Below is a brief summary of each chapters of Communion with Christ...
Chapter 1 – Consecration:
The introduction of the book takes on a two-fold character: Firstly, we go through an outline of the quality of relationship that Christ invites His followers to have. The second aspect looks into the essentials necessary for abiding in Christ and how, practically, one may enter into the experience of being “in Christ” and of Christ being in you.
Chapter 2 & 3 – Search the Scriptures:
Chapter 2 & 3 deals with Bible study as an essential element to getting intimately acquainted with its central character, Jesus Himself. Chapter 2 deals with the heart preparation necessary for Bible study, and understanding its practical effects on our experience. Chapter 3 goes into the more practical methods of gaining the most out of the Bible. Both novices and those more experienced with the Bible will find benefit here.
Chapter 4 – Biblical Meditation-Let this mind be in you:
This chapter addresses the condition of the mind as a major influence in one’s Christian experience. With a number of emerging spiritual disciplines developing in the Christian world, this chapter aims to bring readers back to a Biblical model of meditation. Readers will find fascinating insights on the relationship between how you think and how you abide in Christ.
Chapter 5 –Your word in my heart:
This chapter touches on the practice of committing the words and ideas of the Bible to memory. This is unpacked as an essential practice for spiritual growth. Here we go through Biblical principles for memorising, with some practical outlines on retaining God’s word in one’s mind.
Chapter 6 – Relentless prayer:
This chapter looks at prayer in relation to intimately walking with God. Here we look at the principles required for getting one’s prayers answered, as well as the practicalities of prayer. Among other things, this chapter deals with questions such as “what do I do when I feel like I can’t pray?”
Chapter 7 – Abiding Faith:
Chapter 7 looks at the simplicity, as well as the power of faith. I draw on the statement “How to exercise faith should be made very plain” (Ed. p.253). In this chapter we look at the distinction between faith and presumption, as well as how to overcome unbelief/doubt.
Chapter 8 – Triumph over temptation:
This chapter gives a considered look at understanding what temptation is and how one can successfully face and overcome it. I unpack what goes on in one’s mind when they are tempted and how, understanding this, one can face easily besetting habits.
This chapter also considers the temptations of trials which come on those who walk with God.
Chapter 9 - What if I fall:
Chapter 9 gives some important considerations for one who may go through the unfortunate event of a moral fall. What does a person do if, after walking with Gad, they happen to fall? This is chapter considers Christ’s regards for the fallen and outlines the essentials for getting back on track after such an experience.
Chapter 10– The experience you may have:
The last chapter, while reinforcing the preceding chapters, stresses the reality of the experience of Communion with Christ. The chapter looks at the essentials for experiencing growth on a daily basis; looking at the practicalities of how to go “from glory to glory.”
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