16 Bible Studies for your Small Group by Ryan Lokkesmoe

 

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is filled with a variety of topics to cover in a small Bible study group. At the beginning of each lesson are icebreaker ideas to help focus the group and discover how things are since previous meeting. Then the lesson begins with a Bible reading, questions and commentary followed by key points to help others to connect with what has been taught. Each lesson is followed by prayer, either led by the leader or by one of the group. There are sample prayers given. All together each lesson is less than 10 pages long. 

I believe this book would be a great choice for those who want to lead a small group but are not sure where to start. It is a great resource and guide book. 

I recommend it highly.

Searching for Certainty by Shelly Miller

 

Shelly Miller, the author of Searching for Certainty is an encourager. She is someone that can take the written word and reach the reader's heart. The rest of the title of this book, Finding God in the Disruptions of Life, is what attracted me to this work as I have felt many disruptions about the time of this book's release. 

The titles of each chapter are:

Reframing Uncertainty

Where Is God?

Shhh! Be Still

Breaking Habits

Help Me Decide

Practice Presence

Winning or Whining?

Beholding Beauty for the Big Picture

Rest When Shadowed by Worry

Named and Known

Gratitude Brings Focus to the Blur of Uncertainty

Remembering Restores Certainty.

The length of each chapter made it doable to read one a day, however, it would be possible to read more. By reading at this tempo I was able to reflect on what I had read throughout the day.

This book should remain on my bookshelf for a while, as I return to it to refresh the teachings that I have learned.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Listen Well Lead Better

Listen Well Lead Better is a resource book for those that desire to lead people whether in the church or in other areas of life. If a person is to be a good leader, they need to learn to listen to those around them.
This book, by Steve and Becky Harling, shares ten ideas to help develop this skill. The Harlings are a married couple who have lead people through ministry, nonprofit organization, or through speaking to groups. They take turns sharing experiences and downfalls they have experienced, as well as insights they gained throughout their lives.
Each chapter begins with a question that a leader can ask their team plus there are questions to help a person become grow in strengths and become aware of weaknesses.
I am giving this book to my husband who is a leader in his employment and a teacher at church to help him become a better leader.


I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

Book Review: Fish Sandwiches: The Delight of Receiving God's Promises

I was given this book by the publisher. The following review is my honest opinion.
One of the first stories I learned in Sunday School was the Feeding of the Five Thousand. I loved how it showed how God cares about all of his people. This miracle can be found in all for Gospels.
I don't know how many times I have turned to this miracle when I was feeling unsure if God was loving me at that moment. It has always had a place in my heart.
This book, Fish Sandwiches: The Delight of Receiving god's Promises by Troy Schmidt, examines this miracle about feeding his followers from a boy's five loaves and two fish from different angles. It draws the reader's attention to how this miracle shows God's heart and how he will provide, not just physical needs but spiritual needs also. I was able to read this book quickly while taking in the different aspects. I also liked how at the end he includes a version of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, The Feeding of the Four Thousand and a list of God's promises for us.
I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: Jesus Talked to Me Today

Jesus loved children, so it makes sense that he wants to talk with them, This book is filled with stories of these times when children were blessed with times with God, Angels and miracles. What better ways to open the ears and hearts of others than to hear from a child how they spent time with God.

It serves as a confirmation that when we are open to him, He loves to take time to share with each of us. I enjoyed the format of this book, stories straight from the children to our hearts.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys this acknowledgement that God wants to be with you.

I was given this book by Bethany House in return for my honest review.

Book Review: Unexpected Journeys: My Search for Adventure, Love and Redemption on the Other Side of the World

Unexpected Journeys, by Paul Perkins, talks about his time of reflection while traveling Asia. While on the trip he also discovered things about himself and the world around him.

This is an exciting book that many readers will enjoy, as well as I did. Especially those that like to read how God reveals Himself in everyday, or not so everyday, experiences.

I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hot Mama

Most mothers understand the concept of feeling exhausted and having very little left to share with their husbands. Kathi Pipp and Erin Macpherson, in the book Hot Mama: 12 Secrets to a sizzling hot marriage, share how to help keep your relationship hot. These two put such a humorous touch on this topic, yet they are able to touch all tired-out mamas. They use proberb and tips from all over to show how to revive that feeling from newlywed days.

Great book. I was given this book by Revell books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Crowns of the Believers

The Crowns of Believers, by Gina Burgess, talks about the entire life of a Christian. You can tell the passion that Gina Burgess has for her faith and the dedication she feels for passing what she has learned with others.  She also shows the reader the crowns worn by individuals in different biblical stories. Some of these crowns are actually physical and others are metaphorical. She does not ask anything of the reader that she has not done herself.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.