For the past four plus years, I’ve been blessed to study the Bible with Kristi McLelland, a professor and biblical culturalist in Nashville—and a phenomenal teacher of the Word. Kristi has dedicated her life to teaching people how to study the Bible—and how to read it through a Middle Eastern lens.
She’s recommended some wonderful Biblical study resources that I’m eager to share with you. Plus I’d love to know what sources you’ve discovered that have not only enhanced your understanding of the Bible but your relationship with Christ. So please get ready to share!
First, if you haven’t read the following books by Lois Tverberg and Ann Spangler, please put them at the top of your to-be-read list.
As you read these books, you feel as if you’re walking step-by-step in the Holy Land beside the disciples and early church believers. What insights. What pearls of wisdom. These resources are perfect for an enriching individual study or group discussion. The audible versions are highly recommended too.
Speaking of walking step-by-step in the Holy Land…
I was blessed to travel to Israel with Kristi last year (she loves taking people to “the Land”). Here we are at Masada (April 2019) on our all women trip to the Holy Land. Talk about a little slice of heaven on earth! Especially since my daughter and I shared this experience together. (Kristi is in the back in denim, and I’m just in front of her in plaid.)
Learning about Jesus through the Middle Eastern lens, and through Jewish eyes, has deepened my understanding of God’s Word, and the following Kenneth E. Bailey books have greatly contributed to this as well.
The historical detail Bailey lends to the Scripture, and the way he unpacks the parables of Jesus in the gospels really gives you food for thought. Both of these are highly recommended.
Lastly, I’m sure most of us are familiar with Ravi Zacharias—gifted apologist, author, and teacher—who passed into eternity earlier this year. You have likely heard him speak before. But have you read this book? You’re in for such a treat with Seeing Jesus from The East.
Are you looking for a resource that will take you on a deeper dive into God’s Word? Any one of these books will do that, and you’ll leave so much richer for having taken the journey.
Now it’s your turn! What book have you read that’s deepened your understanding of God’s Word?
In this entertainment-saturated world we live in it’s so easy to get swept up in binging endless and often mindless series on TV. But it’s imperative that we routinely shut off that spigot, turn off Netflix, hang up Hulu, and routinely immerse ourselves in the living, breathing Word of God, to seek his wisdom and his words. Especially with the world around us in the current state it’s in. These books are wonderful companions in that endeavor.
Happy reading and blessings from Tennessee,
Tammy
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DID YOU KNOW . . .
Kristi McLelland’s Biblical “feast” entitled Jesus & Women released earlier this year and quickly garnered two #1 bestseller spots in Amazon’s Christian Biblical History and Culture and New Testament Biographies categories—and with good reason.
Right now all 7 videos in this study are FREE when you buy the study booklet. Details below!
Jesus & Women is a life-changing 7-session video study about seeing Jesus through the eyes of women who came face-to-face with the Living God. You’ll never look at Christ—or your life in him and his desires for you—in the same way again.
Want to take Kristi’s Jesus & Women study?
Right now is the time because all seven videos are FREE—all you need is a copy of the study booklet, which is a treasure in itself.
Click here for details!
Tamera Alexander
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Totally fascinating! Thanks for sharing! Your trip last year sounds like a lifetime adventure!
Israel is amazing, Angie! I’d prayed for years that God would open a door for me to go. But to get to go with my daughter—and with Kristi! That was over the top wonderful!
I am participating in the on-line study of Jesus and Women–now! And it is fantastic! I first read about it through your blog after your trip to Israel–and I wanted to do it. Thanks for recommending this “feast” of God’s Word!
I also have Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus, by Lois Tverberg on my bookshelf, and had decided to put it away to study later, but because of your blog, I have pulled it back out. Now might be the perfect time to read it!
Many thanks for your recommendations.