I Want to Know More of Christ (daily devotional)

[Andrew R. Wheeler]

Title: I Want to Know More of Christ
Author: Steve Hall
Publisher: AudioInk
URL:http://www.amazon.com/Want-Know-More-Christ-Devotional/dp/1613392761/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358650116&sr=1-1&keywords=i+want+to+know+more+of+christ

 

I've always been interested in studies and devotional based on the names of God or the names of Christ.  These books expose me to new aspects of God's character, new attributes of God, and often new ways in which to relate to him.  Steve Hall's book met my expectations in all of these areas. 

 

As the introduction suggests, the author approaches the idea of the "names of Christ" somewhat broadly.  Not all of the devotions are about words or phrases identified in Scripture strictly as names of Christ; many of them reveal aspects of God's (and hence, Christ's) character or interactions with people.  For example, the phrase "sign of the covenant" from Genesis 9 is applied to Christ as the guarantee of God's covenant with mankind.  Similarly, many of the devotions reflect aspects of Christ's character or ministry as opposed to being strictly "names" of Christ.

 

Throughout the book, the author focuses on phrases that help reveal Christ in some aspect.  Each devotion is about half Scripture, a brief (1-2 sentence) explanation of the significance of the phrase in the context of Jesus' life and ministry, and then a prayer.  The point of the devotions is not so much information about Jesus' names as it is helping the reader to respond to Jesus in prayer.  As one might expect, the book has more devotions from the New Testament than from the Old.  The author emphasizes, however, that the character of the Father is the character of the Son, so many of the Old Testament phrases that reveal aspects of the Father's character apply equally well to Jesus.

 

Many of the words and phrases that the author selected made me think of Christ in a different way than I have before.  Some of the author's selections are fairly interpretive; however, I found that the explanations and prayers helped me to see and respond to aspects of Jesus that I had not previously recognized. 

 

Some of the written prayers get a little "preachy", veering a bit into exhortation and instruction rather than being completely prayers addressed to God.  That said, the prayers provide helpful applications of the scripture and aid the reader in responding to facets of Christ that might be new for the reader.  I generally prefer "bullet-point" type guides for prayer to written-out prayers, but I found that these prayers can serve as great jumping off points for deeper responses to the scriptures.

 

Readers who enjoy devotions heavily based on Scripture will appreciate this devotional book.  Anyone looking to connect with Jesus in new ways and to experience him more completely will find help in these devotions.  If you're a reader who prefers devotions based on heart-warming personal stories, this book may not be a fit for you.

 

Have you read any other devotionals focused on the names of God or Christ?

What did you find beneficial, challenging, or inspiring about them?