Bible Studies - Topical
At the Feet of Ordinary Women by Conrad, Cox, Eagan, Kershaw, and Miller
- Finding Yourself in Titus 2:4-5
I lucked out and came across this gem in a clearance bin. I've studied through it personally and used it as reference material in a few presentations.
I really enjoy the down to earth, real life language of these women. The 10 lessons work through each aspect of Titus 2 in a frank, honest, and helpful way. Because of the lessons on husbands and children, I haven't worked through this with another group of ladies (I work mostly with college women), but think this would work as a fabulous study to work through on your own and then come together to discuss each week.
Doctrinally: I didn't find anything wrong in the sections I worked through.
Written by Valerie Johnson
Heirs Together of God's Gracious Gift by Prof. Richard Gurgel and Kathie Wendland
- This is an indepth and highly descriptive study on God's amazing creation in men and women. Designed for men and women to study through together, this is a great Scriptural foundation for tackling the application of Biblical principles.
I have no gone through this study with 4 different groups of Christians and each time has resulted in terrific discussions and greater understanding of God's will concerning his creation of men and women to serve and relate to one another and Him together. I really love how this study begins, progresses and encourages honest discussion and application in our homes and churches.
From Northwestern Publishing House
Review by Valerie Johnson
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus by Kirkie Morrissey
- Running the Race Marked Out for You
This Bible study centers 12 lessons around Hebrews 12:1-3. It uses the Biblical analogy of running a race to guide one through a self-evaluation and re-focus of our life on Christ.
I love this study. I've used it a couple times; studying through it with the college women I teach and putting it in care-packages to college students studying abroad. A number of them have commented on how much they got out of the study. It offers a great opportunity to evaluate your life, gifts, goals, and re-set some of those life purposes and goals based on understanding God's purposes and how to persevere in him.
Doctrinally: Skip Chapter 7! For the most part this book is very firmly based in Scripture. There are 1 or two uses of Scripture that are taken out of context, but aren't necessarily doctrinally wrong. Then she gets to the topic of Prayer in Chapter 7 and seems to go off the deep end; using many non-scriptural quotes and references. So go through this chapter with a great deal of care. Luckily, she gets back on track in Chapter 8 and through the rest. Still - a Bible study definitely worth using.
Review by Valerie Johnson
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver
- This book discusses all three times that Mary and Martha are mentioned in the Bible. So, in essence, it takes the reader through as much of the life of these two sisters as we are told.
An excellent book! It has a Bible study incorporated in it at the end of the book, which makes it a great book to use for a Bible study or to be read individually and do the study on your own. There are many great quotes in this book, but this one which is at the end of the book pretty much sums up what women need to realize, "The secret of blancing worship and work, devotion and service, love of God and love of people is maintaining our connection to Jesus Christ. Our relationship with him is the fulcrum, the anchor, the steadying point that makes balance possible in the first place. And the deeper that relationship goes, the more stable the balance will be."
Doctrinally: There are a couple of reformed references, but not enough to throw out the entire book.
Review by Kathy Fredrich
Come Walk With Me; A Woman's Personal Guide to Knowing God & Mentoring Others by Carole Mayhall
- Come Walk With Me encourages women to become mentors; with chapters on the various aspects of knowing God in your life and living as an example toward beginning to mentor another Christian woman. Every chapter ends with guides for doing a variety of Bible studies: personal topical studies, verse studies, utilizing a prayer journal and suggested topics.
I really enjoyed how Carole shared her personal story and how she learned each "lesson" as she grew in her faith. There is a strong encouragement for being in the Word and studying regularly and in a variety of ways. She has a light humor that is very encouraging as she addresses the mistakes we all make and how we can mature and grow in our faith with God's help.
This book would also work well for a book club that meets and follows up with the studies at the end of each chapter.
Doctrinally: Very solid. Carole stays focused on Scripture an constantly points the reader to Bible passages to support her statements and direction.
Review by Valerie Johnson