Author: Andy Stanley
Publisher: Multinomah
Andy Stanley is a bona fide evangelical leader in America today, having been under his father Charles Stanley's shadow/wing for decades. The younger Stanley has written a number of books including Visioneering and Next Generation Leaders (I suggest both to youth groups and leaders). So, he is a well-established author as well as speaker and pastor.
I was intrigued by the title when I picked up the book: "What would be the best question ever," I wondered. I mean, I've already read Sheldon's In His Steps back in the 80s, through which the question, "What Would Jesus Do?" became a household expression. (I think even the TV program "What Would You do" is a spin-off of WWJD.)
After having read the Stanley's book, I am inclined to believe that his question is pretty much the same as WWJD, and yet more concrete and specific due to his presentation of different conditions, scenarios, and examples. So, without spoiling the reader, the question raised by Stanley is "What is the wise thing to do?"
What is the wise thing to do?
Sure, that sounds like a copycat of WWJD, and I'm sure it is to a certain degree. Sure, if we are completely in tune with Jesus, asking WWJD should lead to a wise decision. Truth be told, many of us are not reading the Bible regularly, not doing daily devotions, not involved in Bible Studies, etc., and that makes it difficult to answer WWJD. In other words, we don't know what Jesus would do because we don't know Him, we don't know his teachings, and we don't know his heart and mind.
That's why I think Andy Stanley's exhortation can be helpful--not to replace the teachings of Jesus, but use common sense and what we can learn from our forerunner's wisdom/experience to make sound decisions. As I said earlier, Stanley provides concrete examples to illustrate how one can make wise decisions in various situations.
After introducing the question and defining what wisdom is and isn't, Stanley dives into practical examples involving, time management, money, sex, relations, work, etc. that are relevant to everyone but more so to youths or those who are new in the Lord.
Here are some interesting quotes from the book:
Our heavenly Father never intended for us to live life at the level of what's permissible, legal, acceptable, and not prosecutable (p. 33)
In light of your past experience, what is the wise thing to do? (p 43)
When I am mad, I've learned that the wise thing for me to do is NOTHING. Jus wait. (p. 48)
The decision made at thirteen could sculpt what life looks like at thirty-one (p. 56)
Neglect has a cumulative effect (p. 72)
Every poor moral decision is prefaced by a series of unwise choices (pg. 121)
But when you cross certain lines sexually, there are always consequences, sometimes for the rest of your life (p. 127)
Most of the decisions we later regret are made when emotions are running high. (p. 144)
Experience is a good teacher, especially if it is other people's experience (p. 161)
The book is less than 200 pages in length, and the margins and the space between lines are quite large (easy reading, wink, wink). So, it shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours to read the entire book. However, I strongly suggest jotting down poignant and insightful quotes, examples, and warnings for individual/group growth.
This is a helpful book. I truly believe that by asking "What is the wise thing to do," we can save a lot of headaches and heartaches both now and down the line.
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