Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 16 Can anyone recommend a study I can do on my own at home? I have devotionals and am following a plan to read through the Bible in a year but I want to go more in depth. I did a Beth Moore study online years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed her lectures and doing the homework throughout the week. What I need now is another study I can do that isn't expensive. It doesn't have to be a video, maybe a book that gives me a chance to delve into the Bible on my own. I don't have a particular need so any topic may work. Recommendations? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Homeschool Mom in AZ 13,440 Report post Posted April 16 Celebration of Discipline https://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Discipline-Special-Anniversary-Richard-ebook/dp/B07CRKXMB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457515&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1 regular study guidehttps://www.amazon.com/Richard-Fosters-Study-Celebration-Discipline/dp/0060628332/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457608&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-2 workbook journalhttps://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Disciplines-Accompany-%60%60Celebration-Discipline/dp/0060698675/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457647&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TechWife 25,874 Report post Posted April 16 (edited) I have two options to suggest, I highly recommend both of them. The first option would be any book in the "Lord Series" by Kay Arthur. They are topical devotional studies. The length of the studies varies and they are divided up into daily study for five days per week. They are a good bridge between devotional reading and studying - containing elements of both. These studies take 20-30 minutes per day. There are DVD lessons available, but they are optional. The second option would be any book in the "New Inductive Study Series" also by Kay Arthur. They are book studies - covering one or more books of the Bible in a survey format. They are set up as 13 week studies, with six days of study for each week, each day taking about 30 minutes to complete. This series is more study than devotional in nature. After you look at the descriptions, let me know if you have any specific questions. ETA: These books are available from Precept Ministries or through Amazon and a variety of other sellers. If you look at Amazon, you can use the "see inside" feature to see what they are like. Edited April 16 by TechWife 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
purpleowl 3,063 Report post Posted April 17 I have found that I really enjoy going through a book of the Bible slowly and reading a commentary alongside it. Ligonier.org had a blog series a while back where they listed their top 5 commentaries for each book of the Bible, so I go on their site and search for "bookname commentary" when I need to choose one. 🙂 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cintinative 2,373 Report post Posted April 17 (edited) We have done several of Jen Wilkin's studies and liked them. We meet to discuss the homework as a group, and then listen to the podcast. My only hesitation with you doing it by yourself is that often times I find I have questions after doing the homework. So the discussion is really helpful. That said, some of these studies are free. Here are some of the free ones. The podbean links have links to the workbook with each podcast. 1, 2 and 3 John https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/123-john/ Exodus Part 1 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-i/ Exodus Part 2 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-ii/ James https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/james/ Joshua https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/joshua/ Judges https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/judges/ Matthew part 1 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-1-womens Matthew part 1 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1024/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_1_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf Matthew Part 2 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-2-womens Matthew part 2 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1023/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_2_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf Edited April 17 by cintinative 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrissiK 55,508 Report post Posted April 17 1 hour ago, purpleowl said: I have found that I really enjoy going through a book of the Bible slowly and reading a commentary alongside it. Ligonier.org had a blog series a while back where they listed their top 5 commentaries for each book of the Bible, so I go on their site and search for "bookname commentary" when I need to choose one. 🙂 This is what I do. I’ve been going through the book of Isaiah. I read several verses in my ESVBible. I write down a brief summary in my composition book. Then I go to Biblegateway.com and read the same passage in 3-4 different versions/translations and note what some of the differences may be, or just jot down a certain word or phrase I particularly like. Then I use a commentary (Studylight.org is good for commentaries) and read 1 or 2 and jot down some highlights in my comp book, too. It’s a system that has evolved over the years, and it really works well. And it’s free. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thatboyofmine 6,795 Report post Posted April 17 11 hours ago, Homeschool Mom in AZ said: Celebration of Discipline https://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Discipline-Special-Anniversary-Richard-ebook/dp/B07CRKXMB7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457515&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1 regular study guidehttps://www.amazon.com/Richard-Fosters-Study-Celebration-Discipline/dp/0060628332/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457608&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-2 workbook journalhttps://www.amazon.com/Celebrating-Disciplines-Accompany-%60%60Celebration-Discipline/dp/0060698675/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1T6IVGLLAHV41&keywords=celebration+of+discipline+by+richard+foster&qid=1555457647&s=gateway&sprefix=celebration%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-3 Thank you for this recommendation! I’m looking at it, too. Is the study guide necessary, in your opinion? Trying to figure out what I need. Thanks! 💛 (Thanks @Night Elf for this post!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 17 50 minutes ago, Thatboyofmine said: Thank you for this recommendation! I’m looking at it, too. Is the study guide necessary, in your opinion? Trying to figure out what I need. Thanks! 💛 (Thanks @Night Elf for this post!) You're welcome! Yes, Homeschool Mom, explain the difference between the study guide and journal. The Amazon description of the journal says it's a one year study, so is it tied to the book or something totally extra to be done after you've completed the study? I already bought the Kindle version of the book. I just need to know if I should buy both other books you recommend. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 17 12 hours ago, TechWife said: I have two options to suggest, I highly recommend both of them. The first option would be any book in the "Lord Series" by Kay Arthur. They are topical devotional studies. The length of the studies varies and they are divided up into daily study for five days per week. They are a good bridge between devotional reading and studying - containing elements of both. These studies take 20-30 minutes per day. There are DVD lessons available, but they are optional. The second option would be any book in the "New Inductive Study Series" also by Kay Arthur. They are book studies - covering one or more books of the Bible in a survey format. They are set up as 13 week studies, with six days of study for each week, each day taking about 30 minutes to complete. This series is more study than devotional in nature. After you look at the descriptions, let me know if you have any specific questions. ETA: These books are available from Precept Ministries or through Amazon and a variety of other sellers. If you look at Amazon, you can use the "see inside" feature to see what they are like. Thank you! I'm putting them on my list. I've never read any Kay Arthur so I'm looking forward to doing so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 17 11 hours ago, cintinative said: We have done several of Jen Wilkin's studies and liked them. We meet to discuss the homework as a group, and then listen to the podcast. My only hesitation with you doing it by yourself is that often times I find I have questions after doing the homework. So the discussion is really helpful. That said, some of these studies are free. Here are some of the free ones. The podbean links have links to the workbook with each podcast. 1, 2 and 3 John https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/123-john/ Exodus Part 1 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-i/ Exodus Part 2 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-ii/ James https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/james/ Joshua https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/joshua/ Judges https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/judges/ Matthew part 1 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-1-womens Matthew part 1 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1024/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_1_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf Matthew Part 2 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-2-womens Matthew part 2 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1023/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_2_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf Thank you! I'm putting all of these in my favories so I don't forget any of them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 17 11 hours ago, purpleowl said: I have found that I really enjoy going through a book of the Bible slowly and reading a commentary alongside it. Ligonier.org had a blog series a while back where they listed their top 5 commentaries for each book of the Bible, so I go on their site and search for "bookname commentary" when I need to choose one. 🙂 9 hours ago, KrissiK said: This is what I do. I’ve been going through the book of Isaiah. I read several verses in my ESVBible. I write down a brief summary in my composition book. Then I go to Biblegateway.com and read the same passage in 3-4 different versions/translations and note what some of the differences may be, or just jot down a certain word or phrase I particularly like. Then I use a commentary (Studylight.org is good for commentaries) and read 1 or 2 and jot down some highlights in my comp book, too. It’s a system that has evolved over the years, and it really works well. And it’s free. I've thought about this but I find myself so often not understanding what I'm reading. I definitely need the commentary. I also like guided studies, like I like guided meditation. I need someone's interpretation to help me form my own thoughts rather than attempting to do it on my own and miss the points. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Homeschool Mom in AZ 13,440 Report post Posted April 17 Mine are on loan to one of my pastors and his wife: the main book, study guide and the journal, so I can't look at them for a detailed comparison. Now we're going to rely on my peri-menopausal brain to reconstruct some of it while looking at my bookshelf. (Wish me luck.) The journal was more in depth about personal application and reflection. Since I swim at the part of the evangelical end of the Christian pool, which isn't known for it's depth in the areas covered in the book, I have little to no experience to really write about, and I'm not a journaler by nature anyway, so I put that aside to do after I completed the study guide and the additional reading and practiced for a year or two. It's always good to come back and review and that's what I have planned for the journal. I think the journal would work well for people are natural jouranalers and those who want to clarify their thoughts on the topics in their everyday lives. I had a need to know what each discipline was and how each discipline worked, so I went to the regular study guide and its recommended reading first. The study guide was more general discussion type questions because some people have used it as a group study. The thing I love most about it is the list of further reading. There are classic works on each discipline. I picked at least one of each. It looks like this for me:Celebration of Discipline chapter topic/Classic work on that same topic listed in the study guide's recommended reading list Living a spirit filled life/ Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach and Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Because I just couldn't decide between them.) Study/The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires and Renewing the Christian Mind by Dallas Willard (Again, I couldn't decide.) Prayer/ Prayer by O. Hallesby. Confession/The Joy Filled Life by M. Basilea Schlink. Service/Improving Your Serve by Chuck Colson Fasting/ God's Chosen Fast (Hhhmmm, must've loaned that out too.) Meditation/Meditation by Jim Downing Body Life (or something like that)/Life Together by Dietrich Boenhoffer Guidance/Knowing God's Will by M. Blaine Smith I just finished the Mediation book this week. There are more. I'm not in a hurry. I just wanted to really understand things in depth before I moved on to the next thing, which not everyone is going to want or need to do. I've been at it for a year and a half now and probably have at least another 6 months to go, which is fine with me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 17 8 hours ago, Homeschool Mom in AZ said: I'm not in a hurry. I just wanted to really understand things in depth before I moved on to the next thing, which not everyone is going to want or need to do. I've been at it for a year and a half now and probably have at least another 6 months to go, which is fine with me. Perfect. Thank you for the clarification. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sassenach 10,527 Report post Posted April 17 22 hours ago, cintinative said: We have done several of Jen Wilkin's studies and liked them. We meet to discuss the homework as a group, and then listen to the podcast. My only hesitation with you doing it by yourself is that often times I find I have questions after doing the homework. So the discussion is really helpful. That said, some of these studies are free. Here are some of the free ones. The podbean links have links to the workbook with each podcast. 1, 2 and 3 John https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/123-john/ Exodus Part 1 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-i/ Exodus Part 2 https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/exodus-ii/ James https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/james/ Joshua https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/joshua/ Judges https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/category/judges/ Matthew part 1 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-1-womens Matthew part 1 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1024/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_1_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf Matthew Part 2 https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/series-index/matthew-part-2-womens Matthew part 2 workbook https://d1nwfrzxhi18dp.cloudfront.net/uploads/resource_library/attachment/file/1023/Institute_-_2017_-_Fall_Classes_-_Matthew_Part_2_-_Work_Book_-_For_Web.pdf This was going to be my suggestion. I’ve done Abide (123 John), Better (Hebrews- not currently available because it’s getting put out by life way, but my absolute favorite), and Exodus. Her studies are the best. I would print the whole thing up and then do them at my own pace and listen to each audio teaching once a finished a week. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnM 25,398 Report post Posted April 18 We have done a few lately in our group that I have enjoyed. Irresistable by Andy Stanley Crazy Love by Francis Chan When God Doesn't Fix It with Laura Story I will admit, I don't care for Kay Arthur (so tedious and repetitive IMO) but many love it. She is also a bit too Calvinistic for my comfort level. And Beth Moore studies can drive me nuts. However, she won brownie points in the last election when she spoke out. (is that too political? If it is I can delete.). I have more to say about here, but I will just say it isn't for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TechWife 25,874 Report post Posted April 18 2 hours ago, DawnM said: We have done a few lately in our group that I have enjoyed. Irresistable by Andy Stanley Crazy Love by Francis Chan When God Doesn't Fix It with Laura Story I will admit, I don't care for Kay Arthur (so tedious and repetitive IMO) but many love it. She is also a bit too Calvinistic for my comfort level. And Beth Moore studies can drive me nuts. However, she won brownie points in the last election when she spoke out. (is that too political? If it is I can delete.). I have more to say about here, but I will just say it isn't for me. I’ve been doing Precept Bible studies for years and am a Precept Upon Precept leader & can say that Kay Arthur isn’t Calvinistic. I’m always interested in the variety of studies that are out there - there seems to be “something for everyone.” It’s a great thing that people are able to find materials that meet them where they are, I think. I really liked the book Crazy Love & didn’t know there was a Bible study for it. I read it years ago when it first came out. Laura Story and Andy Stanley are much lighter fare than appeals to me. Where you describe Kay Arthur’s studies as tedious, they appeal to me because they teach reliance on the Word as the primary source and their in depth nature. I can spend hours at a time studying the Bible, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnM 25,398 Report post Posted April 18 (edited) Kay Arthur has you use a variety of colored pencils and underline and triangle and circle different words. Usually it is just too much overkill for me. I got it when we read, underlined a few things, and discuss. I don't need to triangle in red or star in green or circle in purple. Just my preference. As for Calvinistic, it seemed that way to me, but I will retract that statement for now as I don't have time to look it up, but will later. And it may have been the bent of the person teaching it to spin it more that way, but I will look it up when I get some time. And yes, I do see why you think some of the ones I mentioned are not in depth enough, but the concepts are good ones. But, they lead to more in depth discussions in the groups I am in. Edited April 18 by DawnM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Night Elf 9,587 Report post Posted April 18 And I love Beth Moore. I went to see her in person and it was so awesome. I love her girly talk interspersed in her lectures. It makes it seem as if a friend is telling me about the Bible. I like her light talks and her descriptions of Greek words. I love her upbeat spirit as I find it contagious. I'd love to do another study but I'm just going to read one of her books. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnM 25,398 Report post Posted April 18 13 minutes ago, Night Elf said: And I love Beth Moore. I went to see her in person and it was so awesome. I love her girly talk interspersed in her lectures. It makes it seem as if a friend is telling me about the Bible. I like her light talks and her descriptions of Greek words. I love her upbeat spirit as I find it contagious. I'd love to do another study but I'm just going to read one of her books. Then do one of those! I got a bunch of free ones from Amazon Kindle Books once. I haven't looked at all of them. And you should like her name! 😋 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
