NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An insightful and moving collection of fifty-two Biblical meditations from former President Jimmy Carter “For me, the ancient texts always come alive when I explore them with a searching heart. I hope they will be for you, as they have been for me, sources of strength.”—Jimmy Carter, from the Preface   Former President Jimmy Carter has won the respect and affection of millions for his long career as a humanitarian, a peacemaker, and a model of faith in action. The Sunday school classes he led at his hometown church in Plains, Georgia, were legendary. “These weekly sessions . . . are remarkable for the ability of regular folks to walk in, grab a seat, and exchange views with the thirty-ninth president of the United States,” says The New York Times . “But they are also remarkable for what Mr. Carter has to say.” For Sources of Strength, President Carter has curated fifty-two of his favorite Bible lessons—one for each week of the year—from the fifteen hundred or so he taught over the decades. A thoughtful and inspiring book, Sources of Strength captured the heart of the country and can be enjoyed on its own or as a companion to Carter’s bestselling spiritual autobiography, Living Faith . "What Carter has done and is doing as an international peacemaker is without compare in the world today. What motivates him to take up this work, with all the personal sacrifices and risks it involves, are his deep spiritual convictions." --From Irwin Abrams's speech nominating Jimmy Carter for the Nobel Peace Prize dent Jimmy Carter has won the respect and affection of millions for his long career as a humanitarian, a peacemaker, and a model of faith in action. The Sunday school classes he leads at his hometown church in Plains, Georgia, are legendary. "These weekly sessions . . . are remarkable for the ability of regular folks to walk in, grab a seat, and exchange views with the thirty-ninth president of the United States," says The New York Times. "But they are also remarkable for what Mr. Carter has to say." For Sources of Strength, President Carter has culled fifty-two of his favorite Bible lessons--one for each week of the year--from the fifteen hundred or so he has taught over the decades. A thoughtful and inspiring book, Sources of Strength captured the heart of the country when it was published in hardcover, and became an immediate national bestseller. Now available in paperback, it can be enjoyed on its own or as the companion volume to Carter's bestselling spiritual autobiogr Former President Jimmy Carter has won the respect and affection of millions for his long career as a humanitarian, a peacemaker, and a model of faith in action. The Sunday school classes he leads at his hometown church in Plains, Georgia, are legendary. "These weekly sessions ... are remarkable for the ability of regular folks to walk in, grab a seat, and exchange views with the thirty-ninth president of the United States", says The New York Times. "But they are also remarkable for what Mr. Carter has to say". For Sources of Strength, President Carter has culled fifty-two of his favorite Bible lessons -- one for each week of the year -- from the fifteen hundred or so he has taught over the decades. A thoughtful and inspiring book, Sources of Strength captured the heart of the country when it was published in hardcover, and became an immediate national bestseller. Now available in paperback, it can be enjoyed on its own or as the companion volume to Carter's bestselling spiritual autobiography, Living Faith. Jimmy Carter was the thirty-ninth president of the United States. After leaving the White House, he committed himself to humanitarian work, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His many books include the national bestseller Always a Reckoning and the acclaimed spiritual autobiography Living Faith . He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, were married for seventy-seven years. Jimmy Carter died in December 2024 at the age of 100. CHAPTER ONE What It Takes to Be a Christian The jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."--Acts 16:30-31 Many people have asked the question the jailer does here, and Paul's simple response is the answer that has been accepted by almost two billion Christians living around the world today. As a young man, I joined other members of our church in carrying this same message about Jesus Christ to the families in our rural community who were not Christians. This was very difficult for me, because I was always doubtful about the reception we would receive. I usually knew the families well, so I was somewhat embarrassed about implying that I was superior in some way, having knowledge or a privileged position that they didn't. However, the company of another man always strengthened me. We were well versed in the rudimentary tenets of what we called "The Plan of Salvation,