Cover Image: Saints

Saints

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Member Reviews

"Saints" by Kat Armstrong is an innovative and insightful addition to the Storyline Bible Studies series, offering a fresh perspective on familiar biblical narratives. This study guide delves into the lives of several key figures in the New Testament, exploring their complexities and the lessons they offer for modern believers. Armstrong's approach is both scholarly and accessible, making "Saints" an invaluable resource for individual reflection or group study.

The book centers around the stories of Nicodemus, Judas, Caiaphas, Peter, and Paul, each of whom represents a different aspect of the human experience with faith, doubt, betrayal, and redemption. Armstrong's exploration of these characters is not just a retelling of their stories; it is an invitation to see them as mirrors reflecting our own spiritual journeys. She masterfully brings these biblical figures to life, revealing their struggles and triumphs in a way that resonates with contemporary readers.

One of the strengths of "Saints" is Armstrong's ability to weave together historical context, theological insights, and practical application. Her analysis is rooted in a deep understanding of the cultural and religious milieu of the New Testament era, providing readers with a richer understanding of each character's motivations and challenges. This historical grounding adds depth to the study, helping readers appreciate the Bible not just as a spiritual guide but as a complex literary work.

Armstrong's writing style is engaging and thought-provoking. She has a unique ability to break down complex theological concepts into understandable terms without oversimplifying them. Her tone is both encouraging and challenging, inviting readers to engage with the text in a way that is both intellectually satisfying and spiritually enriching.

"Saints" also stands out for its practical relevance. Armstrong doesn't just offer historical and theological insights; she consistently draws connections to contemporary life. Each chapter includes questions and reflections that encourage readers to apply the lessons of these biblical figures to their own lives. This practical application is grounded in a deep understanding of modern challenges and opportunities for faith, making "Saints" a relevant guide for navigating the complexities of contemporary Christian life.

In conclusion, "Saints" by Kat Armstrong is a compelling and enriching study that offers a unique perspective on some of the most intriguing figures in the New Testament. Its combination of historical depth, theological insight, and practical application makes it an excellent resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Bible and its relevance to modern life. Whether used for personal study or group discussion, "Saints" is a valuable tool for exploring the complexities of faith, doubt, and redemption in the Christian journey.

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“Enjoying a Relationship with Jesus When You’re Disillusioned with Religion.”

This is my 5th Kat Armstrong study and I enjoyed it just as much as the rest. Maybe more, as I’ve definitely found myself disillusioned by, if not religion, than the religious.

The book introduces the reader to five ‘Saints’ of the Bible: Nicodemus, Judas, Caiaphas, Peter, and Paul – all characters considered super-godly in their day. I loved how the author balanced out the good and bad of every character. Each comes across as a cautionary tale for Christians (particularly leaders). Not everyone that presents as good is so. The opposite is also true.

Each day, you read a portion of scripture and delve more into context, meaning, and application.

I loved so much about it.

First off, the artwork is stunning. Not the most important aspect, but so beautiful.

I loved that the scriptures appeared in the text.

I loved that the daily homework wasn’t overwhelming. We all love Sister Beth, but we don’t always have hours a day to devote to study.

I loved that there are more in this series. It’s like finishing an excellent novel and knowing you get to spend more time with your favourite characters.

I didn’t really dislike anything, but I’d have liked more cultural context, and I think I would have preferred going through this in community, instead of by myself.

I’m very much looking forward to more from this teacher.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for this tender ARC.

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(4/5 stars) I read Saints in conjunction with Sinners: Experiencing Jesus’ Compassion in the Middle of Your Sin, Struggles, and Shame and they pair really well together. Saints focuses on the archetype of Christian leaders (those considered "saints" in Jesus' time) who are cautionary tales for Christians and Christian leaders. Armstrong chooses to focus on Nicodemus, Judas, Caiaphas, Peter, and Paul; each chapter is a great balance of research and accessibility. This would be a great study to discuss with a small group (Saints/Sinners is written to be a 10-week paired study). I have read multiple of Armstrong's other studies (you can find my review for Valleys: Finding Courage, Conviction, and Confidence in Life's Low Points here and my review for Stones: Making God’s Faithfulness the Bedrock of Your Faith here. I thought this pair was my favorite Armstrong study series yet.

As I mentioned in previous reviews, the format of this study was helpful. Each chapter was split into four sections: providing context, reading and comprehending the passage, diving deeper into understanding the passage, and then thinking through how the passage applies to our world today. The format was easy to process and I thought the discussion questions were thoughtful without being too leading. I think this study would be really accessible, even if you weren't already familiar with the stories presented.

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4.5 stars = I loved it! Would re-read.

I picked up Mountains and Valleys when they first released - the covers drew me in and the layout of the studies really clicked with me. So when I had the chance to review books 5 &6 in the series, I jumped at them.

I really enjoy the structure for these studies, and especially liked the grouping of Bible passages for both Saints and Sinners. I found both studies thought-provoking. They are the sorts of books I would read from cover to cover. They are easy reads, and the writing is conversational and engaging. I like that they can be used for individual or group study, and I plan to work through the entire line.

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I'm gutted that I ran out of time to fully finish this book, as I found the concept very interesting and thought-provoking. I would love to spend more time working through this workbook, although I think I would be better equipped to delve into it as a physical book, rather than ebook format. For the ebook version, I don't think the spaces for people to write in answers are necessary. I personally find ebooks really difficult to be interactive with and this is definitely a book you want to interact with on more than just a passive reader level.

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Admittedly, I did not realize how much of a Bible study format this uses rather than a regular book. That's not a knock on the book; it just wasn't obvious to me going in. Rather than reading this solo, I think this book would shine if incorporated into a group (whether a life group or book club, etc.).

The premise is an exploration of five "saints" in the Bible (Nicodemus, Judas, Caiaphas, Peter, and Paul). The list seemed a bit odd to me as these are not normally names that go together. The connecting point was how each of them failed and then had an opportunity for restoration. What continued to make the list strange was that not all of them actually experienced restoration.

Kat does a good job engaging the reader with the text and also offering perspectives that may not be immediately obvious. An example of this is the way she highlights how John presents the story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night next to the story of Jesus talking to a woman at the well in the middle of the day. By comparing the time of day, she then compares and contrasts Nicodemus and the woman at the well in Samaria. These types of insights would make for a great discussion with a group reading it together.

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