Finding contentment in Christ and pursuing the dreams he has for you.
We are all looking for significance and meaning in our lives. The world tells us that this comes from dreaming big, achieving personal success and making a big impact. But the Bible says that self-worth is found in knowing our Creator, and contentment is found in discovering his purpose for our lives.
This book reminds us that when we know Jesus, we are free from the world’s definition of success. We can listen to God’s word and direct our dreams towards the things that he says matter most, even if they are small and unimpressive in the world’s eyes.
Celebrate the dreams God has for us: serving others, investing in individuals and living faithfully. Although these things seem small, their impact will be bigger, and their rewards will be better, than anything we could dream for ourselves.
Chapter 1: Big Dreams, Big Frustrations
Chapter 2: It’s a Small World After All
Chapter 3: Size Matters Not
Chapter 4: A Small Part, a Big Story
Chapter 5: The Upside-Down Ladder
Chapter 6: Small People, Big Value
Chapter 7: Big Dreams Need a Small Foundation
Chapter 8: Small Choices, Big Changes
Chapter 9: Small Dreams, Big Rewards
| Contributors | Seth Lewis |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784988012 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | August 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
Dream Small is a needed antidote for our age. Seth Lewis re-centers us, reminding us that the great life is the faithful life. Reading this book was like spending an afternoon with a kind friend who brings you back to what’s good, beautiful, and true. I love Lewis’s writing style and stories and, most of all, his exhortation to be faithful in the small things, to love God and to love neighbor, to find freedom in dreaming small. If you have ever wondered, Am I getting this life right?, this book is for you.
Fresh, invigorating, and liberating. May it be a blessing to all of us ensnared in idolatry of the big.
"Dream Small" is a gift. With an engaging conversational style, Lewis shares his own struggles and gently leads the reader to consider the deep questions of life. What is important? How do you know if your life is successful? What do you do when you fear your life doesn’t measure up? How do you even know what measure to use? "Dream Small" considers all of these and encourages the reader to embrace God’s design, his evaluative measure for our lives, and the ways in which we can live rich, meaningful, and satisfying lives whether they are big or small in the eyes of others. Humble, wise, insightful, and deeply personal, "Dream Small" is an excellent guide to the complex questions of life, giving sound answers grounded in the gospel.
I got my copy from your mother. She gave one to all of us in our small family medicine office. Read it in two short session. I perfect book to reorient my older life. Thanks Seth!
This one wasn’t what I expected it would be—and that’s not a bad thing. I read Ordinary by Michael Horton back in 2021 and was thinking that it would be similar. I thought that Seth Lewis would make a case for why the ordinary Christian life was better when compared with extraordinary and he did—just not in the way that I was thinking he would.
Lewis targets the reader who seems to place greater value on worldly definitions of success, significance, and happiness. He argues that as followers of Christ, we are defined by the work of One who is much greater than any worldly measure could ever be and because of that, our success, significance, and happiness are found in Jesus.
I loved that he did a thorough explanation of the Fall and the gospel. I loved that Jesus was front and center in this book—the foundation of our dreams. And I loved that the small dreams that Lewis advocated for weren’t necessarily prohibitions against big dreams—they were reminders for us to check our motives and keep our sights on Christ and His kingdom.
I really enjoyed this book!! Because of its explanation of the Fall and the gospel, I think it would make a great evangelistic tool or an amazing read for a new believer. I also think that those who’ve followed Christ for a long time could use the fresh reminder that this book provides. Highly recommend!
One of the messages I am most passionate about is pointing out that there is no aspect of our day to day lives, when viewed in light of their impact on eternity, that can rightly be deemed “mundane”.
You can imagine my excitement, then, when @thegoodbookcompanyusa reached out to me about reading and reviewing Seth Lewis’ new book, “Dream Small: The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life”.
If you have been struggling with discontentment over your calling in life or if you feel like your role is too “small” to have any sort of impact for eternity, I highly recommend you get your hands on this book! It will encourage and inspire you with the truth that whether you are a mom or a CEO, a janitor or a politician, a retail worker or a pastor, your everyday life can - and does! - carry with it eternal impact and can be used to grow the kingdom of God.
It is a great read, and you will walk away from it fired up and encouraged to live your everyday ordinary life with gusto.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book came along at just the right time for me. It's way too easy for me to fall into the comparison trap, thinking that I need to do more, bigger things for my life to matter. What a comforting reminder that I am small, but I am loved by a big God. And that matters.
I am so thankful for this book, for Seth Lewis, and the Holy Spirit for speaking through him to write this book. In a world where we are drowning in the noise of “live your best life now.” “Dream big, hustle hard.” I am so thankful for the reminder that our duty as Christ followers is to live in Obedience to the Lord and that is in small moments most! What a refreshing read! Worth it to pick up!
I received a media copy of Dream Small and this is my honest review
Seth has written a very readable, helpful and unique little book! It was a challenging read, but it was easy to follow. A well written work, bringing some much needed perspective.
This book is such a refreshing breath of fresh air. It is full of truth from the Word of God. The world tells us to strive for more, but Lewis reminds us that we are part of the story God is writing. We don't have to strive for significance, we are already loved and cherished by God and written into His story. I highly recommend this book.
We live in a culture where “greatness” is the aim, and gaining 100k+ followers on Social Media means you’ve made you mark on the world and have somehow added to your self-worth. People want to be the star of their own Disney movie and “dreaming big” is the mantra of the age.
In ‘Dream Small’ Seth Lewis challenges the popular narrative of “following your dreams” and helps us to refocus our attention onto the biblical mandate that God has for ours lives, showing us that our worth is not found in the success of temporal things, but in our Creator and the purposes that He has for our lives.
The book reminds us that when we enter into relationship with Jesus, we are free from the bondage of the world’s definition of greatness and success.
Lewis encourages those in Christ to esteem and celebrate what God in His word tells us He has planned for us: serving others as Christ came to serve, living faithfully, investing in others, honouring God in the workplace and pursuing holiness.
Although the world might say “You’re not living up to your potential” or “Dream bigger!”, the Scriptures exhorts to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life”
The book is approximately 115 pages with nine chapters. Each chapter can be read in 15 minutes or so. The book is very readable and it’s a book I’d recommend to non-believers as well as believers.
‘Dream Small’ is short, sharp and punchy, and if you’re something who puts too much stock in the world’s perceptions (which is most of us!) then this might be a good read for you.
This book was sent to me by The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review
Is it okay to be ordinary? In Dream Small, Seth Lewis shares the secret power of the ordinary Christian life.
God’s Value System
Lewis begins by letting us know how God does not value things the way we do. When we see things from the perspective of our Creator, we realize that our dreams don’t need to define us. The love of our Creator and our Savior becomes supreme. And when we come to Jesus, he changes everything – including our dreams.
Climbing Down the Ladder of Success
In a striking analogy, Lewis explains how Jesus climbed down the ladder of success to love us. We can do the same as we learn to love others. Our identity remains secure and our future is sealed. And what’s more, climbing down the ladder actually leads to glory. In God’s eyes, becoming a servant is greater than worldly success. Jesus values those who gives their lives to love the “least of these.” When we lay down our pride and deny our penchant for disobedience, we find Jesus to be our overwhelming satisfaction and joy.
We Are Small, But Loved
This book is for those who think that bigger platforms, more money, and worldly success and achievements will bring you greater happiness and satisfy your soul. It will cause you to re-examine your life. It will shift your priorities. It will challenge the patterns of your life and change the priorities of your heart. This book will remind you of what really matters most. We are small, but loved. Freedom and joy, contentment and satisfaction, are found not in ourselves – but in Jesus.
I received a media copy of Dream Small and this is my honest review.
We're so used to the story that we should dream big, trying to be the best we can be by rising to the top. Maybe that's going to the best university, getting the highest-paid job, or having the perfect family. Maybe we should have power, go into politics, or make influential friends and colleagues. But Seth Lewis reminds us that this isn't what we're called to strive for. Our significance is given to us not because of what we do but because of who we are. We're loved by our creator and find our worth in knowing him. Regardless of your power and significance to our society, you are significant to God. We're to desire knowing God more than anything else.
How refreshing! We live for our creator and not for the significance of personal success or our worldly impact. This is such an encouraging read, whether you're reflecting on your significant power or struggling with your lack of it. Lewis reminds us of what is important: the incomparable love of our creator that will never change.
