The power and the glory
Edmond author Angela Sanders’ new book “100 Days: The Glory Experiment” was recently published by LifeWay Christian Resources.
“God is all about His glory and rightly so. Considering who He is and what He has done for us, we should be too.” — Angela Sanders in “100 Days”
An Edmond author has written a new book meant to challenge Christians while strengthening their faith at the same time.
In “100 Days: The Glory Experiment,” Angela Sanders asks “What would happen if you lived 100 days for God’s glory alone?”
She said the book, released May 1, is a personal Bible study and discipleship guide all in one.
The former schoolteacher and curriculum developer said she wanted to help believers grow in their faith and gain the confidence to disciple others in these modern times.
Sanders, 46, had planned to self publish, but her husband, Todd, suggested she submit her manuscript to LifeWay Christian Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. She was thrilled when the organization asked to publish the book under its LifeWay Students imprint.
Sanders said she chose to base the study and guide on a 100-day format because people seem to like having a time frame in which to explore spiritual themes. She said Rick Warren’s wildly popular best-seller “The Purpose Driven Life (2002)” devotional has a 40-day format, and it enjoyed widespread success while gaining praise for being an effective tool for spiritual growth.
“My goal was for it to be simple and accessible but challenging,” Sanders said of her own book.
The book asks readers to contemplate a bevy of questions designed to help them in their walk of faith.
“In what way did Jesus’ obedience glorify God? What did it prove? To whom?” the book asks in the Day 7 reading entitled “Jesus’ Ultimate Goal.” “How might remembering that the Holy Spirit lives inside you help you resist temptation and stay spiritually focused?” the book asks in the Day 44 reading entitled “Relying on the Holy Spirit for Discernment.”
Focus groups read the book and spoke to Sanders to give her feedback about the book’s effectiveness. She said the feedback was positive, and she was excited when both a young student and an older adult seemed to embrace the book’s concept.
Already, small groups have begun the Bible study, including motherdaughter groups, ministers’ wives, church groups and fathers with their children, she said. The book includes a Discipleship Group Guide for these groups, which Sanders has dubbed “100 Day groups.” She said the book is designed to help both Christians and those who aren’t believers but who are interested in learning about the Christian faith.
Sanders hopes her book helps the Church in the way of evangelism and discipleship by helping Christians mobilize. She said she also hopes to see Christians rise to her challenge to reflect God’s character through their words, actions, attitudes and reactions so that people outside the Church might come to know, praise and glorify God, as well.
The book is available at LifeWay Christian Stores and online.