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Feeding Your Soul
Bible study is something that I am passionate about. I have shared before the importance of individual Bible study in my post on Feeding Your Soul.
That’s why when Summer Lacy asked for people to review her book, His Word Alone, I jumped at the chance. Summer very kindly offered to send two copies of His Word Alone-one for me to read and use and one to give away.
His Word Alone
These days Bible study guides are plentiful. To be sure they are great resources, but relying on them alone is like expecting to grow up never feeding yourself. Always relying on someone else to feed you. As a result so many become Spiritually malnourished.
In her book, Mrs Lacy walks readers through studying the Word for themselves, sharing her heart for Bible study:
“My goal is not to compel you to do away with such Bible study resources. However, we can no longer ignore the reality that all too often we substitute them for the Bible itself- snacking on and picking at the Word of God instead of greedily consuming it.
When our diet of Bible consumption consists mostly of excerpts from Scripture given in devotionals, small segments of Bible reading done through Bible studies and whatever passage the pastor is preaching on at church each week, we pass on the opportunity to experience God for ourselves.
To do this, we must dig our own hands down into the beauty of Scripture through grit, grime, and ultimately, systematically reading and studying the Bible on our own my contention is that, in our study on Bible materials, we have attempted to substitute man’s word about God’s Word for God’s Word itself, and we’re missing God in the process.”
Her passion is evident.
“The reason I am so passionate about the serious, individual study of
God’s Word by Christians is because it is the very means through which
the Lord has claimed my heart and transformed my life.
His Word has met me right where I was at the time, no matter where or when. It has relentlessly pursued me through the hard work of marriage, the endless delights and difficulties of raising small children, every insecurity and uncertainty a thirty-something-stay-at-home mom could muster, and all the other ups, downs, ins, and outs of everyday life.
There is no pain to which His Word does not speak; no joy that it does not birth.
If God speaks to me in this powerful of a manner through His Word, then He can speak to you in this very same way, too. It is my desperate desire that all women would come to know the power of His Word as they commit
themselves wholeheartedly to the study of it.
Ladies, the Bible is enough!
His Word alone is all we need. There comes a time when every good Bible
study girl needs to push her Bible studies aside so she well alone in
the presence of God and His all-sufficient Word.”
In her book, Summer guides readers through common misconceptions and excuses people have for personal Bible study.
Breaking down the why and how she helps her readers prepare for their study, from supplies to suggestions on choosing a place to begin their journey.
She sets her readers up with ideas for the digging deep process, including background research and questions to really help dissect the Word to get more out of it.
I will say, I would recommend a word for word translation (ESV or NASB) for personal study as opposed to a thought for thought (which is technically a paraphrase still, though most thought for thought translations are not considered paraphrases).
She mentions the NIV, which I have studied a lot before more recent revisions. Since these revisions I would not really recommend this translation.
Over all, it was a great book, even for someone who is passionate about personal study, it was a nice way to breath new life into my personal study.
Making sure my heart and motivation are right. Checking the lenses through which I view God’s word is always a good thing.
As I mentioned before, Summer sent two copies, one of which is to giveaway, so that is just what I am doing.
I am entering because I love the topic of this book. This is something I’ve recently come to feel strongly about as I found myself looking for different Bible studies (styles and topics).
Thanks for entering! Good luck!
This book seems like a neat way to learn to study the Bible when you’ve not done it in a while or want to learn to do it
Great post, and review. I agree and have said the same thing; that many use devotionals that may include one or two scripture texts, and that’s the gist of their Bible study. I agree we need to consume the Word systematically. It is our necessary food. I have so many books, I have stopped updating my Books I’m Reading page. My reading, however, is not in lieu of my Bible study, it is a complement to my study. I just purchased another book on Sunday. So, while it sounds interesting, and I’d love to see what her tips are, but…..
Thanks for sharing!
I lvoe journals, books, water bottles, and pens. That is why I am entering.
I enjoy reading, writing, and such. I pray you will be blessed and peaceful this week.
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
I’m hoping to do ministry after college and I am entering because I think that this book would help me better understand why personal bible study is crucial and will also help me better understand how to articulate this to my peers. I think a lot of people know that bible study is important but don’t know why. Bible study is life giving and studying God’s word daily helps to direct your paths but I would love to see what Summer Lacy says about it. This is an excellent giveaway!
This would be some great tools to really dog into my Bible! Thank you for doing this:)
This would be some great tools to really dig into my bible reading. Thank you for doing this!
I am entering because I would love to learn how to study the Bible on my own. I’ve tried doing it myself, but feel like I’m not getting enough out of it. Would really like to get some tips for better studying.
Love to read this book
This sounds like it would be a great book to read. Thanks!
Thanks for the chance to win this great book.
I’m entering because I am always looking for was to improve my life
would love to win this. Thank you