I really enjoyed this. It was challenging and thorough--she does a deep dive into the old testament as well as the new testament, it was broken down iI really enjoyed this. It was challenging and thorough--she does a deep dive into the old testament as well as the new testament, it was broken down into manageable chunks, it was obvious she had a personal connection to the material, and it was well organized. The last week that really focused on John 15 was very meaningful, and I think flowed well into her "Abide" study on 1/2/3 John. I think she has a really nice way of presenting information that makes room for study, reflection, and lecture. I would definitely do more of her studies, and I'm looking forward to getting into her one on Ruth. My only complaint (with myself) is that it took me almost a year and a half to finish, so I obviously need to schedule some more regular bible study time in the mornings and commit to following through. I get into a good groove and then drop off. No need to rush, but "study fatigue" is a thing too! But I finished! Thankfully I was glad to keep coming back to this one and I really got a lot out of it. Lots of meaty stuff to chew on....more
I really loved this, and obviously I picked it up from the local Christian bookstore (along with a few other bible studies) because I was on a HUNT foI really loved this, and obviously I picked it up from the local Christian bookstore (along with a few other bible studies) because I was on a HUNT for something that would speak to me as I start my daily bible study routine. And this was the first/second thing I chose. I don't know Shirer well, but I really love her approach, and the accompanying videos were incredibly powerful (from a conference, instead of a studio-set add on). These sessions are more "themed" around certain ideas of the Sabbath than a more traditional, "Here's one week's topic, here are 5 sessions for that week, and they take 10-20 minutes to complete".
Shirer is a really dynamic speaker, and I loved her prompting questions. It was definitely more reflective than strict bible study, but it's for sure biblically based. And what's interesting is that it's a few years old, pre COVID-19, and I feel like it needs an update, because we need it more than ever!
I loved her "14" challenge (take 14 minutes a day for God, and clear 14 inches of space a few times a week) to really give yourself margin. That was a nice concept for me--sabbath as margin. But oh, how we need it! The days when I give myself time to study, meditate, and ease into my day (around 20 minutes) are the days when I feel like I've given myself a gift.
Highly recommended, especially for today's busy women. Can't wait to check out a few more of her books. ...more
This was really wonderful. I'd probably give it 4.5 stars for one reason, but I'm rounding up. I'm doing more deep dives into bible studies as I attenThis was really wonderful. I'd probably give it 4.5 stars for one reason, but I'm rounding up. I'm doing more deep dives into bible studies as I attend church with more frequency, and I brought (more than) a few home from our local Christian bookstore, but this one spoke to me the most, so that's where I started. Angie Smith has a really beautiful, relatable, poetic way of writing. It also comes with videos (i can't remember if I purchased them separately) before each study week, and she's really charming. I know she has another study called Seamless, and I hope she does more. I got choked up a few times just reading her words, and I learned a ton about Jesus's story, and connections to the Old Testament. I've been attending church for years, so I was surprised that I didn't remember more of it, or see all the woven connections. Maybe now I'm just being more intentional.
The half star is I wish there were more areas for reflection ("What did you think about that?") Most of the fill in parts are about what happened, but there were so many WHOA moments for me that I would've liked to reflect on them a little more, formally (I mean, you can write down whatever you want, Janet, I just wanted a few more spaces for prompted reflection). But honestly, that's a minor complaint. It was a wonderful (and natural) place to start in my studies, and I can't wait to sift through what else I purchased and dig more deeply into scripture. But Angie Smith's study was the perfect place to start, and really did a beautiful job of getting to who Jesus was, and is....more
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