Gradually Then Suddenly

How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy

By: Mark Batterson

Narrated by: Mark Batterson

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Legacies aren’t built overnight. The New York Times bestselling author of Win the Day reveals a life-changing truth about achievement: God is building you up steadily so you’re ready for the next level.

In this illuminating book, Mark Batterson reveals that every area of life—from personal growth to professional development to spiritual transformation—follows the same pattern: gradually then suddenly. What we perceive as overnight success is the result of little decisions compounding over time.

Drawing from compelling biblical examples, fascinating historical stories, and hard-won leadership insights, Batterson demonstrates that God uses long obedience in the same direction to prepare us for those moments of major progress.

Gradually Then Suddenly will help you
• cultivate cathedral thinking—adopt a long-term perspective that changes your daily decisions and life trajectory
• leverage the compound effect—discover how courageous decisions and consistent routines domino into life-changing results
• harness the power of persistence—commit yourself to the long game, and the impossible becomes possible
• curate core convictions—discover how to defy peer pressure, popular opinion, and political correctness by defining your deepest convictions

For anyone feeling stuck in the “gradually” phase, this book is a beacon of hope. If you do the right things day in and day out, God is going to show up and show off His faithfulness—not just for you but for generations to come.

Critic reviews

“In a world chasing shortcuts and instant success, Gradually Then Suddenly invites us into the slow, sacred work of building a Christ-filled life that lasts. With honesty, depth, and visionary insight, Batterson unpacks what it means to live with long vision, faithful obedience, and generational impact.”—Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church and author of The Benefit of Doubt

“Inspiring and encouraging, yet grounding and tangible, Gradually Then Suddenly is a guidebook to making the daily choices that lead to the creation of the fulfilling life with God we all deeply desire.”—Annie F. Downs, bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

“I learn so much whenever I read one of Mark Batterson’s books. They are fun and enlightening, and I get ideas, wisdom, and inspiration from them. The stories range from the intensely personal to the historical, all pointing to self-evident Godly truths that hit home and apply to my life, occupation, and relationships. Gradually Then Suddenly will inspire you to grow. What a great message!”—John Harbaugh, longtime NFL head coach of the Baltimore Ravens

“I’ve been challenged and encouraged by Batterson’s books, including this one. Gradually Then Suddenly speaks to my reality as an Olympic athlete. Hurdlers and sprinters spend many years training for races that last mere seconds, but a gold medal is worth the blood, sweat, and tears. This book will inspire you to go after your God-sized dreams!”—Grant Holloway, Olympic track and field gold medalist, three-time world champion, and world record holder

“Thank you, Mark Batterson, for pointing us to disciplined perseverance as we pursue the fulfillment of our vision and dreams and for the sobering reminder that quitting isn’t about present-tense circumstances as much as it is about future-tense possibilities.”—Dr. Crawford W. Loritts, Jr., author, speaker, and founder and president of Beyond Our Generation

“Mark Batterson has blessed us with powerful lessons from the Lord in Gradually Then Suddenly. This book will set your soul and heart on fire to seek and obey the voice of the Lord.”—Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears

“From well-known giants of the faith to those who are charting a new life from behind bars, Gradually Then Suddenly reminds all of us that it’s never too late to live a life worth telling stories about!”—Heather Rice-Minus, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship

Practical, Insightful, and Impactful

Pastor Mark Batterson delivers another impactful and inspiring book that concentrates on the way in which the gradual, slow and incremental changes often bring about sudden and dramatic results. In the pages of the book, we are prompted to find the consistent, God-honoring steps needed to set up big breakthroughs through looking at three main aspects: Long Vision, Long Obedience, and Long Legacy. The book offers hints at one of my other favorite books of his, Win the Day, in which he outlines the seven practical habits to help harness the power of each day. When combining the power of daily habits and slow incremental changes—doing things gradually—Batterson shows us that “if you do the right things day in and day out, God will show up and show off.” As with all of Mark’s books, his humor, imagination, meticulous research, inspiring stories, energy, and fresh and insightful writing style make for an enjoyable and impactful overall work, and another absolute must-read for anyone looking for dramatic results through long obedience in the same direction. And as with so many of his other books, this one is one that I am already re-reading, and will be listening and re-listening to as well.

A Book That Shifts Your Vision One Moment at a Time!

“Gradually Then Suddenly” is one of the most timely and impactful audiobooks I’ve listened to in a long time. Mark Batterson has a unique ability to take big, God-centered ideas and make them feel personal, practical, and anchored in everyday obedience. His influence has shaped my ministry, my approach to vision casting, and even the way I write, so this book meant a lot to me.

What stood out the most was the reminder that God builds things in a way we often overlook. His greatest moves rarely happen all at once. They come through consistency, faithfulness, and small steps that eventually turn into something only God could have done. Listening to this book made me slow down and recognize how much of my own story has followed that pattern.

As a pastor, entrepreneur, and author, I felt encouraged, challenged, and energized. Batterson has a gift for helping you see the bigger picture without losing sight of the moment right in front of you. If you’re a leader, a dreamer, or someone trying to stay faithful between the “now” and the “not yet,” this book is worth every minute.

Outstanding. I’ll be revisiting it again.

Another great Batterson book.

I am always inspired when I listen to a Mark Batterson book. This one was no different. This books is a reminder that what you want is on the other side of what you don’t want to do. It is all in the preparation.

Practical advice

Well written spiritual guidance that I can implement. Everything was biblically based with great commentary.