Thoughtful Hour (3 Volume Set)

A Thoughtful Hour (Book 1)

‘It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit.’–Desire of Ages, p. 83.

As precious as the story of Jesus is to each of us, our daily lives keep us so busy that it’s hard to carve out the time we would like to spend learning about Him. It’s hard to find an hour–a thoughtful hour–reading and studying the gospel accounts of His life.

That’s why this little book exists. It is designed to make the thoughtful hour easier, to give a little structure and focus to a study of the life of Christ. Whether you work through the pages as part of a study group or on your own, you will find a fresh look at the gospel story. The questions can be answered as part of a discussion or in your own heart as you read in thoughtful consideration.

A Thoughtful Hour (Book 2)

Imagine standing on the shore of the lake that morning, waiting and watching for Jesus. Following Him up the hillside, would you sit close by and watch—and listen? Would you be hoping to see someone healed? Would you be wishing that Jesus would feed everyone with fish or bread? Or hoping to be in His army when He led the battle against the Romans?

“Putting ourselves on the scene that day will help us hear the words of Jesus more clearly and understand what they should mean in our lives today. But to do this, we have to take time each day—perhaps a thoughtful hour—reading and studying His words.” The teachings in the Beatitudes are a pathway to heaven, and we can learn to follow each step.

That’s why this book exists. It is designed to make that thoughtful hour easier, to give a little structure and focus to a study of the life and words of Jesus. Whether you work through the pages as part of a group study or on your own, you will find a fresh look at the Beatitudes and what it means to be a part of the kingdom of heaven.  

A Thoughtful Hour (Book 3)

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 83) 

“Let us in imagination go back to that scene, and, as we sit with the disciples on the mountainside, enter into the thoughts and feelings that filled their hearts. Understanding what the words of Jesus meant to those who heard them, we may discern in them a new vividness and beauty, and may also gather for ourselves their deeper lessons.” —Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 1 

The Sermon on the Mount contains more than just the Beatitudes. In the verses following those words, Jesus lays out the most practical, the most realistic description of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to be a follower of Christ.

For the Jews who were there—whether they were peasants, rabbis, merchants, or fishermen—how would the ideas of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or “Turn the other cheek” strike them? How could they fit those ideas into their belief system, which included being superior to those around them because they had “the truth.”

What would you have thought if you were there? Could you accept that, like an acorn, people can be perfect at every step, even if not fully, grown and matured? Can you accept that no matter what happens or what we do, God still loves us like the prodigal son?

Putting ourselves on the scene that day will help us hear the words of Jesus more clearly and understand what they should mean to us. But to do this, we have to take time each day—perhaps a thoughtful hour—reading and studying His words. The teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are a clear, practical application of what Jesus taught and how He lived.

This book is designed to make that thoughtful hour easier, to give a little structure and focus to a study of the life and words of Jesus. Whether you work through the pages as part of a group study or on your own, you will find a fresh look at the Sermon on the Mount and what it means to be a part of the kingdom of heaven.