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Growing in Grace
"Growing in Grace" is an easy to read and understand study that grows a believer in their relationship with Christ. No matter how long one has been a believer, the book firmly establishes the Bible as "the Believer's Nourishment!" Richards tackles sometimes confusing topics such as a believer's position in Christ and our assurance in Him! For those frustrated with sin and desperate for the answer, chapter seven explains that God's divine plan for sin is the Cross! Truly, "Growing in Grace" clearly communicates the essential doctrines Christians today are waiting to be taught.
"All believers in Christ need the reminder to remember the basics of our faith and the truths of Christ. New believers in particular need a clear and concise explanation of the basics of the Gospel both in origin and results. This book is a very complete compilation of truths to keep believers on course and in full faith. Not only would I recommend this for young believers, I would also recommend that all believers reread it from time to time to be assured of what God's Word teaches." ~Dr. David Knapp, adjunct professor Global Grace Seminary and author of "I Didn't Know What to Say."
“It is well done--concise and comprehensive. Only those who know their subject can do that.” ~Miles Stanford, author of the Christian classic "The Green Letters"
"After retiring from the Institute for Creation Research, my wife and I attended the Bible School where Ernie Richards was teaching. In a very short time, Ernie became a favorite teacher and dear friend. 'Growing in Grace' wonderfully identifies the passion our Lord has for us, the desire He has for us to walk in fellowship with Him, and the means by which He will accomplish that walk. We are to KNOW Him through His Word, RECKON it to be true, and the YIELD to Him (Rom. 6)...allowing Him to bring about the changes in our lives that will enable Him to reveal His glory in and through us. The Biblical principles explained in 'Growing in Grace' continue to have a life-changing impact on me for which I will be eternally graceful." ~Thomas L. Manning, The Institute for Creation Research (retired)
"All believers in Christ need the reminder to remember the basics of our faith and the truths of Christ. New believers in particular need a clear and concise explanation of the basics of the Gospel both in origin and results. This book is a very complete compilation of truths to keep believers on course and in full faith. Not only would I recommend this for young believers, I would also recommend that all believers reread it from time to time to be assured of what God's Word teaches." ~Dr. David Knapp, adjunct professor Global Grace Seminary and author of "I Didn't Know What to Say."
“It is well done--concise and comprehensive. Only those who know their subject can do that.” ~Miles Stanford, author of the Christian classic "The Green Letters"
"After retiring from the Institute for Creation Research, my wife and I attended the Bible School where Ernie Richards was teaching. In a very short time, Ernie became a favorite teacher and dear friend. 'Growing in Grace' wonderfully identifies the passion our Lord has for us, the desire He has for us to walk in fellowship with Him, and the means by which He will accomplish that walk. We are to KNOW Him through His Word, RECKON it to be true, and the YIELD to Him (Rom. 6)...allowing Him to bring about the changes in our lives that will enable Him to reveal His glory in and through us. The Biblical principles explained in 'Growing in Grace' continue to have a life-changing impact on me for which I will be eternally graceful." ~Thomas L. Manning, The Institute for Creation Research (retired)
68 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
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July 25, 2017
This is an excellent book that tackles deep concepts of Christian living and in simple, short lessons that are easy to understand but not lacking in depth.
The chapter titles are:
1. The Bible – God's Word is the Believer's Nourishment
2. Faith Takes Hold of the Word of God
3. The New Creation
4. Assurance and Security
5. Accepted in the Beloved Versus Life on the Ladder
6. Legislated by Law or Governed by Grace
7. Sin, Confession, and the Cross
8. The Holy Spirit Reproduces Christ in the Believer
One of my favorite analogies from the book is what Richards says regarding assurance of salvation: "Certainty of salvation is a matter of faith, anchored to the facts of Scripture, not to feelings or the way we behave. Looking to such shifting, unreliable things for assurance is like leaving the anchor inside the boat. A sailor needs to hook his anchor onto something outside his craft that is fixed and rock solid. The Word of God is that sure and steadfast rock (Psalm 12:6; I Peter 1:23-25). Your eternal salvation is truly as certain as God's Word!" (p. 33)
Doctrinally speaking, Richards firmly points to Christ as the one who saves us from sin's penalty (justification), power (sanctification), and presence (glorification). I appreciate that there was no Perseverance Theology in here. Richards quotes from the works of theologians such as Lewis Sperry Chafer, Miles J. Stanford, and William R. Newell, and recommends the Scofield Study Bible.
I used this study with my Bible study group that has a diverse mix of old and new believers, and it was helpful for all of us. I really appreciated all the Bible references Richards included; in our study we read each paragraph together, then stopped and looked up the references. This was so helpful to ensure that both the teaching and our discussion was grounded in Scripture, not just our opinions. Each chapter was a good length to study at home during the week and then discuss in 60-90 minutes together.
I underlined so many thought provoking quotes that it's hard to pick, but I'll share one from the last chapter: "Spirituality, like salvation, is by grace and through faith. 'As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him' (Colossians 2:6). It is not something we can manufacture or develop or become worthy of. It is only as we cease looking to self and 'turn our eyes upon Jesus' that the Spirit of God transforms us into His very image (Hebrews 12:2; II Corinthians 3:18). When we see that all we need is in Christ and allow Him to fill our vision, then, by the power of the Spirit, we will take on His resemblance." (p. 65)
The chapter titles are:
1. The Bible – God's Word is the Believer's Nourishment
2. Faith Takes Hold of the Word of God
3. The New Creation
4. Assurance and Security
5. Accepted in the Beloved Versus Life on the Ladder
6. Legislated by Law or Governed by Grace
7. Sin, Confession, and the Cross
8. The Holy Spirit Reproduces Christ in the Believer
One of my favorite analogies from the book is what Richards says regarding assurance of salvation: "Certainty of salvation is a matter of faith, anchored to the facts of Scripture, not to feelings or the way we behave. Looking to such shifting, unreliable things for assurance is like leaving the anchor inside the boat. A sailor needs to hook his anchor onto something outside his craft that is fixed and rock solid. The Word of God is that sure and steadfast rock (Psalm 12:6; I Peter 1:23-25). Your eternal salvation is truly as certain as God's Word!" (p. 33)
Doctrinally speaking, Richards firmly points to Christ as the one who saves us from sin's penalty (justification), power (sanctification), and presence (glorification). I appreciate that there was no Perseverance Theology in here. Richards quotes from the works of theologians such as Lewis Sperry Chafer, Miles J. Stanford, and William R. Newell, and recommends the Scofield Study Bible.
I used this study with my Bible study group that has a diverse mix of old and new believers, and it was helpful for all of us. I really appreciated all the Bible references Richards included; in our study we read each paragraph together, then stopped and looked up the references. This was so helpful to ensure that both the teaching and our discussion was grounded in Scripture, not just our opinions. Each chapter was a good length to study at home during the week and then discuss in 60-90 minutes together.
I underlined so many thought provoking quotes that it's hard to pick, but I'll share one from the last chapter: "Spirituality, like salvation, is by grace and through faith. 'As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him' (Colossians 2:6). It is not something we can manufacture or develop or become worthy of. It is only as we cease looking to self and 'turn our eyes upon Jesus' that the Spirit of God transforms us into His very image (Hebrews 12:2; II Corinthians 3:18). When we see that all we need is in Christ and allow Him to fill our vision, then, by the power of the Spirit, we will take on His resemblance." (p. 65)
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review