Christian Book Notes

Chester, Tim.  You Can Change.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  192 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.55.

Introduction

Tim Chester is co-leader of the Crowded House, a group of international church planting networks as well as co-author of Total Church.  You can read my review of Total Church here.  You Can Change is aptly subtitled “God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions.”

Summary

I will allow author, Tim Chester offer his video summary of the book.

Review

I love that the book is set up to answer the common questions of the believer. There are ten questions Tim Chester asks. There are ten questions that Tim Chester answers. Convicingly. With Scripture.

At the end of each chapter is a section that includes reflection and a change project. The reflections help the reader to digest what has just been read. The change project aids the reader in actually doing what the change requires.

The end of the book has a Scripture index that is 6 pages long! I draw your attention to this only because of how much Chester draws on the Bible. It is refreshing to read a book on change that is centered on Scripture.

If I have one critique of the book it would be the change projects. This is only because these projects can easily become programmatic thus losing their desired effect. Nonetheless, if they are done properly and with the correct attitude, they can be a useful tool.

Recommendation

In a day when self-help is all the rage,You Can Change, offers a biblical and practical for how we can truly experience change.  Tim Chester’s book would make for an excellent book study in a home group or Sunday School class.