Bible Study Review
I hope you are having a blessed December. After a moderate fall temperature-wise, we are finally getting the cold temperatures that Michigan is used to this time of year. I don’t prefer cold weather but I try not to complain since every season serves a purpose.
Last week I wrote up a review of the Bible studies that Family Renewal (the company I work with) sells to send to our email list, and I thought I would share this with you all as well.
Years ago, I didn’t see the importance of Bible studies or devotionals but I have changed my mind on that. Although I read my Bible every day, and I read through the Bible to make sure I don’t miss anything, it can still be easy to read over a lot since it is so familiar. For me, going through a Bible study causes passages to jump out at me that I may not have noticed before. It forces me to slow down as I read the Word so that it becomes life. I have opted to do my studies at night before I go to bed so that I can ponder them if I need to instead of jumping into my day and forgetting what I’ve read. I don’t do this every night, but I like having a study that I can pull off my shelf and dig deep in order to examine my heart through the light of God’s Word.
So without further ado, let me describe the studies that have been a blessing to me and help you to choose the one that is right for you.
A Lamp Unto My Feet is a study on Psalm 119. I view this as a starter study. If you are new to Bible studies or if you have a teenage son or daughter who would be interested in studying, this could be a good place to begin. Psalm 119 is all about loving God’s Word and His laws. I found myself worshiping as I went through this study. You will be inspired and encouraged each day.
He Leads Me Beside Still Waters is on the book of Psalms. This too is an encouraging study. You will meditate on various Psalms, answer questions, and then it will suggest another Psalm that you can read. I feel like we can learn a lot from David since Scripture called him a man after God’s own heart. Psalms is a good place to begin.
Pressing On Toward the Heavenly Calling is a deeper study which goes through the epistles. Then at the end of each week, you will read a portion of Acts and learn a little more about Paul’s life.
The above are all 12-week studies, but if you are someone who has walked with God for a long time and is strong in your relationship (or want to become so), I highly recommend a 24-week study titled The Walk of Repentance. I have gone through this three times in the last 15 years or so. Two of those times, it took me over a year to finish. It’s hard-hitting, as it covers topics such as Biblical Submission, The Repentant Heart, The Lifestyle of Repentance, The Process of Repentance, Overcoming Self, Overcoming the Flesh, Controlling the Tongue, Double-Mindedness, Biblical Love, Biblical Forgiveness … just to name a few. 🙂 Each of those topics takes a week and within those weeks, you will be looking at root issues. For instance, the week of Biblical Forgiveness, you will learn about “Our Need for Forgiveness,” “Appreciating Our Forgiveness,” “The Basis for Forgiving Others,” “Commanded to Forgive,” and “Handling an Offense.” See what I mean? It’s not for wimps, but you are diving into the Word in a way that a lot of people have probably never done. This can also be a good counseling tool. There is very little commentary as you are looking up Scripture verses in whichever version of the Bible you use and writing down what the Bible says about each topic.
The newest additions to our Bible study line are some studies for women. The Word Study Scripture Journal for Ladies and The Word Study Scripture Journal for Young Ladies are designed for mothers and daughters to study together or individually. Each week begins with a hymn. Then each day, you will read a scripture verse, write it down, do a word study, write down the practical application, and keep a prayer journal. Although that sounds like a lot, I expect that most days will not take more than 15-20 minutes.
All of these studies are on sale through the end of the month so you will want to order right away.
Although they are not Bible studies per se, I would also like to mention my brother’s books Questions God Asks and Questions Jesus Asks. I mentioned that I do Bible studies at night, but in the morning, after my regular Bible reading, I like to read a devotional or a book that will help me to focus on the Lord. These can be perfect for that. They may be used in family devotions or individual study. They could also make good gifts for your pastor or small group leader. We are currently selling them as a set for $19.99 or you may purchase them individually.
Thank you for taking time to read my Bible study review. I hope that you will find at least one study that will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord this coming year. After the year we just had, I think we could all stand to refocus and remember that this world is not our final home. Let’s not neglect to draw ever closer to our Father, looking into His wonderful face until “the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
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