Book Review: The No-Homework Women's Bible Study: Group Hug

-

This book is misnamed.

 

This short, eight-week study aims to provide a "light," "fun" Bible study option, giving Biblical perspectives on topics important to women. Since I've been asked by girlfriends for a Bible study program without homework, I was excited about this one, marketed right to them.

The author organized her book into nice, easy-to-follow sections and I love the pretty, inviting cover. I received the book (ISBN 9781482083910) directly from her, and she even autographed it and wrote a personal note. Tate seems sweet and genuinely concerned for other women. That's one reason this review is so painful to write. I can't recommend her book.

I think her title is a misnomer. The No-Homework Women's Bible Study: Group Hug doesn't seem "no-homework" or "Bible Study."

True, no chapter analysis is required as homework. However, there are plenty of suggested optional tasks, from organizing to exercise, watching religious programming to taking a bubble bath.

These ones caught my attention:
            * Group like cans together in the pantry and turn labels facing forward.
            * Learn one new Bible word a day for the next week ("Bible word?").
            * Learn how to can food at home.
            * Take a CPR class.
            * Start a garden.
            * Bake a loaf of bread from scratch.
            * Make a five-year financial plan.

One of my friends said she felt a pressure to "do, do, do." If someone doesn't have time for God, when will she find time to organize soup cans? I think this guide unintentionally prioritizes housework, fitness--even Christian fellowship--over Bible reading and meditation.

At the end of the day, I could live without bread--homemade or otherwise. I couldn't live without God. I want the Bread of Life.

As for studying God's word during the meetings, Tate gives a list of verses for each section. However, they are often without context and some passages didn't seem to fit. She includes a trivia quiz, but questions like "How old was Adam?" seem unimportant.

Other points of concern:
            * Comments that angels and Nephilim are aliens.
            * A paragraph about maintaining only Christian relationships (this wasn't about marriage).
            * A flippant way of talking about losing weight.
            * Censorship of Exodus 20:17 to read, "nor his ox, nor his ***." If you don't like KJV, use an accurate modern translation. Don't block out God's words as if he made a mistake.

This guide encourages women to DO many things, but not grow deep with God. I kept imagining stones skipping shallowly across a river. That's not what I want for my spiritual life. If busy women take time for Bible study, I think those hours would be better spent going deep into the river of life, not skipping across the surface. 

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

To purchase: http://www.amazon.com/The-No-Homework-Womens-Bible-Study/dp/1482083914/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=17C7B98GS95H8K958TB1

Comments

Post a Comment

Have something to say? Say it here! But watch your language, or it might be deleted! And please...no spam.

Popular posts from this blog

Water Cake and the Widow of Zarephath

-
Image
May 1, 2020 I am enjoying some Water Cake this morning with my tea. Have you ever tried that? It’s an unusual recipe because it doesn’t require any ingredients from the frig like milk, butter or eggs. It’s made with water and ingredients from the pantry, including oil, flour and sugar. It’s a good recipe to have during times like a pandemic or a blackout, when you can’t always get everything you want at the grocery store or keep everything you want in the refrigerator. As I was making it this week, I was thinking about another woman who didn’t have butter, milk or eggs to cook with either. Her story is in the Bible, in 1st Kings 17. She lived at the same time as God’s prophet Elijah, and there was a drought where they were. From the beginning of this drought, God had led Elijah to a place alongside a brook, where he had good, fresh water to drink. God sent birds to him twice a day, carrying meat and bread for him to eat! Can you imagine what that delivery service might have been ...
Read more
-
One of my children and I were having a cabin fever kind of day recently, missing the freedom to have big adventures and attend big events. You know what I mean? We had been sheltered-in-place about seven weeks and were missing those moments when someone says, "So, what'd you do this weekend?" . . . and you have something big to say. In those conversations, we tend to skip over the details like we brushed our teeth or took out the trash. Instead, we would mention the one or two things that seemed like a big deal. A birthday party, or dinner at somewhere fancy. During the shelter-in-place, we don't get to go to the movies or the mall. No overnight road trips or even trips to the hair salon. It can seem a little depressing. Yet, sometimes, moments of great joy and happiness aren't found in things we think are a big deal; they're found in the little details of our lives. Today was one of those days for me. I woke up to a good-morning kiss from my husband, as...
Read more

Holly Yashi Earrings Giveaway

-
Image
Well, I was thinking about the fact that it has been several weeks (six, to be exact), since I gave something away on my blog.  So, it is time for another one! And this one is very cool. . . these are a relatively new design from Holly Yashi, which I love. . .  the "Abbey Earrings." In the words of the Holly Yashi website, you can dress with "a touch of Renaissance glamour.":) These are made with sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, and the beautifully colored and imaged niobium for which Holly Yashi is famous. They retail for $48.00. Here's another photo to give you a clearer idea of their size. . . Want to win them? They are gorgeous! Leave your name with a comment at the end of this post.  What is something you love about Spring? COMMENTS FOR THIS OFFER CLOSE ON FRIDAY, MIDNIGHT PST. A winner will be picked AT RANDOM after MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 13. By the way, I should add that you are welcome to enter the giveaway from anywhere it is l...
Read more