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Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline Paperback – February 22, 2018

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 118 ratings

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Are you watchful in your Christian life?

Although watchfulness is not as familiar as spiritual disciplines like meditation, prayer, and fasting, it is just as necessary for a healthy spiritual life. Scripture exhorts all Christians to be watchful, regardless of their station and season in life.

In Watchfulness , Brian Hedges provides a fresh look at the what, why, how, when, and who of watchfulness, drawing principles from Scripture and instruction from believers of the past who have understood this discipline and written about it. Designed for reflection, self-examination, and personal application, with 'Examine and Apply' questions at the end of each chapter, this book will chart your course toward greater watchfulness, increased holiness, and deeper communion with the triune God.

Table of Contents:
1. What? The Nature of Watchfulness
2. Why? The Necessity of Watchfulness
3. How? The Cultivation of Watchfulness
4. When? The Seasons for Watchfulness
5. Who? Watchfulness and the Church
Appendix 1: M'Cheyne's Personal Reformation
Appendix 2: The Minister's Self-Watch

Endorsements

'If you love your Bible, if you love the Puritans, and if you love your own soul, then this little book is a banquet awaiting you to come and indulge your spiritual appetite! Brian Hedges has woven together a wonderfully edifying book on a forgotten spiritual discipline-watchfulness. He has created a tapestry rich in Scripture and the masters of the inner life: Owen, Bunyan, Flavel, Boston, M'Cheyne, and others. I can well imagine this little volume sitting next to my Bible to be read along with morning devotions or for family worship. May the Lord Jesus use this wonderful little book to help His people become more watchful.' - Brian Borgman, Pastor of Grace Community Church, Minden, Nevada, and Author of Feelings and Faith, Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life, and Coauthor of Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective

'In a sea of antinomian easy believism, Watchfulness is a five-alarm fire bell calling us all to work out our salvation with fear, trembling, and effort. It's about time. In twenty years of ministry, I have not read a single article, let alone book, that deals with the urgent issue of watchfulness. This book is long overdue and desperately needed.' - Todd Friel, Host of Wretched Radio andAuthor of Reset for Parents: How to Keep Your Kids from Backsliding

'Watchfulness is a book for all types of Christians. Whether you just met Christ yesterday or you ve been walking with Him for dozens of years, this book is a helpful reminder that we must diligently keep watch over ourselves and each other. I recommend without hesitation that you pick this up and start implementing it today. Hedges has done the church a great service with this gem!' - Jason M. Garwood, Teaching Pastor of Cross & Crown Church, Northern Virginia, and Author of Be Holy: Learning the Path of Sanctification

'Channeling the likes of Owen, Bunyan, M'Cheyne, and Calvin, Brian Hedges cares for the Christian's soul with the expertise of a seasoned pastor and a wise shepherd. He instructs the reader in the needful and often-neglected spiritual discipline of watchfulness. If you would enjoy Christ more, safeguard your soul with greater effectiveness, and live the faith-filled life more intentionally, devour these pages. It will do your soul good and sow seeds for a life of devotion to Christ.' - Jason Helopoulos, Associate Pastor, University Reformed Church, Lansing, Michigan, and Author of A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home

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Editorial Reviews

Review

We need constant reminders to be watchful lest we fall. And when these reminders come clothed in grace and pastoral sensitivity, they are all the more welcome. Brian Hedges has put together a small gem of a book that urges us to greater care and watchfulness, with gospel-driven exhortation and warnings to busy Christians. Timely and necessary. --Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; Chancellor's Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary; and Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries

Doctrine is easier to learn than godliness. Yet true doctrine is according to godliness. Brian Hedges faithfully guides his readers to cultivate godliness through watchfulness by answering the questions what, why, how, when, and who. Drawing particularly from the insights of Owen, Bunyan, and M'Cheyne, he makes the dead speak to us with a fresh voice on a neglected topic for the refreshment of our souls. --Ryan M. McGraw, Morton H. Smith Professor of Systematic Theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Many Christians today are unaware of one of the most fundamental spiritual disciplines necessary to advance in the Christian life-namely, watchfulness. By drawing from the vast riches of Scripture and the writings of Puritan divines, Brian Hedges shines a much-needed light on this often-neglected subject. This book will elevate your pursuit of personal holiness as it brings to the forefront of your mind the eternal benefits of watching over your heart and being alert for your enemy. --Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries, Dallas, Texas

About the Author

Brian G. Hedges is lead pastor of Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles, Michigan. He has written a number of books, including With Jesus, Christ All Sufficient, and Christ Formed in You.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reformation Heritage Books (February 22, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1601785941
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1601785947
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.39 x 7.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 118 ratings

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Brian G. Hedges
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Brian G. Hedges is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles Michigan, and the author of multiple books including, Christ Formed in You, Licensed to Kill, Active Spirituality, Hit List: Taking Aim at the Seven Deadly Sins, Christ All Sufficient, With Jesus, and his most recent book Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline. Brian has also written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Crosswalk, Christianity.com, PastorConnect, and Servants of Grace. He blogs at www.brianghedges.com and you can follow him on Twitter @brianghedges. His sermons are available for free at https://redeemer.ch/. Brian and his wife, Holly, have four children.

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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful in teaching biblical watchfulness through its use of Scripture and examples from the Puritans. They describe it as an excellent resource that helps them in their Christian lives. The writing style is well-written and easy to read, especially for modern readers.

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8 customers mention "Effectiveness"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective. They say it uses Scripture and examples from the Puritans to teach biblical watchfulness. The book is encouraging and practical, calling for Christians to be watchful. It builds on great thinkers from the past.

"An excellent book on biblical watchfulness, well supported by many relevant scriptures plus quotes mined from several Puritan authors...." Read more

"Much needed discipline in today's church. Well written and practical, I am sure that this will be a regular on my yearly repertoire of reads." Read more

"Watchfulness by Brian G. Hedges is an extremely practical work on a nearly forgotten spiritual discipline...." Read more

"...This book will help you in your Christian life and is sound in its doctrine. HIGHLY recommend." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to read.

"...bring together their sharp thinking on the topic in a way that is easy to read, especially for the modern reader...." Read more

"Much needed discipline in today's church. Well written and practical, I am sure that this will be a regular on my yearly repertoire of reads." Read more

"...Brian G. Hedges is a very good writer and will be reading more of his books." Read more

Rediscover this often neglected spiritual discipline.
5 out of 5 stars
Rediscover this often neglected spiritual discipline.
In the book “Watchfulness” by Brian G. Hedges, he revitalizes the overlooked practice of Christians keeping a watch on our lives. Drawing on the timeless words of the Puritans and the wisdom of God’s Word, Hedges encourages readers to “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation...” -Matthew‬ ‭26:41‬This book is a guide to helping readers understand the fundamental importance of repentance and living a sanctified life for the glory of Christ, as individuals and the church. Highly recommended!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2019
    Watchfulness is truly a lost discipline. Modern Evangelicalism is bursting with carelessness towards the innumerable snares of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Oblivious to these schemes we wonder why our marriages fail, our leaders fall, and our love grows cold. Perhaps we have been slumbering when we should have been watching?

    Pulling from giants of the Christian faith like Owen, Bunyan, M’Cheyne (and others)—Brian Hedges writes of how we can recapture Christ’s command to the apostles: “Watch and pray that you do not fall into temptation.” Martial and military language permeate this book. Bunyan’s lesser-known work, “The Holy War” is cited frequently. We are in the midst of a great struggle, and the threats and deceptions press against us on every side. How can we not keep watch? Practical examples and applications abound throughout.

    Hedges rightly keeps the gospel is central to disciplines of watchfulness and self-examination. This is not something that could ever be done in our strength alone, nor does God expect it to: “Where the promise is, there is all this assistance. The faithfulness of the Father, the grace of the Son, the power of the Spirit, are all engaged in our preservation.”

    This is an excellent book that has challenged my walk with Christ. It is also an excellent introduction to other authors who have discussed this theme in depth, directing me to read John Flavel’s Keeping the Heart which was an excellent study.
    **
    “Are you in depths and doubts, staggering and uncertain, not knowing what is your condition, nor whether you have any interest in the forgiveness that is of God? Are you tossed up and down between hopes and fears, and want peace, consolation and establishment? Why lie you upon your faces? Get up: watch, pray, fast, meditate, offer violence to your lusts and corruptions; fear not, startle not at their crying to be spared; press unto the throne of grace by prayer, supplications, importunities, restless requests—this is the way to take the kingdom of God. These are not peace, are not assurance, but they are part of the means God hath appointed for the attainment of them.” - Owen
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2018
    This is a brilliant book. He draws a lot from many great thinkers of the past such as John Bunyan, John Owen and Robert Murray M'Cheyne to name a few. He manages to bring together their sharp thinking on the topic in a way that is easy to read, especially for the modern reader. I'm excited to start reading some of his other books.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019
    An excellent book on biblical watchfulness, well supported by many relevant scriptures plus quotes mined from several Puritan authors.

    Just one surprising and disappointing negative, which is not the fault of the author but of the publishers Reformation Heritage Books, why would they ever include and prominently promote an endorsement by Associate Pastor Jason Helopoulos which begins as follows:

    “Channeling the likes of Owen, Bunyan, McCheyne and Calvin....”

    given the American Heritage Dictionary definition of channeling is “the act or practice of serving as a medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with living persons”.

    The contact with or use of mediums is strongly forbidden by in the Bible and certainly would NOT have been condoned by Owen, Bunyan, McCheyne or Calvin.

    Perhaps Helopoulos is ignorant of the meaning of the word channeling and does not know about the strong New Age connotations of the word and the practice which has entangled multitudes in spiritual deception and bondage to the peril of their souls.

    Clearly the publisher, Reformation Heritage Books, has failed to exercise appropriate discernment and “watchfulness” over the words included in an endorsement of this book ☹️
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
    Everyone needs to read this book
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2020
    Much needed discipline in today's church. Well written and practical, I am sure that this will be a regular on my yearly repertoire of reads.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019
    Watchfulness by Brian G. Hedges is an extremely practical work on a nearly forgotten spiritual discipline. Utilzing quotes from John Owen, William Gurnall, and John Bunyan, Brian frames the need for watchfulness in the Christian life. Each chapter has excellent study questions and inserts that focus more specifically on what a Puritan writer has to say regarding watchfulness. This work will convict you and teach you how to be watchful over your life. Highly recommended!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018
    A friend had recommended this book and I'm so glad she did. Couldn't put it down, plan on reading it again before the year is out and begin to introduce watchfulness into my life. Brian G. Hedges is a very good writer and will be reading more of his books.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2018
    This is easily in my top ten favorite books. I really enjoy how much the puritans are incorporated in the readings. This book will help you in your Christian life and is sound in its doctrine. HIGHLY recommend.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Gwen
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book
    Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2018
    Excellent book. Every Christian should read it.
  • Jesvin Jose
    5.0 out of 5 stars A modern-day classic!
    Reviewed in India on July 31, 2019
    Let me start with a confession: I struggle reading the old English of the Puritans. Brian Hedges, who is known for his love of Puritan writings, brings together a collection of thoughts from the Puritans on the neglected Biblical discipline of watchfulness and succeeds admirably in his endeavor. The book is however not just random thoughts from the Puritans, it is relentlessly Biblical and richly beneficial for the soul! It is a real gem!

    The book has five main chapters and is organized around the what, why, how, when and who of watchfulness. Brian starts off with the nature of watchfulness (what it is) – its definition and the important ingredients essential to its practice (wakefulness, attentiveness, vigilance, expectancy). He then gives seven reasons explaining the necessity of watchfulness (why do we need it). The first reason, he suggests, is because the heart is valuable. The second reason is because of the heart’s proneness to hardness. Other reasons include the danger of temptation, the danger of the tempter, losing our assurance of salvation and gradually experiencing spiritual decay. The last reason is a positive one: to maintain sweet communion with Christ! These are noteworthy warnings and motivations to keep watch over our heart!

    Brian then suggests nine strategies to cultivate watchfulness (how to do it). These include laboring to know our heart (the discipline of self-examination), guarding the entry points to our soul (the eyes/ears/lips/feet), making no provisions for the flesh, storing our heart with the gospel, keeping a steadfast focus on Christ, prayerfully depending on the Spirit, cherishing the grace we have received, persevering in the promises of Christ, and developing a daily rhythm for walking with God. He then shows us from Scripture and the Puritans that there are various seasons in our lives when we must be especially watchful (the when of watchfulness). He mentions seven of them: We must be watchful in seasons of prosperity, of solitude, of spiritual slumber, of self-confidence, of doubt or discouragement, of interruptions and even in the very moment of temptation itself. Again, very practical advice to help us watch our heart, lest we fall!

    The final chapter discusses the who of watchfulness – watchfulness as a community project. Here, Brian discusses the practical aspects of pastoral watchfulness (role of elders in watching over their flock) and mutual watchfulness (role of church members in watching over one another). He suggests three practical ways in which we can carry out mutual watchfulness: conversation, admonition and consideration. I really appreciated the practical exhortations on mutual watchfulness.

    There is so much treasure in the writings of the Puritans and Brian Hedges does a fantastic job digging out the gold. It was as if Owen, Bunyan, M’Cheyne came alive and spoke a fresh word for this current generation. Reading the book encouraged me to keep a constant guard over my heart and life. It was both timely and refreshing to my soul. And I do not hesitate to say that the book is a modern-day classic and a must-read for every Christian!
    One person found this helpful
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  • antony brennan
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is what is missing in your walk with the Lord
    Reviewed in Australia on August 8, 2019
    Waiting and watching for God was once seen as a core spiritual discipline.

    In this book the author details the history and practice of watchfulness. Using the writings of a number of well know Christians you learn what it is and how it can be practiced. There are enough bible verses quoted for you to quickly realise that you actually know what it is and you have seen it mentioned many times in most of the books of the Bible.

    Watchfulness is needed because our hearts and minds are prone to wander. Lord Jesus asked us to practice it many times, and the value of watching for the Lord is pointed out by a number of Biblical personages.

    The author shows us how this is not so much about contemplating everything about you as it is about seeking the Lord in all your ways.

    This is not meant to be some extra thing that you have to take up amongst the many other things you need to be doing as a Christian. This is the consciousness and attitude that underpins your spiritual life and your prayer life.

    Watchfulness is hanging on to the hem of the garment of them Lord so that you stay in his presence and be constantly covered by his right arm.
  • Augustine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a forgotten discipline
    Reviewed in India on September 10, 2020
    This book is for every one whom Christ has chosen to be His disciple. We live in a broken world, with a sin nature that refuses to die, called to be vessels useful to the Master. It is in this context that the book pours out valuable teachings taught and practiced by disciples who have taken their discipleship seriously. It needs to be read and reread till thr discipline is internalised.