Product Description

With distinct, vivid accounts of fifty-two remarkable women in Scripture, this book offers a way for readers to nurture their relationship with their Heavenly Father and gives them a glimpse into the lives of Old and New Testament women.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #307766 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 432 pages

Amazon.com Review
This one-year devotional program offers contemporary Christian women a chance to study the lives and legacies of 52 women in Scripture. Some, such as Eve or "Lot's wife," are prominent and well-known biblical figures. Even the lesser-known women--such as the daughter-in-law of Judah, Tamar, who disguised herself as a prostitute--offer provocative and fascinating stories. What shines through in this well-written book is the authors' great respect for these gritty, intelligent, and occasionally flawed women. The authors briefly tell each woman's life story in an enchanting storytelling voice, helping readers to see how these ancient stories still have meaning centuries later. The book is well-organized, offering a woman's story for every week of the year, as well as a week's worth of structured lessons and reflections.

From the Back Cover
Women of the Bible focuses on fifty-two remarkable women in Scripture -- women whose struggles to live with faith and courage are not unlike our own. Far from being cardboard characters, these women encourage us through their failures as well as their successes. You'll see how God acted in surprising and wonderful ways to draw them -- and you -- to himself. This year-long devotional offers a unique method to help you slow down and savor the story of God's unrelenting love for his people, offering a fresh perspective that will nourish and strengthen your personal communion with him.

About the Author
Ann Spangler’s books have sold more than one million copies. The author of such bestsellers as Women of the Bible and Praying the Names of God, she has compiled several humor collections, including She Who Laughs, Lasts; Don’t Stop Laughing Now; and Look Who’s Laughing. An award-winning writer, she lives with her two daughters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.;Jean E. Syswerda is a writer and former editor and associate publisher at Zondervan Bibles. She is coauthor (with Ann Spangler) of the best-selling Women of the Bible. She and her husband live in Allendale, Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Women of the Bible a Winner
Having read many different types of devotional studies, I was pleased to find that Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda exceeded 90% of them in content and readability. Not only did I find this book very well written, but it is thouroughly grounded in solid biblical principle. The reader starts the week off with a women from scripture, not just the ones everyone is familiar with, but others also. One such study is of Rizpah, a concubine of Saul's. On Monday you learn her story...On Tuesday you read of her life and times. Wednesday covers the legacy she has left in scripture, Thurdsay covers her promise and Friday ends with an overview of scriptural references and devotional questions. I originally picked this book up for myself. However, I liked it so well that I have already given three out as Christmas gifts and I am ordering 2 more copies for others. I highly recommend this book.

More intended for individual study
I agree with the other reviewers who enjoyed Women of the Bible as personal devotionals -- leading the reader towered Scripture passages, suggesting prayer, etc. -- or as the opportunity to learn more about the personalities and accomplishments -- and think of applying the lessons from their lives to today -- of biblical women.

However, I do not this book is a good choice for a small group study. My small group chose to do this study; we were flipping through the book at the bookstore and liked the organization and amount of study/discussion questions. Our weeks went like this: review the accomplishments of the woman, generally discuss her attributes or failing, then on to the study questions. We found that the study questions were just unable to spark meaningful conversation -- in many cases they were yes/no questions. On a good week, one of us would bring up some great topic to discuss that just tangentially related to the woman's life, and were able to have a more lively and interesting conversation.

At the end of the study, we confessed to one another that we simply did not enjoy this book -- that it not group study material. There are just so mnay excellent small group study books, books where you can't wait for the group meeting to discuss your revelations over the week and how the book can impact you life. For starters, look at anything written by John Eldredge. The Sacred Romance or Journey of Desire, for instance, are just womderful and will make an impact on your lives. If your group doesn't want to do a "book study" but more of a Bible study, just pick a book of the Bible and do that. A group at our church spent an entire year studying Revelation on their own. But there are also studies that correspond to books, such as the New Inductive Style Series published by Harvest House.

So, if you're looking for a nightstand devotional, this may be the book for you. Skip around chapters and find the people and themes you find most meaningful to your life at that point. And it's an easy devotional to put aside and later come back to. But in terms of a small group study, look at some other books and formats (especially if you're the group leader -- you'll get points by choosing something that'll make you group running late every meeting and where group members meet informally during the week as well).

Fascinating Book
I recently started reading this book. I am very impressed. Each week focuses on a different woman of the Bible, some well-known and some not well-known. I like the way the story is first told in today's language and the information about the culture at the time that woman lived. The questions for each week are not the type that have a wrong or right answer, but they get you to think about how you feel and what you believe. As another reviewer said this is the first woman's devotional that does not focus on being a wife and mother. I think many men would also find this a great book to read and study from.

I highly recommend this book and will be sharing it with my Sunday School class in a few weeks. I think women of any age and personal situation will learn a lot from this book.