Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change

I was given this book by a mentor of mine and told that it would be extremely helpful. The problem is that I saw it was deemed a "counseling" book on the back, so I moved on for a while before I picked it up and read it. I continued to see the book on the "Best Seller's" list at many sites that I admire, so I finally picked the book up and started to read. I have to be honest, if I were to try and write all that I learned this review would turn into a novel itself. Paul David Tripp really unpacks a three part effort. One: To show me who I am Two: Who others are Three: How to practically minister to them, and accept their ministering to me This book gets to the root of the issues and he even starts with the theological impact of understanding who God is and then who we are, namely: we aren't perfect, we need change, and we need help in that changing process from Christ and others. This book not only unfolds what we are to do in daily ministering opportunities, but he unpacks the practical ways to do them. One of my favorite quotes in the book is that: "We often say we need to preach the Word, but we also need to counsel the Word." That is what this book is all about. It is how to counsel the Word of God to those in everyday life that need change just like you and I. What will hinder this book is that some will think it is only for the pastor or counselor, but it's intention is for all believers and it is written that way and is desperately needed for today's church. I have already used the book and will continue to go back to it to try and unpack my shortcomings and also to help others do the same when they are in need of ministering. I know this is not the "hot topic" of discussion around the water cooler, but this book is much more needed in today's world that wants to only deal with actions instead of the root of those actions, namely, our darkened heart in need of the power of Christ. You will learn how to effectively and biblically (synonymous terms) counsel another as they ask a simple question or are having everyday life problems, instead of giving a "pat" answer or reciting Scripture and telling them to pray about it. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

Paul Tripp has added a vital resource to the biblical and nouthetic counseling movement. His well-chosen sub-title teaches that the pastor, counselor, lay spiritual friend is just as much in need of biblical wisdom for living as are those who come to them for help. The well-chosen title reminds us that ultimately we must point others to the Ultimate Spiritual Friend and Soul Physician--Christ. Tripp's core theological premise rings with biblical clarity--we are worshiping beings, built to worship God, but marred by the Fall into sin so that apart from the redemptive work of Christ, we worship anything but God. In the words of Jeremiah, we dig cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water, because we have forsaken God our Spring of living water. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Biblical Psychology," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

Dear readers, I would like to recommend this book with the highest possible rating because, as my review title states, this book is simply excellent! I wish more Christians knew about it and read it because the instruction in this book is wise and therefore incredibly practical and useful for everyday life and ministry. If I were a pastor, I would want to equip lay leaders--actually, pretty much everybody in my congregation--with this solid, biblically sound book. Mr. Tripp talks about the necessity of helping and encouraging our brothers and sisters by speaking truth with love as God's ambassadors. He also describes in detail how to engage in this lifelong process. More importantly, he exhorts us to examine our own hearts honestly before approaching others. He is honest about the failings in his own life, and also shares some examples from his ministry to make his concepts more concrete. Note: I've also read and bought Mr. Tripp's book "War of Words," and that is equally excellent, except the focus is more on communicating in a way that a disciple of Christ should. What I especially appreciate of Mr. Tripp's writing is his focus on our hearts, from which our words and actions spring. He is not content to examine the superficial layers of our lives--he goes deeper to where God beckons us.

This book is easily the most insightful I have read on what it means to minister to others and how to do so in a God-centered, grace-powered fashion. The book is full of the Gospel, both to redeem and sanctify. I read it to learn about ministering to others in their need, yet I found myself constantly confronted with my own need for depending on Christ. Read it with a humble and obedient heart and let God magnify Himself through how he changes you and His ministry to others through you.

This book came to my rescue as I began a difficult counseling situation. Paul David Tripp powerfully unfolds biblical principles for how "people in need of change" (like me) can help "people in need of change" (others). This gospel-centered book begins by describing "the best of news" which gives us "a reason to get up in the morning." This news "is not freedom from hardship, suffering and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from MYSELF" (p. 16). It is the news of a God who deals with sin and its paralyzing effects in our lives. Tripp then discusses how "God transforms people's lives as people bring his Word to others" (p. 19). We are tools in the Master's hands, and His desire is to use us to speak the truth in love to others, so as to further His transforming work in their lives. This only happens as His Word is seen as more than an encyclopedia of answers to our problems, but as "a narrative, a story of redemption, [with] its chief character . . . Jesus Christ" (p. 27). The sovereignty, grace, and glory of God are seen as the "rebar" running through the pages of Scripture, the themes which give strength and meaning to its message - and to our lives, if we will align ourselves with it. Central to the development of this book is the conviction that "human beings by their very nature are WORSHIPERS" (p. 44). This defines who we are. The question is whether we worship God or idols. In fact, "stolen worship is at the core of what is wrong with fallen human beings" (p. 45). All of our personal troubles and trials spring out of this "worship disorder." Stress and burnout, depression and anger, breakdowns in relationships, and the disintegeration of family are all fruits springing from this one root: a heart that does not worship God. Therefore, the heart is the target in all personal ministry to others. Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, came to redeem and transform human hearts. And following His model, we are called to bring His redemptive word to others. This involves four basic steps: love, know, speak, do. These steps are unfolded in extremely practical ways with lots of personal stories and illustrations. Tripp trains us how to love people the way Jesus does, how to gather information about their lives so as to understand their hearts; and how to speak the truth in love to them so that they can change in in both heart and life to the glory of God. This is an excellent book which I highly recommend, especially to pastors and counselors.