Thursday, March 20, 2014

Bible Study Review - Restless by Jennie Allen

ABOUT THE STUDY:

Restless explores the fact that God has called each of us to do great things in his name, and then helps us discover what that might mean for each of us individually. Jennie says, "We are called to dream but we're afraid to. But because we are called, when we don't act on it we become restless—restless to find purpose, to make a difference in the world, to matter."

Jennie doesn't suggest women add one more thing to their to-do list, but instead invites them to stop and listen where they are. She frees them to be themselves and to see themselves as valuable. In addition to this permission to dream she helps them get over themselves and their issues and then offers a simple process on highly designed journal pages to identify the raw materials—the unique threads—they've been given by digging into five areas:
-  Gifts
-  Suffering
-  Places
-  People
-  Passions

Using her own story and that of women with whom she has walked through this process as examples, Jennie weaves in the story of Joseph the dreamer and how God used his threads to fit into the greater story of God. Untangling the threads of our lives and assembling them together in one place reveals a beautiful plan designed by the Creator himself: God's Agenda + my threads + the need + the Holy Spirit = my purpose

And since living out our purpose is often filled with uncertainties Jennie addresses the doubts, fears, and challenges that hold women back from what they've been called to do. This repositioning of their lives is not a promise that all things will be perfect, or will go perfectly, but a promise that it will be the start of the best part of life—the part that completes what we were made for.

MY REVIEW:

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love the Jennie Allen Bible studies. This one is no exception.


Jennie is so real and encourages us so much as she speaks to us each week on the DVD that comes in this study. There is also a leader guide, participant book, and conversation cards. I'm a big fan of these cards because it really does help the leader start the conversation going with her group. Sometimes, this really helps those ladies that are just shy to open up, too, as it will be a question that really resonates with them.

I really like the participants book. The questions at the end of each week are really thought provoking. This study is about being who God has called you to be - it's designed to help you use the special gift(s) that the Lord has given you and these questions really help you pin-point what these gifts are. There were some questions I could answer really easily, but others, I had to really sit and think about over several days. I really liked that it helped me to realize who I really am and that God made me this way!

The Leader's guide is amazing and so helpful in that the first part of the book really helps the leader understand how to lead! It goes into preparing yourself for leadership, things to watch out for, and the different types of learners that you may encounter in your group. I found this really wonderful because it made me feel prepared for leading this study!

All of Jennie's studies are Biblical and full of Scripture. This study focuses on Joseph - a story I absolutely love - and how the Lord used each and every part of his life (good and bad) to bring him to who God wanted him to be! I know for me, I love to think that I am a Joseph and that some day the Lord will bring it all together "for such a time as this". How humbling!

I highly, highly recommend this study. It's a definite 5 out of 5 star study!

*This study was provided to me for my honest review by Shelton Interactive


Blessings - Julie

1 comment:

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