Book Reviews - Hive Resources

Organic Mentoring (& new women’s ministry resources)

October 19, 2014 By: demingglobal1comment

In their book, Organic Mentoring: A Mentor’s Guide to Relationships with Next Generation Women, Dallas Theological Seminary professors Sue Edwards and Barbara Neumann encourage older women in Christ to continue to pursue and invest in “postmodern” women despite the generation gulf between them.

Based on Neumann’s dissertation research on the mentoring needs of postermodern women, the book outlines how existing women’s ministries can incorporate a new and more “organic” model of discipleship through mentoring.

In her research, Barbara uncovered that nearly 80% of young women abandon their mentoring relationships in the first six months. Yet, despite busy schedules and unfettered access to information, the authors believe younger women today (Gen Xers and Millennials) are crying out for mentors.

What is Organic Mentoring {Hive Resources Womens Ministry Resources} But with fewer churches seeing success in their traditional mentoring models, the author believes the problem lies in church’s “worn-out” mentoring models. Instead of teacher or role model, younger women want a mentor who is simply “an honest woman with whom they can process life.”

Here’s what I liked about the book:

–The authors sound the call for the church to return to the Titus 2 mandate and intentionally cultivate inter-generational communities.

–The book offers positive helps for women of the “modern” generation (born before 1965) to better reach younger women by looking at the cultural disconnects between generations in the pew.

–Based on Barbara’s research, the book offers a clear breakdown of postmodern values and what kind of ministry they respond to.

–The book offers practical ideas for tweaking existing mentoring models such as putting the mentee in the driver’s seat and having the mentor act as a life guide instead of wisdom dispenser.

–The book emphasizes building life-on-life relationships through sharing stories as a means for discipleship. That means mentors must strive to be more than a role model who seems to have it all together, but transparent, authentic pictures of God’s grace.

–The book gives ideas for ensuring time spent together is more than simply “hang-out” time by listening with a purpose and developing deeper conversations.

Here’s what I didn’t like about the book:

–Call me a modern woman in a postmodern body, but I though the book over-advocated accommodating to the postermodern generation. Simply put, the book didn’t call postmodern women to the same cost of discipleship as their disciplers.

If women’s ministries are ever going to successfully create fully-formed, replicating disciples, we must shake postmodern women out of this ‘me-centered’ funk that often dominates my generation and our approach to faith.

–By the book’s end, I wasn’t fully convinced that organic mentoring model is intentional enough for developing a fully formed, replicating disciple. Although, if I had a mentor, I’d want her to be all the things Sue and Barbara advocate in their book.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any women’s ministry leader who is trying to incorporate a Titus 2 model of mentoring into her women’s ministry strategy. The practical insight and wealth of research on ministering to the postermodern woman is worth the purchase price alone.

Organic Mentoring is a book to navigate the do’s and don’ts of ministry to postmodern women.

Also, I’ve very excited to announce that I recently teamed up with a new group of ladies who share my desire to equip women leaders in the church!

The brains behind this resource are author and blogger Gina Duke and Cyndee Ownbey of Women’s Ministry Toolbox. Be sure to follow our collaborative Pinterest Board for access to helpful ideas for discipling and engaging the women in your church.

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About

Melissa Deming is the creator of Hive Resources — a site to help women sweeten their walk with Christ through Bible study, ministry and missions resources, and more. She is the author of "Daughters of the King: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Story." Melissa has an M.Div. in Women’s Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Operation World: how to give your kids global eyes

October 13, 2014 By: demingglobal11 Comment

Looking for a way to give your kids global-gospel eyes? Then check out this massive resource – Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation.

A RESEARCH TOOL

Operation World is a reference book containing information about each of the world’s countries. Each country is profiled outlining geography, people, economy, politics, and a breakdown of religions.

A PRAYER BOOK

Far from being a dry database of facts about the world, Operation World chronicles the evangelization of the world, noting missions emphasis and victories among peoplegroups considered unreached – with little to no access to the gospel.

Nearly 2.84 billion of the world’s population are still considered unreached or among the world’s least reached.

The book opens with a great challenge for prayer in Christians to complete this task and includes specific prayer points for world missions. Each country includes answers to prayer as well as challenges to prayer including the physical needs specific that country, how to pray for the population, and missionary personnel on the ground.

Although this could be a great reference book to keep on hand for research papers or missions projects, it is best used as a prayer guide.

Here are some ideas for using this book in your home:

–Pick a country during family devotions and take turns reading about it.

–Bring a globe into your reading time for fun. Let smaller children spin the globe to pick the country you learn about or let older children find the country on a globe after it’s been selected.

–Spend a week praying for a specific country during meal time, following the prayer points outlined in the book.

–Let your children make a poster about your country with facts from the book.

–Have your child write notes to missionary personnel living and working among people they’ve read about and prayed for.

–Turn your reading into a hands-on missions project. Look for refugees from countries you’ve read about who have relocated to your area. As a family, pray about ways to minister to them. Let your kids lead the way as God calls ideas to their minds and hearts.

For more information about Operation World, check out their website. From their Facebook page, you can receive daily prayer reminders in your newsfeed about pressing concerns in specifics countries. You can also follow them on twitter.

This post contains affiliate links. For more info, click here.

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Daughters of the King paperback launch & giveaway

August 11, 2014 By: demingglobal125 Comments

Exciting stuff has been happening around here, yet I’ve hardly had time to post about it. This summer, I turned my eBook, Daughters of the King: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Story, into a paperback!

Although I love using the Kindle app on my iPhone, you just can’t beat the feel of real pages under your fingers. I suspect I’m not the only one who holds this opinion, so my book is now available as a paperback. I hope this will make things easier for your fall small group as you consider your next Bible study or book club.

Daughters of the King now available in paperback {Hive Resources}

To that end, I made a few improvements in the paperback – like a freshly-designed cover and discussion questions at the close of each chapter. (Pssst- at the end of this post you’ll have a chance to enter to win a set of my books for your small group!)

To help me celebrate the paperback launch of Daughters of the King, my friend Kristen from Celebrate Every Day with Me, threw a big bash at my house a few weeks ago.

Paperback launch event of #DaughtersoftheKing {Hive Resources}

I am such a fan of her site, that I knew I needed her eye for detail and fun! She’ll be posting about some of her ideas in the coming days, but I thought you might like a sneak peak at our tea-themed soirée.

Many of these ideas can be replicated for your own women’s ministry tea or kick-off event to your Daughters of the King fall Bible study. Here’s a little inspiration to get you started.

On our menu we offered a variety of cakes and a fruit tart that disappeared in seconds – all made by my amazing culinary friends (thank you notes are forthcoming!) I made scones with fresh clotted cream and strawberry jam. (The day after my party, I had the best breakfast! You can’t beat cake with morning coffee).

I served one of my favorite hot teas, Ginger Peach Tea, and coffee for all my addict friends. We set up the food as a buffet and everyone was able to serve themselves, picking and choosing what made their heart sing.

Hosting a womens ministry tea - ideas and printables {Hive Resources}

Kristen oversaw every detail, like this amazing wreath made out of vintage book pages. (Yes, she is planning on offering a tutorial on her site very soon!) Imagine how cute it would be for a back-to-school party!

Her best idea, however, was the Daughters of the King photo booth, complete with glittered crown and scepter props. She even included white gloves and paper tea cups!

We had a lot of fun playing with our crowns, but if you’ve read my book, you know that our spiritual heritage in Christ is not fully represented by such symbols of royalty. As I write in my book: “A Daughter of the King is known not by the crown she wears but the message she bears.”

So, as a part of the launch, I asked a friend who works with a local rescue ministry in Pittsburgh – Living in Liberty – to come to the launch and share about the hope they provide to victims of trafficking. During the party, we were able to raise over $300 in book sales for this crucial ministry. So, thank you to everyone who purchased a book at my party!

Host your own tea

The launch party was a special night for me, but it can easily be tweaked as a tea or book club event for any women’s group. Here’s how:

(1) Purchase your copies of the Daughters of the King or enter to win a set below.

(2) Gather your tea cups. I found most of mine at auctions and thrift stores. While I loved visiting antique shops, they tended to be a little pricey. Estate sales are also a gold mine for adding complete sets of tea cups to your collection. If your group is large, then ask each lady to bring 3 things to the party – two tea cups and a friend.

Kick off your next fall Bible study with a tea {Hive Resources}

(3) Select a local ministry in your area or within your church and suggest a donation to be collected at the party. If possible, invite a representative from the ministry to share at the event. For easy donation collection, coordinate withe the ministry to use the paypal app and free reader for participants to donate via paypal, check, or credit card.

(4) Print out some of these free printables to decorate your tables or to set up your own photo booth. This above printable pack (click image to download) includes book quotes, menu cards, and more! You can download an invitation – ready to be customized – HERE.

Now, for the giveaway! Enter below to win a set of books for your small group (up to 10). Contest HAS ENDED. Winner announced below! Thank you to everyone who entered!

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The Stacks: A stellar commentary on the Psalms

July 30, 2014 By: demingglobal1comment

This year I’ve been reading through the Psalms in my personal devotions. Along the way, I’ve discovered some invaluable resources that have deepened my love for what is one of the longest books in the Bible.

A Commentary on the Psalms: 42-89 by Allen P. Ross, released last year by Kregel Academic, is a stellar tool for navigating the difficult themes that pepper the Psalms.

In the commentary, each psalm is treated individually and includes three parts: an introduction with historical setting; a detailed exegetical analysis; and an application with a single-sentence summary or “expository idea” that encapsulates the message of the psalm.

What I liked about this book

Ross offers a straight-forward, clean exegesis. A reader can take questions concerning difficult texts straight to this book and easily find clear answers and interpretative helps.

The author gives the full context for specific words and how they are used across the Psalter. For example, his commentary on Ps. 43 outlines 3 categories of the term “injustice,” Ps. 48 offers an entire page on the meaning of “be glad.”

I appreciated that the treatment of textual variants is separated from the commentary and exegesis. The result? The commentary, although not intended for a novice student, is made a little more reader friendly.

The commentary is very pastoral. Ross often takes a pastoral tone in the application section, including notes to students on how to rightly organize the text. For example, he urges the reader to view John 4 (the woman at the well) through the interpretative lens of Ps. 50 which speaks of true, spirit-filled worship.

What I didn’t like about this book

For the novice student, the inclusion of several items would have made the series more helpful – a bibliography and a summary of introductory material on the Psalter.

Understandably, both of these items are included in other volumes of this series. As is, the commentary can only treat each psalm individually (as in the pairing of Ps. 42-43) instead of how the psalms function together or how their arrangement impacts the meaning of the entire book.

For example, Ps. 42 opens the second of 5 books that comprise the Psalter. Its placement as an introductory song to Book II would impact its exposition (or our interpretation of its meaning) in some measure – a point Ross concedes but doesn’t discuss in his commentary on Ps. 42. Without understanding the structure of the Psalter, the reader unfortunately misses the full sense of the original author’s meaning or the full context of the psalm.

Lastly, I wish the author had given the prophetic or Messianic element of the Psalter a more prominent place in his exegesis. In psalms traditionally considered to speak of the Messiah, Ross dedicates greater space to the immediate historical context of the song, leaving Messianic or eschatological elements to the application area (see Ps. 43, 65, 66, 67).

Why does this matter?

The reader is left to fill in the blank as to the author’s original intent in writing his psalm. Was the author intentionally referring to the Promised Messiah (Ps. 45) when he wrote his song or did New Testament writers layer a Messianic meaning over the original hymn?

Who should buy this book

Despite this small criticism, I’m adding Volume 1 and Volume 3 to my Amazon wish list for its robust technical and pastoral treatment of the Psalms.

Here are a few other groups who would benefit from this commentary:

This series (all 3 volumes) would make an excellent gift for any believer or lover of the Psalms.

A student seeking to understand the Psalms, particularly a commentary with word study helps and clear applications.

Individuals who love to pray the Psalms but struggle to appropriate their meaning in a current context. The application section at the close of each psalm is particularly geared toward cultivating a vibrant prayer life.

Did you miss a post in my Summer Reading Series? Check out my other books here.

Thanks to Kregel Academic for providing a copy of this book to review. This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, click here.

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You are Made for More

July 9, 2014 By: demingglobal13 Comments

Enter to win a copy of the new book Made for More by Hannah Anderson (Hive Resources)

Hannah Anderson’s new book, Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image, is an exercise in theological application.

However, I wouldn’t give this book to a new believer. Instead, I would give it to them and then invite them to read each chapter with me. Here’s why.

In our churches, we are often guilty of leading our women only to the “pink” passages of Scriptures, the author says (think Prov. 31 woman and Titus 2). The result? Christian women lose their footing as they stumble to live up to standards of biblical womanhood. The solution? Help women discover their identity in Christ as his “image bearer.”

The concept of the imago dei (image of God) is basic enough to the biblical storyline, but fleshing it out for a woman’s walk is a monumental task that few theologians have dared to undertake … or undertaken successfully.

Made for More by Hannah Anderson {Hive Resources Review & Giveaway} Primarily because there is no one single passage that clearly outlines what women look like when they image God. Instead of focusing on passages that specifically address biblical womanhood (i.e.: 2 Tim. 2, 1 Cor 14, 1 Pet. 3 ), the author turns to the comprehensive testimony of Scripture and what God’s image means for all humanity.

Anderson centers her book on God’s character and activity as:

Love

Grace

Wisdom

A Servant

One

Sovereign

When we live as the humans God intended us to be – called “imago dei living” – we are never more like him. We become, in the author’s words, “fully human” reflecting his character and activity to a watching world for his glory.

What I liked about this book

The author frames the question of the application of the imago dei outside of the context of gender, yet still arrives at many of the same conclusions to which complementarians would agree.

And while some complementarians might quibble with Anderson’s simplistic historical descriptions of first and second-wave feminism, I believe they would affirm the central thesis of her book: biblical womanhood, above all, should start with the Savior.

The author’s clear warning of the imminent danger in choosing alternate identities. Alternate identities promise freedom and happiness, but they always end in captivity. Anderson shows how this historic myth of “superficial authenticity” – perpetuated since Eve picked up that forbidden fruit in the garden – has robbed women throughout time of the blessings of living out their true identity as an image bearer of God.

The author’s gentle nudging for women to be life-long learners. Anderson exposes the false dichotomy our culture places on equating education with a career. Whether you work inside or outside the home, God intended you to be a student. This is a welcome challenge for Western women to set aside intellectual laziness and chase knowledge, for when we do, we image God who is Wisdom personified.

The author’s correct understanding of true humanity. Humanity is not simply being born human, but rather walking in “imago dei” living. When sin corrupted the image dei within us, we became less than human. Jesus, as the human par excellence, shows us what God intended for us in creating us as human beings, and when we bear his image, we begin to become fully human once again.

The author’s ability to boil down theological truth into application – particularly as it’s fleshed out in unequally yoked marriages, sinful life patterns, and the everyday monotony of diaper changing and laundry duty. The real work of Anderson’s book, however, can be glimpsed in her rich footnotes.

Dear Mrs. Anderson, please continue to write for women who desire to know Christ first and foremost in our lives. And while you’re at it, we’d like some more of that rich footnote action in the form of some companion articles!

I’d also like to express my gratitude to Moody Publishers for being one of perhaps two Christian publishers to give voice to new evangelical female writers. In a world of theology whose voice is decidedly male, we need strong female voices who are successfully modeling how to combine critical thinking with a commitment to the authority and relevancy of the Scriptures.

Want to win a copy of this book? Moody is giving away one copy to a lucky Hive Resources reader! US Residents only. CONTEST CLOSED. Winner announced below.

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Missional Motherhood: How to connect the gospel with justice ministries

July 7, 2014 By: demingglobal13 Comments

I cut my journalistic teeth on writers like Mark Kelly, who brought to light stories of God’s work in dark and dangerous places on the global mission field.

I’d been reading Mark’s pieces for years when I finally met him in a convention press room. Surrounded by veteran reporters, it took me a full day and a half to muster the courage to speak directly to him. And when I finally addressed him, I tried to play it cool. “Hey, do you know if there is a Starbucks around here?”

Yes. Out of all the things I could have asked this career global journalist, I asked the man for directions. Directions! Facepalm!

Journey into Justice

Since my lame moment in time, however, I’ve discovered one thing about Mark. While I was busy glorifying his day job, he was even busier glorifying Someone else.

Since his press days, Mark has gone on to create a “kingdom justice” org (Multiply Justice) that fights to bring the gospel to bear on the whole person – a ministry forged from the stories of broken people and broken places he encountered on the mission field.

This summer, Mark released the eBook Journey into Justice: Redemption, Salvation, and God’s Mission to Restore Justice – a culmination of his journalistic experience and missionary heart.

This book isn’t just for people interested in justice ministries, nor is it solely for those who love missions. Journey into Justice is for all believers who desire to see God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Every missional mother needs to read this book, here’s why.

A book for every missional mother

The book connects the dots between the gospel and true biblical justice. So, if you’ve ever wondered what social ministries have to do with spiritual realities, you need this book!

The book explains what biblical justice is. In fact, the book is truly a biblical theology of justice, tracing the larger theme of justice throughout the Scriptures beginning with God’s first kingdom in Genesis and culminating in his new kingdom in Revelation. Above all, social justice is about God’s kingdom and his original intent for the people living in it.

The book offers full and accessible definitions of popular terms – mercy, justice, repentance, transformation, faith, etc. He carefully roots these concepts in the full context of the biblical story.

This book is about redemptive relationships – with God and with others – as Jesus’ disciples walk in his ways and multiply themselves. Each chapter offers real-life stories of the transformation that comes from God’s justice and the people who pursue it. So, Journey into Justice isn’t a book to brow-beat you into adding another item to your “spiritual check-list.” It’s a book to challenge you to return to the King.

So, Mom. Before you’re tempted to jump onto another bandwagon or buy that bracelet to fund another justice ministry, be sure your heart is aligned to the One who brings peace first.

Missional motherhood is about more than a different way of shopping; it’s about a different way of living.

If you’re wondering how to walk with integrity and pursue God’s “kingdom justice,” this book will get you started.

Right now, you can read Journey into Justice for free. Or, make a donation to the humanitarian aid group Baptist Global Response, and Mark will email you a copy of the e-book.

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The Stacks: Summer Reading for Women of the Word

June 5, 2014 By: demingglobal13 Comments

With homeschooling behind us for a while, I’ve started compiling my own Summer Reading List. And while the twins will be most dismayed to discover Mom wants to read books without marauding pirates and magic tree houses, I think you might be interested in some good books that have come across my desk in the past few weeks.

Here’s a preview of what’s on my Summer 2014 Reading List:

The Word of the Lord: Seeing Jesus in the Prophets (Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament) by Nancy Guthrie

I am excited to begin this study after I close out my personal studies on the Psalms. It’s written by a solid teacher of the Word who sings at making difficult truths plain.

This study is really geared toward a group dynamic, but I think it will read well for individual women who long to see how prophets like Hosea, Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel prepare us for the Messiah.

Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

A few years ago, a mentor and friend recommended this book so much she handed me her copy. And while I perused it, I haven’t finished it from cover to cover.

With the twins entering into a new dynamic (school years), I suspect I need the truths of this book more than ever.

Co-written by one of my favorite biblical teachers (Elyse Fitzpatrick) and her daughter, I look forward to learning lessons on how to apply the gospel from women of the Word who are also mothers.

A Commentary on the Psalms Vol. 2 by Allen Ross

The past year and a half, I’ve journeyed through the Psalms in my personal study using various devotionals and commentaries. This last week, Kregel sent me a note that this treasure was on its way to my house, and I can’t wait to receive it.

And since I don’t own the author’s first volume to this study, I just added it to my Amazon wish list. (Hint hint, husband, if you’re reading this!)

Click here to read full review.

Exploring Grace Together: 40 Devotionals for the Family by Jessica Thompson

When I got this little gem in the afternoon post, my heart did a somersault.

Short and sweet, this devotional includes 40 stories about boys and girls who struggle with everyday sorrows and sins germane to life. Most importantly it shows how the gospel intersects with those troubles and bringing victory and joy.

While some it may be over my 5-five-year-olds’ heads, it is my goal to read these devotionals before bedtime with the twins so that we can all grow in the grace of the cross.

The King in His Beauty: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments by Thomas Schreiner

This year, one of my favorite biblical theologians released this title, and I was lucky enough to grab it up when my sister-in-law sent me an Amazon gift card for my birthday.

The first chapter alone has proven the book is well worth its hefty cover price, so I can’t wait to continue reading and discover how the author traces the story of the King throughout the rest of the Scriptures.

Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the gallery copy of this book by TGC contributing writer Jen Wilkin. I am excited to share it with you in a few weeks.

In this book, Jen provides women with a crash course on understanding and applying the Scriptures without the backup of interpretative aids – a skill most women I know wish they possessed with more confidence!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about these books. Happy Reading!

What’s on your reading list this Summer? I’d love to hear from you!

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How to give your kids a ‘Sense of the Resurrection’

March 26, 2014 By: demingglobal12 Comments

I’m continuing my series Ideas for Celebrating the Resurrection at Hive Resources with a powerful and FUN new resource for your family from Oh Amanda.

A Sense of the Resurrection

A Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families is an ebook that guides your family through the Resurrection story in 12 activities.

sense of the resurrection

Along with a Scripture passage and talking points, each activity utilizes one of the five senses, giving kids the chance to experience the Resurrection story in a whole new way. But unlike her Advent experience book, Truth in Tinsel, the activities in A Sense of the Resurrection are more “memory-makers” or “memorials” than simple crafts.

Some of the activities include:

making bread to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice
smelling perfume to remind us to prepare our hearts for Christ
making wind chimes as a joyful sound as in the Triumphal Entry
washing one another’s feet to remind us of our Servant-King

Along with instructions and pictures of each activity, Amanda also provides a printable pennant that goes with each lesson. These can be used along with the lesson, as a follow-up teaching tool, or in place of the activities.

In my house, we already colored our pennants and hung them on our mantle. We’re ready to begin the Easter Story! My plan is to select key activities during April that match our schedule, and then use the pennant to reinforce what they are learning.

Since there is no set schedule for these activities, the pressure is off. We can enjoy the Easter season and follow the story without worrying about missing a day. Plus, the banner hangs as a little billboard to any guests that might join us during April.

coupon code

This week only, A Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families is on sale! Use the coupon code OHEASTER to get 20% off the ebook. But hurry! The code expires tomorrow (Mar. 28)!

This post contains affiliate links. Special thanks to Amanda White for providing me a preview copy of her book!

I’m linking up with Faith-filled Fridays!

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The new Study Bible for Women

March 14, 2014 By: demingglobal1comment

For the last 18 years I’ve loved my Woman’s Study Bible (Thomas Nelson Publishers) to pieces. Quite literally. I’ve already shared how the front section of my Bible literally fell apart in my hands while teaching.

Despite its worn (well-loved) appearance, I’ve stubbornly refused to buy a replacement. My Bible and I share too much history – from the personal inscription from its editor to the hundreds of sermon notes crammed in the margins.

But for the first time in nearly two decades, I’ve finally found a study Bible that would make me switch – the newly-released Study Bible for Women (Holman Bible Publishers).

A study Bible for women by women

Like my current Bible, the new Study Bible for Women is edited by the same scholarly editorial board, Dorothy Patterson and Rhonda Kelley. In the editors’ trademark teaching style, notes and material are written by women for women.

The Study Bible for Women contains the expected excurses on biblical womanhood, bringing the Bible’s teaching on parenting, marriage, teaching children, worry, fear, holiness in sexuality to the reader’s attention.

But what sets the Study Bible for Women apart from its predecessor is the more natural way those insights into biblical womanhood are gathered from the biblical text. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the editors draw points of application regarding the importance of women to the moral fabric of a nation. And from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, the editors look at the beatitudes sketching what the heart of a “blessed” woman might look like. Cues for application are taken from the text itself and not overlaid or read into it.

Academic tools

But unlike its cousin, the Study Bible for Women has a more academic feel.

For example, the intro to Ecclesiastes outlines the author’s reliance on Gen. 1-11 in explaining the text. The Bible also includes study material on whether Mark 16:9-20 should be read as authoritative since two of the oldest manuscripts do not contain these concluding verses.

Other tools include doctrinal explanations called “threads for specialized study” explore theological topics and their context in the Scriptures. The reader will explore terms such as image of God, the church, redemption in the Old Testament, divorce, sin, and forgiveness.

Particularly helpful are the in-text maps and detailed charts such as the list in Romans explaining Paul’s theological language (sin, sanctification, justification, etc.,) and a 3-page chart on Jewish sects in the New Testament.

Chronological time lines in the introduction to each book order the book’s events and provide a clear picture of the whole story of the Bible. In-depth word studies explain key terms in the biblical text along with their theological significance.

Application tools

Beyond academics, the Study Bible for Women offers stellar application tools. The study notes and commentary fairly balance hermeneutical concerns and personal application.

Like most study Bibles, introductory material to each book includes historical/cultural background, but the Study Bible for Women also answers the following two questions for each book: “How do you read this book?” and “Why should women read this book?”

At the end of each book, a personal point of application is offered tying in the book’s overarching message with modern relevance. And character profiles include life lessons from biblical women that modern women can incorporate as timeless life principles.

But particularly helpful are the in-text discussions on “hard questions” that offer interpretative helps for specific passages. The questions are hard-hitting, many of which I’ve had women ask me while teaching or I’ve wondered myself.

The reader will be asked to consider questions like: “Why would God test Abraham?” in Gen. 22 when Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only son; “Does the Bible contradict itself?” when considering James proclamation that faith without works is dead (James 2:14); and “Does God’s wrath contradict his love?” from John’s apocalyptic vision of the opening of the seven scrolls in Rev. 6. Whatever your position on any of these answers, it’s obvious that the biblical text is driving the points of application for the editors, and not the other way around.

Weaknesses

The only weakness of this Bible is the margin size. Seriously. I’m a note taker, and to truly chase an idea I need white space in the margins of a book! But maybe with all the insightful study notes and word studies, I wouldn’t really need to jot anything down. It seems to be already there!

Beyond that small criticism, the Study Bible for Women is a Bible I would wholeheartedly recommend for both its emphasis on the biblical text, as well as its helpful application tools. It’s a gem that will help you truly treasure God’s Word.

The Study Bible for Women is available in both hardcover and a leather version.

I was given a copy of this Bible to review. This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, click here. Today, I’m linking up with Faith-Filled Fridays!

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The God Puzzle: A family Bible study for busy moms

February 7, 2014 By: demingglobal1comment

I talked on the phone with a dear friend, recently. She was feeling frustrated because it seemed many of the new resources for teaching children about God’s Word are heavily marketed exclusively to homeschooling mothers.

With two children in public school, her afternoon and evenings hours are already filled with homework and meal prep. Coupled with ministry and church obligations, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on her list. She needed a sound and intentional resource on the Bible with no prep work.

The God Puzzle - a tool to teach children the whole story of Scripture with NO PREP WORK! {Hive Resources}

The God Puzzle

So, when I received The God Puzzle by children’s ministry pro Valerie Ackermann I got excited. I could read the author’s heart right away – she had a passion for equipping parents to tell their own children the story of the gospel.

The God Puzzle: How the Bible fits together to reveal God as Your Greatest Treasure is a workbook about the Christian faith for kids ages 7-12.

What I liked:

It presents children with the whole story of the Bible! (You know how I love the Big Picture of God’s Word). Ackermann begins where all good Bible studies should – the beginning (creation) – and follows the redemptive thread of the biblical story of Christ through to the new creation (Revelation)!

It puts the parent in the driver seat. The God Puzzle gives parents the tools to fulfill their biblical responsibility to train up their child in God’s Word – without any prep work! The 36 lessons can be tailored to any schedule. I think my public school mom/friend would be happy to know the lessons can be done daily or weekly, in 30 minutes or 10.

It preps children for a robust faith. This workbook tackles some tough ideas like the meaning of the image of God and sin. It introduces and explains words like covenant, prophecy, and worship. All these theological terms are presented in fun and engaging ways. Plus, the child is encouraged to look up Scripture using their own Bibles (which I really appreciate).

What I didn’t like:

The author’s use of illustrations to explain the Trinity. On the chapter on the Trinity, the author uses an illustration of an egg and an apple to explain the three-in-one aspect of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

While they successfully avoid modalism found in the water/ice/vapor analogy (that God is made up of and reveals himself in different modes – Father, Son, and Spirit), I tend to think these types of illustrations are too simplistic. I agree with author Michael Reeves, who believes these types of impersonal sketches don’t do real justice to explaining the personal nature of our God, who eternally exists in community with Himself.

Who should buy this book?

Overall, there is much in this workbook to commend itself. Here’s who I think would benefit the most from it:

Busy moms. The God Puzzle would make a great tool for any mother who doesn’t have time for prep work!

Homeschool moms. Even though I specifically think my public-school mom/friend I mentioned earlier would love this resource, homeschooling parents would too! The lessons are easily configured into a 36-week Bible curriculum with daily activities and discussion questions.

The unconfident mom. For parents who feel ill-equipped to tackle big interpretative questions, The God Puzzle would be a great tool. It uses simple and fun ways to answer questions like: “What does my Work have to do with my Faith?” and “What do Old Testament stories teach about God’s Plan?” and “What are My Old Self and My New Self?”

The strategic mom. Any mom who wants to intentionally set aside time to teach her children the truth of the Bible would benefit from this book. The God Puzzle is a great tool for intentionally engaging children for an extended period of time with the seamless story of Scripture.

Want to find out more? Check out The God Puzzle online. Connect with Valerie Ackkermann on Facebook or Twitter.

As a busy mom, what is your go-to tool for teaching your children about God’s Word? Leave your resources in the comments!

Special thanks to Litfuse for providing this copy for review. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, click here.

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