This is a Bible study book that uses different Bible characters. Liz Curtis Higgs has written many of such books already. They have sold millions of copies, with over 4.6 million copies in print. She uses humor, research and personal experience, to communicate God's grace through her writing. She's also an award-winning speaker. As a long-time professional speaker, Higgs has traveled with Women of Faith, Women of Joy and Extraordinary Women. She has spoken for 1700 other women's conferences . This has taken her to all 50 states of the United States. She has also traveled to 14 foreign countries, including Thailand, Portugal, South Africa, and New Zealand. This book is arranged in eight chapters. She ends the book with a conclusion and Spoken Word, a Gospel invitation to salvation. Then she includes questions for book clubs, general questions about issues in the book. Then she includes the Study Guide for Bible study groups. This book ends with author acknowledgements. Higgs wraps all up with notes for each chapter, citing all the sources she used for each of the chapters.
This book is all that I expected. I have read a number of Higg's other books. I spent a few weeks, recently, in a Bible study featuring one of her books. I expected this book to be fast-paced, novel-style reading. It is. When Higgs features Bible character, she'll first start with a modern counterpart of the character. This is to send the message that the Bible isn't just an ancient, outdated book. It bears relevance just as today's news does. Higgs uses humor annd wit to communicate Divine truths. She inserts Bible verses only after making her arguments. I finished this book in a matter of days. She stresses God's grace over and above God's holiness and Divine wrath. But she uses her humor and wit to integrate the Law into her writing. Through this she keeps the reader aware of his or her sinfulness and total dependence on God's grace. Some pastors and Christian leaders may acuse her of of a one-sided portrayal of a gracious, loving, forgiving God. TBut Higgs does an excellent job of communicating God's grace to readers who need it. And we all do need it!This book is also an excellent corrective if you're tempted to self-righteousness toward those seen as "the dregs of society." No person is too hopeless for God. On the other hand no one is too good to have to depend on God's grace. It's clear that this author did her research for this book. Despit all the celebration of God's love and grace, this book can be quite convicting. I found each chaper just about equally convicting, in its own way.
I recommend this book for just about anyone. Each chaper points the reader to Jesus. The entertaining style of the writing will hold their interest. And they should make it to the end of the book where an appeal to embrace Jesus is made. For roughly the same reasons, new CHristians whill find this book helpful. It gives them the principles they need to get grounded in the Christian faith. Maturing and mature Christians will find this book a blessing. They'll be continually reminded that we'll always need to depend on God's grace. We don't ever outgrow our need for that! This book features women of the Bible. But pastors may want to use in book in leading Bible studies. This book is designed for book clubs and Bible studes. So book clubs and Bible studies ma find this book a major help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via BloggingForBooks in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.
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