What are the main sections of *Note to Self*?

The book divides into three parts: * **The Gospel & God**: How the gospel redefines understanding of God’s character. * **The Gospel & Others**: Implications for relationships and community. * **The Gospel & You**: Personal application in areas like repentance, humility, and waiting for Christ.

What key quotes define *Note to Self*?

* **On guilt**: “Amassing feelings of guilt becomes a perverted penance… your guilt isn’t a means of getting clean”. * **On joy**: “Your heart is divided, and your interests spread thin”. * **On self-preaching**: “You need to preach truth to yourself, not just listen to others preach”.

Note to Self

Q: What is *Note to Self* by Joe Thorn about?

*Note to Self* is a practical guide to preaching the gospel to oneself, offering 48 short chapters modeled as personal exhortations. It focuses on applying biblical truths to daily struggles like pride, guilt, and spiritual complacency, emphasizing how self-directed gospel preaching reshapes hearts and actions. Thorn blends direct challenges with grace, urging readers to confront sin and embrace Christ-centered transformation.

Q: Is *Note to Self* worth reading?

Yes, *Note to Self* is highly recommended for its unique approach to personal sanctification. Reviewers praise its "stinging yet gracious" tone and practicality, calling it a "must-read" for those wanting to bridge theological knowledge and daily obedience. The 2-3 page chapters make it accessible for daily devotions.

Q: How does *Note to Self* compare to other Christian living books?

Unlike theoretical discipleship guides, *Note to Self* offers actionable, first-person exhortations. It complements Jerry Bridges’ *The Discipline of Grace* but stands out for its “note” format, mimicking self-directed preaching.

the discipline of preaching to yourself

Joe Thorn

4.2 (1421 Reviews)

Overview of Note to Self

In "Note to Self," Joe Thorn revolutionizes personal devotion through 50 powerful self-sermons. Endorsed by Christian leaders like Ed Stetzer, this compact spiritual guide teaches what Justin Buzzard calls "a skill that will permanently change your life" - the transformative practice of preaching to yourself.

Start Learning

Intro

Summary of Note to Self

1
Speaking Truth to Your Soul: The Ancient Practice Renewed
00:00
00:00
Have you ever noticed how the most important conversations are often the ones we have with ourselves? In "Note to Self," Joe Thorn revives the ancient Christian practice of "preaching to yourself" - a discipline embraced by spiritual giants from Augustine to C.S. Lewis. This isn't mere positive self-talk; it's the deliberate application of God's truth to your own heart. In a world where we're bombarded with external voices telling us who we are and what we need, Thorn reminds us that the most transformative dialogue happens within. This forgotten art might be exactly what our distracted, externally-validated souls are missing. The practice of preaching to yourself - applying both law and gospel to your heart daily - isn't just another spiritual discipline. It's the fundamental way we appropriate the truths we claim to believe. By speaking God's truth to our own souls, we move from intellectual assent to transformative experience. Like Israel of old, we tend to forget the most basic and important things. We need constant reminders of our former slavery to sin, our new identity in Christ, our purpose for God's glory, and our mission to make disciples. Without these reminders, we lose humility, gratitude, purpose, and connection.
2
The Gospel's Double Edge: Law and Grace in Daily Life
Preaching to yourself requires wielding both law and gospel precisely. God's law functions as a window revealing His perfect standard and a mirror reflecting our failure to meet it. It shows what's right, wrong, and needed. The law alone would crush us, which is why the gospel must follow. Jesus offers three transformative gifts: His righteousness becoming ours, His death securing forgiveness, and His resurrection guaranteeing victory. When preaching this gospel to yourself, you remind your soul that in Christ, you are righteous despite failings, forgiven despite guilt, and victorious despite struggles. Neither law nor gospel can stand alone. The law reveals brokenness; the gospel provides redemption. This creates a cycle where guilt gives way to grace, producing joyful, free obedience. What once felt burdensome becomes delightful when motivated by gratitude rather than fear.
3
Rediscovering God's Character and Pursuing Worship
Our view of Jesus tends to shrink over time. We focus on one aspect until we forget the rest, resulting in a diminished Christ easily eclipsed by idols and ego - explaining why we sometimes lack passion for eternal things while overflowing with enthusiasm for the temporal. Jesus is bigger than you think - the perfect revelation of God, the radiance of His glory, Creator and Sustainer of everything. Everything belongs to Him and exists for Him. When this reality captures your imagination, competing idols lose their power. This expanded view transforms our spiritual disciplines. Singing becomes a high expression of joy and natural response to grace. Gratitude shifts from occasional sentiment to the humble response of a transformed heart. Fear evolves from earthly anxiety to holy reverence that produces awe and careful living. Your theology remains incomplete until articulated for others. God revealed Himself so you could both know Him and make Him known. Don't treat your daily work as separate from God's purposes - your work glorifies Him when done in faith, thankfulness, and godliness, reflecting His beauty to those around you.
Chapter 4
The Gospel in Relationships and Community
The gospel transforms how we relate to others. Stop judging others-you won't until you cease seeing yourself as the measure of righteousness. "Judge not" doesn't mean abandoning discernment but releasing hypercritical, condemning attitudes. Your experience of grace should drive you to show mercy. Consider how you treat those with opposing beliefs or political views. Even your tipping habits reveal your heart-generous tipping despite poor service demonstrates grace that won't go unnoticed. The gospel frees us from pretending. We all present good faces when things aren't well, but this superficial persona stems from pride and prevents authentic connection. When you lack transparency, you deny others the chance to speak truth into your life. The gospel creates space for honesty about being both sinners and saints. You can't follow Jesus faithfully alone. God's declaration that "It is not good for man to be alone" addresses our fundamental need for community. You need to both hear and speak biblical truth in relationships. God places people in your life to encourage and correct you, yet often we expect Him to speak only through Scripture or prayer. What many miss is that God primarily answers prayers for wisdom through other people.
Chapter 5
Waging War Against Sin Through Heart-Keeping
In your pursuit of Christ-like love, remember that true love for God naturally creates abhorrence for all that opposes Him. Do you hate sin itself, not just its consequences? Complacency often stems from insufficient passion in both love and hatred. Like Paul, you need hatred for sin and love for the Savior to effectively war against the flesh while hoping in Jesus. You may maintain good conduct while neglecting your heart. Without internal work, external behavior has little value and may collapse when tested. While religious people focus on appearances, God is concerned with your heart - when you keep that, everything else follows. Heart-keeping means maintaining communion with God and pursuing transformation through worship, Scripture, prayer, and church fellowship. You'll never be done with repentance until death or Christ's return. It demands daily intentionality: revulsion for sin, resolution to walk in righteousness, and repetition of this cycle.
Chapter 6
Living All of Life as Worship
Public worship isn't just spiritual refueling or entertainment. While gathering with believers encourages you, its primary purpose is glorifying God. Come prepared to offer your entire self to the God who rescued you. Though gathered worship may be the week's highlight, it's sustained by ongoing private worship beyond mere "quiet time." Limiting Scripture and prayer to brief morning sessions creates isolated spiritual moments followed by essentially atheistic days. True private worship connects daily experiences to spontaneous prayers and praise. Despite its imperfections, the church remains essential to God's mission and your spiritual growth. You cannot thrive on weekly services, podcasts, and books alone. Approach your faith community not as a consumer but as a vital member of a body. Hebrews warns that mutual encouragement protects believers from sin's hardening effect. Without it, your heart becomes less sensitive to the Spirit and increasingly blind to your own corruption.
Chapter 7
Finding Grace in Suffering
God doesn't promise a life without affliction but offers grace to suffer well and discover the gospel's riches through pain. While asking for relief is natural, what matters more is trusting God's promise to use trials for his glory and our good. Suffering reveals our true dependence and shapes our identity. The depth of your repentance impacts your faith's vibrancy - not because you repent well, but because in repenting you recognize both your sin's darkness and the magnificent grace that overcomes it. When we preach to ourselves, we're reshaping our desires and realigning our lives with God. In our distracted world, this practice of speaking truth to ourselves may be more essential than ever. What truth does your soul most need to hear today?

Key Themes in Note to Self

preaching to yourself
gospel centered living
spiritual self-talk
law and gospel
biblical meditation

Quotes from Note to Self

The most important conversation may be the one we have with ourselves.
A good teacher or evangelist is first a good preacher to himself.
We only love God because He loved us first.
Gratitude is a test of your faith.
A small Jesus doesn't inspire.

Characters in Note to Self

Joe ThornAuthor and practitioner of self-preaching
AugustineHistorical spiritual figure and practitioner

About the Author

Joe Thorn is the author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself and a pastor-theologian known for his practical applications of Reformed theology.

As the founding and lead pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, Illinois, Thorn combines his academic training—a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—with decades of pastoral experience to address themes of spiritual discipline, self-preaching, and grace-centered living.

His writing, including contributions to The Story ESV Bible and The Mission of God Study Bible, reflects a commitment to making deep theological truths accessible to everyday believers. Thorn also co-hosts the Doctrine and Devotion Podcast and actively shares insights through his blog at JoeThorn.net. His follow-up work, Experiencing the Trinity: The Grace of God for the People of God, further explores the intersection of doctrine and devotion.

Note to Self has become a staple in Reformed circles, praised for its concise, gospel-driven approach to personal sanctification and its endorsement by prominent evangelical leaders.

Download Summary of Note to Self

Get the Note to Self summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Users also liked

The discipline of grace

Jerry Bridges

#gospel

Daniel Rice

Elevate

Joseph Deitch

The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness

Timothy Keller

Do the New You

Steven Furtick

Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It

Kamal Ravikant

Single On Purpose

John Kim

Undistracted

Bob Goff

FAQs About This Book

Note to Self is a practical guide to preaching the gospel to oneself, offering 48 short chapters modeled as personal exhortations. It focuses on applying biblical truths to daily struggles like pride, guilt, and spiritual complacency, emphasizing how self-directed gospel preaching reshapes hearts and actions. Thorn blends direct challenges with grace, urging readers to confront sin and embrace Christ-centered transformation.

This book is ideal for Christians seeking to deepen their personal spiritual discipline, pastors looking for models of gospel-centered counseling, or anyone battling self-deception, insecurity, or legalism. Its concise format appeals to busy readers needing bite-sized theological reflection.

Yes, Note to Self is highly recommended for its unique approach to personal sanctification. Reviewers praise its "stinging yet gracious" tone and practicality, calling it a "must-read" for those wanting to bridge theological knowledge and daily obedience. The 2-3 page chapters make it accessible for daily devotions.

The book divides into three parts:

The Gospel & God: How the gospel redefines understanding of God’s character.
The Gospel & Others: Implications for relationships and community.
The Gospel & You: Personal application in areas like repentance, humility, and waiting for Christ.

On guilt: “Amassing feelings of guilt becomes a perverted penance… your guilt isn’t a means of getting clean”.
On joy: “Your heart is divided, and your interests spread thin”.
On self-preaching: “You need to preach truth to yourself, not just listen to others preach”.

Thorn confronts pride by exposing comparison-driven self-righteousness and the idolatry of personal achievement. He argues that recognizing one’s need for grace dismantles arrogance, urging readers to replace self-exaltation with gospel humility.

Some readers note the brevity of chapters limits deeper theological exploration, and the direct tone may feel confrontational to those unfamiliar with Reformed theology. However, most praise its balance of conviction and encouragement.

Unlike theoretical discipleship guides, Note to Self offers actionable, first-person exhortations. It complements Jerry Bridges’ The Discipline of Grace but stands out for its “note” format, mimicking self-directed preaching.

Thorn models how to:

Diagnose sin patterns through honest self-talk.
Apply specific Scriptures to struggles like anxiety or unforgiveness.
Respond to failure with repentance, not self-condemnation.

The book tackles complacency by linking joylessness to divided loyalties (world vs. Christ) and offering gospel reminders to reorient desires. Thorn writes, “You don’t eagerly wait for Jesus because you love the world more than His kingdom”.

Its emphasis on internalizing truth counters modern distractions and performative spirituality. In an age of superficial self-help, Thorn’s call to sustained, gospel-driven introspection remains vital.

Thorn wrote Experiencing the Trinity and contributed to study Bibles like The Mission of God Study Bible. His works consistently focus on making doctrine actionable, contrasting with Note to Self’s devotional tone.

Discover more

LEARNING PLAN

Deliver powerful Bible-based sermons

Effective preaching is the cornerstone of spiritual leadership and congregational growth, requiring both deep biblical knowledge and masterful communication skills. This comprehensive learning path is essential for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone called to teach God's Word who wants to move beyond surface-level presentations to deliver sermons that truly transform hearts and minds. Whether you're a new preacher building foundational skills or an experienced minister seeking to deepen your impact, this plan provides the complete toolkit for powerful, biblically-grounded proclamation.

4 h 21 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Learn to love myself

This plan is designed for individuals struggling with persistent self-doubt or a harsh inner critic who seek a science-backed path to emotional resilience. It provides a structured framework to transition from external validation-seeking to a life rooted in authentic self-worth and healthy boundaries.

5 h 42 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Mind, Body, God: The Path to a Perfect Self

This comprehensive guide is designed for high-achievers seeking a holistic approach to self-actualization beyond mere productivity. It bridges the gap between modern science and ancient spirituality, making it ideal for anyone looking to integrate physical health, mental mastery, and divine purpose.

5 h 51 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Self love and discipline

This learning plan is essential for anyone who struggles with the tension between self-acceptance and self-improvement, or who finds themselves swinging between harsh self-criticism and lack of follow-through. It's particularly valuable for those who have tried discipline-focused approaches that left them burnt out, or self-love practices that didn't translate into real change. By integrating both compassion and action, this plan offers a sustainable path to becoming your best self without sacrificing your well-being.

4 h 38 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Voice of the True Self

In an era of superficial communication, finding your genuine resonance is a competitive advantage. This plan is designed for leaders and speakers who want to bridge the gap between their inner identity and their public presence by removing physical and mental blocks.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Books on Self, Emotional & Mental Mastery

This plan is designed for individuals seeking to transition from reactive living to intentional self-mastery. It bridges the gap between biological brain science and psychological integration, making it ideal for those committed to profound personal transformation.

5 h 39 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Unshakable Self

In an era of constant social comparison, building an internal anchor is essential for long-term mental health. This plan is designed for individuals seeking to break free from people-pleasing and develop the resilience needed to navigate life's inevitable frictions with confidence.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Daily growth in mindset and Christian faith

In a fast-paced world, many believers struggle to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and daily life. This plan is designed for Christians seeking to integrate their faith with practical personal development to achieve lasting spiritual maturity. It provides a roadmap for anyone wanting to move beyond legalism into a grace-based, impactful life.

4 h 46 m•4 Sections

Explore Your Way of Learning

Note to Self isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Inspiration. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode

Read or listen to Note to Self Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Note to Self into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Fun Mode

Note to Self Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

Experience Note to Self through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize Mode

Experience Note to Self in your own learning style

Ask anything, choose your learning style, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See More Stories?

How people are talking about BeFreed across the web

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Note to Self

Overview of Note to Self

Summary of Note to Self

Speaking Truth to Your Soul: The Ancient Practice Renewed

The Gospel's Double Edge: Law and Grace in Daily Life

Rediscovering God's Character and Pursuing Worship

The Gospel in Relationships and Community

Waging War Against Sin Through Heart-Keeping

Living All of Life as Worship

Finding Grace in Suffering

Key Themes in Note to Self

Quotes from Note to Self

Characters in Note to Self

About the Author

Download Summary of Note to Self

Users also liked

FAQs About This Book

What is Note to Self by Joe Thorn about?

Who should read Note to Self by Joe Thorn?

Is Note to Self worth reading?

What are the main sections of Note to Self?

What key quotes define Note to Self?

How does Note to Self address pride?

What critiques exist about Note to Self?

How does Note to Self compare to other Christian living books?

What practical frameworks does Joe Thorn provide?

How does Note to Self help with spiritual dryness?

Why is Note to Self relevant in 2025?

What other works has Joe Thorn authored?

Discover more

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary Mode

Read or listen to Note to Self Summary in 8 Minutes

Fun Mode

Note to Self Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

Personalize Mode

Experience Note to Self in your own learning style

See More Stories?

Summary of Note to Self

Speaking Truth to Your Soul: The Ancient Practice Renewed

The Gospel's Double Edge: Law and Grace in Daily Life

Rediscovering God's Character and Pursuing Worship

The Gospel in Relationships and Community

Waging War Against Sin Through Heart-Keeping

Living All of Life as Worship

Finding Grace in Suffering

Users also liked

Discover more