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. 

 





 



 

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Ephesians Online Bible Study! Launch party 4/11 – RSVP today

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose for Christ.
Join the online Bible study (4/15 - 6/17) with Sue Edwards! And invite your friends to join you.



 Sue will be posting weekly on the Year of Discovery Facebook Page and interacting with groups and individuals around the country going through the study at the same time. Women will be able to discuss the study with each other and ask questions via Facebook. Edwards will launching the Ephesians study with an April 11 Facebook launch party. The online study will begin the following week.  (April 15 – June 17)


Completing each lesson requires about one-and-a-half hours. Readers still receive in-depth Bible study but with a minimum time commitment. For those who desire a more thorough study, including an opportunity to learn more about the history, culture and geography related to the Bible, Edwards has provided “Digging Deeper” questions. Answering these questions may require outside resources such as an atlas, Bible dictionary or concordance and challenge readers to examine complex theological issues and differing views more closely.


More about the Ephesians study: 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.




Purchase a copy of Ephesians and join the on-line Bible study today.




If you join the Ephesians Bible Study - add this button to your blog: (just copy the code and paste it into a blog post or your blog sidebar)
“Ephesians” Online Bible Study – JOIN ME!


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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. 

Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy/Titus

Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy/Titus: 13 Lessons to Encourage Us to be Godly Leaders in the New Living Translation is the topic of this particular review.

Whew.... that was a mouthful. Okay.... Now I like Bible studies. In fact, I like Bible studies a lot! But sometimes I will get a hold of a Bible study that just looks intimidating. You know the ones I mean.... You pick it up at the local Christian bookstore, bring it home and then say, "What was I thinking?" Or maybe you ordered one online.... you go through the same process... get it in the mail, open it up and realize it wasn't what you were looking for.

There are lots of different Bible studies out there on the market today. It can be an intimidating process determining which study best suits your needs, especially if you are a "young" Christian looking for something to help you understand the Bible better and learn how to apply it to your life in a practical way.

Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy/Titus in the New Living Translation is a real nice Bible Study. Personally, I am a New King James Version (NKJV) girl; having grown up with King James I still prefer that particular translation over all of the translations out there. But again, that's my preference. However, the New Living Translation is a nice translation, especially for those who are new to reading a Bible and have a little more difficult time with some of the more archaic terms in the NKJV. It's also a nice translation for anyone who wants to study the Bible in a more deeper manner, it can be used in conjunction with the NKJV or another translation(s) to help give you a more deeper understanding. (Of course the Holy Spirit is the One who opens our spiritual eyes and heart and ear.... if we just ask.)

This particular study 1 & 2 Timothy/Titus, also known as the Pastoral Letters is a good study for anyone to read and learn from. It addresses some very important issues that were and still are taking place in the church. It's a good foundational teaching that is beneficial to anyone in the church body, whether they are in training for leadership, parents, teachers, whomever.... and I say it like that, because even though someone may not necessarily be a teacher or leader of some type in the church, we should still develop our leadership skills since we are called to spread the Gospel, no matter what our station in life is.

This study contains 13 lessons in the back of the book. There you will "Reflect," "Read," and "Respond" to each lesson. I actually like how each lesson is broke down in similarly. Each area of the lessons (The three "R's") allows you to think about what's taking place now and what you just read. The study gives you lots of room to write (and if you're a wordy person like me, you need lots of room!)

At the end of each lesson there are additional questions that you can answer. This is to encourage the Bible student to dig a little deeper into the Bible and learn some more things.

One of the things about this particular Bible Study, Life Application, is it's purpose is to not only teach about the Bible, but the core is to show/encourage and apply each lesson to our daily walk with Christ. The one studying with the Life Application Bible Studies will grow in faith and in their Christian walk, which is what this is all about.

My three favorite verses from these three letters:

"For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to each us what it true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God." Titus 2:11-12 (NLT)

One more thing and then I might be done! The Life Application Bible Studies always include that particular portion of the Bible. It's like getting a piece of the Bible at a time and then you get to study that piece! You don't have to go out and buy a Bible in that translation (unless you want to), it's already there with the study. So again, if you are doing some deeper studying, you can use it in conjunction with another translation. I like to use it along side of my New King James Version, I find it does help me to see things better, sometimes.

At the beginning of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus there is some very useful information for every student of the Bible to read. The Life Application Bible always has this at the beginning of each book of the Bible. It's to give us a better understanding. They are: Vital Statistics - which gives us the purpose, author, original audience, date written, setting, key verses, key people, key place, special features; The Blueprint (different for each book); Megathemes (different for each book). All of this is to help the reader better understand what he/she is reading. So be sure to read it! There might be some questions about it in the lesson!

Ok, enough said. It's a good Bible study and I would recommend this to anyone who wants to grow in their walk with God.

This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. I am not required to give any particular review of this book whether it be for it or against it. Everything I have said is of my own opinion.