Jun 26, Raymond rated it liked it. The devotionals uses both words and illustrations to get to the central point of each devotional, some of the illustrations are satirical. The book addresses common terms like peacemakers and reclaims their true meaning. For example when describing peacemakers, Jethani argues that a peacemaker is not someone who avoids conflict but someone who takes it head on.
I can see this book making some Christians uncomfortable because it challenges Western societal values mainly individualism, fame especially on social media, and our sole focus on heaven and not on the here and now. Aug 14, Jeffrey rated it it was amazing Shelves: It seems that so many of the teachings of Jesus have been oversimplified by the church. Skye reveals much of the depth and nuance of the Sermon on the Mount in a very friendly, accessible format.
It would be a great source for youth group discussions. Feb 04, Becky rated it really liked it Shelves: reviews , reviewcopy , operationactuallybooks. True or false: We live in a culture where we often pick and choose what texts to take seriously from the Bible. True or false: We live in a culture where we often pick and choose which teachings of Christ himself to take seriously.
True or false: Every culture since Jesus' ministry has struggled with this--what to make of Jesus' teachings, his life, his work, his death and resurrection.
I can't answer the third question objectively. But the first two, sadly, are definitely true--in my opinion. If you don't find that a scary thought, perhaps you haven't read the Sermon on the Mount lately. The book consists of nine parts: Who is Really Blessed? And likewise assumes that some of these chapters might step on a few toes and challenge readers. Each chapter has a visual illustration that goes with it. I am not a visual learner, so these didn't particular speak to me or resonate with me.
But perhaps for some readers these illustrations will be thought-provoking and give the book a little something extra. First, there is the actual Bible—all sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments. Then there is the Bible we read. This is what some call our functional Bible and it includes the sections we regularly engage and seek to apply to our lives. He declared that He came not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. In other words, Jesus identifies Himself as what the Old Testament has been pointing toward, and to understand Jesus we must see Him through the lens of the writings of the Law and the Prophets.
Likewise, to understand the Law and the Prophets, we must read them through the lens of Jesus. He is the key to the whole Bible, and we need the whole Bible to engage Jesus.
Nov 07, Porter Sprigg rated it it was amazing Shelves: discipleship , christian , theology. Following Jesus means actual obedience. Thank you Skye Jethani for this brotherly, discipleship kick-in-the-pants. Jul 05, Antonia rated it it was amazing. It is an easy read, great to have pictures in it. It is convicting and points you back to Jesus. One to have by the bedside. Jesus calls us to love like He loves, who can do that?!?! No one. To love like Jesu 5 stars for its everyday relevance.
Thank you Lord!! Jan 27, Jessie Weaver rated it it was amazing. I think this is utterly fantastic and challenging and what we need in the church today. I would also suggest not getting it from the library like I did - I think it's meant to be read one tiny chapter at a time, where you can read the extra verses and journal.
I may buy my own copy so I can do that and I am definitely checking out Jethani's devotional app! View 2 comments. Mar 08, Conor rated it really liked it. Jesus is serious, so we should get serious if we claim to follow Him. Apr 22, Melissa rated it it was amazing. I love how the author poses these important questions without coming off as preachy or judgmental. Dec 26, Laura Giessler rated it really liked it Shelves: bible-study , aldersgate.
We soon discovered that there was a LOT of wisdom and insight to be considered in this text on Sermon on the Mount. The sketches were worth a thousand words, and the 2-page reflections prompted a lot of thought and discussion about how Jesus calls us to live. Very worthwhile. Nov 06, Jonathan Kurtz rated it it was amazing. This book recaptures the gospel in these times of divisional and biblical conflation with nonessential ideas.
The large evangelical industrial complex has not helped in this regard as is strives to be relevant to new Christians rather than true. Jul 01, Brian rated it it was amazing. Terrific little book unpacking the sermon on the mount bit by bit. View 1 comment. Oct 20, Ty French rated it really liked it. This book is very thought-provoking and convicting at times. Jan 29, Brad Dell rated it it was amazing Shelves: , Digs deep in few words, captures the convicting reality of God's kingdom, minimally yet powerfully illustrates the bigger points.
Easily digestible aside from the conviction! The church would be healthier. Jul 30, Kassidy Hall rated it it was amazing. Since the beginning of my last semester of college, I slowly worked my way through this book. Its content feels essential to understanding the Gospel and accurately living as followers of Jesus in the Western world. Nov 24, Jonathan rated it really liked it. Creative and clear walk through the Sermon on the Mount.
I might have approached a few items a bit differently but agree with the premise and enjoyed the execution. Jan 20, Josh rated it really liked it. Good book. Skye is extremely insightful as always, very poignant, and doesn't use such lofty language that it goes over the head of the average reader.
The way this book is laid out, it would work really well as a devotional as well as a casual reader. Apr 11, Dawn Liebherr rated it really liked it. I wasn't sure I'd like this book at first It would be a great small group devotional to do.
Nov 11, Erik Anderson rated it liked it Shelves: Could be a great resource for a junior or senior in high school. Jul 17, Taylor Heath rated it it was amazing. More confident in the authority of Jesus than ever before! Jan 19, Dakota Brian Hill rated it it was amazing.
Skye takes a simple, but powerful, approach to looking at the Sermon on the Mount - what would our lives look if we were just as serious as Jesus was when He spoke? Aug 23, Joel rated it liked it. If I could give it 3. However, I wanted more of the discussion after the setup and not just the setup! What Jethani says is all good, I just found myself wanting more than he gave. Also, If I could give it 3. Also, many of the doodles were helpful and insightful, but some did feel a bit forced so that there was a doodle for each chapter.
All in all, it is a good book, but I may have had the wrong expectations going in, or may have not been quite the intended audience.
Jan 29, Audrey rated it really liked it Shelves: the-goods , arc , Despite including a lot fewer pictures than I expected, this book was even more than I hoped for. It told the truth without guilting or overwhelming the reader. It included modern quotes and examples without seeming cheesy or forced. And though it contained a lot of substance, the devotions were short enough that it wasn't intimidating to pick this up each night or to read a couple at a time.
Would recommend. Apr 14, Kyle rated it it was amazing. I loved this devotional. You may not think that's a significant statement, but if you continue reading, you'll realize how significant that statement really is because this was one of the last books that, at first glance, I would have chosen.
You see, I struggle with reading devotionals. When I try, I immediately forget what the devotion was about. It's not necessarily because the devotionals are bad. I often find them either superficial, overly theological, or just boring. I also struggle with r I loved this devotional. I also struggle with reading books that do nothing but reword the exact same message every single day. I would much rather read a book, the Bible, or even a commentary. But not a devotional. Needless to say, this book wasn't high on my reading priority list.
But it wasn't just because it was a devotional. It was also written by someone who I had never heard of. Even more, the cover had doodling on it. Even so, this book has 3 reasons why I wouldn't pick it up. After not finding anything else that grasped my curiosity, I reluctantly came back to this book to look at the description. I'll read it. And I'm so glad I did. Jethani uses the Sermon on the Mount Matthew as the foundation for the entire book.
Not only is this Jesus' longest discourse in the Bible, it also contains a lot of his hardest teachings, and teachings that the church considers hyperbole or exaggeration. Jethani walks us through the sermon verse by verse, idea by idea, and explains what it just might look like if we did take Jesus seriously. Not only what it might look like to the church, but what it might look like to the world.
Each devotional is so rich and powerful, it's almost as if every day is an entire sermon that was been into 3 minutes or less without forfeiting any of the quality of the original message. If anyone wants to do a series on the Sermon on the Mount, this book could easily be the outline for the series. All you would need to do is expand on it. Every day, there is an illustration included to help visualize the principle of the devotional.
Even though I was originally reluctant of these drawings, I've found them helpful. An idea, concept, thought, etc. But this book isn't for the feint of heart. Most devotionals that I've come across try to help you get through your day.
They want to help you deal with your stress, help your marriage, help you become a better man or woman, help motivate or inspire you, or help you personalize your faith. This book is the complete opposite. Every day is a call-to-arms that cuts to your heart and soul. Jethani doesn't want you to feel good about yourself—he wants you to be transformed by the words of Christ.
For many of us, the Sermon on the Mount has become too familiar for our own good. We've neutered it by this familiarity, and often miss the way it was designed to bring us to our knees.
I'm going to be reading this for years to come. Skye remains a gift to the church, and a prophetic voice that we desperately need for these challenging times!
What if Jesus Was Serious? Full of whimsy that only makes Skye's insights hit harder, this is a book I'd recommend to anyone who is tired of religious games and wants to truly consider who Jesus is and what He might be saying to us today.
This book is exactly what I've been looking for: a deep dive into Jesus' most powerful teachings merged with Skye's provocative insights and application to life and culture today. Skye Jethani always makes you think with his fresh but faithful approaches to Scripture. Too often we are tempted to be, as James warns us, hearers but not doers of the word.
Skye challenges us to not only listen to Jesus but to obey Him. His creative study here of the most famous sermon in history will challenge you, comfort you, and most importantly, provoke you to take Jesus seriously. I encourage you to use this resource with your church or small group. We too often stroll past the revolutionary call of Jesus to give up our possessions and follow Him.
Skye Jethani helps us pause, look a bit deeper, and consider what Jesus actually meant in and through His teachings. The content—and the style—of Skye's book are unique. But so is Skye. In his consistent and valuable manner, Skye helps us understand the age-old truths of Jesus' call to follow Him, but in new and fresh ways.
As a visual learner, I loved this book. And I'm confident you will, too. Skye offers us a user-friendly guide to the bedrock teaching of Jesus. We have done everything in our relationship to Jesus over the years. We have taken him personally, politically, culturally, religiously, but when it comes to discipleship, we have somehow evaded actually taking Jesus seriously.
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