The Book of Jeremiah: A Bright Light in a Dark Season

From the table of contents and introduction to the final charts and maps I found myself intrigued with the format and content of "The Book of Jeremiah: A Bright Light in a Dark Season." This is the third in the "Following God through the Bible Series." The series uses an interactive, user friendly, study format to encourage the reader to apply Biblical truths to their own life today. Award winning author Bette Nordberg maintains that Jeremiah's words are as relevant today as they were to the people of Jerusalem seven hundred years before Jesus' birth. Nordberg focuses on three basic themes in the eight lessons of the study guide: the person of Jeremiah, the people of God, and finally on God Himself. She helps the reader understand the response God is looking for from His people and relates Jeremiah's message to contemporary times and the response God is looking for from His people today. The book is filled with important timelines, maps, and charts that help the reader understand and assimilate the background for the study. Each of the eight studies follows a similar pattern. A contemporary story illustrating how our lives and needs incorporate the same basic issues faced by God's people in Jeremiah's day. An application is drawn from the Scripture surrounding Jeremiah's experience and message. I found the study questions helped draw out basic facts of the passage under consideration. I especially found the "as I follow God" section helpful. This feature included a modern day incident or story that wrapped up each chapter with a directed personal application which enabled me to see the similarity of living for God now as then. "The Book of Jeremiah: A Bright Light in a Dark Season" is an excellent resource for individual or small group Bible study. Each book in the "Following God through the Bible Series" raises the bar in excellence. I look forward to hearing more from Bette Nordberg.