Every Time I Feel the Spirit by Shannon W. Dycus

4 stars

This is Bible Study and not an actual novel, but it still offers a great perspective on studying Biblical women from a different perspective. Dycus compares Biblical women to women (usually diverse women) who have impacted culture through magnificent ways. I really liked the two cross narrative approach. Each chapter is formatted like a Bible study with a breathing prayer, Scripture to read, commentary, questions, and ending breathing prayer. I enjoyed the process of walking through the Scriptures and reading the commentary. Do I think this is a good Bible study? Yes. I think it is specifically targeted to Mennonite religion, but since I’m non-denominational I believe all denominations could benefit from this perspective. I also found the diversity of this Bible study very important. Most Bible studies are very white-centered and it was enlightening and culturally relevant to read alongside women who have impacted others cultures and our world. I would recommend this Bible study on the diversity aspects that can be learned from as well as embraced and connected to by those who are from these same backgrounds. It’s so important to have diverse literature, but equally important to have diverse Bible studies and Christian literature. I loved this for that! I loved the commentary on Mary, Vashti, Anna, Naamah, and the unnamed woman who can’t walk. It’s so refreshing to come across new perspectives on commentary on women in the Bible especially since her main goal is to always hear the voice of women in Scripture to find her own voice (it’s inspiring and similar to my own journey). This Bible study is strong and I’m so honored to have been given a copy to review. I enjoyed the perspective and while I didn’t always agree with all the commentary (mainly the one on Jairus’s wife) it enhanced my interaction with Scripture and with God. I also enjoyed learning breath prayer technique at the end and understanding more about it. It’s a beautiful practice that I’m looking forward to trying.


Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5

Plotastic Scale: 4.25

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover. It may be cheesy, but I’m sucker for it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Herald Press, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I would have enjoyed this more as a book, rather than a study. It isn't a study that I would participate in.
I received this book free from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

This Bible study was very different than others I have completed - as it was from a different tradition and took the approach of interweaving modern day stories with biblical ones. However, it really stretched and challenged me. I felt myself learning from it, thinking about it and feeling drawn closer to the women of the Bible, and ultimately God!

Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Women's Bible Study
by Shannon W. Dycus
Herald Press
Christian
Pub Date 04 Jun 2019



I am reviewing a copy of Every Time I Feel the Spirit: Women’s Bible Study through Herald Press and Netgalley:



In this brief thirteen chapter study everything is covered from Vashti, to Esther, From Mary to a Mayan woman named Rigoberta as well as women like Sojourner Truth to Julian of Norwich, the studies are good and the questions afterward give you a chance to reflect on what you have learned.



The thirteen chapters are broken up into small, manageable chapters that would make for a good group Bible Study, allowing us to delve deeper into women of faith who choose to Breathe God.



I did think some of the subject matters could have been expanded upon therefore I give this one four out of five stars!
Happy Reading!

There are many things I appreciate about this book. Though it is not necessarily within my "wheelhouse," I can say that I think that some people will find this book very helpful in connecting with the Lord. It is unique among other guides that I've read in that it is more demonstrative as it leads the reader into the devotional.