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Virtuous: A Study for Ladies of Every Age
Virtuous walks through fourteen biblical virtues to help women of all ages be actively pursuing fruitfulness in the knowledge of Christ. That is the highest endeavor for Christians, and it doesn't just happen by accident. From the Scriptures, learn about the Christian woman's first and highest duty, along with why it's so imporant for wives to be "women of valor," what it looks like to be a leading woman in your community, and what it means to pursue virtue when everyone tells you that sort of thing is no longer important.
This encouraging little book includes concise explanations, application questions and assignments that will involve and challenge everyone, and lots of biblical wisdom for individuals and groups.
This encouraging little book includes concise explanations, application questions and assignments that will involve and challenge everyone, and lots of biblical wisdom for individuals and groups.
140 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2015
250 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Wilson
20 books294 followersNancy Wilson (née Greensides) is the wife of Pastor Douglas Wilson, mother of N.D. Wilson, Rebekah Merkle, and Rachel Jankovic, and grandmother of seventeen who are (as yet) unpublished. She lives in northern Idaho.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
August 18, 2021
This book was very encouraging and eye opening. It was a very nice quick read, I was able to fit in several chapters a day. I would recommend this book to any women striving to grow in the faith.
February 23, 2021
This one's written as a study to be completed perhaps over the course of many weeks. But it also works well as a feel-like-I'm-gonna-die-so-I'll-just-crawl-into-bed-and-listen-to-something-good book. Of course the peril of this approach is that you get confronted with a whole huge pile of your shortcomings all at once rather than spreading them out more gently. 😆 Good reminders, no surprises...
...except the surprise of the narrator! The single greatest virtue of a reader of audiobooks is comprehension. You can have the most melifluous voice and flawless pronunciation in the world, but if you have not a clue what the author is saying, your narration will be so many squawking soprano saxophones and cymbals that have had rude encounters with drunk dancers who got too close the the drum kit. Heidi Schiebe read with understanding! What a treat it was to listen to her!
...except the surprise of the narrator! The single greatest virtue of a reader of audiobooks is comprehension. You can have the most melifluous voice and flawless pronunciation in the world, but if you have not a clue what the author is saying, your narration will be so many squawking soprano saxophones and cymbals that have had rude encounters with drunk dancers who got too close the the drum kit. Heidi Schiebe read with understanding! What a treat it was to listen to her!
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March 19, 2025Good ole Christian non-fiction.
April 10, 2018
Don't be fooled by the size of this book. There is so much truth and wisdom in this short read! "Never forget that pursuing virtue is not about us, but about our good and gracious Father who loves to bestow the righteousness of Christ on us." This book is perfect for individual study or for a small group. I'm adding this book to my list of books to read each year.
September 6, 2022
Uma ótima leitura para todas as mulheres, sejam novas ou mais velhas, solteiras ou casadas. Gostei da divisão em tópicos e de como podemos estudá-los em grupo, respondendo à perguntas ao final de cada capítulo.
É importante nos atentarmos à busca da virtude, como a própria autora diz: "As virtudes são boas qualidades que Deus deseja que seu povo cultive". Além de não nos esquecermos de que "a busca por virtude não diz respeito a nós mesmas, mas tudo é em nome do nosso bom e gracioso Pai(...)".
É importante nos atentarmos à busca da virtude, como a própria autora diz: "As virtudes são boas qualidades que Deus deseja que seu povo cultive". Além de não nos esquecermos de que "a busca por virtude não diz respeito a nós mesmas, mas tudo é em nome do nosso bom e gracioso Pai(...)".
November 23, 2022
There was nothing I didn’t agree with, I always enjoy anything by Nancy Wilson she has so much to offer to Christian women. Loved this book which is expected. I was bored at first just because I really am into a lot of these types of books so it sometimes gets repetitive but I really loved her outlook on modesty and the different ways we can be immodest and loved how she related propriety into that as well. Was convicting and encouraging definitely a book you can go back and refer to .
January 21, 2022
A sweet little study book on Christian virtues for biblical femininity. Lots of good verses and food for thought here. I rated 4/5 due to the writing in chapter 11 on Chastity. I felt she came across as a bit angry and insensitive. Rephrasing the chapter in some areas wouldn't, by any means, lessen the truth of God's Word or what He has called us to. Overall a great little book to get started on digging into virtues and incorporating them into our spiritual disciplines!
March 10, 2022
Highly recommend every woman read this one. I can’t wait to read it again with my daughter.
November 24, 2025
absolutely outstanding !! i learned SO much from this book and it has such truth ! I loved it so much and would definitely read it again . I would recommend this to any women who is striving to be more like Christ and less of herself !
May 22, 2021
Que livro amável. Um deleite de se ler. Apesar de curto, cheio de lições preciosas sobre como nutrir as virtudes.
March 23, 2016
Nancy Wilson maintains a blog where she writes about all sorts of spiritual stuff and much of what she writes there gets compiled into books for women.
"Courage is not something necessarily that people think of as female virtue, but I think there are good grounds to believe otherwise. Courage is a virtue that enables us to be fearless and brave in difficult or dangerous situations. A courageous woman can be described as plucky."
"Courageous" would apply to the sexually abused woman who finally speaks up and is attacked by the pastor under who's watch it all happened. Especially when that pastor goes on to publicly demean, humiliate and further abuses her. A truly virtuous woman would seek to shut this man up, especially if she were the wife of the pastor. Now, I am in no way implying that this author is "that" pastor's wife, I am merely saying that that would be courageous.
A virtuous woman is a woman who protects the weak and vulnerable. A virtuous woman would bravely speak up and tell her pastor husband that writing about other women's breasts is unseemly and revolting. That woman would be downright "plucky." Now I am in no way implying this pastor's wife sat silently by but rather pointing out the lack of virtue in a woman that would abide a husband who demeans women.
Yes, a virtuous plucky wife is indeed a wonderful thing. Unfortunately this author does not ever get around to the virtuous woman and as such I have to give this book a 1 star rating at best.
I recommend Corrie Ten Boom, Anne Lamott, Ann Voskamp as women of virtue. Heck, Miss Piggy or Minnie Mouse would have better things to say about virtuous women.
"Courage is not something necessarily that people think of as female virtue, but I think there are good grounds to believe otherwise. Courage is a virtue that enables us to be fearless and brave in difficult or dangerous situations. A courageous woman can be described as plucky."
"Courageous" would apply to the sexually abused woman who finally speaks up and is attacked by the pastor under who's watch it all happened. Especially when that pastor goes on to publicly demean, humiliate and further abuses her. A truly virtuous woman would seek to shut this man up, especially if she were the wife of the pastor. Now, I am in no way implying that this author is "that" pastor's wife, I am merely saying that that would be courageous.
A virtuous woman is a woman who protects the weak and vulnerable. A virtuous woman would bravely speak up and tell her pastor husband that writing about other women's breasts is unseemly and revolting. That woman would be downright "plucky." Now I am in no way implying this pastor's wife sat silently by but rather pointing out the lack of virtue in a woman that would abide a husband who demeans women.
Yes, a virtuous plucky wife is indeed a wonderful thing. Unfortunately this author does not ever get around to the virtuous woman and as such I have to give this book a 1 star rating at best.
I recommend Corrie Ten Boom, Anne Lamott, Ann Voskamp as women of virtue. Heck, Miss Piggy or Minnie Mouse would have better things to say about virtuous women.
June 16, 2016
3.5 stars (it's my thing) -- the beginning of this book started out with a bang in introducing the virtues that would be laid out in the book and why Mrs. Wilson picked the ones that she did (because there are many and to expound on ALL the virtues that the Bible encourages Christians to pursue would be...well...tedious.) There are some true pearls in this book and overall a wonderful reminder of priorities. Just like we should never tire of hearing the Gospel laid out for us in simple terms neither should we become weary in looking back at the basics of virtues and godly character. After all the byline is "A Study for Ladies of Every Age." It is that. I think that a group of women would do well to encourage and share wisdom in how to pursue these things and how they work themselves out in their homes. This is a lovely and simple study that gets to the core of many issues and brings gentle conviction of areas that need some polishing... ahem. (ME!)
January 9, 2018
I love Nancy Wilson's straightforward, cut-to-the-chase style. This little book was a great encouragement to pursue fruitfulness in the knowledge and grace of God. Would be a useful tool to use with younger women. I hope to go through it again slowly with my daughters. "The Bible often gives us a list of things to stop doing and a list of things to start doing. It is rather like pulling up weeds and planting flowers. Just planting flowers among the weeds is not wise, and if we pull up the weeds, we need to replace them with something positive. Otherwise, the weeds just fill in again."
October 4, 2016
My 12 yo and I read a chapter a day after breakfast for 15 days and we both loved it. Nancy Wilson's book led the way for us to have great discussions about areas in our lives in which, both of us, need to change and grow.
I highly recommend that you read and discuss this bible study with a friend or with your own daughters. Nancy Wilson's book is also a great tool for older women to discuss weekly with younger women.
I highly recommend that you read and discuss this bible study with a friend or with your own daughters. Nancy Wilson's book is also a great tool for older women to discuss weekly with younger women.
March 19, 2016
A short, simple book that brought conviction. Revealed areas in my life that I am neglecting. I enjoy Mrs. Wilson's gentle, yet direct way of teaching.
January 6, 2017
Wonderful - need to read this once a year at least!
July 31, 2017
A good look at some virtues that are not often talked about or are considered out of style. Some of my favorite chapters were diligence, cheerfulness, domesticity, and courage.
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September 28, 2025I read this three years ago via audiobook and picked it up again this month and didn’t regret it. Still a wonderfully encouraging read.
January 27, 2024
This thin little book is chock full of Biblical wisdom and truth. It gave me fresh inspiration to pursue virtue in this new year 🌻🌹🌼
August 10, 2022
It’s a good book but not great. I was appreciative of the things shared in this book and the conversations that were had over each virtue. However, as you get closer to the end of the book it’s as though less effort is put into each chapter. You are provided less and less to ponder and dwell on concerning the virtue. I’m glad I read it but I wonder if there’s a more helpful book that talks about these things with a little more depth and clarity? (You know, alongside the Bible).
June 27, 2025
Listened to the audio version - A good, quick review of Christian virtues for women at all life stages. Lots of Scripture in each section, though it was more lists of verses than any in-depth look at particular passages. This would be a great resource for a teen girls or young women’s group study, with the help of some older Christian ladies to guide the conversations and clarify a few parts that felt a little less nuanced.
October 31, 2020
This was a good read, and I can easily see how this would make a very good study. The overall message is needed, the method is fine. It was more simple and just overall more surface-level than I was expecting, but not less than the book intended. It was valuable.
May 12, 2021
Challenging & Scriptural
Lots of meat to chew on, so to speak. The author covers a wide variety of topics applicable to Christian women seeking God's commands and intentions for daily living. Non-KJV.
Lots of meat to chew on, so to speak. The author covers a wide variety of topics applicable to Christian women seeking God's commands and intentions for daily living. Non-KJV.
April 7, 2024
Practical, a motherly voice , a Titus 2 woman who applies The Word to many areas of our lives. Intertwined with verses , down to earth council and divine wisdom. Talks about topics like: contempt , joy, courage, being productive, idleness, modesty, loyalty, chastity etc.
April 24, 2020
I loved studying this book and will definitely be restudying it again in the near future.
March 2, 2022
“Pursuing virtue is not about us, but about our good and gracious Father who loves to bestow the righteousness of Christ on us.”
Very practical, convicting and helpful.
Very practical, convicting and helpful.
February 9, 2023
This little book will be one I come back to often.
December 2, 2023
I enjoyed a lot of it, and hoped that it would help me through the years. Defiantly a "read every year" kind of book! (4.5 stars)
July 18, 2023
A quick listen worthy of a slow and thoughtful read.
May 3, 2016
This attractive, slim volume is a quick study on fourteen feminine virtues, which include humility, domesticity, hospitality and courage, among others. Nancy Wilson, in her typical plainspoken prose, writes with housewives in mind, but the book is lightweight enough that it will still be broadly applicable to most Christian women.
The fourteen virtues are of course not comprehensive, which she readily admits. What she does cover is for the most part extremely helpful, including an excellent chapter on modesty. She does however say that "God's cure for idleness in young women is marriage" which, while not necessarily untrue, is not necessarily helpful to young women (busy or not) who are unmarried through no fault of their own.
Read more of this review (and more like it) on our website.
The fourteen virtues are of course not comprehensive, which she readily admits. What she does cover is for the most part extremely helpful, including an excellent chapter on modesty. She does however say that "God's cure for idleness in young women is marriage" which, while not necessarily untrue, is not necessarily helpful to young women (busy or not) who are unmarried through no fault of their own.
Read more of this review (and more like it) on our website.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews