Thursday, December 5, 2013

Devotions from Genesis - Review

Remember how  I told you I was done with reviews for a while? And then I admitted that a few amazing reviews came up that I just couldn't pass up? Well, this is one of them.

Devotions from Genesis piqued my interest. I love Ancient History most and the two year Navigators type study we did on the Book of Genesis gave dimension and vibrancy to an oft-overlooked book. Sad, too, because the Book of Beginnings sets the stage for so much of what's to come in the Bible and in our Christian walk.
Marcy Crabtree's photo.

If you aren't familiar with the Old Testament, or avoid it because it's too hard, not applicable, just plain boring, or don't have an awesome study to go through like I did, then this is the Bible Study Guide for you! Nicole Vaughn takes you section by section:

Introduction
Section 1: Discovering the Character of God and Man through the Creation, Fall and Flood
Section 2: Discovering Faith and Obedience through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Section 3: Discovering the Comings of Christ and Trust in the midst of Trial through the Life of Joseph.

At the beginning of each section, Vaughn will introduce you to the reading, go over major concepts, historical insights, and  awesome word studies, utilizing original language. It always amazed me how word studies can shed a new light on a section. Vaughn does her homework, leaving you free to read, digest and apply! At the end of each section Vaughn writes out a heart-felt prayer that are in keeping with the Scripture reading for each section, personalizing the Bible in a way that is applicable. The great thing is that no matter how much you've studied Genesis, Exodus or the O.T., there is always more to learn. I've done seminary courses in O.T., along with the extensive Bible Study and I still learned information, was guided, convicted and comforted by the Word, utilizing this study guide. This is great stuff! It's not a dry boring study of a dusty ancient book. It's the Living Word and Vaughn's love for the Word and the Lord bring to light God's Truth.

These devotionals are clearly a labor of love for Vaughn. Presently, she is the Children’s Ministry Director at Shiloh Baptist Church in Somerville, AL, as well as the co-administrator of CrossRoads Christian Academy and is the founder of Proven Path Ministries. Read the complete Author's Interview here.

So, what makes this different from your basic Bible Study? For one, the research is well done, thorough and not doctrinally dictated. While developed to be used with regularity, the days are not numbered, allowing you to continue at your own pace without that awful, nagging feeling that you've fallen behind (never to catch up again). Also, this study is written so that you can delve into a section, taking the time that you want to really focus and mediate on a section, or, for those spin cycle days (weeks?) you can read and go- digesting along the way. I really appreciated that as I read and studied this fall. I've had a crazy, busy schedule, different every day, and the ability to pick up and go, without feeling lost or left behind, taking the time I could afford, rather than what was demanded, made this a do-able study instead of drudgery.
 
In addition to Devotions from Genesis, Vaughn has written Devotions from Exodus: Learning to Live in Freedom. As you might imagine, this study will guide you through the grand and sweeping story of God's deliverance out of Egypt; sub-titled. This Devotional covers 4 sections:  
Moses Meets the I Am
The Plagues
Entering the Wilderness
The Giving of the Law
Marcy Crabtree's photo.
 
 This is an excellent study to be done individually, with your kids, in a Bible Study or Mom's group.
 
Devotions of Genesis can be ordered from Amazon in paperback or Kindle version for $12.59 and $8.95.  Devotions from Exodus can be ordered for the same prices on Amazon as well!
 
I have 3 PDF copies of  
Devotions from Genesis and Devotions from Exodus Part One
 as a special giveaway to 3 winners!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


@Golden Grasses 2008-2013. All photographs, artwork and text are the property of the owner unless otherwise stated. Don't miss a thing! Subscribe to Golden Grasses and get our articles right to your inbox!

1 comment:

albania real estate for sale said...

Really your post is very interesting and informative.I ll surely keep visiting.