Saturday, April 30, 2016

my hope for readers of "none like him"

Today is the official release date for None Like Him! I wrote this book because of two convictions I hold regarding the importance of knowing what the Bible says about God's character. 

Meditating on God's character enriches our understanding of Scripture. When I write my Bible studies, I ask my students to look first for what the text says is true about God. I have found this can be a hard question for them to answer. I know it was for me for many years. The more I learned of God’s character, the clearer it became that the Bible was first and foremost a book about who God was before it had anything to say about who I was. Once I began reading to discover God’s character I was able to see my own in relation to His, rather than independent of His. We don't often take time to meditate on God’s attributes beyond just a passing acknowledgment, but when we do, our time in the Word is enriched. My prayer is that None Like Him would help us become more fluent in our vocabulary of those truths, and that we would see God and ourselves more clearly as a result.

Meditating on God’s character is intensely practical. Our daily lives would look very different if we took God’s character into consideration. God’s incommunicable attributes, in particular, should elicit a worshipful awe from us that causes us to see and embrace our limitedness in light of His limitlessness. Without that reference point, we can become convinced of our own awesomeness and work tirelessly to sustain it. We begin striving to take on the attributes that are not ours to possess, thus committing the idolatry the serpent offered Eve: “you will become like Him.” Once we recognize our desire for limitlessness as destructive, we are better able to submit willingly and joyfully to the God-ordained limits we have been given. And we are better able to worship Him.

If you’re looking for a book to use for a small group discussion time, or just for personal reflection or growth, I’ve structured the book with that in mind. Each of the ten short chapters explores one attribute, and then concludes with verses for meditation, four application questions, and a prayer. I hope you’ll keep a journal as you read, copying out the verses and writing your reflections and personal prayers in response to the questions. But however you use the book, I hope you’ll see God’s character emerge from the scriptures with greater clarity, and that you’ll be drawn to worship Him anew as you meditate on His perfections.

Happy reading!

13 comments:

  1. This book looks wonderful! And very timely as I have been talking with my kids about the attributes of God. I look forward to reading it!

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  2. I am so excited to get this book soon! Your book, Women of the Word changed the way I approach and study the Bible. It rocked my world! Thank you so much for following God's guidance in providing resources for women to better understand and fall in love with the Bible!

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  3. I'm looking at studies to do at my church next spring and this is on my list! I loved your 1st Peter study and I'm excited to check out your other studies!

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  4. This is so something I need and need to do, I need to stay focus and give him praise and study on his words.

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  5. I love the book of First Peter and it was my plan to study it this summer using your study. However, when I went to purchase it, I discovered None Like Him and Women of the Word. Would you please give me your recommendation of which might be the best to read first? I'm thinking None Like Him, then Women of the Word, then First Peter. But I really would like to hear what you would say. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Nonnie, I'd recommend WOTW first, then 1 Peter, and NLH whenever you like. WOTW explains the study method, 1 Peter demonstrates it, and NLH helps train us to read the text looking for what it says about God. I hope this helps! Jen

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  6. We have two different Ladies groups using this book this Fall. A Mom's group and a Tuesday Evening Ladies group. I am so excited about it. Do you have any video or audio introduction to the study that we could use for our first week as an introduction?

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    1. No, I'm sorry, there is no intro video content that accompanies the book.

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  7. Is there a study guide available for None Like Him or Women of the Word? I am interested in doing a small group on one of these books.

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    1. Jennifer, NLH has questions for reflection at the end of each chapter. WOTW has a free downloadable study guide here: http://static.crossway.org/extra/women-of-the-word-study-guide.pdf. Happy studying!

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  8. Hello, who designed the cover for NLH?

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  9. Jen, I first heard your name and listened to you speak at the 2016 TGC Women's Conference. I came home from that conference forever changed. The following January I taught 1 Peter to the ladies at our church and I gave them your book WOTW along with an antique spoon (referring to your introduction) Now I am devouring every video I can find on YouTube of your past teaching sessions and panels. I've personally been studying Deuteronomy since TGCW 2018 was announced and praying about what to teach our ladies in January. I also had 4 kids in about 4 years. For one week I had 3 under the age of 3. �� They are now 10,9,7 and 6. Thank you for what you are doing. I am in the midst of a very busy time in my life but I try to guard my study time. It usually happens late at night. I am so thankful for your wisdom and willingness to help us women be better Bible teachers. I hope you're having a spectacular summer! You almost have an empty nest, correct? Then it will just be the pugs. ����. Can't wait to see you in Indianapolis next summer!

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