This book is about some words. The subtitle states that words are very important. This statement is hardly profound. We think in words. We communicate with each other in words. I am writing words, and you are reading words.

The words we use are important. We think in words. We use words to describe our feelings. We use words to communicate with one another and with God. We use words to describe what we see and hear. Parents are thrilled when their babies begin to speak words.

The Bible is referred to as the Word of God. God spoke creation into existence. The first chapter of John begins with the Lord identified as the Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5).

However, linking "familiar" and "words" may not be profound, but it is unusual. Specifically, we will be considering the impact that the "familiar" can have on words. I have been thinking about this for several years and decided to formalize those thoughts into a little book.

In the title, I use the word, explore to indicate looking out to see a broad application, and I use the word, examine to indicate a closer, focused, detailed application.

The words I have selected are gospel, Christ, church, and minister. These are very familiar in the Christian community and are found in the Bible and used frequently in conversations, in preaching, Christian writing, and Christian music. The last chapter takes a slightly different approach to exploring and examining the "familiar," but it still involves words.

The target audience is born-again Jesus followers. These are people who are committed to reading and studying their Bible. They like to read Christian authors and listen to good sermons. They are often thinking and talking about Jesus and the Word of God. The words we are considering are very "familiar" to them.

If this is not who you are, you are welcome to read this book. Who knows how it may impact you?