Features include:
· Grow entries, revealing key disciplines of the Christian life.
· Know articles, exposing the core beliefs of Christians.
· Live messages, focusing on various aspects of salvation.
· Learn notes, providing mini-commentaries on key passages for spiritual growth.
· Topical Index to articles and Scriptures
· Secrets to Spiritual Success from the General Editor Greg Laurie – a crusading pastor and author who has impacted over four million people with the Gospel message, and seen well over 340,000 people come forward to make professions of faith in Christ.
In the years since I finished Laurie's book, his teachings via radio, television or literature have risen to the top shelf of my favorite no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point, politically incorrect, gifted pastors. One of those whose wisdom I immediately turn to when faced with an issue to seek biblical perspective and interpretation (personally along the lines of Missler, Marzulli, Church, Stearman and Jeremiah). Laurie's background and practical way of making contact with his audience warrants an high anticipation in his NKJV edition entitled Start! The Bible for New Believers.
A beautiful preliminary welcomes the returning and non-believers to Christ. The following Secrets to Spiritual Success encompasses the elements of a true Christian lifestyle such as fellowship, Scripture study and, my favorite feature, prayer. Appropriately timed, the latter gratefully answers some questions consuming me as of late.
There is a nice concise introduction to each chapter within the Old and New Testaments. Certain verses are accentuated and quoted in large text to jump out at you from the page much like the bold fire engine red cover. Laurie's comedic threads appreciatively surface in many of his Grow, Know, Live and Learn highlights. Closing the holy book is a beautiful dedication to his son Christopher, followed by nearly twenty pages of lined paper for personal writing.
- Table of Contents
- The Plan of Salvation
- Secrets to Spiritual Success
- Preface to the NKJV
- The Old Testament
- The New Testament
- Essentials: What Every Christian Needs to Know about God and Jesus
- Topical Index: Scriptures and Features
- Dedication
- Notes
Throughout the Scriptures are substituted words offered from parallel texts i.e., the Vulgate, the Septuagint, etc., albeit the cross-references are sporadic and selective. There are no footnotes and definitive clarifications on words, figures, history, etc., and there, unfortunately, are no illustrations or maps. Laurie, nonetheless, stays true to the New King James Version translation while exhorting in a more inspirational and relative sense rather than doctrinal research.
My immediate reaction to Start! The Bible for New Believers is that it is distinctly for the new Christians and the lost. That may be the primary objective here, however, this is a perfect version to also utilize in shepherding the lost yourself. Start! is applicable to anyone desiring to enhance their faith through introspection and spiritual understanding.
I take acute consideration when selecting a bible, of which I own many. Laurie's has my favorite type of tissue-esque pages as well as my favorite overall size for home and church worship, reference and meditation. This is a treasure for the soul more than for academics. I am delighted to add this type as well to my spiritual study and library.
Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, began his pastoral ministry at age 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people. Since then, God has transformed that small group into a church of some 15,000 people, making it one of the largest churches in America.
In 1990, Laurie began holding public evangelistic events called Harvest Crusades. Since that time, more than 4 million people have attended Harvest Crusades across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Laurie is the featured speaker of Harvest Ministry's nationally syndicated radio program, A New Beginning, which airs daily coast-to-coast and overseas on more than 500 outlets.
In addition to his work at Harvest Ministries, Laurie serves on the board of directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. He holds two honorary doctorates from Biola University and Azusa Pacific University. Laurie has authored a number of books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner, The Upside-Down Church. His autobiography, Lost Boy, was released in May of 2008. Laurie is also the author of Losers and Winners, Saints and Sinners, Making God Known, and Hope for Hurting Hearts. His books have been translated into many languages, including Korean, Latvian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Whether speaking or writing, God has gifted Laurie with the ability to apply biblical principles to current events in a way that is relevant and easily understood by people of all ages, from all walks of life.
Whether speaking or writing, God has gifted Laurie with the ability to apply biblical principles to current events in a way that is relevant and easily understood by people of all ages, from all walks of life.
For fun, Laurie enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, occasionally surfing (when the water is really warm), playing tennis, and running. He's also somewhat of a techno-nut, always playing with the latest electronic gadget or gizmo. Greg and his wife, Cathe, reside in Southern California. They have two sons; Christopher, who went home to heaven in 2008, and Jonathan; two daughters-in-law, Brittany and Brittni; and three granddaughters, Stella, Lucy, and Rylie.
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This book was provided free for review by BookSneeze (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
