Live Deeply: A Study of the Parables of Jesus

[...] Fresh Life Bible Study Series A 20-Minutes-A-Day Study Live Deeply A Study in the Parables of Jesus Live Relationally Lessons from the Women of Genesis Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose 2009 David C. Cook Non-fiction/Bible study/devotionals/Christian Living Reviewed by Cindy Loven I am doing a review on two books here, and I did this because they are the first two in a series of Bible studies, the Fresh Life Bible studies. Each book has a beginning section that tells you how to use these books, for private study and for group study, along with a checklist for the group study leader. The books also have 10 Lessons with each Lesson broke into 5 days study. The title suggests that 20 minutes a day will be ample time to study each lesson, each lesson is broke into 5 parts, Lift up (prayer), Look at (God's word) Learn about (new insights) Live out (application) Listen to (quotes from other believers. The design of these books make them very easy to use and in my opinion very desirable to use. Bring along your Bible, a journal to write in, and you writing tools and sit down and prepare for some time in the Word of God. Live Deeply is a study of the Parables of Jesus, just a few chapter titles are as follows, Root Determines Fruit (the Parable of the Sower) Looks can be Deceiving(the Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven) Actions Speak Louder than Words (Parable of the Two Sons, and the Parable of the Landowner). As you delve into each chapter you will find in depth questions and study about each parable, questions to answer, and thoughts to journal about, and prayers to pray. Live Deeply is 273 pages $[...] US Live Relationally is a study of the Women of Genesis, a few title chapters are as follows Eve, Trouble in Paradise, Sarah, Stand by Your Man, Dinah, True Love Waits. Again, we find the chapters laid out similarly to the Live Deeply study, questions, prayers, journaling all included. Live Relationally is 287 pages $[...] US In the Fresh Life Series, there are also two other Studies, Live Intimately:Lessons from the Upper Room, and Live Fearlessly: A Study in the book of Joshua. Each of these books are published by David C. Cook [...]. Lenya Heitzig is an award winning author and popular Bible teacher. She and her husband are pastors of Calvary Albuquerque, which they founded, and she serves as the director of Women at Calvary, overseeing weekly bible study and yearly retreats. Penny Rose also an award winning author, was the general editor for the New Women's Devotional Bible, she also teaches at conferences and retreats nationwide. She lives in Albuquerque with her husband Kerry, a pastor on staff at Calvary.

Live Deeply by Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose is an in-depth 10 week study of the parables of Jesus. Each week is broken up into five daily readings that include lots of Scripture and personal introspection. I've really loved digging deeply into each of Jesus' parables. The authors include history to give background information on the story to bring greater understanding. The questions encourage the reader to really think about what it is he/she is reading. I've read and heard these parables countless times, but reading and rereading them, then breaking them down bit by bit has given me a great deal more understanding about just what Jesus was trying to say. There's a lot of wonderful wisdom here for any reader willing to dig deep. This book has become an enjoyable part of my time with God each night, and I fully intend to read the rest of the series. Living Relationally by Lenya Heitzig & Penny Rose is terrific entry in their Fresh Life series. This volume offers lessons gleaned from the women of Genesis. From Eve's temptation by the serpent to Potiphar's wife's temptation of Joseph, there are important teachings that the authors reveal by encouraging readers to read the Scripture, reinterpret it in their own words, and then find ways to apply it to everyday life. Their books are filled with terrific anecdotes and quotes that bring the stories to life along with indepth information about life in the time of the patriarchs that gives new understanding to stories that are very familiar. I hope to read more of this series!

I am very impressed with these bible studies. They are not the fill-in-the-blank kind but rather real thinkers. The lessons are laid out clearly and succinctly. The ladies have great insight into today's woman and have shown a deep knowledge of the people in the bible to bring their lessons into today's world. They have what they call the 5 elements per lesson, I call them the 5 L's. 1. Lift up: a short prayer that brings the learner front and center into God's world. 2. Look at: the Scripture for the day using questions that ask us to dig deeper into it's meaning. 3. Learn about: sidebars that explain the times or the culture. 4. Live out: how we can apply the scripture and what we've learnt to our own personal lives. 5. Listen to: quotes from others to help put in some perspective. The questions for each lesson use such words as explain, describe in detail, compare and contrast, what do you think. All words and phrases that are designed to make the student think and then put their thoughts into words. In the Live Out section references are made to other books in the Bible which helps to reinforce and expand the lesson. Then it goes on forward to today and brings the principle home to your own life. These studies definitely make one think down deep and bring a whole new aspect to studying the Bible. I highly recommend the series for beginners and advanced learners, individuals and small groups.

What a treat to review these books for you. These are two of a series of four studies for women, called Fresh Life Bible Study Series (David C. Cook), created by women to help you come away with deeper understanding of God's truths with doable 20 minute increments. Live Relationally covers lessons from the Women of Genesis Live Deeply is a study in the Parables of Jesus Both offer 5 daily lessons, starting with a short anecdote, Prayer, Looking deeper in God's word, How to Live out what you learn, and short words to listen to perhaps from a meaningful quote. These are in a workbook format, easy on the eye to read. They really are well done, even the pretty details scattered throughout the books. I definitely hope to get the other two when done with these. Just their premise to LIVE Relationally and to LIVE Deeply are the heart cry for so many woman. Lets do it, you and me, ask a friend and encourage them that this can be the year to live on purpose.

"Live Deeply" and "Live Relationally" by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose are decent Bible studies! They are for all levels of student from the brand new Christian to the more seasoned believer. They are nicely written, contain wonderful quotes and information from commentaries and other sources. But there are sufficient typos in the text that change the meaning of questions and narrative. Still, these 10-week studies have 5 days of homework to draw the student into the Word of God - exactly where they should be! "Live Deeply" is a study of the parables of Jesus. After only a few days of studying, I am already seeing new patterns and the gospels are coming alive in a way they haven't in a very long time. "Live Relationally" is a study of several of the women found in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Knowing that other women have experienced what we have is encouraging. The fact that God chose to record these stories in His Word is a precious gift. These stories show us how to triumph from the tragic. I wouldn't advertise either study as a 20-minute per day commitment. These subjects are much too rich to be rushed through like that. You will find yourself wanting to reflect on these beautiful passages of scripture. The size of the books are a bit awkward, but these studies are wonderful. I highly recommend them for personal study or a women's study group at your church or work or wherever you pour over the scriptures with others.