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Source: Won a free copy from the author on a giveaway held by another blogger.
Back Cover Description:
You may be exploring Christianity for the first time. Perhaps you are ready to know God, not simply know about Him. Or maybe you are a new Christian and desire a strong biblical foundation on which to build your faith. This study is for you, whatever your personal situation might be.
God's Truth Revealed includes:
*Real-life stories of hope and redemption
*Questions for reflection
*Scripture memory and Bible reading plans
*A dictionary of "churchy words"
*Leader's guide for small-group use
Review:
God's Truth Revealed is a 12-session small-group (or individual) Bible study for those who are exploring what Christianity is about. Several of the sessions would also be good for new believers. The study covered: the Bible is accurate; God is real and how mankind can know Him; God created everything and made humankind special; the purpose mankind was created for; why the world and our relationship with God is so messed up; what God did to make it possible for us to have a fixed relationship with Him; why we can't fix this ourselves; how we can be made right with God; God also gave us a future hope; and what God wants from us once we're a Christian.
Each session started with a brief illustrative story then introduced a new concept. The author gave Bible verses for the participants to read (some of which were included in the book) and then discussed those verses. She gave cultural, historical, and scientific evidence to help the reader better understand the idea and verses. She defined the "churchy" words when she used them. She asked some good discussion questions based on the verses. Each session ended with a testimony of how God brought a person into a personal relationship with Him and a "Find Out More" page-long study with some more verses and questions.
At the end of the book, there was a "churchy words" dictionary, suggested Bible Reading plan, Scripture memory tips, and a leader's guide.
I thought that she picked good verses to study, that the questions were generally very good, and that the book was written in an easy to understand way, especially for people not used to Christian words or concepts. She included information on the accuracy of the Bible and why evolution isn't how God created. She promoted actively building a relationship with God through time spent with him in two-way communication (prayer) and reading God's Word.
There were a couple places where I felt the author didn't cover the full meaning of a phrase or concept or I would have defining them slightly differently. I also would have included another session or two to cover some more key concepts from the Old Testament. However, overall, I felt the study was an excellent one and would recommend it to seekers.
If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.
Excerpt from Session One
Any number of events or circumstances may have brought you to this study. You may be exploring Christianity for the first time. Perhaps you are ready to really know God, not just know about Him. Or maybe you are a new Christian and desire a strong biblical foundation on which to build your faith. This study is for you, whatever your personal situation might be.
I encourage you to explore the claims of Christianity with me for the next 12 weeks. Questions and even skepticism are welcome. All that is necessary is a real desire to know God. Are you willing to let God show you who He is and how He wants to relate to you? The fact that you are involved in this study is proof God is at work in your life. The Bible says no one can come to God unless God draws them. (See John 6:44).
True Christianity is knowing God in a personal way. Christianity boldly claims there is only one way to know God. Of course, so do other religions. Are they all right? Or has God established one way that is the way to know Him? And how can we know which is the one true way?
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