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“Tackling Big Books” (Jeffery S. Smith)

Book Reviews / Healthy Christian's Reading Habits

This sermon, delivered by Jeffery S. Smith, encourages believers to cultivate a consistent habit of reading substantial theological books, even if only in small increments. He argues that by reading just ten pages a day, four days a week, for 40 weeks a year, one can complete significant works like Calvin's Institutes or a volume of Augustine. Smith shares a personal anecdote about how he and his wife read many 'meaty' books early in their marriage by consistently reading a few pages each night. He emphasizes the unprecedented access to good, Reformed, experiential literature available today and urges listeners not to let this opportunity go to waste for spiritual growth.

2 illustrations in this sermon

A Practical Reading Strategy: The 10-Page Rule
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The 10-Page-a-Day Reading Plan

The point: Adopt a consistent reading habit, such as reading ten pages a day, four days a week, for 40 weeks a year.

An example calculation demonstrating that reading ten pages a day, four days a week, for 40 weeks a year, results in 800 pages, enough to read major theological works.

And let me give an example. Let's say that you read ten pages a day, four days a week, okay? And you only did that 40 weeks out of the year. So you take three months off and don't read anything.

0:16 - 0:35 Read in full sermon
The Surprising Volume Achieved Through Consistency
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Couple's Consistent Reading Habit

The point: Make it a consistent habit to get good, meaty, helpful books, perhaps from the church bookstore.

The speaker recounts how he and his wife read many 'meaty' books in the first four years of their marriage by consistently reading a few pages each night before bed, even when tired, illustrating the power of small, consistent efforts.

You'll be surprised at how many books you can read. I remember my wife and I, early in our marriage, we had the practice of reading through books. We would read at night before we would go to bed. And sometimes we would be tired.

1:21 - 1:32 Read in full sermon
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