The Lord's Work in the Lord's Way & No Little People | Book Review
- Amber Thiessen
- 54 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Most of us who serve in the church know the quiet struggle: juggling endless tasks, preparing lessons, making decisions, and sometimes wondering if our work really matters. In The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way & No Little People, Francis Schaeffer cuts through both the pride of self-sufficiency and the discouragement of feeling small, pointing us back to the freedom of serving in God’s strength and for His glory.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do more, be more, or prove your worth in leadership, this little book offers a timely reminder of what really matters. Here’s a look at its purpose and message.
The Lord's Work in the Lord's Way & No Little People | Book Review
Content
Content
Purpose of the Book
The purpose of The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way & No Little People is to remind Christians—whether in formal leadership or in quiet, unseen service—that true ministry flows not from human effort, skill, or status, but from dependence on the Holy Spirit. Schaeffer presses us to see that no role is insignificant when offered to God, and that faithful service is measured not by worldly success but by humble obedience.
Table of Contents
The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way
No Little People
Summary
This little book brings together two of Francis Schaeffer’s sermons on Christian leadership and service. In The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way, he confronts our tendency to attempt God’s work in our own strength and stresses the necessity of relying wholly on the Spirit. In No Little People, he reminds us that God delights to use weak, ordinary people to accomplish His purposes—there is no small calling in the kingdom of God. Together, these messages challenge us to lay aside pride and self-sufficiency, to embrace humility, and to serve in whatever capacity the Lord gives, confident that His power is made perfect in our weakness.
My Take
Reading these sermons was both humbling and encouraging. In leadership, there are always so many things to do—tasks to accomplish, problems to solve, decisions to make. It’s far too easy for me to slip into self-sufficiency, thinking careful planning and hard work are enough. Schaeffer reminded me that the Lord’s work must be done in the Lord’s way—my preparation for a board meeting or a Bible study needs to be bathed in prayer, not rushed through like a quick shower.
In No Little People, I was struck by how countercultural Schaeffer’s message feels. We live in a world that equates bigger with better and rank with success. But in Christ’s kingdom, it’s the opposite: the greatest is the servant, and the least is the most honored. That reminder lifts my eyes from measuring worth by visibility or influence and helps me value the small, hidden acts of faithfulness. Schaeffer’s words challenged me to resist the pull toward platform or recognition and encouraged me with this truth: God is pleased to use ordinary people, in ordinary places, for His extraordinary purposes.
Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength or to measure success by visibility and recognition, and how might God be inviting you instead to embrace prayerful dependence and humble service?
My Recommendation
I’d recommend this little book for anyone serving in the church who feels the weight of responsibility and the pull toward self-reliance. It’s also a timely read for everyday believers who may wonder if their quiet, unseen faithfulness really matters. Schaeffer’s words are a needed reminder that God calls us to serve in His strength and that in His kingdom, there truly are no little people.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 96
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
More Like This
Scriptures About Serving in God's Strength
Zechariah 4:6 – “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Mark 10:43–45 – “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
1 Corinthians 1:27–29 – “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong…so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
Colossians 3:23–24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
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