A Call to Break Out of ‘Mediocre’ Faith: New Guide Offers Practical Steps for a Life of Signs and Service

New book urges readers to move beyond a bland faith and into a practical, active walk

Xulon Press this month released a fresh, plainspoken guide aimed at Christians who feel stuck in routine worship and want something more alive. Become a Supernatural Disciple, by Dr. Obadiah Swen, argues that the Christian life should include prayer that changes situations, teaching that equips ordinary people, and a willingness to practice the kinds of signs and acts of service Jesus modeled. The announcement has drawn attention in church circles because the book mixes spiritual encouragement with step-by-step routines readers can try at home or in small groups.

How the book is built: a practical path from belief to action

At its heart, the book lays out a three-part plan. First, it helps readers rethink what it means to follow Jesus by moving the idea of “supernatural” out of a distant or mystical realm and into daily life. Second, it teaches basic practices—simple prayer habits, ways to listen in prayer, and how to offer help or healing in ordinary settings. Third, it gives short exercises and group activities so people can practice those ideas without needing special training.

The structure is straightforward: short chapters that pair a teaching section with a practical exercise and a reflection question. The tone is conversational. Technical theology is kept light so readers who aren’t scholars can still follow along. Where some books on spiritual gifts lean heavily on theory, this one returns repeatedly to the same point: try small, repeatable acts until they feel natural. That practical bent is meant to lower the barrier for laypeople who feel overwhelmed by more academic or charismatic texts.

Readers will also find case-style stories—everyday church members who tried a simple prayer practice or outreach idea and saw a real result. Those sketches are presented as examples rather than guarantees. The book stresses patience and steady practice over dramatic, one-time experiences.

Who Dr. Obadiah Swen says he is and why he wrote this

Dr. Obadiah Swen is presented as a pastor, teacher and ministry leader who has spent years working with local churches and small groups. His title reflects that he has completed doctoral-level study, and throughout the book he writes from experience leading congregations and training lay volunteers. He frames the book as the product of both classroom study and hands-on ministry—lessons he says he learned while helping ordinary people take small steps in prayer and service.

The author’s voice aims to bridge two audiences: people who want spiritual depth but lack confidence, and church leaders who need clear ways to equip volunteers. The book’s examples and exercises reflect that practical focus. Swen does not use heavy academic language; instead, he writes like a teacher giving a short, useful lesson for a Sunday group or a weekday prayer meeting.

Where and when you can get the book

Become a Supernatural Disciple was released by Xulon Press in December 2025 and is offered in multiple formats. Readers can find it as a paperback, as an e-book, and in audiobook form through major retailers and through the publisher’s sales channels. Xulon Press lists standard retail and bulk purchase options for churches and study groups. The publisher also mentions typical rollout activities such as announcements to church networks and select promotional events tied to the launch period.

If you prefer to read in a group, the book’s short chapters and paired exercises make it easy to use in weekly meetings or short courses without extra materials.

Who will get the most from it and what they’ll take away

The book is aimed at church members who want a livelier, hands-on faith and at small-group leaders who need concrete tools. Laypeople who feel timid about prayer or unsure how to serve will likely find the simple exercises encouraging. Church leaders who want to move members from passive attendance to active service can use the chapter exercises as a short curriculum.

Practical takeaways include a handful of repeatable prayer habits, a basic approach to listening for guidance, and low-risk ways to offer help or healing in everyday settings. The book’s steady emphasis on small steps means it’s less about emotional highs and more about building habits that change how a congregation behaves week to week. For people looking for quick fixes or guaranteed signs, the tone is sober: progress is framed as gradual and communal rather than instant and solo.

How this fits into today’s Christian publishing scene

The book arrives at a moment when many readers are looking for faith resources that are both spiritual and useful. Xulon Press is known for faith-focused releases aimed at church audiences, and this title follows that pattern: modest promotion, a focus on church groups, and an emphasis on practical application. The publisher has indicated that the author will do targeted appearances and outreach, particularly to churches and online groups interested in small-group materials.

Sources

• prnewswire.com