The suggestion box is open
I’ve read several spiritual books this summer. They were very different from one another. One was a farce written by an atheist that was hysterical but very heretical. It prompted me to think a lot about the way I present myself to the non-Christians around me.
Another was a fictional account of the three days between Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. It’s a concept I haven’t considered before, and it, too, made me think.
We’ve begun doing a short devotional with the kids a couple of times a week, which has been really super. Mike or I read a little devotional story from a book my parents read to me from when I was a kid. And Griff is reading the passages out loud for us from his Bible. It’s been good for all of us.
I’m finishing a short devotional book, and I’m struggling through a Kay Arthur book right now. I just can’t quite seem to connect to her style or the book itself. But I really need something to be guiding my Bible study.
So I’m looking for suggestions. Throw them at me. Short studies or long ones. I don’t care. Until we actually find a church and have Bible study opportunities there, I’m on my own. So, come on. Help a girl out. Give me some ideas. I’ll even report back when I read and finish the books… prove I really did use your suggestions well.
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4 Responses to “The suggestion box is open”
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Hmm, I don’t use a study book, I just read through the Bible every so often. (Usually I read once a year–4 chapters a day works well. This year I am reading one chapter a day, taking it slow and digesting what I read.) I don’t like being spoon fed things that the Holy Spirit showed someone else, instead I prefer to pray and see what the Holy Spirit shows ME.
That said I would recommend Joni Erikson Tada’s devotionals and the Morning Coffee series of Bible studies which are geared towards working women is rather short but very good. If you want something that is supposedly meatier you could do Beth Moore though I am not a fan. The very best to get is Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest–full of meat and excellently written, and still applicable today. And Elisabeth Elliot’s Light for my Path is excellent.
I’ll look those up on my Bookmooch list & see if I can mooch any of them to try. Thanks for the suggestions.
Can contribute nothing to this… I have the hardest time w/ studies (any reading that is non-fiction really, save the occasional magazine article & celebrity gossip!) I know, I really need to work on that!
I love fiction and hate non-fiction. I’ve always had trouble with studies, too. And I do love a good magazine. When the kids were little, I went forever without reading a single book. Didn’t have the time. I kept tons of magazines, though. I could read a quick article just anytime.
I’ve been doing a short workbook study called “He Speaks to Me.” I really like it; I think I got it at Lifeway. I’ve also enjoyed doing “My Utmost for His Highest” in the past for daily devotionals.
I don’t know if you’ve ever thought of this, but you can join a Bible study without belonging to a church. I belong to Community Bible Study. It’s a nondenominational Bible study that meets once a week. You go over your homework in a small group and then listen to a large group lecture. I’ve really enjoyed it, and it should be just about to gear up for the year where you are. You can go to their website and find out if they have a study in your area. It also might be a neat way to meet some Christian gals…
I have the Oswald Chambers book. Sounds like maybe I should pull that out. And I’m going to go now and see if there’s an evening session of the Community Bible Study here close by.
I really was challenged by Lies Women Believe by Nancie Leigh DeMoss. I just started typing up the lies on the blog last week (didn’t get very far).
The study was really good.
I also like books on prayer by Evelyn Christenson.
A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George