no matter how things might appear to us right now, he is marching us toward a glory beyond our wildest imaginations.
• He is the definition of everything that is wise, loving, and good. It is impossible for him to fail you, because he is perfect in every way and all of the time.
• We need sabbath so we can see clearly again, confess our need again, turn to grace again, and surrender again our self-glory to the greater glory of our Savior King.
• As we gather, we remember again that there is one who cares for us and who is both willing and capable of meeting us in our moment of burden and doing in us and for us what no one else would be able to do.
• He is present with us always, promising to never leave or forsake us. His grace is inexhaustible, his love is boundless, and his mercies are new every morning.
• As we come together week after week, tired and needy, reaching again for his help, he receives us with tender grace and he willingly shoulders burdens we are unable to bear alone.
• What you regularly and deeply mourn will always reveal the true values of your heart. What causes the most sadness will expose whatever kingdom has captured the allegiance of your heart.
• Corporate worship is designed to expose us, convict us, and lead us to God’s throne of grace where forgiveness and transforming power are to be found.
• Everyone lives for treasure of some kind. The thing that is your treasure will control your heart, and what has control of your heart will control your thoughts, desires, words, choices, and actions. This side of eternity, a war of treasure is fought in our hearts.
• Corporate worship is one of God’s tools in preparing us for hardships to come; he uses it to convince us of his perfect goodness and his ever-present and all-powerful grace.
• You wake up every morning to a Father who is not just your King, but he is a King who exercises his rule over all things for your good because you are one of his children.
• His sovereignty means he unleashes his wisdom to guide his world. He always ordains what is wisest and best, even if it doesn’t always seem best to us.
• Corporate worship is designed to remind us that everything we use and depend on every day has come from the hand of the Lord.
• We gather with other sufferers to be reminded once again that we will never understand our sufferings properly, evaluate them appropriately, or experience them hopefully until we look at them through the lens of the glorious destiny that is our guaranteed destination because of the gift of the grace of Jesus.
I enjoyed these readings, and commend this book - and all of Paul Tripp’s books - to you.
Here are 20 of my favorite quotes from the book:
• He has ordained his church to regularly gather, that we would remember once again, grieve once again, celebrate once again, and go out and live in light of the beautiful values of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• These regular gatherings of God’s people are not first an obligation; they are a gift. They are not first a duty; they are a welcome.
• The most valuable thing in all of life is my union with Christ. By grace, he is in me and I am in him.
• We gather again to worship because we need to be confronted again and again with the centrality of God in all things. We need to be reminded once again that everything in life is about him.
• We need to understand again that he knows what we need far better than we ever will, and that what he wants for us is better than anything we could ever want for ourselves.
• The gospel narrative pushes us to live with eternity in view. It calls us away from focusing only on the pleasures, the opportunities, the temptations, the responsibilities, and the cravings of this moment.
• He is in control of every aspect of our present and our future, and no matter how things might appear to us right now, he is marching us toward a glory beyond our wildest imaginations.
• He is the definition of everything that is wise, loving, and good. It is impossible for him to fail you, because he is perfect in every way and all of the time.
• We need sabbath so we can see clearly again, confess our need again, turn to grace again, and surrender again our self-glory to the greater glory of our Savior King.
• As we gather, we remember again that there is one who cares for us and who is both willing and capable of meeting us in our moment of burden and doing in us and for us what no one else would be able to do.
• He is present with us always, promising to never leave or forsake us. His grace is inexhaustible, his love is boundless, and his mercies are new every morning.
• As we come together week after week, tired and needy, reaching again for his help, he receives us with tender grace and he willingly shoulders burdens we are unable to bear alone.
• What you regularly and deeply mourn will always reveal the true values of your heart. What causes the most sadness will expose whatever kingdom has captured the allegiance of your heart.
• Corporate worship is designed to expose us, convict us, and lead us to God’s throne of grace where forgiveness and transforming power are to be found.
• Everyone lives for treasure of some kind. The thing that is your treasure will control your heart, and what has control of your heart will control your thoughts, desires, words, choices, and actions. This side of eternity, a war of treasure is fought in our hearts.
• Corporate worship is one of God’s tools in preparing us for hardships to come; he uses it to convince us of his perfect goodness and his ever-present and all-powerful grace.
• You wake up every morning to a Father who is not just your King, but he is a King who exercises his rule over all things for your good because you are one of his children.
• His sovereignty means he unleashes his wisdom to guide his world. He always ordains what is wisest and best, even if it doesn’t always seem best to us.
• Corporate worship is designed to remind us that everything we use and depend on every day has come from the hand of the Lord.
• We gather with other sufferers to be reminded once again that we will never understand our sufferings properly, evaluate them appropriately, or experience them hopefully until we look at them through the lens of the glorious destiny that is our guaranteed destination because of the gift of the grace of Jesus.
November 16, 2025
So thankful for Sunday Matters. It fit right into my Sunday morning routine as I prepared my heart each Lord’s Day to worship. I loved it so much that I plan to simply start over on day 1 tomorrow. I would highly recommend it to you as a simple read for Saturday night or Sunday morning each week to prepare to gather with the saints in your local church.
Read
April 18, 2024DNF - I might pick it up again someday, just not enjoying it very much right now.
December 28, 2024
Wonderful. Highly recommended for adults, teens, or families with older kids.
January 1, 2025
I think every believer ought to go through this at least one time. The devotionals are only for Sundays and they help prepare your heart and mind for corporate worship. Can’t recommend enough.
December 25, 2025
Lovely reminders of why God created the church and made me appreciate the church and His people so much more.
January 25, 2026
Perfect way to prepare for corporate worship. ❤️
December 15, 2024
Contains a few gems
January 1, 2026
Wonderful once a week devotional thoughts to help prepare your heart and mind for Church on Sunday morning,
October 16, 2025
Excellent
October 1, 2023
Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church by Paul David Tripp is a new book about preparing your heart for corporate worship and what it means to worship. The book focuses on what the Bible says worship is and not. Tripp shared Scripture, along with real-life stories that will help you understand and relate.
This is meant to be read once a week in preparation for worship on Sunday with your family. Each weekly reading provides Scripture to be read, a short devotion, with reflections, and a family discussion to help apply the teaching. Tripp shared his reason why he wrote the book in the introduction. Here is a short summary of it from him:
“We often don’t approach gathered worship with joyful, grateful, and expectant hearts. So I offer this to you. Here are fifty-two brief devotionals to help prepare your heart for the beauty of what Sunday worship has to offer you.”
I will be honest. Sometimes Sundays are hard, I don’t like getting up and getting ready to go to church, but I also do know the importance. This book will remind you of that and more (some convictions were felt for sure as I read it), which is needed at times. We are reminded of what worship is about and why. Here are a few quotes from the book:
“Corporate worship is God’s weekly gift to us, wrapped in the grace of Jesus and given by the one who create us, knows us, understands us the temptations that greet us in the broken world we live in, and offers us the help we need. This gathering reminds us that God will never grow tired of us, never regret that we are in His family, and never walk away in disgust.”
“Corporate worship is designed by God to give you eyes to see, a mind to understand, and an open heart to receive the bad news of the gospel (sin) and the good news of the gospel (grace) in ways that transform your heart.”
“The heart of the gathering of God’s people should never be about what we are called to do for God, but it must always be about what He has done in His Son for us.”
This is meant to be read once a week in preparation for worship on Sunday with your family. Each weekly reading provides Scripture to be read, a short devotion, with reflections, and a family discussion to help apply the teaching. Tripp shared his reason why he wrote the book in the introduction. Here is a short summary of it from him:
“We often don’t approach gathered worship with joyful, grateful, and expectant hearts. So I offer this to you. Here are fifty-two brief devotionals to help prepare your heart for the beauty of what Sunday worship has to offer you.”
I will be honest. Sometimes Sundays are hard, I don’t like getting up and getting ready to go to church, but I also do know the importance. This book will remind you of that and more (some convictions were felt for sure as I read it), which is needed at times. We are reminded of what worship is about and why. Here are a few quotes from the book:
“Corporate worship is God’s weekly gift to us, wrapped in the grace of Jesus and given by the one who create us, knows us, understands us the temptations that greet us in the broken world we live in, and offers us the help we need. This gathering reminds us that God will never grow tired of us, never regret that we are in His family, and never walk away in disgust.”
“Corporate worship is designed by God to give you eyes to see, a mind to understand, and an open heart to receive the bad news of the gospel (sin) and the good news of the gospel (grace) in ways that transform your heart.”
“The heart of the gathering of God’s people should never be about what we are called to do for God, but it must always be about what He has done in His Son for us.”
October 3, 2023
Several years ago, a friend gave me one of Paul David Tripp’s devotionals. I was blessed by his perspective and consistency in pointing us back to what is really important—Jesus and the gospel. When I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I wanted to read it, too. Even though I’ve been a Christian for years now, I feel like I still have a lot to learn about preparing my heart for worship, and anything that can help me do better at centering my heart and affections on my Savior is a book worth reading.
I’ve really appreciated this devotional. I haven’t finished reading it yet, because it isn’t the kind of book you want to rush through, but as a once-a-week devotional, it’s great. Each week’s entry is around four pages long, which is significantly longer than most devotionals I have read in the past. In that length, though, Tripp has some space to dive a bit more deeply into topics, and I really appreciate that. Then after each devotion, there are one or two scripture references to study and questions to provoke thought and discussion, either for yourself or with other family members. I’ve come away blessed, encouraged, and challenged from the thoughts he has to share.
As the kind of person who can easily find myself thinking about struggles and work from the past week as I’m sitting in church on Sunday morning, I feel like devotionals like these are a great way to remind myself why I’m a Christian, who Jesus is, and why we gather for church in the first place. I’ve found this book helpful, and if you are looking for a way to encourage your and your family’s hearts on Sunday morning before church, I’d highly recommend you check this out and get a copy for a friend—it’s been a great blessing to me!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
I’ve really appreciated this devotional. I haven’t finished reading it yet, because it isn’t the kind of book you want to rush through, but as a once-a-week devotional, it’s great. Each week’s entry is around four pages long, which is significantly longer than most devotionals I have read in the past. In that length, though, Tripp has some space to dive a bit more deeply into topics, and I really appreciate that. Then after each devotion, there are one or two scripture references to study and questions to provoke thought and discussion, either for yourself or with other family members. I’ve come away blessed, encouraged, and challenged from the thoughts he has to share.
As the kind of person who can easily find myself thinking about struggles and work from the past week as I’m sitting in church on Sunday morning, I feel like devotionals like these are a great way to remind myself why I’m a Christian, who Jesus is, and why we gather for church in the first place. I’ve found this book helpful, and if you are looking for a way to encourage your and your family’s hearts on Sunday morning before church, I’d highly recommend you check this out and get a copy for a friend—it’s been a great blessing to me!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
November 6, 2023
Tripp has a great way of breaking things down into navigable chunks and providing thought-provoking, God-centered, gospel-infused devotions. There are 52, one per week. They'd be great to read on Saturday night to help you remember why Sunday is so important.
I'll share one example.
"Corporate worship is designed to remind you of your identity in Christ so you won't waste your time looking for identity elsewhere" (location 1341). Our culture is increasingly trying to define identity by sexual preferences. Many have found identity in what they do for work or by what illness they have or by their marital status. Yet, "our awareness of God and our calling to live for him, was meant to be at the core of how we think about who we are and what we were made to do" (location 1366). Being a child of God defines us more deeply than anything. Worship helps remind us of that.
Each devotional ends with scripture to reflect on, a question and a family discussion topic. In this particular devotion I highlighted, Tripp encourages us to look for identity statements in 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Romans 8:16-17. The devotionals are deep and practical. I found them helpful and I do think it will prepare my heart for worship more as it reminds me of all that God is doing through his church as we worship together.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I'd highly recommend it.
I'll share one example.
"Corporate worship is designed to remind you of your identity in Christ so you won't waste your time looking for identity elsewhere" (location 1341). Our culture is increasingly trying to define identity by sexual preferences. Many have found identity in what they do for work or by what illness they have or by their marital status. Yet, "our awareness of God and our calling to live for him, was meant to be at the core of how we think about who we are and what we were made to do" (location 1366). Being a child of God defines us more deeply than anything. Worship helps remind us of that.
Each devotional ends with scripture to reflect on, a question and a family discussion topic. In this particular devotion I highlighted, Tripp encourages us to look for identity statements in 1 Peter 2:9-10 and Romans 8:16-17. The devotionals are deep and practical. I found them helpful and I do think it will prepare my heart for worship more as it reminds me of all that God is doing through his church as we worship together.
Thank you to Crossway for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I'd highly recommend it.
March 4, 2025
As all of Paul Tripp's books, I found this one full of practical Christianity that was a help and encouragement to me along with a loving rebuke at times most needed . Every Sunday morning , that we were home , while my husband drove to church I would read the weekly selection aloud. Most chapters were wonderful reminders of where we were headed and why we go to church or why we should . It helped remind us of God's design, remind me to pray and what to pray for, the need for church community, and the anticipation of God revealing Himself to us, meeting with us in the preached word , the singing of hymns , the prayers, the fellowships. In Tripp's beautiful display of language He reminded me of God's perfect design of Sunday and the wonderful gift it is to the believer. Sunday is a delight and worship to God a necessity. My only criticism of the book was the more than usual personal references, but since Paul Tripp is a Christian psychologist I guess this was deemed important . Thank you Father for the gift of Sunday.
January 19, 2025
DNF - I was very excited to read some devotionals on Saturday nights that would make the case to my heart in specific, and concrete ways that I need church on Sunday. I was looking forward to deepening my understanding of ecclesiology in way that would lead me to love church more.
Unfortunately, this book does not do those things.
Tripp starts each week with a generic (albeit correct) statement about what church does for us, and then writes two to three pages of devotional/biblical sounding - to put it bluntly - fluff.
This is not to say that Tripp was attempting to just fill pages or that the words don't mean anything. Its almost the opposite: he fills each paragraph with so many abstract concepts that I am left with nothing specific to take away.
Perhaps Tripp's writing style just doesn't connect with me; I walked away from his book on marriage with similar thoughts. If you liked this book, I don't think you are wrong, I just personally found it to be profoundly unhelpful.
Unfortunately, this book does not do those things.
Tripp starts each week with a generic (albeit correct) statement about what church does for us, and then writes two to three pages of devotional/biblical sounding - to put it bluntly - fluff.
This is not to say that Tripp was attempting to just fill pages or that the words don't mean anything. Its almost the opposite: he fills each paragraph with so many abstract concepts that I am left with nothing specific to take away.
Perhaps Tripp's writing style just doesn't connect with me; I walked away from his book on marriage with similar thoughts. If you liked this book, I don't think you are wrong, I just personally found it to be profoundly unhelpful.
September 14, 2025
Why do we go to church on Sundays? It's part of our routine, but sometimes the morning can feel chaotic, especially with young children and trying to get everyone ready for church on time. Taking 5-10 minutes on a Sunday morning to read a devotional from this book will help prepare you for the worship of our living God.
Paul Tripp begins each devotional with a blurb such as "Corporate worship is designed to remind you again and again that the most valuable thing in your life you could have never earned or deserved; it was and is a gift of divine grace." (Day 1) He then expands on this statement with a few page devotional followed by scripture passages, reflections, and family discussion. You could read this book on your own, or with your household and discuss the questions at the end of each devotional. There are 52 devotionals in the book. I have found reading this book on Sunday mornings helpful in preparing me for worship and reminding me why we go to church.
Paul Tripp begins each devotional with a blurb such as "Corporate worship is designed to remind you again and again that the most valuable thing in your life you could have never earned or deserved; it was and is a gift of divine grace." (Day 1) He then expands on this statement with a few page devotional followed by scripture passages, reflections, and family discussion. You could read this book on your own, or with your household and discuss the questions at the end of each devotional. There are 52 devotionals in the book. I have found reading this book on Sunday mornings helpful in preparing me for worship and reminding me why we go to church.
October 14, 2023
This is an interesting read on why church attendance is necessary on a Sunday morning. It begins with the authors own experience from childhood where church attendance wasn't negotiable. It was something that was done whether they were at home or away on holiday. In order to help bolster the reader into to making that decision to attend church and worship corporately, they have formulated 52 devotions that deal with a range of emotions and feelings that may hinder the desire to commit to church attendance. Each devotions gives a verse of scripture, a reflection and then notes that form the basis of a family discussion on the topic. This is probably easier to use with older children, but could be adapted to children of a primary school age. I think that each devotion is well thought out and build carefully throughout the year. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
December 20, 2024
If there would be one book I place in the hands of each person and family in my church it would be this one. Reading these devotionals each Saturday evening this year (yes, I finished it early, only because the last reading is a Christmas one!), has genuinely prepared me for meeting with my sisters and brothers to worship our great God and proclaim his Son. Tripp is necessarily repetitive on matters of the Gospel and God’s glory, but that trait is especially suited to this kind of topic of the viral importance of Sunday gathering of believers. This title helps prepare hearts, minds, and attitudes for worship, it sets priorities right. Every believer should be committed to making the corporate gathering for worship Sundays a priority, and this book gives 52 (and more) rich reasons to do so.
September 28, 2023
Paul David Tripp is a pastor, theologian, and author who has written many helpful Bible studies. His latest book is "Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church." This book is meant to be read together as a family, and contains a devotional, Scripture passage, and questions for the family to work through each week. Tripp's main assertion is as follows: "Corporate worship is designed to remind you again and again that the most valuable thing in your life you could have never earned or deserved; it was and is a gift of divine grace."
I think this could be a very helpful book for many families. However, while I agree that attending church is important, I feel that Tripp somewhat overstates its importance. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I think this could be a very helpful book for many families. However, while I agree that attending church is important, I feel that Tripp somewhat overstates its importance. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2025
4.5 rounded up.
This book is designed to remind the reader why Christians gather each Sunday for worship together. It drives home that we need to be reminded each and every week - if not each and every day - of the gift of Christ, the Son of God, and his sacrifice for us. It also speaks to how central fellowship with other believers is to our worship, whether it's singing loud, or hearing the word, or praying in Christ's name. An easy lift for sure, as Tripp is known for being succinct, to the point, and accessible. I docked half a star for it being a bit repetitive at times, but maybe that's what he was going for... All in all, a quality year-long devotional.
This book is designed to remind the reader why Christians gather each Sunday for worship together. It drives home that we need to be reminded each and every week - if not each and every day - of the gift of Christ, the Son of God, and his sacrifice for us. It also speaks to how central fellowship with other believers is to our worship, whether it's singing loud, or hearing the word, or praying in Christ's name. An easy lift for sure, as Tripp is known for being succinct, to the point, and accessible. I docked half a star for it being a bit repetitive at times, but maybe that's what he was going for... All in all, a quality year-long devotional.
December 23, 2024
A solid set of brief devotionals that refocus us from our individualist, western, (selfish) lives to re-orient to the community and the divine.
Nothing groundbreaking, profound, or often remembered specifically even later in the day (that's my biggest complaint - if you read it first thing on Sunday it'll probably get lost in whatever you take in that day) BUT it helps ground the answer, "Why am I spending all this time investing in a community? What's the point? Can't we just read a book or stay home or pray more?"
My family and I needed some of this in this season, so it resonated.
Nothing groundbreaking, profound, or often remembered specifically even later in the day (that's my biggest complaint - if you read it first thing on Sunday it'll probably get lost in whatever you take in that day) BUT it helps ground the answer, "Why am I spending all this time investing in a community? What's the point? Can't we just read a book or stay home or pray more?"
My family and I needed some of this in this season, so it resonated.
December 26, 2025
If you sometimes feel overwhelmed with a daily devotional reading, this book will be perfect for you. Sunday Matters is one devotion for each week of the year. Each of the 52 devotions end with a scripture, a reflection, and a family discussion. I did this devotional on my own, but it is designed so that it can also be used for a family devotion time or it could be used in a weekly small group meeting. This devotional is an excellent reminder that we need corporate worship and time spent with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Highly recommend.
June 1, 2025
To be pointed to and reminded of the importance of the purposeful, covenantal, weekly gathering of believers for the purpose of spiritual growth in glorifying God was a beautiful and helpful practice each Sunday morning. At 4-5 pages each Sunday, this book had more of a short-chapter feel than a devotional (which I liked) as it gave Tripp space to flesh out his encouragement and exhortation. There are also questions and additional scripture passages for further reflection and conversation.
May 9, 2024
52 days of devotionals that were relatable - great 2 to 3 page stories and then a simple devotional with a thought provoking question to journal about. Shared this with a lot of people- great for discussion.
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