Wisdom from Women in the Bible: Giants of the Faith Speak into Our Lives

by John C. Maxwell

If you could spend a few minutes with biblical heroines Ruth, Sarah, Mary, and others, what valuable lessons would they share with you? In the tradition of Running with the Giants and Learning from the Giants, John Maxwell shares wisdom on life and leadership inspired by the Bible-this time focusing solely on the stories of nine incredible women. Learn how God blesses the promises you keep to Him, why you should follow your heart to find your hope, and how not to miss your moment with God. Read on your own or study with a group using the provided faith-building questions. You'll enjoy the journey with Maxwell as he imagines what it would be like to visit heaven and meet giants of the faith who had their lives transformed by God. You'll gain insights when you must make a decision but don't know what to do.Sarah...for when you can't understand God and impatience threatens to overwhelm you.Mary. . .for when God asks you to do something outside of your comfort zone.The women who influenced Maxwell inspired this book, and he includes the perspectives of those closest to him in this volume. They and the giants of the faith who continue to inspire them will encourage you to fulfill your destiny and leave a lasting, positive impression on your family and the world.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

John Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Reviews

[Dulce García · Rating 4 out of 5]

La Biblia contiene mucha sabiduría en sus historias y en cada personaje, este es un viaje a través del cual nueve mujeres comparten lecciones de vida y su camino de fe

[HB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me as a complimentary copy from Hachette Book Group. The timing could not have been more perfect.

Initially I was skeptical when I read the author would meet Women of the Bible in a dreamlike experience and spend a few minutes with each to learn about the lessons they have to share.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found the author made this story telling style work quite well.

So far I have read about the meeting with Ruth, Sarah, Rahab, Hannah, and Abigail. In this book each woman shares her story and the wisdom that lies within. There is something about the way the stories are presented that makes them very personal. Each story is powerful in itself - I can relate to the lessons.

I appreciate the author's admiration and inclusion of kind and wise women in his life. These women share their views at the end of each chapter in the form of a "Woman to Woman" talk. Reflective questions follow and help deepen one's understanding.

This book speaks to me on such a personal level, I had to get the audiobook so I can listen to the stories while I commute. The audiobook is narrated quite well - I enjoy listening.
This book makes me think about choices, challenges, faith, hope, forgiveness, and so much more. The individual stories are not just leadership lessons - they are life lessons.

Update: I finished the book in approximately 8 days. There is a lot to ponder and I look forward to re-reading it.

This book is very well written, easy to read, and simply a joy.

As earlier mentioned, I received the hardcover book as a complimentary copy. My review is based on my experience reading it and reflects my opinion.

Side Note: The book has 158 pages - not 256.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy taking part in character/life studies based on men and women from the Bible. I find them to be helpful and nourishing in many ways. Being given the opportunity, therefore, to read this book got me well and truly excited about feasting on God’s word anew.

This book was interesting for a number of reasons. 

1) It was attention-grabbing because it was a book about women and wisdom that was written by a man. Because men tend to communicate differently and offer up a very succinct style of communication, I knew it would provide a coming-straight-at-you teaching series.

2) It was enlightening because it was a book that offered up relevant leadership and life lesson considerations. Each woman’s story featured components meant to support the reader’s growth as a leader and disciple.

3) It was unusual in that it was presented like a dream walk. The author wrote of his heavenly encounters and takeaways from female faith giants. I was not expecting that at all. 

4) It was stimulating and did a good job of offering up meaningful content, that caused me to really think and examine my life in play. I appreciated and benefitted from the focused prayers and questions for reflection or discussion.

Rating: 4/5 ****

[Maresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really encouraging book that highlights women who were leaders in the bible. Typically in Christian circles the women highlighted in this book are secondary characters to the biblical giants and are not thought of as leaders, but rather as obedient followers. However, after reading this book it is strikingly clear that the bible is full of women leaders who also happened to be great followers. It is also quite clear what a big deal their stories are in God's message to humankind through the bible. I walked away from this book inspired and more enlightened about God's character, and his grace and love for all of us. My only critique is that it was difficult to follow the imaginary heaven described by Maxwell to make this book alive. I would have preferred more straight forward examples without the first person stories by these women, as imagined by Maxwell.

[Laura Luzzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the dreamlike stories of the powerful woman of the bible. I didn't think Mary should have been included with the other women. That was a bit of a turn-off for me. Mary is the Queen of Heaven.

[Fanya Setiadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But no matter how strong, clever, resourceful, or strategic we are, we cannot outthink God, nor should we try to get ahead of Him."

“There is probably something you want right now that God has said He will give you. And you may be trying to figure out how to get it in your timing instead of God’s. Don’t do it. Even your best will never compare to what God has planned for you. God reveals things to us on a need-to-know basis. When you don’t need to know, God does not reveal His will. In those times we must wait.”

[Alicia Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently undergoing a season of change so I appreciate the books that are helping me through this change. This book is written as a personal walk with the author and as we walk, we encounter various women from the Bible. I enjoyed reading the stories and the "advice" from these women. I also enjoyed the additional perspectives provided by the author. It was a fairly quick read but it definitely left a lasting impression on me and I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the narrative from a dream perspective a little wierd, and some of the liberties he took with the characters' dialogue were off putting. Still, once I got into it, and allowed myself to look past those points, it was enjoyable. Good principles to be reminded of. I did like the structure of focusing on one subject at a time. I also appreciated the scriptural passage references at the end of each section.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very hard to read straight through with how choppy the book was, jumping from different part to different part- all just short snippets each. I would have liked to read more about the women, perhaps, than a vague description and then a list of Life and Leadership Lessons from John’s perspective. The Lessons were nothing new or exciting, either. I love the idea of learning from women of the Bible, however!

[Toño Véliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente la manera que nos presenta a algunas de las valientes mujeres de la biblia. Conocerlas desde el liderazgo amplía el panorama y admiración ya existente hacía ellas. Maxwell a la vez nos invita de manera indirecta a tener ojos abierto para apreciar ese rasgo en las damas que nos rodean así como a impulsar al crecimiento.
Un excelente libro para regalar que tanto mujeres como hombres disfrutarán de gran manera.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anybody would do well reading this book. Many wonderful lessons learned and applied to the reader's life would go far in improving life. Lessons learned in this book are worthy of being learned and practiced.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was weird. I didn’t like how it was written at all.

Let’s pretend we are in a dream. Nope. I’d rather not.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories I find are difficult to integrate from a pure secular perspective but some such as not comparing are very good. Definitely a book of depth!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great leadership advice through Bible parables, characters, verses.

[Gyasi Ambrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great lessons to be learned and new insights into some persons from the bible who i may have never looked at in such an inspiring way.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read any woman looking for their own strength and purpose need to read a few pages of this 🥰🥰🥰

[Deb Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful way of relating matriarchs of the Bible to the everyday lives if women. It has leadership applications for all situations and stations of life.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesante perspectiva de mujeres de la biblia además que motiva a leer la Palabra de Dios y profundizar en ellas.

[Lene Z Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

This is a fantastic book, I would highly recommend this to everyone who seek to get insight into these great women of the Bible.

[Willa Tseng · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories and lessons from influential women in the Bible.

[Pudensiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. Easy & simple to read. Awesome book!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author presents each woman in a refreshing way and honestly made me look and think about things related to their stories that I'm not sure I would have done on my own. I enjoy deeper studies of Biblical characters like this and I am glad to find one so well done for some women of the bible. Like I said this book really helps you, well at least it did me, think more about the women and their stories.

**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are stories of women and how God interacts with them. The women are Sarah - God reveals things to us on a need-to-know basis. Rahab - Don't complicate God's promise with your solution. Ruth - Strong convictions lead to right actions. Abigail - You cannot allow your emotions to overwhelm your judgment. Mariam - Just because you're capable doesn't mean you're called.

[Bansley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book to lead a small women's Bible study. We came together each week and read a chapter aloud and used the questions at the end of each chapter to launch discussion. Although most of us knew each of these women's stories already, there was a good bit that came out of our discussions that strengthened our understanding of the lessons their life stories taught.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como contenido, magnífico. No le puse 5 estrellas porque el tema de la narración como paseo al Cielo no me cuajó (de hecho, terminaba por saltarme esas descripciones😅), pero las lecciones que saca de cada mujer sobre la que reflexiona son una joya 💎

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved listening to this book on tape. It was awesome to hear women in the Bible tell their own stories.

[sue paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Love these lessons and reminders from John Maxwell about the role Jesus plays in our everyday lives. Philippians 4:13 is my rock.

[Dyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I never thought about these women this way. I am so glad I read it.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I found the lessons valuable, I found the contrived walk through heaven to be a distraction