It’s now a thing for my mom and I to do a Bible study with each other during the summer or during a time that bible studies are on break. For the last 6 weeks, we have been going through the “Open Your Bible” Bible Study. I wanted to take a moment to do a short review on it for those of you who may come across it later.
What kind of study is it?
-This study isn’t specific to a book of the Bible, nor do they stay within a few books. This is a topical study that revolves around how to open your Bible and what to do once you do.
-It’s a study meant to encourage and teach about the importance of opening your Bible.
-It’s a relatively easy study – there are only 4 days of questions/notes each week (giving you 3 days off) and each day can take as little as 10 minutes to do.
-This study is meant to encourage and teach, but doesn’t cause you to dig deep into verses like you would find in other studies.
-It’s a She Reads Truth study.
What it did well:
Gave great motivation and encouragement!
-During the beginning of this study, I was really struggling to want to be in God’s word. Life was NOT going the way I wanted and was actually very hard. But as my mom encouraged me and pushed me to continue doing this study, I found that these authors, Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, made the Bible a sweet thing rather than a tiresome obligation. They showed how to approach the Bible rather than just throwing you in the midst of it all. They showed how to apply Scripture and how to abide in it. Each week was a new way to be encouraged, or rather re-encouraged, to open my Bible.
Remained truthful!
-These women did not stray from the truth, but harped on it! I love a Bible study that isn’t afraid to touch on the hard things – in this case, the fact that opening your Bible can be very difficult – and they stay on point. They constantly reminded us that the Bible is for you and for now, but about God! Loved that reminder.
Gave doable Steps
-The authors do a great job at breaking down how to open your Bible. Instead of throwing a million verses at you and expecting you to understand the importance of the Bible, they give you 7 ‘steps’ to engaging with your Bible one day at a time. It’s definitely not overwhelming.
What to watch out for:
Contextual Issues
-There were a couple parts of the study where I noticed some wayward context. Meaning that some of the verses they used and the questions asked were taken out of context and gave a different meaning to the verse than what it actually conveys.
-For example, one of the questions they asked based on Matthew 13 (the parable of the sower) took the passage about where the seed lands in an entirely different direction. Jesus is speaking about how people receive the gospel message, saying that you’re one or the other (the seed in the thorns, the seed on the path, the seed on good soil, OR the seed on the rocks). They gave the idea that you can be more than one if you’re saved. Not true! Be careful of context!
Don’t buy the $10 package of short videos
-It’s not worth it! Each video ranges from 4 minutes to 8 minutes. Though they give a sweet short word of encouragement and keep it very focused on the Bible and what the topic is that week, the videos are not necessary for the study. We expected to take some notes from the videos, but never did.
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Raechel and Amanda’s love for God and for the Bible are very evident in this study. Which is SO important! There are so many surface level studies out there anymore that don’t always reveal the author’s love for God, but rather emotions or popularity. These women truly want you to get in God’s word, love it, and live it! And that right there is what makes this study a good study.
So if you’re looking for a study to do for the rest of the summer that’s perfect to take on your vacations or do in the car while you’re waiting to pick up your kids, this is the one for you!
