Green Pastures: A Pimer on the Ordinary Means of Grace

This work was extremely helpful and concise. Pastor Davidson does a thorough and precise exposition of various Scriptures explaining and showing us the ordinary means of grace that Christ has given to His Church, to build and strenghten our faith. The last chapter ("The Green Pastures of Our Shepherd") was especially encouraging as Pastor Davidson reminds us of the risen and ascended Christ still being present with us in this age, through the Holy Spirit, and His continued care for and feeding of His people; by the ordinary means He pastures His flock. I highly recommend this book to all Christians, both layman and officer. It is an excellent primer on the ordinary means of grace.

I am convinced that most Christians today do not know what God's ordinary means of grace are. Even using the phrase "means of grace" is usually meant with confusion. But it is through the means of grace that we grow in Christlikeness! J. Ryan Davidson recognizes this challenge, which is why he has written Green Pastures: A Primer on the Ordinary Means of Grace. Through this book, we are introduced to the ordinary channels through which Christ's church receives His grace.I greatly enjoyed reading this book! It's opening up of biblical passages not only explains the means of grace, but also helps us to see their value and to desire these means in our lives. We learn how the ministry of the Word, the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and prayer serve as means of grace. It is through these ordinary means that God births and strengthens our faith.Additionally, Davidson writes a very devotional primer on the means of grace. Through his book, we are able to read and meditate on many passages of Scripture which helps our hearts to rejoice in Christ's loving care for us as His church. This makes it easy to read and a fruitful biblical study to reflect upon.I also appreciate Davidson's focus on the centrality of the church and corporate worship. In a day of personal and privatized spirituality, Davidson reminds us that Christ has called us together as His people to receive the means of grace. I hope that Christians will come to recognize the ways which God has appointed for us to grow as believers through worshipping together in the local church.We desperately need to recover the ordinary means of grace in our church's discipleship! This is why I am so excited to recommend Davidson's book. I will regularly be using this book in helping my church and fellow believers understand how Christ gives grace to us for our good and His glory.