How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half

by George Sweeting; Donald Sweeting

Publisher:

Moody Publishers

, 2012

Overview

Thrive as a Christian regardless of your age.

Dr. George Sweeting's How to Begin the Christian Life revealed a plan for success in starting new lives of purpose in pursuit of Christ. Now he and his son Donald Sweeting present How to Finish the Christian Life, a guide that gives mature believers a new set of disciplines and encouraging truths to help them finish well.

Retirement from a career should never be mistaken for an absence of purpose. On the foundation of his own ministry that continues to thrive, Dr. Sweeting and his son deliver an inspiring message that the end of the believer's journey is not a matter of dying but a challenge to live to the fullest to the glory of God.

When it comes to the life of a true follower of Christ, there is only one way to finish: strong.

From the Back Cover

G o t h e Distance and Finish with Your faith intact  

The second half of life is not what it used to be. People are living longer, retiring later, and more concerned than ever before about living wisely, effectively, and finishing strong. The question is: how do we do that? Most discipleship books focus on the early years of the Christian life. In How to Finish the Christian Life, the Sweeting father and son duo, two pastors and educators, show what it means to live faithfully, faith in tact to the very end. Don looks forward to—even as George, his father, looks back upon—the years when a believer embraces the service of Christ with renewed focus and gospel hope.

DONALD SWEETING is currently the president of Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando and James Woodrow Hassell professor of church history. He earned a Ph.D. degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has 22 years of experience pastoring two churches. He has authored Acts of God and Lessons from the Life of Moody. He and his wife, Christina, have four children. Don blogs regularly at https://donsweeting.wordpress.com.

GEORGE SWEETING is former president and chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute. He has written numerous books, including How to Begin the Christian Life, which Billy Graham used in his crusades. Other books by George are The Joys of SuccessfulAging, Too Soon to Quit, and Don’t Doubt in the Dark. He and his wife, Margaret, have four children, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. George currently serves on staff at Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church in Lake Villa, Illinois.

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Praise for How to Finish the Christian Life

Wise & witty. Scriptural & sensible. Interesting & inspiring.Read about your future...what it could be and all it should be.

            Leith Anderson

            President, National Association of Evangelicals

            Pastor Emeritus, Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minn.

Only Christians can fully live now until we’re fully alive then!  With uncomfortable realism and unflinching hope, the Sweetings show us how.

            Larry Crabb

            Author, speaker, counselor/psychologist

What a wonderful, helpful and wise book!  I’m an old, cynical preacher and this book makes me less cynical and far more wise about my life and my own journey to the ”finish line.” But this isn’t just a book for old folks.  It’s a book about life and how to live it.  Read it and give it to everyone you know!

            Steve Brown

            Author of Three Free Sins and Scandalous Freedom

            Bible teacher and talk show host on Key Life radio

            Professor emeritus at Reformed Theological Seminary

How to Finish the Christian Life is one of the best books I ever read … wise without being pretentious, heart-warming, funny, full of common sense and supremely relevant insights and advice for all of us who are trying to joyously follow Jesus right up to the very moment we see him face-to-face. I not only recommend this wonderful book, I’ve ordered 50 copies to share with friends.

            Bill Armstrong

            President of Colorado Christian University

            Former U.S. Senator from Colorado

 

My longtime friend George Sweeting and his son, Don, have teamed up to write a spiritual gem on how to finish the Christian life. At age 72, the book hit home with me big time. That’s why I finished it in one sitting.

            Pat Williams

            Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic

            Author of Leadership Excellence

Living well and dying well.  For those of us over 50 (and especially for some of us pretty far beyond 50), both perspectives are so important.  George and Don Sweeting help us to focus on both perspectives.  We need to prepare to meet our Maker who also is our Savior.  In the mean time, we are still His servants here and our job from which we never retire is to honor Him in our ministry to others.  Great help here for those who want to finish as faithful servants of Jesus Christ and hear His “Well done”.

            Robert C. (Ric) Cannada, Jr.

            Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary

This book will enthrall you! The Sweetings follow our Lord’s pattern of making a point by telling a story. The book reads like a fast-paced historical/biographical novel. Yet, it inspires the reader to act on the   secrets for God-honoring victories all the way to life’s terminus. It’s an elixir for baby boomers and older people tempted to die before they are dead. I plan to reread it several times – – as is my habit with a good book, and to give copies to my aged friends.

            John Haggai

            Founder/President, The Haggai Institute

Since the beginning of my Christian life George Sweeting, one of the great leaders of the church, has been a mentor to me.  I then had the privilege to mentor his son Don.  What a thrill for me to read this wonderful book written by a magnificent father-son team.  It’s well worth reading.

            Chuck Colson

            Founder, Prison Fellowship Ministries

            Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Anyone who ever ran track in school knows that the most important part is how we finish.  Seeing those who faltered and failed late in life after so many years of wonderful service has always seemed an enigma to me.  Yet, in the Bible and outside the Bible, the reality is there.  George and Don Sweeting have done all of us a service in combining their years of integrity and excellence in the volume, How to Finish the Christian Life. All of us would do well to seek to apply these practical principles as we move toward “The Finish Line.”  Read it and reap. 

            Dr. O. S. Hawkins

            President and Chief Executive Officer, GuideStone Financial Resources

            Former pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

Finishing is important whether it is a golf swing, a tennis stroke, or an academic pursuit. But finishing well in life’s journey is absolutely critical. Grasp the wisdom in this book and you will discover how to live a full and fulfilling life until your last breath and beyond. George and Don Sweeting are experienced travelers on the journey of life and will guide you in knowing your purpose and completing God’s plan for our life with confident joy and expectant faith. I personally devoured this book and am keeping it on my read- again- and -again list.

            Jack Graham

            Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano/Dallas, Texas

Product Details

• Title : How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half
• Authors:
  • Sweeting, Donald W.
  • Sweeting, George
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Publication Date: 2012
• ISBN: 9780802482976

About the Authors

DONALD SWEETING is currently the president of Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando and James Woodrow Hassell professor of church history. He earned a Ph.D. degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has 22 years of experience pastoring two churches. He has authored The Acts of God and Lessons from the Life of Moody. He and his wife, Christina, have four children.

DR. GEORGE SWEETING (1924-2024) was the former president and chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute (1971-1999). As a world-renowned evangelist, pastor, teacher, and writer, few were better equipped to explain how to grow in your salvation. How to Begin the Christian Life is a modern classic with more than a million copies in print in English and other languages.