In 1980, Eugene Peterson released A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. A second edition came at the turn of the century, and this commemorative edition shows its staying power within Christian literature. Although four decades have passed, the tone remains very current. The subtitle captures its value for ministry leaders in general, and specifically for those serving the next generation: “Discipleship in an Instant Society.” The biblical stance of standing with the Lord and walking in His ways provides a rich ground for making disciples of Jesus.
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds
Women of the Word is Jen Wilkin’s approach to studying and teaching the Bible. Fond of alliteration, as so many teachers seem to be, she’s broken down the art of Bible study into Purpose, Perspective, Patience, Process, and Prayer. In a simple, down-to-earth manner,
she explains timeless concepts like “metanarrative,” “genre,” and “context.” I appreciated that she included prayer in her study structure and that she advises us to hold off on consulting commentaries until after we have thoroughly examined the passage, its context, and any cross-references we see in our Bibles.