Being disciplined is difficult, yet it is something God requires of us in many ways. In fact, Barbara Hughes says, “…it is the path by which the good news of Christ gives meaningful shape to all the days of my life.”
In Disciplines of a Godly Woman, Barbara Hughes distills decades of Christian living into vital guidelines about our soul, character, relationships, and ministry, reminding us that being disciplined is not a legalistic means to earn God’s grace. No, the basis of spiritual discipline is a relationship with God who freely gives us his grace, and the method employed is simple but strenuous: ‘Train yourself to be godly’ (1 Tim 4:7) and ‘…throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).”
This entire book, then, is about learning what God’s will is and submitting our wills to his. Obviously, we must begin with the Gospel, the glorious news that Jesus has died for the salvation we could never earn. We must study the Bible to understand how to live according to God’s will and to understand the message of Christianity. Barbara here outlines Two Ways to Live, a comprehensive yet simple summary of the gospel that also outlines the important place of creation in the story of the gospel.
Covering 15 disciplines from prayer, worship, and contentment to perseverance, relationships and ministry, Disciplines of a Godly Woman is full of personal stories, clear explanations of the Bible, and encouraging practical advice. There are helpful study questions at the end of each chapter, although the small group I studied with had plenty enough discussion without using those questions. With books that apply to real life this always does seem happen, doesn’t it?
In any case, it was a helpful study, reminding us of important things we already knew as well as making us think deeply about new ideas. There was far too much in the book for anyone to absorb and implement during one reading, but we were all blessed and equipped by it in different ways.
Disciplines of a Godly Woman is one of a handful of books I recommend rereading every few years. It also makes an excellent Bible study guide.
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This is yet another book in the in the 2015 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and is also linked to Saturday Reviews, Booknificent Thursdays, Literacy Musings Monday, and The Book Nook. For more encouragement to live as a Christian woman, see Raising Homemakers, Titus 2 Tuesday, R&R Wednesdays, WholeHearted Wednesday.
Disclosure: I bought this book for a summer Bible study and wish I had read it earlier.
Dit lijkt me echt precies een boek voor mij. het zal niet vertaald zijn, denk je?
Heb je een mooi citaat wat je raakte?
Aritha wrote: That seems to be exactly the kind of book for me. It is probably not translated, is it? Do you have a beautiful quotation that touched you?
My response: It is so full of quotations! Every so often I will put one up on Google+. If it hasn’t been translated, would that be something for you to do? It is a bestseller here, so it may have been translated already.
Het is zo vol citaten! Ik zal zo af en toe een op Google+ zetten.
Als het nog niet vertaald is, zou het iets voor jou zijn om dat te doen? Het is hier een bestseller, dus mischien is het wel vertaald.
Studying Hebrews right now and being reminded of the importance of a good foundation, but then MOVE ON! Thanks for these fundamentals for us to carry into daily life as we seek to be women who glorify God.
Yes, learn the fundamentals and move on. Funny, though, how we need to be reminded of those fundamentals over and over as we change with life’s experiences!
I haven’t heard of this book before so I’m glad you’ve shared it. Thanks so much for being a part of Booknificent Thursday’s weekly link-up party! Happy New Year!
Tina