Two and a half years ago, a plane went down in a Texas pasture. On board were five men—the lead pastor, the executive pastor, an elder, and two faithful members of Harvest Church near Memphis, Tennessee.

In this wise and enlightening book, C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—examines the Psalms. As Lewis divines the meaning behind these timeless poetic verses, he makes clear their significance in our daily lives, and reminds us of their power to illuminate moments of grace.

Three spiritual benefits of teaching.

We all need an advocate — a Helper — a guide to show us The Way of Jesus. Watch as Cannon explains the practical application of the mysterious workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit illuminates the truth from God’s word and makes clear what we should do in the moment.

We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.

We all teach something at work everyday. Followers of Jesus have a distinct advantage — a purpose and a calling — to teach something meaningful and life-changing to those we’ve been given to love and lead.

What’s described in Isaiah 60 never happened in human history and never can happen in normal human history—and it has much to teach us about how we view our work. Isaiah 60 looks to the end of time when God makes everything right and paradise is restored. And in that restoration, something happens that we often overlook: all the nations of the world bring their work products—their gold, silver, flux, and grain—as offerings to God. Just as there was work in the original paradise, there’ll be work in the future paradise. And so, what does that mean about our work?

Followers of Jesus are commanded to make disciples wherever they go — as they go — all the time. Making disciples is not only a command; it’s our highest privilege.

This guide is designed to assist you in growing spiritually and moving towards spiritual maturity. The first five lessons aim to help you fully understand the message of salvation and how we are to respond to it properly. In one sense, it serves as a review of teaching you may have already received, but these first five lessons are foundational and must be fully understood in order to grow spiritually. The first lesson examines the issue of purpose and why God has put us here. In lesson two, we consider probably the most critical theological issues in the Bible. Finally, in lessons three through five, we examine the necessary response for a person to become a true, authentic Christian. Then, in lesson six through forty, this guide contains foundational teachings that must be understood and put into practice in order to grow spiritually and to know Christ at a deep level. I suggest reading one lesson per day. After completing each lesson, I suggest you go through it three more times, one each day. This will truly allow you to grasp the foundations of our faith. —Richard E. Simmons III