Mom Set Free - Bible Study Book: Good News for Moms Who are Tired of Trying to be Good Enough

by Jeannie Cunnion

As moms, we’re under constant pressure. We have to get it right in all areas of life—work, home, family, and faith—because our children’s futures hinge on our ability to perfectly orchestrate the present.
 
But those impossible standards leave us oscillating between worry, fear, anger, and shame. They threaten to steal all the wonder from parenting, life, and our personal relationship with God.
 
In this 7-session study, discover how the gospel message can empower you to parent in the freedom of God’s sovereignty. So that you can breathe deeper, walk lighter, and enjoy your children—and the parenting journey—more than ever before.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2017

About the author

Jeannie Cunnion holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Her professional background combines counseling, writing, and extensive speaking about parenting and adoption issues for organizations such as Bethany Christian Services and the National Council for Adoption. Jeannie also enjoys blogging on her website (www.jeanniecunnion.com), serving as the Council Co-Chairman at Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT, and leading various parenting courses and Bible studies when she and her husband Mike aren’t cheering on their three boys at one of their sporting events.

Reviews

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without doubt the best Bible study type book I have done. It is extremely well written and so grace-filled for weary mamas, while also being challenging and thought-provoking. The truths she shares have truly changed the way that I parent! It can be used as a stand-alone study, even without the videos (I didn’t have access to them), but I do also highly recommend the book by the same name. I went through the workbook on my own but it would be amazing done as a group, too. And though even the terminology is all geared towards moms, I know dads would also find it very beneficial. All parents need to know how the gospel, grace, and the Holy Spirit can transform their parenting.

[elizabeth sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is strongly tied to the video series but do think can stand alone a bit. I did not like her videos at all so perhaps that affected my overall impression. Author utilized strong scripture support and a nice flow of daily activities to build comprehension of topics. Lends itself to discussion obviously since it was written for that purpose. Overall average for me though in motherhood themed bible study.

[Tara Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Bible study for all mommas out there! I’m new at this whole mom thing and patience has been my biggest struggle as a new parent. This study guides you on how to parent with grace and love, the same that God provides us. I love how it dives into scripture to help illuminate how to parent in a Godly manner.

[GabtureTheChapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completed this study with a couple of ladies from my small group at church. This one HIT HARD. I feel like as a Christian mom, or even a mom in general, we all need to read this, especially with a group of like-minded women. This opened my eyes so much regarding motherhood and the goodness of God’s grace. It has given me such a new perspective and approach in the way I parent my son. Mamas, please read this. Give your heart and mind a break and accept the love Jesus has for you. After this, you’ll be able to breathe a little better and parent more peacefully. I will say, the only thing about this was answering the questions. The questions were very basic and didn’t really help dive into scripture. Other than that, this is such a good study for all mamas in all stages of motherhood.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moms are under so much pressure to do it all, and be all things for all people. Some of that pressure comes from society, but it also often comes from ourselves. Mom Set Free is a 7 session Bible study that gives good news for tired moms who are feeling so much pressure to live up to impossible standards. Being a mom is my greatest gift from God, but there are days that I feel stressed, and like I just cannot do it all. So, I was eager to go through this Bible study.

Each of the 6 weeks has 5 daily sessions that include personal stories, reflection questions, and scripture references. The 7th session is just discussion questions, and the weekly video that you purchase separately. There is also a leader's guide in the back of the book that includes leader's tips and a teaching plan for each week. One thing that I look for in Bible studies is that they have you going into your Bible daily to look up verses, and this Bible study does this. There are video sessions for each week, and I think that they would be a great tool to enhance the study, but they are not necessary to complete the study. I did not use the video sessions this time, and I still felt like I got a lot out of working through the book. Proverbs 31 Ministries will be offering an online Bible study of this book in September, and I believe that they will have the videos available for a few weeks for free. So, that would be a great opportunity to pick up a study book and go through it with other moms!

The weekly sessions include:
Week 1: Freedom from the Pressure to Be Enough
Week 2: Freedom from the Places We Get Stuck
Week 3: Freedom to Receive the Love of Jesus
Week 4: Living in Freedom
Week 5: Freedom in Transformation
Week 6: Parenting in Freedom
Week 7: Freedom to Live Your Calling

Some of my favorite quotes from this study include:
"We can't live in one truth and parent from another."
"And because God is sovereign and full of grace, He can be trusted with the children He has entrusted to me."
"Our children need us to be prayer warriors before they need us to be problem solvers."
"Rather than strive for perfection, we should seek to grow in grace."
"Grace is the unconditional love of God woven into our discipline."

I found this study to be both encouraging and convicting. It reminded me that the good news of Jesus sets me free, both as a mom and as a person. It made me want to change the way that I worry over and stress about being the "perfect" parent, and instead turn to God to guide me, while giving myself and my daughter grace. I would highly recommend Mom Set Free for any mom who is feeling the pressure of the impossible standards that society, and even more so, ourselves, puts on them.

I received a copy of this book from Lifeway, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had multiple issues with this book. I felt like the questions she asked only required one word answers at times. Other times I felt like the questions being asked expected you to give a certain answer. At other times I felt that the questions did not even seem to go with the verses or the answer was not obvious, but there was an expected answer. (Example: Week 2, questions 3 &4 on page 35.)

The further I got in this book the more problems I found. I didn't like how she said at the top of page 52 "Indeed, Christ's words echo Moses'..." Jesus was intentionally quoting the Old-Testament. That sentence leads you to believe that it was a lucky happenstance that they shared an "idea."

Then there is also a little bit of hoopla like "What is the one NEXT THING you can do to make giving the gospel to your children your top priority." Or asking if we are parenting with "open hands." I don't even know what this means.

This book was not challenging (for me) nor did it provide any new insight. It seemed like the content was being forced to fit a theme. I also did not like how the author skipped around versions of the Bible. I think that can be confusing. I would recommend always using a consistent version and offering a parallel version next to the original.

This review is based off of the Bible Study of Mom Set Free. I will now be throwing this book in my recycling bin, so I will not be able to answer any additional questions regarding my review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Bible study is incredible. If you're a mom who's struggled with perfectionism, fear, controlling tendencies, or anger.. or who's just plain struggled in parenting, this book and Bible study are for you.

I've struggled with all of these things and felt both known and encouraged by Jeannie Cunnion's own words and by the Bible verses she had me look up while doing the Bible study. Each section is infused with grace, entirely built upon the good news we have in Jesus that we are forgiven, loved, and cared for... and so are our kids. The outcome of our parenting is not up to us, so we are free to do what God has called us to do - love our kids the best we can and trust in Him - and we can leave the results and the heart work up to Him. We can rest and live freely because He is good and He is in control... of both our lives and our kids' lives. Before we can parent our kids with grace and freedom, we have to experience that grace and freedom ourselves and this Bible study is an excellent impetus for that growth.

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most helpful books I have read on parenting. She discusses that it’s impossible to be a perfect parent, and to let go of trying for that. Instead, through helpful tips of ways to deal with discipline and grace, to lead your child in a way that honors Christ in both your life and your child’s life. I have made changes in the way I deal with my teenager since I began this book (to not react in anger but grace, the way God deals with me). I wish I would have read this book when my son was younger. I have so much of it highlighted, I can’t even pick favorites. Just the whole book. :)

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We can (and must) faithfully share the gospel (in word and deed) with our kids, but the Father must draw our children to His heart. We can't push and plead them there." I really enjoyed this bible study, and felt this sentence summarized a lot of what I learned. I plan on reading the accompanying book as well.

[Joy Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this in conjunction with an online Bible study group. The study leads us to parenting with grace and entrusting our children's faith to God rather than trying to lead them there ourselves. A reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than guilt and shame for what we could've/should've done in our homes. The study was applicable for moms with young children through adult children.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a good Bible Study for Moms and one of encouragement. I found many reminders through this study and enjoyed the videos that went along with it. It wasn’t as in-depth as I thought it would be, but did take me back to a lot of Scripture which I liked.

[Laura Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this would be a great book to read every year or more often as a reminder to parent with grace and gospel!! Best study book to date!! I learned so much ❤️

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every mom needs to do this study! So good, sad it is over.

[Jessie Schetzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it momma! You won’t regret it!

[Erica Holwager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the message of this book and the accompanying videos.

[Becca Pigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this study! Would probably do it again when the girls are older!

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish the study. I bought it because as a mama of four the title really stood out and thought that it was going to help me as a person who is a mama...it’s a parenting Bible study. I am pretty picky about those so when i realized I was turned off as I felt it was a bit misleading in the title...

[Desiray Schultz hayner · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great book, we moms need this reminder of how much Good loves us and how we are fully forgiven to live free from the pressures of parenting. Highly recommend this read!

[S.M. Boren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this workbook and later this book from Amazon to do this bible study with my sister. All opinions are my own. Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 While this workbook says you do not need the book to do the workbook, I felt myself more involved if I read the book then attempted the workbook. They work hand in hand for me. I enjoyed this study how to be strong in your faith while being a mom. Sometimes the pressure we apply to ourselves "to get it all right" is overwhelming. This book gives quick references to the Bible in these moments and will help ground you and your thoughts in your Faith. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Go Read, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com