Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds

Do you lack interest in studying God’s Word? Do you feel unequipped? Maybe want to study God’s Word, but just don’t really know where to start or think it’s boring.

If so, then this book is for you. Brittanie, who has been a guest writer with us before, has reviewed Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds. I hope you will consider adding this book to your bookshelf!

From the back of the book:

“We all know it’s important to study God’s Word. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible?

Offering a clear and concise plan to help women go deeper in their study of Scripture, this book will equip you to engage God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.”

The author:

 
“Jen Wilkin is a speaker, write, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in the Dallas, Texas area.” (from the back of the book)

My thoughts:

Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin came into my life at a time when I was asking God to help me desire His Word more, and this little book was an answer to that prayer! After reading Women of the Word, I feel a deeper love of God’s Word and a desire to study it more on my own.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Wilkin starts with a high view of Scripture, as the revealed Word of God that we can know, and she stresses this throughout each chapter. Another thing she does really well is remove the false dichotomy (distinction) between the emotions and the intellect. Our culture tends to make us think that love and knowledge don’t always go together, but this is silly, especially in light of God and His Word! The more that we get to know God and learn about who He is from the Bible, the more we love Him and His Word, for “the heart cannot love what the mind does not know” (pg. 31).

This book is a great tool for any woman who desires to study God’s Word with greater understanding. Jen Wilkin states that the purpose of her book is to teach “a study method that will allow you to open up the Bible on your own.”

It is a fast read, with well-organized chapters and practical tips intended to help the reader have more purposeful Bible study time. In chapter 1, Wilkin suggests two wrong ways that we approach the Bible, and how to correct those. Chapter 2 is fully dedicated to communicating the importance of Bible literacy—to know and understand what the Bible says about the character and will of God. Bible literacy matters because it keeps us from falling into error, whether that be by false teaching or secular worldviews.

Chapters 3 through 8 are the bulk of the book’s material, consisting of a five-part approach to attaining Bible literacy through sound study and how to bring it all together. She teaches the reader to study with Purpose, Perspective, Patience, Process and Prayer. This is a simple, practical and efficient method designed to guide women into a deeper understanding, reflection and application of God’s Word.

The conclusion serves as a great reminder of the purpose of Bible study:

“Our study of the Bible is only beneficial insofar as it increases our love for the God it proclaims. Bible study is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. It is a means to love God more, and to live differently because we have learned to behold Him better. And it is a means to become what we behold. The reciprocal love of God is a love that transforms.” (pg. 148)

Final Comments:

I would recommend reading this book alongside a friend or with a group, so you can have someone to discuss it with (though reading it alone is great as well!). The material is pretty straight-forward, but reading with friends is always fun and beneficial, because you get to talk about what you read as well as hear different perspectives/things you didn’t consider.

I believe Women of the Word is a great resource for any woman who is already, or hopes to one day, disciple other women in Bible study (she even includes a chapter specifically called “Help for Teachers”).

I appreciated that this book addresses some common pitfalls that women tend to have when it comes to our Christian walk—especially about emotions. We should not let our heart guide our study; rather, we should train our minds first to train our hearts to love God and His Word. 

I think Women of the Word would be a great tool for ladies in high school and older, simply because of the nature of the studying she suggests (there is no explicit content). I enjoy the freer nature of it, how she gives great tips that are easy to put into practice, without telling me exactly how I should study or what it should look like. Jen Wilkin’s main purpose is to give every woman, regardless of your educational background, a way to know the Bible for yourself and embrace what it teaches about who God is. These ideas might be a little too abstract for someone who is younger or requires a more straight-forward, “tell me what to do” approach to studying.

   Brittanie is a recent college graduate, new wife, and expectant mother! She enjoys spending time with family, serving her church, and encouraging her friends. You can follow her on Instagram: @djbritbrit

 Have you read this book? Any good study Bible suggestions? Or great books on how to study the Bible? Share in the comments!