A Habit Called Faith

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (A Habit Called Faith) through the Homeschool Review Crew.  Affiliate links will be used in this review which help me support this blog.  Doesn’t hurt you in anyways, and might give you warm fuzzy feelings for lending me a hand.  🙂 

So for the past bit I’ve been going through a book entitled A Habit Called Faith.   This is a book that wants to help believers develop the habit of going through scriptures and getting to know Jesus better.   It’s a solidly good book and I’d like to tell you all about it. 

Jen Pollock Michel is the author of A Habit Called Faith: 40 Days in the bible to find and follow Jesus. Baker Books was instrumental in helping Ms. Michel get her book into the hands of believers.  40 readings over 256 pages.  Each reading is four pages.  

Before I go much farther in this review I have to tell you that I approached this book with a fair bit of trepidation.  I have read countless devotionals over the years and always end up disappointed.  So often they just pull up one or two verses pulling them out of context and spouting some nice sounding Christianese.  They never seem to really delve into the meaning of the text or overall passage.   OR they just tell a story that you are somehow supposed to connect with the passage and then learn from.    This is what I more or less expected from A Habit Called Faith.

The format of A Habit Called Faith

40 days worth of reading fill the pages.  They start with a scripture reading which has key verses read within context. I LOVE when devotionals do this.  It’s my biggest pet peeve.  Take a couple of verses, pull them out of context, and then spout of something that has nothing to do with the passage in context.   

Thus far, I have not come across any readings that spout nonsense.  

I particularly have enjoyed the thought provoking quote that starts off each reading.  They’ve gotten me into some pretty decent conversations with my inquiring 15 year old. 

Each reading is followed by a couple or three questions which aren’t surface questions.  In fact, the reader is encouraged to write down the questions and then ponder them a spell.  Then, as they ponder, writing down their thoughts about them. 

Should you get it?

Ms. Michel’s tome A Habit Called Faith is well worth looking into.  All my trepidation that I felt?  I don’t have it. 

This is a solidly good read that takes you through Deuteronomy and the book of John.   It doesn’t cover EVERYTHING but it gives the overarching thoughts and themes.  Even though I haven’t finished it, I am looking forward to working my way through to the end.  Perhaps by the end, this habit of seeking out Jesus will be more fully ingrained into my life and heart. 

I’m fairly certain, based on the readings I’ve done so far, that the conversation engaged in, you will find your heart and mind stirred.  And those questions (and answers) raised will draw you deeper into scripture as they have done mine. So I do advise you to go pick up your own copy of A Habit Called Faith.   Take your time.  Even if you don’t read it every day for 40 days (though that is the intent), read it through.  Learn to ponder God’s word, to seek the answers contained therein.  Renew your desire to seek the Lord Jesus who we love and willingly serve.