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Treasures of Faith is worthwhile for several reasons, the first of which is that it ties the text of Scripture together with real-life, twenty-first century situations. John Stott wrote a book on preaching entitled Between Two Worlds, in which he stressed the need for those who expound Scripture to not just be locked into the first century, but to make sure that the words of the Word matter today. This book by Chuck and Sharon does exactly that. While each chapter examines a faith principle from Hebrews 11, it begins with a real-life story of a contemporary Christian. I understood the Biblical passage in a clearer light, having “lived” the contemporary story.

Another valuable element to this book is the "Digging Deeper" section at the end of each chapter. There are suggestions for six days of Bible study related to that week’s chapter. This is what helps make the book something to think through, rather than just another book to race through. My recommendation is that you read this book slowly (a chapter each week) and do the exercises at the end of the chapter. There is a Leader’s Guide available for small group Bible study groups as well.

To whet your appetite for this book, here are the Faith Principles that are taught:

1. Biblical faith is believing that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.
2. Biblical faith produces right worship.
3. Biblical faith produces radical obedience.
4. Biblical faith sets us free to seek the city of God.
5. Biblical faith means surrendering to God’s will.
6. Biblical faith reveals our need for God’s help.
7. Biblical faith brings us God’s peace.
8. Biblical faith gives us the strength and abilities we need.
9. Biblical faith enables us to make the right decisions.
10. Biblical faith makes us new.
11. Biblical faith, characterized by genuine repentance, gives ordinary people extraordinary power.
12. Biblical faith enables us to boldly proclaim God’s Word.
13. Biblical faith gives us certain hope in an uncertain world.

Treasures of Faith is not a difficult book to read. That is, it is not difficult in an intellectual sense of the word-not difficult in the way that some Ph.D. volume would be considered difficult. The difficulty is in reading the stories of human tragedy that accompany each chapter. But the difficult stories of tragedy are not stories that are without hope. In fact, the book becomes a highly encouraging work because of the stories of tragedy.

The ultimate focus of Treasures of Faith is intentionally on God. "On each page of this family album, you will also see the inexorable power and grace of God as He fulfills the promises of His eternal covenant of redemption. You will catch a glimpse of God’s unfolding purposes for His church. God interacts with struggling believers to build into them the faith He wants them to have. In this way we are enabled to build His kingdom, to encourage others, and to pass on a legacy of faith to coming generations." (From the Treasures of Faith Introduction).