Growing in Christ

A Clear Outline of Basic Christianity from Theologian J. I. Packer

Followers of Christ grow spiritually by learning and living out the essentials of their faith, which are often taken for granted or overlooked in daily life. Renowned theologian J. I. Packer believed that Christianity is not automatic and must be learned by new believers and mature Christians alike.

In Growing in Christ, Packer offers readers an easy-to-follow road map for studying theological topics, including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and baptism. Each chapter helps both new and lifelong believers examine what Packer calls “the intellectual ABCs” of the gospel so they can grow in faith.

1. Opening Credits
2. Introduction
3. Part 1: Affirming the Essentials | The Apostles' Creed
4. Chapter 1: I Believe in God
5. Chapter 2: The God I Believe In
6. Chapter 3: The Father Almighty
7. Chapter 4: Almighty
8. Chapter 5: Maker of Heaven and Earth
9. Chapter 6: And in Jesus Christ
10. Chapter 7: His Only Son
11. Chapter 8: Born of the Virgin Mary
12. Chapter 9: Suffered under Pontius Pilate
13. Chapter 10: He Descended into Hell
14. Chapter 11: The Third Day
15. Chapter 12: He Ascended into Heaven
16. Chapter 13: He Shall Come
17. Chapter 14: I Believe in the Holy Spirit
18. Chapter 15: The Holy Catholic Church
19. Chapter 16: Forgiveness of Sins
20. Chapter 17: Resurrection of the Body
21. Chapter 18: The Life Everlasting
22. Part 2: Entering In | Baptism and Conversion
23. Chapter 1: The Lord's Command
24. Chapter 2: What the Sign Says
25. Chapter 3: A Sacrament of Good News
26. Chapter 4: Conversion and Baptism
27. Chapter 5: Baptized in Jesus' Name
28. Chapter 6: Washing
29. Chapter 7: United with Christ
30. Chapter 8: Baptism and the Holy Spirit
31. Chapter 9: Basic Christianity
32. Chapter 10: Baptism and Infants
33. Chapter 11: Baptism, Confirmation, Confession
34. Chapter 12: Baptism and Body Life
35. Chapter 13: Baptism Improved
36. Chapter 14: Third Birthday
37. Part 3: Learning to Pray | The Lord's Prayer
38. Chapter 1: When You Pray
39. Chapter 2: Pray Then Like This
40. Chapter 3: Our Father
41. Chapter 4: Which Art in Heaven
42. Chapter 5: Hallowed Be Thy Name
43. Chapter 6: Thy Kingdom Come
44. Chapter 7: Thy Will Be Done
45. Chapter 8: On Earth As It Is in Heaven
46. Chapter 9: Our Daily Bread
47. Chapter 10: Forgive Us
48. Chapter 11: Not into Temptation
49. Chapter 12: Deliver Us
50. Chapter 13: From Evil
51. Chapter 14: The Kingdom and the Power
52. Chapter 15: And the Glory
53. Chapter 16: Amen
54. Part 4: Design for Life | The Ten Commandments
55. Chapter 1: Blueprint for Behavior
56. Chapter 2: I and You
57. Chapter 3: Law and Love
58. Chapter 4: The Lord Your God
59. Chapter 5: Who Comes First?
60. Chapter 6: Imagination
61. Chapter 7: Are You Serious?
62. Chapter 8: Take My Time
63. Chapter 9: God and the Family
64. Chapter 10: Life Is Sacred
65. Chapter 11: Sex is Sacred
66. Chapter 12: Stop, Thief!
67. Chapter 13: Truth Is Sacred
68. Chapter 14: Be Content
69. Chapter 15: Learning from the Law
70. Chapter 16: The Cement of Society
71. Closing Credits