The previous version of this review sold this as a resource for men doing community outreach, servant leadership, and mentorship, filed it under Community, and hung Matthew 28:19, Philippians 2:3-4, and Matthew 5:13-16 on it.
That is not what this is. Growing in Christ is a 13-week follow-up course for new believers. The Navigators produced it, there is no individual author, and NavPress publishes it at 80 pages.
What it actually is, and the thing nobody tells you
This volume is two of the Navigators’ classic studies bound together: Lessons on Assurance and Lessons on Christian Living. Thirteen lessons total.
If you already own either of those separately, you already own half of this. That is worth checking before you order, and it is not stated on the cover.
The Growing in Christ series has sold more than two million copies, which tells you it works for the job it was built for.
What it covers
Assurance of salvation. Victory over sin. Forgiveness. Guidance. Putting Christ first. Relying on the Lord’s strength. The importance of the Bible. Giving. The church. Good works. Witnessing.
That is a foundation, in the literal sense. It is what someone who came to faith three months ago needs and usually does not get, because most churches hand new believers a Bible and a service time and hope for the best.
The Navigators’ particular strength is here too: it builds habits rather than just conveying information. Scripture memory is baked in, and the book includes tear-out memory verse cards in KJV, NIV, NASB, and NRSV.
Honest notes
The old review described a short devotional at the start of each chapter and journaling space throughout. I could not verify either. The memory verse cards, the 13 lessons, and the study format are confirmed. Check the preview for anything else.
It also referenced what “our team found.” There was no team. Removed.
Set expectations: this is basic on purpose. A mature believer working through it alone will find it thin, and that is not a flaw. It is aimed at someone at the start.
This post is also filed under Community. It belongs under Faith or discipleship. Flagged for correction.
Who should use it
The real use case is one man discipling another. If someone in your church came to faith recently and you have been meaning to meet with him and did not know what to actually do for thirteen weeks, this is the answer, and it is cheap enough to buy two copies without thinking about it.
Also good for a new believer working alone, or a small group of people all at the beginning.
Skip it if you are looking for material for mature men, or for a book on community engagement, which the old review promised and this was never about.