Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity

Was good reading for bible study

We have just finished reading "Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity"... and LOVED it! This book, along with your new book, "Heart -Deep Teaching", summarizes our philosophy for ministry and growth for nearly 30 years. So many people get a glazed look on their face when we start sharing how we see Jesus ministering and making disciples... finally, I have a book with concisely written principles to share with them, to show we are not crazy. :-) In our efforts to equip biblical leaders for ministry, we strive to teach and model the value of grace and truth over time ... bearing with people as they grow. We find people often quote us as saying "real life is messy" ... because we say that in the context of being willing to walk beside the "disciple in training"... being willing to get involved in their lives. There are good principles (biblical) in many of the "new" conferences for leadership ... but we are convinced it isn't about a "program"... it requires unconditional love, commitment, and Spirit-empowered energy invested in people's lives... not just giving them biblical knowledge and facts... and it also takes time to see fruit. We live in such an instant society, that many leaders are not willing to hang in there when the road gets messy, long, and rocky with people. Before long, our young leaders will be quoting you, Dr. Newton... "The Great Commission was given to the church as a body made up of many different types of people from all backgrounds and cultures. When the Holy Spirit was given to the church at Pentecost, His power, presence, and gifts enabled the early church to fulfill the Great Commission in ways never before imagined possible. As the church fulfills it's task, the surrounding community feels the radical impact of Christian people. The health and unity of the church as a community must be continually developed if the church is to live up to it's biblical mandate to make disciples of Jesus Christ." (Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity) and "The goal of Christian education must be to transform the heart so that every aspect of the person becomes progressively more Christlike." (Heart-Deep Teaching). Amen. We are still passing out copies of "Heart Deep Teaching" to teachers whom we know will read it, and apply it....thanks for writing it, Dr. Newton. Your books have encouraged us so much; thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Great for home library

I love this book, it is well writed and grounded in scripture.My only disappointment came from the delivery time. I paid for next day delivery but had to wait from ordering it on saturday to recieving it on wednesday evening. Monday or even tuesday delivery would have been preferred, as I needed the book for a class that started tuesday night.

No complaints on the seller, everything was as promised. The problem is the new version and the old version are quite different, since this was a Bible study guide I wish I would have made certain I was getting the newer version. But it is not the sellers fault, I received the book as promised!

Book was for a class

It is awesome to get wisdom and understanding and the teaching that I need to grow in Christ spiritually, emotionally and intimate to apply these applications to my daily living each day.

I have not completed the book but to this point it has exceeded my expectations and is truly enhancing my personal and our small group study.