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dholsonback's review
Was doing this for a small group and ended up not completing the small group. I hope to continue this another time but right now I just haven’t
lalatut's review
5.0
I appreciate this book so much. It didn't really offer anything new to me now, but the way she concisely and accessibly walks through HOW to study the Bible is so needed. The reality is that very few women, even those who have spent their whole lives in church know how to do this well.
My favorite section was toward the end with the encouragement for teachers. I love that she encourages us to explore whether we might be gifted to teach and suggests ways to gauge that. I also appreciated that she makes a point to distinguish between people who are gifted public speakers and those who are gifted to teach the Word. I was encouraged by her claim that the best teachers are not those who know the most, but those who are able and willing to ask the hard questions of scripture and to let our own curiosity guide our study. She also points out how teaching/leading can be the best way to motivate and provide accountability for personal study. That, really, is the only reason I ever started doing it - I wanted to study scripture deeply and knew that doing it in community was so much more valuable than doing it alone. So I gathered a group, dove in, and somewhere along the way discovered that I really love it.
Also, I just want to mention that her Bible studies really teach you how to do this well. She never spoon feeds you truth, interprets, or offers commentary. Rather, she gets the reader into the text and teaches us how to think about it. It really is a Bible study, not a Bible lesson. I highly recommend her Bible studies - some of which are published and some of which are available for free online.
My favorite section was toward the end with the encouragement for teachers. I love that she encourages us to explore whether we might be gifted to teach and suggests ways to gauge that. I also appreciated that she makes a point to distinguish between people who are gifted public speakers and those who are gifted to teach the Word. I was encouraged by her claim that the best teachers are not those who know the most, but those who are able and willing to ask the hard questions of scripture and to let our own curiosity guide our study. She also points out how teaching/leading can be the best way to motivate and provide accountability for personal study. That, really, is the only reason I ever started doing it - I wanted to study scripture deeply and knew that doing it in community was so much more valuable than doing it alone. So I gathered a group, dove in, and somewhere along the way discovered that I really love it.
Also, I just want to mention that her Bible studies really teach you how to do this well. She never spoon feeds you truth, interprets, or offers commentary. Rather, she gets the reader into the text and teaches us how to think about it. It really is a Bible study, not a Bible lesson. I highly recommend her Bible studies - some of which are published and some of which are available for free online.
thefamousjb's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
Likes:
- Short and straight-to-the-point without flowery language or lengthy stories
- "Archeological questions" to study before you read a passage so you understand the perspective of the author and audience
- I particularly liked her explanation of "zooming out" so we can understand how each passage contributes to the story of the Bible as a whole.
Dislikes:
- Kind of boring to listen to
- I like learning how others study the Bible so I enjoyed hearing her process, but it is important to emphasize that there are multiple ways to study the Word of God, and that was neither inferred nor implied.
Final thoughts:
- I gain more understanding when I read than when I listen, so I might grab a physical copy of this book in the future that I could use as I study the Bible. I wouldn't mind trying out her method. I just didn't like that it was implied to be the best/only way to study the Bible.
- I do plan on asking myself the "archaeological questions" as I begin a new book of the Bible in the future.
Likes:
- Short and straight-to-the-point without flowery language or lengthy stories
- "Archeological questions" to study before you read a passage so you understand the perspective of the author and audience
- I particularly liked her explanation of "zooming out" so we can understand how each passage contributes to the story of the Bible as a whole.
Dislikes:
- Kind of boring to listen to
- I like learning how others study the Bible so I enjoyed hearing her process, but it is important to emphasize that there are multiple ways to study the Word of God, and that was neither inferred nor implied.
Final thoughts:
- I gain more understanding when I read than when I listen, so I might grab a physical copy of this book in the future that I could use as I study the Bible. I wouldn't mind trying out her method. I just didn't like that it was implied to be the best/only way to study the Bible.
- I do plan on asking myself the "archaeological questions" as I begin a new book of the Bible in the future.
bjg359's review
3.0
This would not be my first choice. If you are a new believer it would be great. I expected more.
searser's review
5.0
Jen Wilkin has written a great little book to encourage Christians to dig deeper into the Bible, for all the right reasons. I was challenged to study the Bible for myself, without the strong hand-holding that I’m accustomed to. I might have finished reading this book cover to cover, but I can see how I will reference it many times as a helpful guide to my time in the Word.
kailincraft's review
5.0
If I could hand one of these books to everyone I know I would. I love Jen's way of making the Bible accessible without dumbing it down. I only wish I'd read it sooner!
beckyb16's review
5.0
I have found myself wanting to learn to go deeper into the Word. This book was great insight into going deeper while still gleaning much from the Bible. I was challenged and excited to start a new study.