Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love

I purchased this book for a book study at my church. I was so blessed, by the insights of this author. practical, step-by-step details about how to help people going through a crisis. As the Body of Christ, we ought to be coming alongside hurting and struggling people and supporting and encouraging them. This book gives practical, step-by-step details about how to help people going through a crisis.

What I especially like is all the real world examples this book gives you when you are trying to talk to someone.

It's seldom I think that a modern book on Christian living is perfectly succinct. More often than not, it seems authors try to fill pages and hammer their points home with superfluous verbosity, inflating their chapters with analogy after analogy, ultimately leading the reader to skim desperately in search of some new principle or information. If we're honest, Christian authors are probably more guilty of this than most, but not Edward Welch.As I read this book, I had the impression that the author was very careful in selecting his words. Nothing feels excessive or out of place. No illustration or anecdote is inappropriately placed or inappropriately long. The chapters are short yet profound. They communicate exactly what the author wants to say within a narrow 2-part structure. We are needy, and we are needed. Each chapter is thus a further defense of his overall thesis, and his method for convincing his audience involves a deep look inward. We must look at our hearts and hear what they are trying to say through our emotions. We must recognize our sin and ask God and others for help. Then we must see that because we have been helped, we are qualified and required to help others. People are suffering all around us, and it is incumbent upon each of us to provide aid, friendship and prayer to those in need.This book reminded me of How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie) in that part 2 is dedicated to explaining how we can develop relationships with others through showing that we care about who they are: what interests them, the hurts they've experienced, the battles they face, etc. Welch teaches clearly how to listen to people, how to express genuine compassion, how to have a deep conversation about things that matter, how to see the good in people, how to address sin and how to fight Satan's attempts to tempt and condemn us.I would encourage anyone who reads this to journal your thoughts after each chapter. I was required to do this for a class, and it made reading it that much more personal. Answer honestly and prayerfully the questions that the author poses at the end of each chapter. I found myself reliving experiences from years ago that I hadn't fully thought about which I now understand more clearly. I am grateful for this book's clarity and honesty, and will be recommending it to anyone seeking to develop deeper relationships. Weren't not meant to be alone, but to journey through life side by side, fighting against sin and toward perfection made possible through Christ.

I read this book for a class I was taking. One of my favorites from the class so helpful in so many ways, the book is clear and direct, easy to digest and full of wisdom.

This book helps address a significant need to inform and equip Christians to walk with others well through the most difficult times of their lives. In part one of this book Welch does an excellent job revealing how needy each of us really is as human beings. He wrote:"We spend too much time concealing our neediness. We need to stop hiding. Being needy is our basic condition. There is no shame in it—it’s just the way it is. Understanding this, accepting it, and practicing it will make you a better helper"( Pg.14)."The basic idea is that those who help best are the ones who both need help and give help. A healthy community is dependent on all of us being both" (pg.11). The second part of the book Welch explains how we are needed in the Body of Christ and gives some practical ways and helpful words to move towards others who are in need. One of my favorite quotes of the book is from chapter two is: “We could sum up our emotions this way: they usually proceed from our hearts, are given shape by our bodies, reflect the quality of our relationships, bear the etchings of both the goodness and the meaninglessness of work, provide a peek into how we fare in spiritual battle, and identify what we really believe about God.” As a biblical counselor Welch helps the reader understand our humanity better and effectively connects the truth of Scripture to the broken areas we need help with, showing the way to receive and give that help. I'm taking our community group through this material currently and I think any one working with people in ministry will find this to be a great resource. There is a helpful study guide and leaders guides to accompany leading others through this book.

I work in college ministry, and one of my go-to ministry training books is Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. It really is quite good. But for someone just beginning in ministry, it can be intimidating for its size and depth. What if there was something more accessible?That's why I'm excited to recommend to you Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love by Ed Welch. I read it excitedly straight through, then slowed down on a second read, taking notes, to make sure that I really did want to recommend it to you all. I needed it, and I benefited from it.Some quick points on why I like it:- Short, clear. The best I've read of Welch.- Very doable, the model of ministry is slowed down. Ex: there's a whole chapter (5 pages) on just greeting people.- Main point I think is: We are needy, and we are needed. So we share, ask questions, and pray. "Knowing others well enough to pray for them - that's help at its most basic and at its best." page 84- It's not a watered-down book. It still talks about sin, gospel, and suffering - all with a focus on the heart, and dependence on the Spirit.- I think it's a perfect introduction for anyone (young or old, professional or lay) beginning to do ministry. It comes with discussion questions at the end of each chapter, plus a study guide pdf and leader's guide pdf you can download online.

this book is wise. To those with life experience, fellow sufferers seeking joy, growth in Christ, I recommend this book as a beautiful practical focus on helping others, loving God.

Practical, real, useful and very understandable, like so much that Welch has written. Best of all, it comes from a right understanding of human nature; the one God gives us in scripture. Read it with a friend, maybe, and bless and deepen your friendship. Or try it with a wider group - homegroup at church, your family, or a group of fellow disciples. Well worth the time to read and apply diligently

Another gem from Welch, a great look at how we can spiritually care for each other in the church context.

It is a reference always pointing us in the right direction, guiding, helping us stay on track, focus on what is practical & helpful - both fpr ourselves and for helping others through difficult times.

Great resource. Best description of what we are aiming for in terms of relationship and community in our church. Easily digestable and the format allows it to feel like a quick read. Highly recommended.