Be Alert by Warren W. Wiersbe

Be Alert by Warren W. Wiersbe ISBN-13: 9781434765048 Kindle ebook: 210 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: June 1, 2010

Source: bought on Amazon.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Some people who claim to represent the truth are really merchandisers of error. They deceive, mock, and defile, as their mouths speak "great swelling words" (Jude 16). Who are these false teachers? How can you recognize them? Based on 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude, this book will help you sharpen your spiritual discernment. Join Dr. Wiersbe as he uncovers the disguises of today's religious impostors. Religious deception is on the rise. Don't be fooled by the masquerade.


My Review:
Be Alert is a commentary on 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude. It's written more like a sermon series than a Bible reference book. While you can go to a certain chapter and verse reference and read the entry for more information, but the book was designed to be read from start to finish. The book was easy to understand. Overall, I'd recommend this book for use as a personal devotional/Bible study.

The author tied in relevant Old and New Testament verses, pointed out the meanings of Hebrew words that don't fully translate into English, and explained background historical information that helped to bring out the full impact of the verses. There were 9-10 questions at the end of each chapter. Some tested to see if you remembered/understood what the author had said, but others were discussion/reflection questions about how you could apply what you had just learned.


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: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Live Hopefully by Lenya Heitzig

Live Hopefully by Lenya Heitzig ISBN-13: 9781434712479 Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: Jan. 1, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This all-new 20-minutes-a-day study of Nehemiah reminds readers that with God’s help, one person who is ready to do the impossible can change the world.

Hope is not wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation for the future. Nehemiah knew how to live with true hope. After boldly requesting permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, he restored the city and called his people back to God. Despite opposition on all sides, Nehemiah saw God transform a cup-bearer into a contractor, ruins into a city, and a wayward people into followers of God. As Bible teacher Lenya Heitzig reminds readers, God calls them to live boldly with a hope that only He can give.


My Review:
Live Hopefully is a 12 week Bible study on Nehemiah with each week focused on one chapter from Nehemiah (though 1 week covered 2 chapters). Each week had 5 days of study (with the week's introduction read along with Day 1). The author started each day with a story from more modern history, then provided the study verses for that day's reading. She asked reading comprehension questions to make sure you understood the verses. She talked about that day's theme, brought in related verses, pointed out key points in the text, and ended with a quote related to the theme.

Often she drew the "Live Out" section from the actual verses, but she sometimes treated the historical events as an allegory--they held swords as they worked, but we hold God's Word in one hand while working with the other. An actual famine was changed into a spiritual famine in our lives. Rebuilding physical walls became areas that we need to rebuild in our lives. I feel that allegorizing like this reinforces the idea that the Old Testament isn't really relevant to modern life. I wish authors would stay more focused on what we learn about God (and his people) from the verses because God never changes and people have similar motives through the ages. (And getting a correct concept of God and how He works does change how we live out today.) Overall, though, I'd recommend this Bible study.


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: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

If God Is For Us by Trillia J. Newbell

If God Is For Us by Trillia J. Newbell ISBN-13: 9780802417138 Paperback: 160 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: Jan. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
What would change if you really understood all that God has done and is doing for you? Sure we know in our head that God is for us, that there’s great hope in his relationship with us and salvation for us, but sometimes these truths can be hard to believe in the midst of exhaustion, busyness, and a world of spiritual and physical opposition.

If God Is For Us is a devotional Bible Study on Romans 8 designed to cement in your soul the great truths of our salvation and an understanding for how the Holy Spirit guides our new life in the Spirit. Romans is packed with profound truth after profound truth which are then followed up with life-changing promise after life-changing promise. In this 6-week study, Trillia Newbell will walk you through Romans 8 and help you cement deep inside yourself the scandalous truths of our great salvation, our inheritance, the assurance of our faith, and ultimately the love of our good Father.

Each week will include:
5 daily readings out of Romans
A devotional for each daily reading
Questions for reflection and study

This Bible study is great for individual or group settings. If you’re ready to live a life that shouts: “God is for me, who can be against me,” let’s get started today.


My Review:
If God Is For Us is a Bible study on Romans 1-8, with a focus on Romans 8. It is a six week study with five lessons per week. The first week involved reading Romans 1-7 and answering reading comprehension questions about the material to prepare you for the context and content of Romans 8. The rest of the weeks looked at Romans 8.

Each week started with a chunk of verses to read for that week and several reading comprehension questions to help you process what was being taught. This did not count as a day, so you may wish to treat each week of lessons as taking six days. For each day, the author provided the verses for that day and then talked about them. She helped clarify points from the verses and explained how these truths can effect our lives. Each day ended with questions that reflect on how these verses impact our lives and can change how we live. Overall, I'd highly recommend this Bible study for personal study. It can also be used for group study, but the group leader would have to determine what questions would work best in your group.


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.

Sola by Jason K. Allen

Sola by Jason K. Allen ISBN-13: 9780802418739 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: Jan. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Five Latin phrases have defined Protestantism for those 500 years, but why do they matter today? To my church? For my life?

Sola scriptura-Scripture alone
Sola fide-Faith alone
Sola gratia-grace alone
Solus Christus-Christ alone
Soli Dei Gloria-To the glory of God alone?

Sola is a winsome, inspiring introduction to these five pillars of the Reformation, showing not just what they are but why they’re important for the Christian life today. Edited and compiled by Jason Allen, Sola will illuminate these core truths that have been reforming the church all along. And it may just get you excited about nerdy Latin phrases too.


My Review:
Sola is about the five solas of the Reformation. A different author wrote about each sola, so the writing style varied, but it's more preaching style than academic. While anyone can learn from the essays, several authors talked about how understanding the solas impacts the church so the intended audience may be the church leadership. For each sola, the author talked about what the phrase means, where the principle is found in Scripture, what prompted Luther to include the idea in his writings, and how these truths make a difference in our churches and lives today. It provided a good introduction to the solas, and I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an overview of them and their impact.


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.