EPHESIANS: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ by Sue Edwards

ABOUT THE BOOK

Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season.

This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion.

GET YOUR COPY HERE! 

JOIN THE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY HERE! 

Just LIKE the page and then follow along. There will be a launch party for Ephesians on April 11th and the online Bible study will begin the following week on April 15th.  
 

Women crave Bible studies that challenge them to grow in their faith. But after balancing carpools, sports schedules, or work deadlines, you may not be able to commit to another evening out of the house. Now you don't have to.  

Whether studying with a small group or by yourself, you know can join popular Bible teacher Sue Edwards on the Year of Discovery. Sue will be leading women through her studies with online chats and discussions on her Facebook page. All year long. Every week. Any time of day. From the comfort of home. Make-up and hair-do optional. Come as you are!  

Each week you will find quotes, links to articles and other resources, and videos to help you as you study. Complete the lessons at your convenience. Then visit Facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries any time of day to comment or ask questions. Sue will be there frequently to respond, encourage, and equip!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women's ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women's Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the new Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.  

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SUE EDWARDS HERE! 

MY REVIEW

When I was studying to obtain my bachelor's degree in Biblical Theology, I had the privilege to sit under many different bible teachers. Some were great, like Dr. Ron Cottle and some were good and a few left me shaking my head. 

I said that to say Sue Edwards is a great teacher. One of the things that make her great is her love for God's written word. When someone is teaching a subject, whether it be the Bible or any other thing, to be a great teacher there much be a passion about that subject as well as knowledge. Sue Edwards shows and expresses that passion with this teaching on Ephesians. Not only does she have a passion for teaching, she also demonstrates a deep knowledge about what she is teaching. Her research in the history of Ephesians, knowledge she has gleaned from commentators and other theologians flows through with this in-depth study. In fact, she used a lot from one of my favorite people, Watchman Nee. ( I have his book, Sit, Walk, Stand, and it is a great study on Ephesians.)

My work schedule is so crazy that it is difficult for me to join studies, so knowing I could do this study at my own pace was a huge comfort to me. Any time I wanted to see and hear Sue all I had to do was go to her website, THE DISCOVER TOGETHER BIBLE STUDY SERIES, and click on the appropriate link or if I had my cell phone close to hand, I could scan the QR codes. That was way cool!

This study is great for individual studying or small groups. Since I am one of those people who wants to learn all I can, going into the "Digging Deeper" sections was not only fulfilling but gave me a deeper understanding of this precious word of God and why He has done so much for me. My little home has memory verses posted throughout, from this study. It's a comfort to know I am seated in the heavenly places with Jesus, spiritually, even though some days I am running all day long at my job.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ is a study I look forward to going through again, hopefully with a couple of friends. I also intend to look into more of Sue Edwards bible studies. I have to say again, she is a great teacher. She definitely has been given the gift of teaching. 

This review was made possible because Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a free review copy. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. 

 





 



 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS! 

Straight to the Heart of Moses: 60 Bite-sized Insights by Phil Moore

I have read many commentaries on the various books of the Bible. Some good, some not real informative and some I would never read again. However, I found this commentary to be informative, well written, easy to read, and applicable to my life today.

Phil Moore leads a thriving church in Wimbledon, London. He also serves as a Bible teacher and evangelist within the Newfrontiers family of churches. After graduating from Cambridge University, Phil spent time on the mission field and then in the business world. He had devoted many years to the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, and he brings them to life inthe language of today in the Straight to the Heart series. When Phil is not writing, he likes getting beaten at football by his young children.

Out of all of the books in this series I chose to review this one because Moses and the first five books of the Bible are dear to my heart. (As well as the rest of the Bible.) I especially wanted to see what he would say about the tabernacle the Israelites built in the wilderness. (Only because I wrote an indepth teaching about the tabernacle in the wilderness.) Also I wanted to see how Pastor Moore would take such a huge chunk of the Bible and make it into a manageable commentary.

I was not disappointed. For example: 

Could anything speak more loudly about the humility of God's presence? The same God who defeated Pharaoh, a ruler whose name was Egyptian for Great House, condenscended to make his dwelling place in a lowly desert tent.... The book of exodus goes out of its way to express that the glorious, transcendent God the Savior is also the intimate, immanent God the Indweller.... The mighty, invisible God of the Hebrews is humble enough to dwell in a tent among his People.... [pp 99, 100]

Through out the whole time I read this book, I was brought to tears. He showed me my God, God the Savior, was also God the Indweller, God the Holy One, God the Faithful One, and God the Covenant Keeper, in a fresh way that was relevant to me.

This book definitely has encouraged in my walk with Jesus, given me more ideas to think and write about and helped me to see my Lord in a fresh way. Sometimes we just need a fresh reminder of who our Lord God is, and this series will gently remind us if we keep our heart, eyes and spirit open to the Lord.

I am adding a link for you to click on to read a sample chapter from this book. Be sure to do so... you won't be disappointed.


Click here to read a sample chapter from this book.

Also, here is the link to Phil Moore's other commentaries. There are more sample chapters you may view.

Here is an extra bonus for you!

Beginning February 22 and continuing through Easter Sunday, Kregel Publications will be tweeting links to Straight to the Heart of Romans. The entire book will be posted as short, five to ten minute, daily readings. I want to encourage you to check out this fresh, and free, engagement with the Bible. Find it by following Kregel Publications  or #Straight2Heart on Twitter.

Kregel Publications made this review possible by providing me with a review copy of Straight to the Heart of Moses. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

Reading Revelation by C. Marvin Pate

Reading Revelation: A Comparison of Four Interpretive Translations of the Apocalypse is a very interesting book. I have read a number of books on Revelation but this is the first one I have seen that takes four different viewpoints and puts them side by side.

I think this would be a great book to use for personal or group studies. Looking at it as a tool for a study group to use, I found it to be helpful in answering questions I had. It was interesting to see how the different "translations" corresponded with one another. 

As a topic question, I wanted to know how dramatic it would be if the second coming of Christ all ready happened at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. After reading this chapter in the four interpretive translations, I believe it would be very dramatic if the seconding coming of Christ has already happened. For one thing, the world has yet to experience the Great Tribulation. I think the second coming of Christ is something yet to be fulfilled. I also think the fall of Jerusalem was important because it caused the Jewish people who believed in Christ to scatter and share the gospel in all of the world. The second coming of Christ is an important event in the life of believing Jews and Christians alike. It is then all who have died for their faith will see the King of kings ride in triumph and finally destroy His enemies, including the beast and false prophet. 


Reading Revelation is a tool not to be used lightly, but one to help anyone studying Revelation get a better grasp and understanding of this very rich letter.

C. Marvin Pate is a professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is the author and editor of numerous works related to eschatology and Revelation, including Four Views of Revelation, The Apoclaypse: A Historical Novel, Doomsday Delusions, and The End of the Age Has Come: The Theology of Paul. He is coeditor of the Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy.


Reading Revelation was provided by Kregel Publication for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.