The Navigators - Life Change Library: Essential Writings on Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

With motivational words from Navigator founders to current leaders, this must read collection reminds me of Matthew 13:52 ( MSG ): Then you see how every student well-trained in Gods kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.

LINDY BLACK, associate US director, The Navigators

I cannot recommend these Essential Writings of Knowing Christ and Making Him Known strongly enough. I have read and utilized each of the articles herein many, many times over my forty-plus years of making disciples. They have been favorite go to tools of mine for years. Whats new, then? Just the fact that they will be all together in one place! What a fantastic initiative. God wants to use your life all your days. Im absolutely sure of that. Im also persuaded that these historic articles will help you greatly in that pursuit. I commend them to you wholeheartedly, even as I thank God for this sacred path you are on.

TOM BOURKE, national cities strategy, The Navigators

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Life Change Library: Essential Writings on Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

Copyright 2021 by The Navigators. All rights reserved.

Expanded from NavClassics 2008 by The Navigators

A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked EHV are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked MLB are taken from the Modern Language Bible: The Berkeley Version in Modern English ( MLB ), copyright 1945, 1959, 1969 by Zondervan Publishing House, used by permission. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture verses marked NEB are taken from The New English Bible, copyright 1970, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NIRV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version, NIRV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible, copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked WEB are taken from the World English Bible.

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

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ISBN 978-1-64158-345-9

ISBN 978-1-64158-347-3 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-64158-348-0 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-64158-346-6 (Apple)

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T HE LIFE OF A BELIEVER BEGINS with a seed. Big things often grow from small beginnings.

The beginnings of our salvation are mirrored in the process of a seed. In John 12:24 ( NIV ), Jesus says: I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

As followers of Jesus, we are the product of Jesus death and resurrection. You and I are seeds that grow and mature in Christ through the nurturing power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:27; 1 Corinthians 3:6). And with faith as small as a mustard seed, a believer can walk in grace, power, and authority (Matthew 13:31-32).

The thing thats interesting to me about seeds is that they are both products and producers. Similarly, we are products of the grace of God, recipients of salvation. But we are also equipped by the Holy Spirit to be producers for the Kingdom of God, ambassadors of grace to a world in desperate need. As seeds, we become part of a reproductive legacy: spiritual generations.

We can trace this plan of reproduction all the way back to Abraham, who is told by God, In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Paul tells us that Jesus is that seed of blessing (Galatians 3:16; read more on this in Doug Sparkss Claiming the Promise essay).

The metaphor of the seed can be traced throughout Scripture, and it reveals our two-part function as disciples of Jesus: We are meant to grow, and we are meant to multiply, just as seeds do.

The first function of a seed is to know Christ, to grow into him. Colossians 2:7 exhorts us to Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness ( NLT ). You are I are invited to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

But our knowledge of Christ is not just for our personal satisfaction. The Great Commissions imperative to Go and make disciples of all nations is a call to make Christ known (Matthew 28:16-20, NIV ). A seed is intended to sow new generations of believers, to participate in Gods plan for reaching the nations.