Ephesians by Sue Edwards

I have done several Bible studies by Sue Edwards now and I have enjoyed each one of them.  I personally love the book of Ephesians and found this study to be very interesting and such a great reminder that my identity is in Christ and that alone should be enough.  At this stage in my life, many things are pressing on me and sometimes I struggle with my identity, which sometimes seems non-existent as a stay-at-home mom!  

I know I've mentioned it in my reviews for her other studies, but I truly like that you are expected to do the work.  Sometimes she throws in helpful thoughts or commentary after you've done the work, which I like.  I like being pressed to find answers for myself and not to have it relayed to me through someone else.  I am thankful that she doesn't fill her study pages with words.  When she does write something, it's intentional and it's meaningful because it's so rare in her studies.

It doesn't take too long to do the studies, but you can pick which route you would like to take.  You can spend as much time in this study as you want.  She has some work for those who can't spend an hour in the Word and then there is some for those who long to pour themselves over the pages of Scripture for an hour or more.  I like this option.  Sometimes it takes me 2 days to finish 1 days work, but it's totally worth it to learn so much more!

To read more opinions about this Bible study, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/sedwards.

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Book Info

About Ephesians: Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Revelation by Sue Edwards

I have done another Bible Study by Sue Edwards and knew that I definitely wanted to do her Revelation study.  I love Bible Studies that make me dig in the Word and that have me figure out for myself what the text is saying. 

Revelation is a difficult book of the Bible to read and understand.  Her notes really helped and were very specifically placed so that you dug deeper yourself before consulting any other commentary notes.  I appreciate that in a study.  I feel like sometimes we get so used to being taught by people that we don't allow time for the Holy Spirit to stir our spirits and speak to us and help us see things the Lord wants to reveal to us.

Another thing that I like about this study is that it's perfect for those who are both beginner Bible study students or those who are more advanced and want to dig a bit deeper than just the basics.  I like to dig deeper, so I really enjoyed that section of the Bible Study.  I felt like it shined an even better light on the chapters.

Something I've never seen before in a Bible Study was a QR code.  You can scan the code and see little videos to get extra information on each chapter.  I think that is such a smart idea!  I've always had to purchase the videos if I wanted them, but I'm so glad that it was easily available for me to watch.  I also liked that it posted the time so I knew if I had time at that moment to watch it or if I needed to go back later to watch it.  I hope more Bible Studies add this to theirs.
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If you would like to purchase his book, go to http://ow.ly/hpLmf.

Join the online Bible study here.

Meet Sue:

Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women's ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women's Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the new Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.

For more reviews on this study, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/SEdwards .

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 7 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

When I think about Christ and all that He suffered, it's quite humbling.  But even more, when I think of His ATTITUDE during His suffering, it's even more humbling.  Christ wasn't revengeful or irate.  Instead, He was gentle and respectful.  He never once slung words or dirty looks.  He never balled his fists ready to fight.  He simply took what was thrown at Him. 

So when I think about the times I suffer (which is mild in comparison to those persecuted around the world), I wonder about my attitude.  I must say, when I'm going through trials or periods of testing, usually my attitude is less than stellar.  In fact, sometimes I remind myself of my 3-year-old...impatient and wanting results YESTERDAY.  I'm not saying that I'm like that in every trial, but when it goes on a lot longer than I expected or I'm to the point of sheer exhaustion then I lose it.  Christ never lost it.  I know people would say that it's okay to lose it or to be snippy or to be frustrated or more.  However, if my life is to resemble that of Christ's and I'm to take on His characteristics then it's clearly not okay.  Not only does my life need to resemble His but my attitude needs to resemble His in the good times AND the tough times where I don't see a way to carry all of the pain or burdens being piled on.  Gentleness and respectfulness need to be demonstrated in all aspects of my life.

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I received this Bible Study free from Kregel Publications in exhcange for my honest opinion.

1 Peter-Lesson 6 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

When I think of the church family and fellow believers, I think the thing that is missing most in them these days is unity.  It's so much easier to hold grudges or to gossip than it is to fix what needs fixing and continue on with the Lord's work.  But when it think about what causes the disunity within the church, I can sum it up with pride.  Most of the reason that churches split is because of pride: no one wants to give in and forget traditions or "ways we've always done it" but the heavenly focus is lost and is put on the earthly things that will pass.

So how do we express sibling love in our faith family?  After exploring a few verses, here's how.

Romans 12:10-Love with genuine affection and delight in honoring others--hospitality, taking food to someone

Romans 15:7-Accept others--quirks and all!

Romans 16:16-Greet in Christian love.

Galatians 5:13-Serve one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2-Be humble, gentle, patient, and make allowance for each other's faults.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-Encourage each other and build each other up.

Does this mean we are not to judge?  No!  In 1 Corinthians, the Bible clearly states that we ARE to judge those within the church when they are not representing Christ, but we are not to judge those outside of the church (those who don't believe) because God will judge them.  But it also means that we need to remember that we will all fall and no one is perfect.  However, if they have a heart for God then encourage them, accept them, hold them accountable.  This heart may just need a little maturing to understand what unity is all about.  When there is unity, God's message spreads like a wildfire because everyone is working together. 

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I received this Bible Study from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 5 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

Submission.  What thoughts do you have when you hear that word mentioned?  Is it that of someone with no backbone or who has no will?  Perhaps it's someone who is weak and gets run over by others.  Is submission something that you desire or something that repulses you?

For me and my marriage, submission is not something that I run away from or hate.  It's something that I love and that I embrace.  I like submission.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it called of me to do by God?  Yes.  I'm thankful that my husband also knows and understands the word submission and he always takes my opinions and thoughts into consideration, prays over it or seeks counsel, and then comes to a final decision.  I know that the final decision was made with lots of thoughts and prayer.

John Piper says it best in his book The Momentary Marriage when he says what submission is not:

• It is not agreeing with everything my husband says.
• It does not mean leaving my brain or will at the wedding altar.
• It does not mean every effort to avoid changing my husband.
• It does not mean putting the will of my husband above the will of Christ.
• It does not mean that I get my personal/spiritual strength primarily through my husband.
• It does not mean that I act out of fear.

What Piper says submission is: "Submission is the divine calling of a wife to love and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts."  This is the submission I embrace in my walk with Christ and in my walk with my husband.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

1 Peter-Lesson 4 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

This week we studied about how to live for Christ in a hostile society.  The verses that it focused on was 1 Peter 2:11-25.  When I think about our society versus the society in which Peter was writing about, I automatically think about slavery and persecution.  These believers were suffering for Christ.  They needed encouragement to continue in the Christian walk as they were persecuted in horrid ways.

When I think about the culture we live in here in America, persecution hasn't come to us physically, yet, in most cases.  I believe it's probably not far off, but so far we have only endured the verbal persecutions, etc.  For some reason that I will never understand, people of other religions are tolerated more so than Christians.  I know it's that there is power in the cross which can make people quite uncomfortable, but sometimes it's just mind blowing that Christians are treated as if they are crazy or are the scum.  I know Jesus promised it would be that way, but that doesn't mean that I'll ever understand the thinking of some people!

I love the verse in 1 Peter 2:21 that says "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example and you must follow in His footsteps."  Then the following verses proceed to tell you that He never sinned, He never deceived anyone, He did not retaliate, He did not threaten revenge when He suffered, He left His case in the hands of God, He carried our sins to the cross, we're healed by His wounds, and lastly we were once like sheep but have found our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.  How incredible would my life look like if it mirrored that of Christ...the traits I mentioned above?  That should be what we strive for in the midst of a hostile society.  That should give us strength to stand up and speak our mind when everyone else is speaking the opposite message louder than we are.  However, it still needs to be out of love, not condoning and critical, and they should be able to see that what we say comes from our heart.  Stand up, fellow sisters, and endure these trials with patience.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

1 Peter-Lesson 3 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

I love the words written in 1 Peter 2:9.  The words that describe us are incredible when you stop to really think about it and ponder it.  We are told that we are:

1) a chosen people.  How good does it feel to be chosen by someone?  I think it feels pretty incredible.  If you think back to how it felt in elementary school to be the last one chosen for a kick ball game, it was pretty humiliating.  That's not how we are described here.  We are not chosen in a certain order.  We are simply chosen.  And if you choose something out of a list of things, you tend to be pretty fond of it and love it.  The same applies to this passage.  It's mind blowing to think that we are described in these words.

2) a royal priesthood.  I don't usually think of myself as a priest.  I tend to reserve that title for those who are in certain denominations or who have more knowledge than me.  However, there is not a definition that says we are only priesthood if we have been to study theology or have been to a seminary.  We are priests to the King right now, right here, in whatever state we're in. 

3) a holy nation.  When I think of our nation, the word that comes to mind is anything but holy.  I don't think that the "nation" in general is being spoken about here.  I think it is nation as the group of people...the Christians.  We are holy.  We are to be holy.  We are to encourage the pursuit of holiness and holy behaviors in others so that Christ is seen by our holiness.  Not that we have that "holier than thou" attitude.  We have an attitude that stands firm in what the Bible says and people can see the Bible being played out in our lives.  Will we mess up?  Certainly.  But we never stop pursuing holiness to bring honor and glory and praise to God.

4) people belonging to God.  I belong to my parents.  I belong to my husband.  I belong to my children.  I belong to my family.  "Belonging" says that I'm with them through the good times and the bad times.  We stick together.  I'm protected and loved and cared for.  I am secure in God.  That's what we have when we know that we belong to God and live out the holiness that we are called to live as.

1 Peter-Lesson 2 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

If I had to pick out a theme for this week, I think it would be holiness and obedience which are tied together very tightly.  Holiness leads to obedience. 

1 Peter 1:15-16

"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

When we read this verse, it's too often just read and then moved past.  We automatically think that holiness is something hard to obtain or that we don't even want it.  Why would people not want to even attempt to be holy?  Simple.  It's weird.  It causes people to think we're a nut that has taken this Jesus thing just a bit too far.  It sets us apart.  It makes it quite obvious as to who we believe in and in who we put our trust in.

When I think of holiness, I think of taking on the mind and character qualities of Christ.  Impossible thing to do?  Not with the Holy Spirit.  Hard?  Extremely.  Why?  Because Satan is there every step of the way trying to sidetrack us from the reason we are asked to be holy---to reflect the mind of Christ so that He will get the glory.

If you are looking for a verse to memorize and meditate on this week, try the one above.  It's packed with a message from God.  Meditate on holiness and obedience.  Going back to chapter 1, because we obey, we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter - Lesson 1 (Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

I've joined a graduated study on 1 Peter by Sue Edwards.  The fact that it was an inductive study made me want to do it because I knew I wouldn't be getting someone's opinion.  Instead, I would be studying the Word and letting Scripture interpret Scripture. 

This study has 3 different levels so you can choose how deep into 1 Peter you would like to go.  I chose to do all of the parts, so I'm doing the level 3.  It was in depth, but it honestly didn't take a ton of time.

During Lesson 1, the message that most stood out to me was the Word itself.  It was the reminder in 1:3-5 that Jesus Christ has given us a new birth into a living hope THROUGH the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Not only that, but it doesn't stop there.  We have an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us beyond the reach of change and decay.  How amazing!  When our focus is on Christ and our inheritance, we won't be swept away by the challenges of today that we face.  We will keep our trials and suffering in perspective and we won't lose hope.

Even if you don't do this study, I challenge you to study through 1 Peter with me over the next 9 weeks. However, I'd love for you to join me doing this particular study, as well.

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I received this Bible Study free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this study over the next 9 weeks.