Created to Be God's Friend Workbook

By Henry T. Blackaby

Book Overview

What if we knew our lives - our everyday lives - Held a significant place in God's great plans?

Would not everything take on a different cast?

Henry Blackaby, author of the bestselling Experiencing God book and bible study material, believes that no Christian need live without a God-given direction. "To understand that in fact God did know you and choose you from eternity," he writes, "will give you an enormous sense of purpose in life."

In Created to Be God's Friend Workbook, Henry Blackaby and Kerry Skinner turn to the Old Testament patriarch Abraham to show how we can walk in growing faith and friendship with God. The Bible's compelling portraits of Abraham have profound relevance for us; through them we see how faith and obedience lead to a lifetime of joyous blessing, even when they seem bewildering and difficult.

This stand-alone workbook, which can also be read as a companion to the trade book Created to Be God's Friend, provides illuminating questions and provocative insights, allowing individuals and groups to explore how to:

Let God take the initiative to make us His friendsFollow the Lord's timing when striking out for new territory and taking risksDeal with the consequences of divine commands and opportunities we have ignoredAvoid letting success distract us from following God's callBelieve that God can bring what He started to a grand conclusion"For the God of the universe to have thoughts and purposes for us," Blackaby and Skinner remind us, "also means that He will be at work in us and around us to bring them to pass." It was true for Abraham's life. It can be true for ours as well.

This format is designed for either individuals or group leaders. Created to Be God's Friend is a remarkable study in our relationship with a personal God who is constantly working in each of our lives.

Previous editions: 0-7852-6758-1.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785263918
• ISBN13: 9780785263913
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Harperchristian Resources
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

God's timing

As I have open this book each morning God has opened my eyes to the treasures of Him. It is a book that stresses God's fullness of time in each of our lives and is a personal encouragement to my walk with the Lord. I am so grateful that Henry Blackaby was obedient to God in writing this book. I would recommend it to anyone who would want a closer walk with God, understanding His great desire for fellowship with each believer that accepts His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Your friend in Christ, Bobby

Christian Character Study

This is a great workbook to accompany the original by Henry Blackaby. Very inspiring character study of Abraham.

Created for eternity

CREATED TO BE GOD'S FRIEND is an exploration into the life of Abraham. By developing an intimate relationship with God, similar to that of Abraham, we come to a dimension of understanding, by faith. Children of God must totally release their lives to Him to allow inexpressible joy and peace to prevail. Blackaby points out that Abraham is the man God refers to as his friend (James 1:23) and God used his awesome powers to shape Abraham's life not just for a time but for eternity. By studying the lessons conveyed in CREATED TO BE GOD'S FRIEND, it was Blackaby's intent that the reader would see Abraham's life from God's perspective as well as Abraham's response to God. Then analyze how these lessons are manifested in our daily lives and help us to see our purpose. CREATED TO BE GOD'S FRIEND is not a book to be taken lightly. It's lessons are comprehensive and provide further insight into the reader's personal relationship with God. Each of the thirteen lessons can also be used on a stand-alone basis for personal or group study. Mr. Blackaby's use of clear language, relevant examples and summary questions at the end of each chapter makes CREATED TO BE GOD'S FRIEND a study tool that I found to be very valuable. Reviewed by Nedine of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

A Study of Abram/Abraham and Faith

This book was instructive in showing how to apply principles from the life of Abram/Abraham to today. Pastor Blackaby uses his own life and family in showing how he's experienced what he is teaching. A broad theme of this book is that as one cultivates a relationship with God by spending time in His presence, faith grows and results occur. God is molding that person in the process of intimacy with Him. We're reminded that God's work in an individual's life has more wide-reaching implications, that other lives are blessed as a result. He provides a useful definition of worship by writing, "Worship is a deliberate, steady,focused time with God." He adds, "Worship is totally God-centered! God focused!" In worship, God reveals Himself, while in circumstances testing comes. Humility is an important part of this process of relating to God. When a person is blessed, it is essential that God be given the glory. Success is a test. "The moment I 'take credit' I touch the Glory that belongs to God alone" he writes. One slight note that came across in one of the other reviews (I think in a review of the workbook for this work), at times those of us who struggle may have difficulty relating because he did pick the "victories" to highlight in his life and that of his family. Like every human I'm sure it hasn't been that straightforward, but in the book at times it seems to come across that way.

God Wants to Be Your Friend, Not Your Enemy!

Blackaby's book is an excellent encouragement for those who desire a deeper relationship with God. Using the Biblical story of Abraham as a backdrop, Blackaby covers several principles of a closer relationship with God, including:1. God's silences are opportunities for our faith to grow.2. Many times a long period of time may take place between God's promise and its actual fulfillment.3. When we unconditionally release our lives to God, He will work through us to be a blessing to others for His glory.4. God always takes the initiative with us and requires total faith in Him.5. God will reveal His purpose when our heart totally belongs to Him.6. God will use difficult circumstances in our lives to teach us dependence on Him instead of self-reliance.7. God took several years to mold Abraham into the man He wanted him to be.8. Nothing is too difficult for God!An excellent and highly recommended read!