Women of the Word – A Review

Steph reviews Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. She finds it a deeply challenging book that even her husband greatly enjoyed.

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Jen Wilkin’s Women of the Word

Jen Wilkin’s book Women of the Word is propped open on my lap. For the sake of full disclosure, I have not yet read this book but would like to share some thoughts with you about it even so.

The subtitle is “How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds.” Sounds good to me. Scratch that. It sounds GREAT to me!

My hubby has read and enjoyed it. And while that is sufficient praise for me to put it on my To Be Read list, I thought I’d share a few recommendations from individuals with a little further-reaching influence.

Knowing the God of the Bible Seriously

Pastor and author Matt Chandler says, “Jen Wilkin takes knowing the God of the Bible seriously. … Her approach in teaching people how to grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures is accessible and helpful regardless of whether you have been a Christian for decades … or you are a young believer …”

Singer / songwriter Bethany Dillon says, “Jen lives what she teaches. Her servant heart in unpacking the Scriptures as well as her affection for the women she is teaching is evident the moment you meet her.”

Author Trillia Newbell says, “Reading the Bible can sometimes seem daunting. There are difficult passages, many interpretations, and often so little time to read thoroughly. Jen Wilkin recognizes this and provides tools to help us navigate it all.”

Heart and Mind Involved

You can see how both the author’s heart and mind are involved—as ours are to be when we study God’s Word.

It is a brief book, only 150 pages or so, but it seems to be filled with valuable information. Chapters include “Study with Purpose,” “Study with Perspective,” “Study with Patience,” “Study with Process,” “Study with Prayer,” and others.

Mark Batterson’s All In

I recently reviewed Mark Batterson’s All In. And as you can tell from the title, it isn’t an “easy read.” He challenges us to be “all in” for Jesus.

Jen Wilkin’s book includes a chapter called “The Case for Bible Literacy,” and it begins this way:

A little heads-up: this is the chapter you don’t want to read. This is the chapter where you get uncomfortable and want to tell me to mind my own business. This is the chapter where we talk about Bible literacy: what it is, whether we are acquiring it, and why it matters that we do so.

When God Gets Our Attention

I think the Lord is telling me something. And when God gets our attention, it isn’t always comfortable. He loves His children—so much so that He sent His Son to die for us. But because He does, He challenges us to grow spiritually. As is the case with physical growth, this type of growth isn’t always comfortable. It often involves growing pains.

But when we become convinced that our increasing spiritual maturity will bring God more glory, bless others more richly—and result in a more Christlike character—we can take a deep breath and dive in.

I Can Trust the Lord

I’ve learned over the years that I can trust the Lord. I believe what it says in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

This is God’s plan for each follower of Jesus.

So, I will finish reading All In, and I will read Women of the Word, including Chapter 2. Who knows? I may even pay particular attention to this chapter.

My Hubby Enjoyed It!

As I mentioned earlier, my hubby enjoyed Women of the Word. So, while men can benefit from reading it, it is written with women in mind. Women will relate more readily to some, but not all, of the author’s personal anecdotes. Plus, there is a chapter, “Help for Teachers,” which includes a section titled “Why Women Need Women Teachers.

Still, the majority of truths the author touches on are relevant to both men and women. So, if you would like to learn how to study the Scriptures with both you heart and your mind, I recommend Women of the Word.

Wrapping Up the Review

Before I wrap up today’s review, I would like to quote from the conclusion. Funny thing, I was just speaking to my discipleship pastor this week about the difference between being a God-worshipper and a Bible-worshipper.

Here is what Jen Wilkin’s has to say:

Someone asked me recently, after learning I was a Bible teacher, if I was a God-worshipper or a Bible-worshipper. The question didn’t come as a complete surprise. When you spend as much time as I do asking people to care about knowing their Bibles, someone is bound to ask if you have lost sight of the forest for the trees.

My answer was simple: I want to be conformed to the image of God. How can I be conformed to an image that I never behold? I am not a Bible-worshipper, but I cannot truly be a God-worshipper without loving the Bible deeply and reverently. Otherwise, I worship an unknown God.

Happy Reading!

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