Book 4 is very short. A few paragraphs of encouragement to the people for whom he wrote this book. To me, as his paraphraser, it has become personal. I feel like I know him—and that I owe St. Gregory an eternal debt of gratitude.

Hear what he has to say as his concluding thoughts; how he ends a book that he didn’t want to write—but felt he had no choice.

St. Gregory’s Summary Statement for Book 4:

How the Preacher, When He Has Accomplished All Aright, Should Return to Himself, Lest Either His Life or His Preaching Lift Him Up.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory has covered a lot of ground in Book 4. Without putting those technical details aside, he reminds us of what must support everything we do, every thought we have, every action we take. Gregory reminds us to love, not by what we say, but most importantly, by who we are.

This is the final chapter of Book 3.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

Of the work and the voice of preaching.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory shows us that sometimes, we can have good motives, and push people to the breaking point. Gregory helps us discern all the ways that God’s Grace works in the hearts of others.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

Deep things should not be preached at all to weak souls.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory shows us that sometimes, we have to overlook minor sins in order to help a person get back on the path. Gregory help us speak the truth to others, while leaving room for God’s Grace to work in their hearts.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

That sometimes lighter vices are to be left alone, that more grievous ones may be removed.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory understood that feelings and emotions can run contrary to our preferences and even our actions. Gregory help us learn to help those whose vices are hidden but create a lot of turbulence under the surface.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

Of the exhortation to be applied to one person, who labours under contrary passions.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory was years ahead of Myers-Briggs and even Strengthfinder. We need to know our strengths, but St. Gregory shows us how virtue can lead to vice, and vice can lead to virtue, and what to do about it.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

How to address a group of people so that their virtues are strengthened, but the vices that oppose those virtues do not grow.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory suggests that everyone wants to be known, his question is what do they want to be known for, and what do they want to conceal. As always, the answers are not always straight-forward, but St. Gregory helps us navigate that territory.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

How those are to be admonished who do bad things secretly and good things openly, and those who do contrariwise.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

St. Gregory’s eye to the future gave him insights to things that we consider innovations of our day. Time management and Project Management fall under that umbrella—and he makes it clear that when they are missing, well, that can be sinful. St. Gregory helps us understand the importance of what Peter Drucker called “Managing Oneself.”.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

How those are to be admonished who do not even begin good things, and those who do not finish them when begun.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

Sometimes, sin attacks us out of nowhere, but sometimes, it simmers in us for a long time before it takes shape. St. Gregory helps us know how to deal with sin, whether it’s obvious or insidious.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

How those are to be admonished who commit very small but frequent faults, and those who, while avoiding such as are very small, are sometimes plunged in such as are grievous.

Book 3 of the field guide addresses the question, How do I lead all these people, anyway. They’re all so different?

Sometimes, sin attacks us out of nowhere, but sometimes, it simmers in us for a long time before it takes shape. St. Gregory helps us know how to deal with sin, whether it’s obvious or insidious.

St. Gregory's Summary Statement for this chapter:

How those are to be admonished who sin from sudden impulse and those who sin deliberately.