Women Opening the Word- a Bible study review
Women Opening the Word is hands down my favorite Bible study. This is the third book of Casandra Martin’s that I have done. She has a unique gift of bringing out the small details of Bible passages that you have read a hundred times! She asks questions that get you thinking and allow for self-reflection. Martin has done her research for each of the three books I have done. She isn’t just saying some uplifting fluff. She has studied, researched, and cited sources. Which I emphatically appreciate!
These books are great to do as a group or as an individual. One book I’ve done on my own, Immeasurably More, and two I’ve done with a small group of ladies, currently we’re working on The Shadow of the Cross. The lessons are broken over four days. But I suggest you come up with a schedule that best fits you and the time you make available. I’ve heard many woman say they don’t like this study because at first, it looks intimidating. I totally get that. But it really isn’t! Once you actually get into the questions, you realize the simplicity and the length is no longer daunting. I don’t mean simplicity in a bad way. This is challenging, but she is able to explain information in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known it all your life even though it’s all brand new. In our ladies’ group, we do two lessons at a time and meet bi-monthly. So it takes us over a year to complete one book. The structure of the book also makes it super easy for someone to lead a discussion. I can’t even really call it teaching because it’s designed for all to participate. You really just need someone to get you started.
All three of the books I’ve worked in have had the same layout and structure. At first, she’ll ask you to dive into the text. The first few questions are about the passage and then she moves on to how that can be applied to our lives. She does a lot of “spiritual inventory” type questions. Which is one thing I love about this study! I think we should contemplate daily how we can improve.
I have also completed Impossible. Let me tell you this book saved me. I’m not even being dramatic. This study is about the gospel of Luke. It takes you through the whole book, focusing on the miracles performed by Jesus, under the theme of Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with man, is possible with God”. How we face so many “impossibles” with an earthly mentality when really we should be taking our problems to God who can actually help. My little ladies’ group did this book while I was waiting for Bo. While I was facing what felt like a literal “impossible”. This was nothing short of providential. And you can’t convince me otherwise. If you’re facing any kind of struggle, I can’t recommend using this book to study Luke enough.
I will warn you, this won’t be a quick study. It isn’t one of those 5 minute morning devotionals for mom kind of things. You need to carve out some time to complete this. But I think that’s why it’s a good one. Those short little devotionals are great and have their place in our schedule, but sometimes we need to get deep down in God’s word. Martin’s books help us do just that. If you’re looking for a study that is a little less milk and a little more meaty – try one of these.
