I bought this non fiction study book this past winter and read it this Spring to see if it will make a good small group study. It definitely will. I have another book that my small group will read starting in September and when that one is done, we will do this one.
BOOK SUMMARY
This book centers around how to delight in differences, love through disagreements, and live with discomfort. Basically,being in relationships with other human beings can be difficult. But loving others well is possible with Christ at the center. This book includes how to honor and value other people even when you disagree, how to connect before you correct, and how to trust God is working even when people disappoint you.
Each chapter contains a personal anecdote or testimony of a different female writer who is involved in the online Christian community known as (in)courage. There are 26 chapters and each one is a personal story, followed by a section titled "Come sit with me and learn together" where the author relates the key points to various Scriptures and how Jesus would handle the problem. At the end of each chapter are a few questions to "Ask yourself" and "Ask God".
Chapter titles are as follows:
- Table of One
- Mending a Marriage that was falling apart
- What if Pain is the stage for Miracles?
- Setting seats at the table for my political opponents
- When forgiveness is exhausting
- From heartbreak to Grace
- Staying friends when you share more differences than similarities
- Standing Ovations and Longing to be Loved
- When you feel alone in the struggle
- How to deal with Toxic people (this one was great!)
- The unexpected gift of an age gap
- Tenderness is the only way forward
- The messy, beautiful power of speaking the truth in love
- The loving work of biting your tongue (this was also a good one for me!)
- Exchanging Envy for Celebration
- Will you be a flamethrower or a fire extinguisher in the dumpster fire of internet comments? (this was one that everyone could benefit from!)
- How to Carry the weight of rejection
- the question that changes everything
- Staying curious when you want to run away
- I thought I was over the hurt
- How to stop running from someone's hard places
- Learning to disagree while still honoring my parents (another great one!)
- Love your friends and let them go (this was another important and timely one for me)
- When to offer your presence over positivity (I got a lot out of this one!)
- Keeping an open heart after a friendship failure (I could have used this in 2009!!)
- Forgiving before an Apology
The book ends with some final thoughts and questions to ask when you're sitting together and then an "About the authors" section.
MY THOUGHTS
This was a good look at how Jesus wants us to connect with people who are either hard to love, hard to connect with because of differences or who have hurt us or we've hurt them.
I loved the easy writing style and short, thought provoking sections combined with Scriptures to aid in what each author was saying. This book is definitely based on core Biblical Truths.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.
I will definitely be leading a small group with this book as our study!
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