If you’ve been around Bible study for any length of time, you’ve heard of studies written for women based on a book of the Bible.
But never have I seen a Bible study for the book of Habakkuk.
Full disclosure…I’ve read the Bible cover to cover a few times, so I’ve read Habakkuk…but I wouldn’t be able to tell you a thing I learned or remember about my time reading it.
When I was contacted about reviewing a 6 week Bible study of Habukkak by Dannah Gresh, I was intrigued, especially when I read the tagline:
Remembering God’s faithfulness when He seems silent.
It caught your attention too, didn’t it?
There have been many times in my life that I’ve felt God was silent.
So I asked for a copy of the study, and friend, it is stunning and poignant!
The introduction was updated in April to reflect the impact of the pandemic we are all living through. How relevant! This study feels so fresh and applicable to the current ‘unprecedented times’ we’re living through. In the introduction, Dannah lays out how studying Habukkuk can directly impact your life and faith as you walk through living by faith in this season of tension at every turn.
THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK is about learning to believe that God is good and maintains control even when there is so much evil and tragedy in the world around us. Though this book is often overlooked during times of peace and prosperity, it has tended to be studied when believers needed to learn how to talk to God during epic events.
Dannah Gresh’s Habakkuk study is a deep, 6 week study. There are 5 days of study and ‘homework’ that will take 25-40 minutes per day to complete. Readings and questions are laid out beautifully with plenty of room to write (a personal pet peeve for me, when there isn’t enough room for someone with like me with big, bold handwriting to fit in all the things I want to write), and can be completed alone, or with a group.
The most interesting and innovative aspect of this study is Dannah Gresh’s use of podcasts for each week of the study.
I’ve gone through many Bible studies with a group that had recorded videos, but I’ve never heard of one using the podcast format to share teaching and insight not in the study book before. It is innovative, accessible to anyone with a smartphone, and doesn’t require figuring out how to hook up a DVD player to the TV in a room at your church or home to watch as a group. I love how easy Dannah makes it for you to study the book of Habakkuk!
One other part of this study that I love, and please excuse my frivolity, is that it is beautiful. The cover is lovely with its simple design and thick paper, the shades of purple throughout make it feel decadent and the watercolor designed illustrations inside are just so pretty. I know it’s the content that counts, but this study has that and a beautiful experience waiting for you.
If you, like me, feel like you need to gain perspective on the trials you’re currently facing and learn to navigate them free of fear and full of faith, grow in the exercise of living by faith, remember how God has been faithful to you in the past so you can be prepared to face the trial we’re currently in and those that may come in the future or learn how to talk to God when you’re frustrated or devastated, Dannah Gresh’s Habakkuk study will be a blessing to you.
I encourage you to grab a copy, perhaps invite a friend or two to join you, and dig in! You will be blessed as you experience God in a new way.
Moody Publishers has been very kind to offer a copy to one of my readers.
To be entered to win a copy of Dannah Gresh’s Habakkuk study, please leave a comment here on the blog telling me one of the ways you’ve seen God at work during this pandemic. Big or small, I can’t wait to read all the ways you have seen Him show up during these months!
I’ll choose a winner on November 15th.
I didn’t notice much of a difference the pandemic made at first, just making us more aware of taking precautions, washing hands, and social distancing. However, our lives were turned upside down recently. I lost my job, I wish I could say it was related to COVID, in a way I guess it was, but I was blindsided. What I wrote on my calendar was “worst day ever- or blessing in disguise “ I know God has a plan for me, it’s just figuring it out. I’m really excited to check out this study.
Oh Amy! I’m so sorry about your job. But I love your perspective of looking for God’s plan in it! He does have a plan for you, and it is a good plan! I will be praying for you that He reveals it to you, and more importantly will be close to you. May you feel His love and care.
Oops I need to read things more thoroughly. I didn’t answer your question. I’d say one of the ways I’ve seen God show up is giving me the ability to homeschool children during this very trying time. I never thought I would not could I see myself homeschooling and some days I think what have I done lol. But really I’ve seen God work through me to reach them in such real and positive ways both physically and emotionally. God gives me the patience to be both mom and teacher to them right now and I’m thankful for what I call this bonus time. Make no mistake I’ve been clear with God that I’m not doing this forever 😉but for now I’m making lemonade with the lemons I’ve got. 🙂
Bonus time!?!?! What a beautiful perspective on this crazy time! I feel the same way about the time we were locked down. I wish it had not happened, and yet…we had more family time than I ever could’ve imagined in this season of life! What a blessing this time with our family is!
And making lemonade was something I often joked about too. We all certainly got some Corona lemons this year, but I’ve been so encouraged with how I’ve seen so many like you, making lemonade with them!
I would love to read this. It looks like such a great way to spend time with God and reading an encouraging book at the same time as gaining a better understanding of this book of the Bible. Thanks for sharing this Melissa.