Her God Speaks: Recent Episodes
Aprile Sweers
Her God Speaks exists to help women hear, know and glorify God through intentional, Christ-centered engagement with the Bible and theology. The goal of each episode is to communicate His truth for her life, in every circumstance, for every season.
In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
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In this episode we take a break from our Wisdom for Faithful Reading series and Aprile shares some thoughts about the connection between interpreting the Bible well and emotional health.
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In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode we continue to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode we begin to work our way through Wisdom For Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation by John Walton. It's not necessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of the book, you can do so here.
You can access the transcript and other goodies by visiting aprilesweers.substack.com or clicking on the "newsletter" link below.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
In this episode I introduce the book that will serve as our guide/springboard for the next few months of Hermeneutics Huesdays. The book is Wisdom for Faithful Reading by Old Testament scholar John Walton. This is not a book club, so I will be working under the assumption that no-one is reading the book along with me. But if you would like to get yourself a copy, you can do so here.
Transcripts of these episodes are published at aprilesweers.substack.com.
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It's Hermeneutics Huesday!
We're wrapping up the book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.
For an archived list of past Hermeneutics Huesday episodes, click here.
The best way to stay connected with my work is by subscribing to my Subsatck newsletter. You can do that here. (That's where I'm sharing the transcripts of these HH episodes and lots of other fun content.)
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It's Hermeneutics Huesday!
We're working through the book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes. (Reading along is not necessary. The main purpose of following the book is to keep me organized.)
For an archived list of past Hermeneutics Huesday episodes, click here.
The best way to stay connected with my work is by subscribing to my Subsatck newsletter. You can do that here. (That's where I'm sharing the transcripts of these HH episodes.)
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It's Hermeneutics Huesday!
We're working through the book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes. (Reading along is not necessary. The main purpose of following the book is to keep me organized.)
For an archived list of past Hermeneutics Huesday episodes, click here.
The best way to stay connected with my work is by subscribing to my Subsatck newsletter. You can do that here. (That's where I'm sharing the transcripts of these HH episodes.)
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It's been awhile! I'm excited to continue working through the book Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes. (Reading along is not necessary. The main purpose of following the book is to keep me organized.)
Fir an archived list of past Hermeneutics Huesday episodes, click here.
The best way to stay connected with my work is by subscribing to my Subsatck newsletter. You can do that here.
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Get on Jeremy's Bible Fortcast mailing list (scroll to the bottom of webpage): https://www.thebiblefortcast.com/
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
Make a donation: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/555363
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
Make a donation: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/555363
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Sign up for the bookclub: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OBmGGM
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter: https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
Make a donation: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/5553630
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Sign up for the summer bookclub here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/646e32573e266b3df9f1dbd3
Get your book here:
https://amzn.to/45trxjg
Subscribe to Aprile's Substack newsletter here:
https://aprilesweers.substack.com/
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If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
Read the entire Carmen Imes article about David and Bathsheba here.
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If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
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If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
Find all of the Heaven Series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
You can access The Bible Project podcast I refer to here.
The Preston Sprinkle quote comes from this book. (Highly recommend!)
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Click here for the link to the political cartoons Aprile references. (If that link doesn't work, you can also find it at hergodspeaks.com/heaven)
If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
Find all of the Heaven Series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
Find all of the Heaven Series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
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If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find Hope's article "Hope for the Wanderluster" here.
Find all of the Heaven Series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
If you enjoy this podcast and want to show it some love and keep it going, become a $5/mo paid Substack subscriber here! (Or visit aprilesweers.substack.com)
You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. Again, you can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
Find all of the Heaven series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. You can subscribe here.
You can get a copy of Fight Like Jesus here.
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Find all of the Heaven series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. You can subscribe here.
You can purchase a copy of The Samaritan Woman's Story here.
The well-meaning pattern article I mention is here.
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You can find the Hermeneutics Huesday archives and resources here.
A transcript of this episode is available through my Substack newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
Find all of the Heaven series resources and episode archive here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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Subscribe to Aprile's Substack (sort of like a blog that gets delivered to your inbox):
aprilesweers.substack.com
The takeaways from this episode:
- A love letter flatters, the Bible forms and informs.
- It is okay to read the Bible to glean information. In fact, it’s necessary to do so.
- If we make sentimental feelings our standard, we make a major percentage of the Bible completely irrelevant.
- Over time, as we read the holy Scriptures and seek to live them out, they change us.
Find all the Hermeneutics Huesday episodes and resources in one place here. (https://hergodspeaks.com/hermeneutics-huesday)
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Find all of the Heaven series resources here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
Newsletter//Instagram // Website // Shop//Donate
Find all of the Heaven series resources here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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The takeaways from this episode:
- A love letter is written to a person, the Bible was written to a people..
- The Bible fundamentally a “we” book not a “me” book.
- Before I seek to discern what God is saying to me, I need to figure out what he’s saying to us. What’s the message of this passage for His people?
- Prioritize reading and studying the Bible in community with other believers
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Find all of the Heaven series resources here.
You can purchase a copy of the Heaven workbook here.
Make a donation to Her God Speaks by clicking here.
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Takeaway's from this episode:
- Sound biblical hermeutics requires that we understand that the biblical authors didn’t think the way we think. They were just as committed to accuracy as we are, but not in the "video camera footage" way that we are.
- You aren't reading a police report, you are reading holy Scripture!
- Let the apparent contradictions or conundrums be an invitation to linger in the text, to explore on a deeper level what the author of each passage was seeking to communicate and how his unique presentation of the facts accomplishes that.
- Learn to respect the artistry, the arrangement, the rhythm and flow of thought, the use of imagery and metaphor, and the way the author hyperlinks his words to other parts of Scripture. As best you can, try to think like an ancient reader.
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Mark your calendar, because the February 23rd launch Her God Speaks Heaven series is just one week away!
Order you're companion study guide here.
Let's learn stuff together!
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Takeaways from this episode:
- The authors of Scripture are constantly taking one idea – usually something tangible and easy to understand – and mapping that idea onto a more abstract concept or experience. (This is what a metaphor is.)
- Taking every word of the Bible literally should NOT be a badge of honor!
- Every culture develops its OWN metaphors that will seem strange – perhaps even nonsensical – to another culture. This means we're going to have to do some work to discern the meaning of biblical metaphor to the author and original audience.
- Don’t be afraid of taking biblical metaphor metaphorically! Metaphors express what’s true just as much as more literal descriptions of reality, they just use a different medium to do it.
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The takeaways from this episode:
- We cannot answer the question, “What DOES this passage mean (for us)?” until we first seek an answer to the question, “What DID this passage mean (for the author and original audience)?”
- The problem in the story Aprile reads is the "interdimensional superbeings" failing first, to understand what a political cartoon IS and second, to see the political cartoon through the eyes of the original artist and audience.
- We do this with the Bible ALL the time, particularly the parts of Scripture that heavily employ imagery and metaphor (which is a LOT of Scripture).
Here's the link to Joshua Porter's book:
(This is an affiliate link, so Her God Speaks makes a small commission if you use it.)
Death to Deconstruction: Reclaiming Faithfulness as an Act of Rebellion
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The takeaways from this episode:
- Literary context is essential, but literary context without deep regard for historical and cultural context can give you a false sense of understanding what a passage means when in reality you're not being a very good "tourist" of scripture.
- We cannot assume that our plain reading of the text is the same as the original audiences’ plain reading of the text. What a passage means for us when we take it at face value is probably not what it meant for them when they took it at face value.
- Genesis 1 is a temple text.
- We need to find scholars who are experts in historical/cultural context and we need to read what they're writing.
- Some of my favorites for OT studies are are John Walton, Michael Heiser, Tremper Longman, Gordon Whenham, and Tim Mackie.
- For NT studies, my go-to scholars are NT Wright, Michael Bird, Craig Keener, Douglas Moo, Scot McKnight, Tom Schreiner
The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton
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The takeaways from this episode:
- The Bible was not written to us, meaning that it was not written in any modern language or with our modern assumptions, values and worldview in mind.
- We can't answer the question, "What DOES it mean (for us)?" until we do the work of seeking an answer to the question, "What DID it mean (for them)?”
- A passage can't mean something for us that it never would have meant for the original audience.
Books for further study:
(These are Amazon Associate links. I make a small commission if you use them.)
How NOT to Read the Bible by Dan Kimball
In the Beginning we Misunderstood by Johnny Miller and John Soden
The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton
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The takeaways from this episode:
- We have a tendency to map all of OUR cultural assumptions onto the Bible and expect to come out the other side with an accurate interpretation. It doesn't work!
- The Bible is fundamentally an act of communication and communication by nature is always contextualized.
- The Bible was written FOR us, but it was not written TO us.
- Before we can answer the question, "What DOES it mean for us today?" we have to seek (the best we can!) to answer the question "What DID it mean for the original author and audience?”
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The takeaways from this episode:
- When we don't think carefully about the historical and cultural context in which the Bible was originally written we are being bad tourists of the Bible, guilty of cultural snobbery.
- The Bible is a DIVINE book written and delivered by HUMAN agents.
- These human agents were real people who played a real part in writing the Bible.
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Get your ticket for the LIVE book club discussion group on August 4th here!
Get a copy of Delighting in the Trinity here.
Get the free book club printable with chapter summaries and discussion questions here.
You can connect with Ani Kassabian and Women in Theology here.
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Get your ticket for the LIVE book club discussion group on August 4th here!
Get a copy of Delighting in the Trinity here.
Get the free book club printable with chapter summaries and discussion questions here.
You can connect with Ani Kassabian and Women in Theology here.
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Get your ticket for the LIVE book club discussion group on August 4th here!
Get a copy of Delighting in the Trinity here.
Get the free book club printable with chapter summaries and discussion questions here.
You can connect with Ani Kassabian and Women in Theology here.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
Get your ticket for the LIVE book club discussion group on August 4th here!
Get a copy of Delighting in the Trinity here.
Get the free book club printable with chapter summaries and discussion questions here.
You can connect with Ani Kassabian and Women in Theology here.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 56-66.
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You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 56-66.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 40-48.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 40-48.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 36-39.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 28-35
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The gorgeous rendition of "O Come, O Come Immanuel" at the end of this episode was performed by my friend Carrie Davis with Bell Shoals Worship. Used with permission.
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 13-27.
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You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
Watch The Bible Project video on holiness here.
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 7-12.
Instagram // Facebook // Website // Shop
You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 6.
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You can find all the Isaiah resource links here:
hergodspeaks.com/isaiah-series
You can find out more about Rachel's ministry, Restored Home, here:
restoredhome.org
Or, on Instagram @restored_home
The hardcopy version of the study guide is sold out, but you can get a digital copy here:
hergodspeaks.com/shop
Next week's episode will cover Isaiah 1-5.
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The countdown is ON, friends! On January 28th, a brand new series on the book of Isaiah called Behold Your God is coming to the Her God Speaks Podcast. Mark your calendar, tell a friend or two, and meet us right back here next Thursday for the introduction.
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Because sometimes Christmas isn't merry . . . and that's okay.
Her God Speaks exists to help women hear, know, and glorify God through Christ-centered engagement with the Bible and theology.
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Christians in every generation have had to grapple with the reality that wicked people prosper in this world. What makes this is especially hard is the opposite reality: godly people suffer in this world. And yet we're told over and over that God is good to His people, that His love is unfailing, and that His faithfulness is without exception. What gives? How can both be true? What are we supposed to do with the tension between our suffering and the wicked's success? Between what we know to be true of God and what feels true as we lament what's happening around us?
While Psalm 37 doesn't fully resolve these tensions, it offers the people of God both a reminder of what's true and a plan for remaining faithful in the face of what can feel so unbearably unfair. In this episode we'll learn how to move from fretting to trusting as we fix our eyes on the steadfast promises of God.
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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Some passages are so familiar that they're in danger of becoming biblical white noise. We can quote them, sing them, and effortlessly explain them. We put them on our coffee mugs and wall plaques. They're a regular find at the local Hobby Lobby. But just like familiarity eventually led my grandparents to stop hearing the train that ran close to their home, our familiarity with certain passages of Scripture can cause us to lose sight of the profound nature of their message. Their beauty gets a little bit clouded by our awareness. Their meaning gets muffled by our assumption that we already know everything there is to know.
Psalm 23 is one of those passages. We love it, cherish it, recite it, and print it on our funeral programs. But when was the last time you stopped and really pondered the astonishing reality that the God of the universe - the Creator and King over all things - cares for you and me as a shepherd cares for His sheep? When was the last time you unpacked that metaphor? Meditated on it? Personalized it? Treasured it?
That's what we are setting out to do in this episode. We are going to stop and actually hear the train. We're going to savor afresh the anxiety-crushing truths contained in these six verses. And then we're going to take a deep breath and remind our hearts that this God is our God.
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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We are several weeks into this series on the attributes of God. Week after week we have asked the question, “What does this Psalm teach me about God?”
As a result we've seen some incredible things! We’ve marveled at God’s knowledge, His love, His sovereignty, His goodness, His grace, His power, His wisdom, His patience and so many other amazing attributes.
As we near the end of our study it’s incredibly important that we consider the practical implications of this knowledge. In others words, now what? How do we respond to what we know about God’s character? What do we do?
Psalm 86 shows us that we pray.
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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One of the most significant metaphors for God throughout the entire book of Psalms is that of a refuge, which is really comforting when you stop and consider all the things in our lives that threaten our sense of security. Most of us live each day with a heavy load of "what ifs" weighing on our minds. We do everything we can to prevent what we fear, but we all know our efforts have their limits. We are ultimately not in control.
But the One who IS in control has spoken to us in His Word. He has given us passages like Psalm 91 to remind us that He is a refuge and fortress, a strong defense for those who put their trust in Him. This episode is a powerful reminder that God loves and protects His own.
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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"If things aren't going well, hear this and be happy."
That's how Psalm 34:2 is paraphrased in The Message and I have a hunch that some of us - no, a LOT of us - meet that condition. Things aren't going so well. We could use some good news.
Thankfully, there's whole bunch of it in today's episode where we continue to explore the beauty and majesty of God as we walk through Psalm 34 together.
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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Psalm 33: 16 and 17 says, "A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power."
Large armies, warrior skills, and horses probably aren't your go-to sources of security and significance, mainly because you aren't a king living in ancient Palestine. You've got your own set of potential "saviors" - things you put your hope in, things you're certain will make your future everything you want it to be. We all do.
Psalm 33 is a powerful reminder that God alone is the only reliable source of the security, significance, and salvation that we crave. He alone is all-powerful. He alone is sovereign. He alone is our help and our shield. Hope in God!
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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This week we continue to behold the beauty of God's mind-blowing attributes by walking through Psalm 103 together. We are reminded that God saves and satisfies, that His love never fails, and that He rules over all. We also get to marvel afresh at His compassion, grace, mercy and forgiveness. If you're feeling weary, come rest awhile. You're in the right place, friend.
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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Welcome back to the God in the Psalms series where we are diving into the attributes of God as we study some of the most beloved Psalms.
In this episode Aprile teaches through Psalm 139, which is a passage we often read in "selfie mode." In other words, we know and love that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," but don't always give much attention to the fact that the One who made us is fearful and wonderful. Most of us have been taught what this Psalm communicates about us. Now we get to marvel at what this Psalm communicates about God!
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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Welcome to the very first episode of the GOD in the Psalms series! In this episode you’ll learn about all the introductory stuff: genre, author, dating, historical context, theme, etc. If you think that sounds boring, I don’t blame you. I hope you’ll give me a chance to change your mind though. {wink, wink}
GET EPISODE RESOURCES HERE or visit hergodspeaks.com and click on the show notes tab. This is where you'll get the link to download the Psalms chart I talk about.
You can get your copy of the companion study guide here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
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It's almost here, you guys! A BRAND NEW Her God Speaks Bible study series! In this series we'll explore the attributes of God together as we work through 8 of my all-time favorite Psalms.
The first episode goes live on June 10th, so mark your calendar! You can get your companion study guide right here or by visiting hergodspeaks.com/shop.
I can't wait to marvel at the majesty of God with you this summer!
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In this final episode of the SHE series we look ahead to the new creation in search of how the worth of women is put on display at the very end of the biblical storyline. What we find is that the Bible ends in the same way it begins - with a focus on men and women collectively ruling as God's representatives, but this time it's in a new and better Eden that will go on and on forever.
While very little is written specifically about women in Revelation 21 and 22, much is written about the certain future that you and I have as believers in Christ. All that is broken in us and around us will one day be restored and made whole forever.
This episode makes me think of how C.S. Lewis ends his Chronicles of Narnia series. The main characters die in a train wreck, but Lewis makes sure we understand the bigger picture: "All their life in this world and all their adventures had only been the cover and the title page. Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and ever, in which every chapter is better than the one before."
Earbuds in! Let's peek into that Great Story together . . .
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE.
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As we continue through the storyline of the Bible in search of what God communicates about the worth of women, we find ourselves in the New Testament epistles, which - let's be honest - are not exactly brimming with positive affirmations of a woman's worth. Or so it seems.
In this episode, I seek to confront false assumptions about women drawn from the New Testament epistles, specifically from the command for women to submit. What I hope you'll find is that rigid, check-list oriented, "men-first" teaching on submission is NOT biblical and that what God actually says to wives and husbands is consistent with what He says everywhere else in Scripture: that women are worth just as much as men and just as essential to the fulfillment of His mission in the world.
I was deeply encouraged by this one, and I pray you will be too!
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE.
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If we want to know what God is like, the best thing we can do is look at Jesus. It stands to reason, then, that clearest expression of God's heart for women is on display in the Gospels where we see story after story of Jesus defying social convention in order to love women well. In this episode, we move into the redemption portion of the biblical storyline by fixing our eyes on an extraordinary encounter between Christ and a nameless woman plagued with long-term suffering and shame. His tenderness toward her moves me to tears nearly every time I read it because it reminds me just how much I'm seen, known, and cherished by God. I pray it does the same for you.
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE.
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In this episode we continue to set our eyes on the worth of women in the storyline of the Bible. We're still in the sad part of the story - the fall. The topic of today's teaching is an aspect of womanhood that doesn't get much attention in the church, but should. It's the topic of abuse.
The Bible does not turn a blind eye to the abuse of women because God does not turn a blind eye to the abuse of women. In His justice, He avenges the oppression. In His love, He heals and restores the victim. In His Son, He absorbs all the shame.
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE.
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What happens when a man listens to a woman? The entire world falls into ruin and chaos, or so the story goes, right?
Not exactly. While Genesis 3 has been used throughout church history to both criticize and silence women, a careful study of this passage from a whole-Bible perspective paints a much different picture. Here's a few truths we uncover in this episode:
- Women are NOT inherently more gullible or less capable of handling God's Word than men.
- Women are NOT by nature temptresses.
- The "real" sin in Genesis 3 is NOT a woman usurping a man's authority.
- Women are NOT inherently more power-hungry and controlling.
- The story of Eve is NOT merely a cautionary tale.
I learned SO MUCH studying this passage, and I know you will too. Enjoy!
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE.
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In this bonus episode I get to interview Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher, the co-authors of my favorite book on biblical womanhood - Worthy: A Celebration of the Value of Women. This book released not long before I started my deep-dive into researching for the SHE Bible study, and I cannot even put into words what a useful resource it has proven to be over the past year. My motive in releasing this interview is two-fold: I want you to hear what Elyse and Eric have to say about the worth of women (it's SO GOOD, you guys!), AND I want to motivate you to get their book for your personal library because I know it will help and encourage you as much as it has me.
Purchase a copy of Worthy
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE!
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There was only one thing that God deemed "not good" about His creation: there was no woman. In this episode we explore a woman's worth as revealed in Genesis 2 and find that far from being a second thought or a "plan B", the woman was - and still is - essential to God's mission in the world!
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There's a lot of talk in conservative Christian circles about the differences between men and women, and for good reason. But did you know that the Bible opens with what men and women have in common? We share a name - mankind; a nature - made in the image of God; and a mission - to rule, subdue, and fill the earth. Genesis 1:26-30 is exactly what you'd expect to find if the God of the Bible values women as much as He does men. Here's the best part - you don't have to go digging for this truth. It's literally on the very first page of your Bible!
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE
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I can't believe it's FINALLY here! The Her God Speaks podcast has officially launched and I cannot possibly express how grateful I am that you're here for it!
Before we dig into the Bible in search of what God has to say about the worth of women, we need to define some terms and identify some common roadblocks. What is biblical womanhood? Why is it such a charged topic among Christians? Why, in some pockets of the church, is the worth of women downplayed or ignored? And what's stake if we don't get this right? These are some of the questions we tackle in this episode.
GET ALL THE EPISODE RESOURCES HERE
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On Thursday, February 4th the Her God Speaks Podcast officially launches with a brand new series called "SHE" that will take us through the storyline of the Bible with our eyes WIDE open to the inherent worth of women, made in God's image, and essential to His work in the world.
To help you get the most out of this series, I have written a gorgeous study guide full of commentary and questions that will help you read, observe, interpret, and apply the passages we'll be covering together. You can shop the entire SHE collection at hergodspeaks.com.
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This is the final episode of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
THIS WEEK: Psalm 22
This week's story belongs to Kristina Peterson.
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This is episode SEVEN of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
THIS WEEK: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Many thanks to Tara Simmons for sharing her powerful story.
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The story at the end of this episode belongs to Gina Miles who is eager to help women who have had abortions find healing and wholeness in Christ. If her story resonates with you and you would like to connect with her, please email acannon@bellshoals.com.
This is episode SIX of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
THIS WEEK: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Make sure we stay connected! Follow Her God Speaks on
Facebook // Instagram
This is episode FIVE of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
THIS WEEK: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Our story this week was generously provided by Tiffany Kordenbrock.
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Our story this week was generously provided by Pamela Mattox. You can connect with her, access her writing and learn more about her ministry by clicking here.
This is episode FOUR of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
Week 3:: Psalm 13
THIS WEEK: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Make sure we stay connected! Follow Her God Speaks on
Facebook // Instagram
This is episode THREE of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that combines elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, and gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Week 2: Psalm 77
THIS WEEK: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Our story this week was generously provided by Tara Adkins.
It’s been a hard year. We’ve adapted, pushed through, and made it work. We’ve counted our blessings and fought with all our might to hold on to some semblance of joy. We’ve rallied behind our self-made 11th commandment, “fake it til you make it,” and have done a pretty good job at making it look like everything’s okay.
But let’s be honest - we’re not exactly thriving. We’re sad. Depleted. Discouraged. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Angry. Lonely. Depressed. We've had to make impossible decisions with virtually no solid information. We're reluctantly looking ahead to the future, afraid to plan anything lest we have to endure yet another round of disappointing cancellations. So many unknowns. So little to look forward to. Zero margins for those trying to balance work and e-learning. Even as we gratefully embrace the new normal, “How long, O Lord...” is the honest cry of our weary hearts.
Did you know that the Bible gives us language to express these hard feelings? In fact, at least 1/3 of the Psalms are lament. Turns out “fake it til you make it” isn’t in the Bible at all. Not even a little. The God who grieves the brokenness of this world has invited us to do the same.
This is episode two of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that will combine elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful.
Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, jot down some notes, and then gather to discuss what you learn. We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet (you'll want to print 8 of these)
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
This week:: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
Our story this week was generously provided by Rebecca Spangler.
Make sure we stay connected! Follow Her God Speaks on
Facebook // Instagram
It’s been a hard year. We’ve adapted, pushed through, and made it work. We’ve counted our blessings and fought with all our might to hold on to some semblance of joy. We’ve rallied behind our self-made 11th commandment, “fake it til you make it,” and have done a pretty good job at making it look like everything’s okay.
But let’s be honest - we’re not exactly thriving. We’re sad. Depleted. Discouraged. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Angry. Lonely. Depressed. We've had to make impossible decisions with virtually no solid information. We're reluctantly looking ahead to the future, afraid to plan anything lest we have to endure yet another round of disappointing cancellations. So many unknowns. So little to look forward to. Zero margins for those trying to balance work and e-learning. Even as we gratefully embrace the new normal, “How long, O Lord...” is the honest cry of our weary hearts.
Did you know that the Bible gives us language to express these hard feelings? In fact, at least 1/3 of the Psalms are lament. Turns out “fake it til you make it” isn’t in the Bible at all. Not even a little. The God who grieves the brokenness of this world has invited us to do the same.
This is episode one of a podcast series on the Psalms of lament that will combine elements of Bible study, conversation, and powerful stories from women who have walked through really hard seasons and found God relentlessly faithful. Like just about everything in life, this podcast series will be way more fun and meaningful with a friend or two. So share, listen, jot down some notes, and then gather to discuss what you learn.
We've even provided printable companion guides for those of you who would like to use this series for personal or group study. You can access those right here...
Series companion guides:
Introduction to Lament
Psalm of Lament Worksheet (you'll want to print 8 of these)
The list of Psalms in the order that they'll be covered is on page two of the "Introduction to Lament" companion guide. Here's a quick run-down.
Series content schedule:
Next week: Psalm 77
Week 3: Psalm 13
Week 4: Psalm 55
Week 5: Psalms 42 and 43
Week 6: Psalm 38
Week 7: Psalm 10
Week 8: Psalm 22
The powerful story of God's faithfulness at the end of this episode belongs to Rachel Setliffe. Find out more about her story and ministry and access her writing by clicking here.
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