Growing in Christ (Packer)

Description

A Clear Outline of Basic Christianity from Theologian J. I. Packer

Followers of Christ grow spiritually by learning and living out the essentials of their faith, which are often taken for granted or overlooked in daily life. Renowned theologian J. I. Packer believed that Christianity is not automatic and must be learned by new believers and mature Christians alike. 

In Growing in Christ, Packer offers readers an easy-to-follow road map for studying theological topics, including the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and baptism. Each chapter helps both new and lifelong believers examine what Packer calls “the intellectual ABCs” of the gospel so they can grow in faith.

• Covers Christian Themes in Depth: Including Christian convictions, communion with God, and code of conduct
• Great for Individual or Group Study: Each chapter ends with study questions and Bible passages
• Accessible: Written for Christians of all backgrounds and denominations, as well as the newly converted

Contents

Part 1: Affirming the Essentials: The Apostles’ Creed
Preface
Chapter 1: I Believe in God
Chapter 2: The God I Believe In
Chapter 3: The Father Almighty
Chapter 4: Almighty
Chapter 5: Maker of Heaven and Earth
Chapter 6: And in Jesus Christ
Chapter 7: His Only Son
Chapter 8: Born of the Virgin Mary
Chapter 9: Suffered under Pontius Pilate
Chapter 10: He Descended into Hell
Chapter 11: The Third Day
Chapter 12: He Ascended into Heaven
Chapter 13: He Shall Come
Chapter 14: I Believe in the Holy Spirit
Chapter 15: The Holy Catholic Church
Chapter 16: Forgiveness of Sins
Chapter 17: Resurrection of the Body
Chapter 18: The Life Everlasting

Part 2: Entering In: Baptism And Conversion
Preface
Chapter 1: The Lord’s Command
Chapter 2: What the Sign Says
Chapter 3: A Sacrament of Good News
Chapter 4: Conversion and Baptism
Chapter 5: Baptized in Jesus’s Name
Chapter 6: Washing
Chapter 7: United with Christ
Chapter 8: Baptism and the Holy Spirit
Chapter 9: Basic Christianity
Chapter 10: Baptism and Infants
Chapter 11. Baptism, Confirmation, Confession
Chapter 12. Baptism and Body life
Chapter 13: Baptism Improved
Chapter 14: Third Birthday

Part 3: Learning to Pray: The Lord’s Prayer
Preface
Chapter 1: When You Pray
Chapter 2: Pray Then Like This
Chapter 3: Our Father
Chapter 4: Which Art in Heaven
Chapter 5: Hallowed Be Thy Name
Chapter 6: Thy Kingdom Come
Chapter 7: Thy Will Be Done
Chapter 8: On Earth As It Is in Heaven
Chapter 9: Our Daily Bread
Chapter 10: Forgive Us
Chapter 11: Not into Temptation
Chapter 12: Deliver Us
Chapter 13: From Evil
Chapter 14: The Kingdom and the Power
Chapter 15: And the Glory
Chapter 16: Amen

Part 4: Design for Life: The Ten Commandments
Preface
Chapter 1: Blueprint for Behavior
Chapter 2: I and You
Chapter 3: Law and Love
Chapter 4: The Lord Your God
Chapter 5: Who Comes First?
Chapter 6: Imagination
Chapter 7: Are You Serious?
Chapter 8: Take My Time
Chapter 9: God and the Family
Chapter 10: Life Is Sacred
Chapter 11: Sex Is Sacred
Chapter 12: Stop, Thief!
Chapter 13: Truth Is Sacred
Chapter 14: Be Content
Chapter 15: Learning from the Law
Chapter 16: The Cement of Society
 
Index

Endorsements

“Growing in Christ is a classic from the pen of the late J. I. Packer. I am happy to see this concise introduction to the Christian faith republished for a new generation. In 64 short readings of about 1,000 words each, Dr. Packer delivers a popular-level overview of the Apostles’ Creed, baptism, conversion, prayer, and the Ten Commandments. The brief readings include biblical references for further study and good questions to awaken personal meditations and to inspire group discussions (as originally intended). Highly commended.”
Tony Reinke, author, 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You and Newton on the Christian Life

“J. I. Packer was first and foremost a catechist, someone who teaches Christians everything they need to know in order to grow in Christ and become good citizens of the gospel. Packer is here in fine form, ‘packing’ a lot into unpacking the three formulas that have historically been central in making disciples: the Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments. As he shrewdly points out, no one is a Christian by instinct; one has to learn faith in Christ. It is only fitting, then, that he includes a study of baptism, the practice that goes hand in glove with becoming a Christian. For dying and rising with Christ, which baptism enacts, is the way we live and grow in Christ.”
Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; author, The Drama of Doctrine

“For the follower of Jesus who desires to grow in Christ, there is perhaps no better place to begin than thorough understanding and prayerful application of core Christian doctrines: the Apostles’ Creed, the sacrament of baptism, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. J. I. Packer walks the new and growing believer through these ‘building blocks’ of the faith with clarity, accessibility, and thorough explanation. What a wonderful tool for your own growth as a Christian, or for your discipleship and encouragement of other growing believers in Jesus!”
Jon Nielson, Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church; author, Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry

“Over the decades, J. I. Packer’s work guided me to know God better and then to faithfully tell others the good news. Now we have this treasure of a book for a post-Christian world: fresh, instructive, classically Packer. Read this book to grow, but don’t keep it to yourself; be sure to pass it around.”
J. Mack Stiles, Director, Messenger Ministries Inc.

About the Author

J. I. Packer (1926–2020) served as the Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology at Regent College. He authored numerous books, including the classic bestseller Knowing God. Packer also served as general editor for the English Standard Version Bible and as theological editor for the ESV Study Bible.