Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small

by Mark Batterson

Overview

Over 100,000 copies sold!

Quit playing it safe and start running toward the roar! 

When the image of a man-eating beast travels through the optic nerve and into the visual cortex, the brain sends the body a simple but urgent message: run away! That’s what normal people do, but not lion chasers. Rather than seeing a five-hundred-pound problem, they see an opportunity for God to show up and show His power.
 
Chase the Lion is more than a catch phrase; it’s a radically different approach to life. It’s only when we stop fearing failure that we can fully seize opportunity by the mane. With grit and gusto, New York Times best-selling author Mark Batterson delivers a bold message to everyone with a big dream.

This is a wake-up call to stop living as if the purpose of life was to simply arrive safely at death. Our dreams should scare us. They should be so big that without God they would  be  impossible to achieve. Quit running away from what you’re afraid of.
 
Chase the lion! 
Change the world!

What is your five-hundred-pound dream?

In this highly anticipated sequel to his best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson invites lion chasers everywhere to chase dreams so impossible that victory demands we face our fears, defy the odds, and hold tight to God.

These are the kind of dreams that will make you a bigger person and the world a better place.
Based upon 2 Samuel 23, Chase the Lion tells the true story of an ancient warrior named Benaiah who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day—and then killed it. For most people, that situation wouldn’t just be a problem…it would be the last problem they ever faced. For Benaiah, it was an opportunity to step into his destiny. After defeating the lion, he landed his dream job as King David’s bodyguard and eventually became commander-in-chief of Israel’s army under King Solomon.

Written in a way that both challenges and encourages, this revolutionary book will help unleash the faith and courage you need to identify, chase, and catch the five-hundred-pound dreams in your life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781601428851
Publisher:	The Crown Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/06/2016
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	502,025
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mark Batterson is the New York Times best-selling author of a dozen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and Wild Goose Chase. He is the lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC), one of the most innovative and influential churches in America. One church with eight campuses, NCC also owns and operates Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. Mark holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University. He and his wife, Lora, and their  three children love living on Capitol Hill.
 
Twitter: @markbatterson
#ChaseTheLion
Theaterchurch.com

Read an Excerpt

On a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Chase the Lion"
by .
Copyright © 2016 Mark Batterson.
Excerpted by permission of The Crown Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

1 Chase the Lion 1

On a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.-2 Samuel 23:20, NLT

2 A Dream Within a Dream 7

These are the names of David's mighty warriors.-2 Samuel 23:8

3 The Ripple Effect 19

In one encounter-2 Samuel 23:8

4 The Door to the Future 29

He raised his spear against eight hundred men.-2 Samuel 23:8

5 The Game of Inches 39

He was with David when they taunted the Philistines.-2 Samuel 23:9

6 The Decisive Moment 53

But Eleazar stood his ground.-2 Samuel 23:10

7 Frozen 65

Till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword-2 Samuel 23:10

8 Field of Dreams 77

There was a field full of lentils.-2 Samuel 23:11

9 On This Spot 89

At the cave of Adullam-2 Samuel 23:13

10 The Lion's Den 99

Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?-2 Samuel 23:17

11 Fight Club 107

A valiant fighter from Kabzeel-2 Samuel 23:20

12 Rim to the Roar 119

He chased a lion.-2 Samuel 23:20, NLT

13 Snowy Day 129

On a snowy day-2 Samuel 23:20

14 Five-Pound Dream 139

He snatched the spear-2 Samuel 23:21

15 Double Destiny 147

He too was as famous as the three mighty warriors.-2 Samuel 23:22

16 Chain Reaction 155

And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.-2 Samuel 23:23

17 The Rabbit Room 165

Among the Thirty-2 Samuel23:24

18 Counter narratives 173

Benaiah the Pirathonite-2 Samuel 23:30

19 The Thirteenth Virtue 181

Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah-2 Samuel 23:37

20 A Hundred Years from Now 189

There were thirty-seven in all.-2 Samuel 23:39

Discussion Questions 202

Acknowledgments 210

Notes 211

Editorial Reviews

09/19/2016
In a breezy style, Batterson (The Circle Maker) whisks readers on a wild ride through a muscular Christianity as he expounds modern examples of the biblical King David’s private band of warriors. Second Samuel 23, Batterson says, “is more than a laundry list of 37 names. It’s a who’s who list.” Part personal memoir based on his exciting life (he’s been pastor of Washington, D.C.’s National Community Church for two decades) and part inspirational self-help compendium for spurring spiritual innovation and entrepreneurialism, this book challenges readers to resist fear and rise to a “God-sized dream.” Batterson jumps from the pluck of Wilbur Wright to Vince Lombardi aphorisms and from ¡Three Amigos! quips to George Washington’s military strategy, always cheering those who grab for God’s calling: “Faithfulness is not holding down the fort. Faithfulness is chasing five-hundred pound lions.” Batterson writes with lively flair and a brimming confidence in the message of Christ. This book is perfect for those looking for an inspiring affirmation of faith in modern times. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

USA Today bestseller
Washington Post bestseller
Publisher Weekly bestseller
CBA bestseller
ECPA bestseller

“Chase the Lion is a powerful, passionate, and inspiring message! When you pursue God’s dream for your life, it can be a little scary, but man is it worth it!”
—Tim Tebow

“Creative. Inspiring. Challenging. Batterson’s writings always leave us encouraged, and Chase the Lion is no exception. If you feel as if life has caused you to shrink the size of your dreams, this book is for you!”
—Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, founder of Passion Conferences, and author of The Comeback

“Mark Batterson reminds us to trust in the powerful truth that with God we don’t have to let our thinking be limited. By obeying Him, we let our growing faith push us to dream big and lean in ever closer to Him without fear or hesitation. It’s time to trust in our God, who allows us to accomplish things that seem bigger than we could ever imagine!”
—Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church and author of #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World

“We seek out community in everything we do—and our dreams should be no different. In Chase the Lion, Batterson reminds us to come together, share our dreams, and chase after them. And in doing so, we become not only dream chasers but dream catchers for the others in our pride.”
—Steven Furtick, pastor of Elevation Church and New York Times best-selling author

“Chase the Lion fosters an expansive mind-set that drives our willingness to dream bigger than ever before. This mind-set is a choice, a decision, and a belief that God designed and created each of us for greatness, nothing less. If we aren’t courageous and bold enough to extend ourselves and believe that God will give us the capacity for greatness, we will have cheated our potential. This book is for anyone scared of not achieving the real greatness they are capable of.”
—Buzz Williams, head basketball coach at Virginia Tech

“Mark Batterson’s writing has had a profound impact on my life, both personally and professionally. Join me in accepting Mark’s challenge to pursue a dream so big that only God can turn it into a reality. Life is better when you’re chasing lions!”
—Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Washington Redskins

“Pastor Mark has done it again! This is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt discouraged or disappointed. Chase the Lion not only helped me take a fresh look at my life’s purpose, but it also gave me the renewed energy to dream big and work hard. Pastor Mark is truly gifted at making God’s Word accessible and encouraging.”
—Mara Schiavocampo, Good Morning America correspondent

“Mark’s books have inspired me and helped me to inspire our team. Straight from God’s Word, Chase the Lion is a great message for any team and for people in every walk of life.”
—John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens

“Mark Batterson is an outstanding voice among the emerging generation of pastors in the US. He has much wisdom to offer anyone who wants to draw closer to Jesus, combining brilliantly the vision and clarity of a pioneer with the warmth and kindness of a pastor.”
—Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton

“I just finished Chase the Lion and am in tears, in awe of how my God created me to be a warrior for His great name. Mark’s words force me to ask and answer: What lions am I chasing? What dreams am I dreaming that will make a difference in my children and my children’s children and a hundred years from now?”
—Hugh Freeze Jr., head football coach at the University of Mississippi

From the Publisher