Included in Christ

Included in Christ: Living a New Story from Ephesians *****
by Heather Holleman

Overview: This is an eight-week Bible study on the book of Ephesians. Each week is broken up into five daily studies. Through the course of the study, Holleman focuses on six main words/ideas in Ephesians: chosen, seated, strengthened, renewed, filled, and proclaiming. 

Hollman is a professor and teaches classes on writing. In this study, she encourages people to write out their "Shadow Narrative." That's the internal "story" you tell yourself that's negative and comes out of past hurts, failures, etc. Then, she instructs on how to put down on paper your "Savior Story," which is what new work God has done or is currently doing in your life.

Positive elements: I enjoyed how each chapter has different kinds of questions to help the reader engage with the text of the Bible. The fifth day of each week is set aside for writing and reflecting.

Negative elements: none

Conclusion: If you love to write, you will enjoy this study. If you prefer to process your life and what you're learning in other ways, you probably won't like it. 

Honestly, I wasn't sure what I thought of the writing assignments at first, but I appreciate this quote from her explaining how this kind of writing can be helpful, but it's not what saves us. It's just a tool.

"Right thinking, positivity, and storytelling cannot forgive sin and lead you to eternity with God in heaven. Writing can heal some of the symptoms of our sin--our unhappiness, our disconnection from others, and our search for beauty in the midst of pain--but stories won't allow us to do what only the Holy Spirit can do. It is He who makes us alive in Christ and frees us from our enslavement to sin."

So, I appreciate how she is putting Jesus and the study of His word first. She is simply using the writing process to help us think through all we are learning.  Writing is a powerful tool...although I must admit there are days when I'd rather skip the hard work of sifting out my thoughts and getting them on paper.
 
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.