Popular speaker, teacher, and author Sharon Jaynes (more than 235,000 copies sold) reveals the stories of women in the Bible who had meaningful encounters with Jesus. With her trademark biblical perspective, Sharon spends time with Jesus’ mother, Mary, the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, and others, and brings to life their experiences with the forgiveness, healing, and love of Jesus. As Sharon explores how God interacted with women of the Bible, she uncovers some surprises and is excited to share the news with readers today—God has great dreams for them and continues to transform women from Readers will discover God’s heart and hope for them as He lovingly exchanges their heartache, hopelessness, or shame for the beauty of wholeness.
I know I took so long to finish this book, but I couldn’t see me reading it faster. I had to take up every single word and teaching. About the book: each chapter talks about one specific woman whose life was changed after the encounter with Jesus. And each one leads us to understand Jesus thoughts about US. (We are not supposed to be defined by our sinful ways, we are defined by what He thinks of us!He’s waiting on us to say YES to Him).
I liked a lot Jaynes writing, her words were easy to comprehend and insert inside my heart.
I absolutely love this book. I am not new to Christianity necessarily as I come from a Baptist household, but my family never really stuck with religion outside of simply calling themselves believers.
I have recently decided to get back into Christianity wholeheartedly and one thing I quickly realized is the Bible, especially the Old Testament, can seem very harsh and downright awful to read as a woman. So many horrific things happening specifically to women. Watching men accomplish these wonderful feats while the women just exist in silence.
If you are like me and not yet well versed at reading and understanding the Bible this book will be a lifesaver. I went back and re read some of the books or passages featuring the women spoken about in this book with a fresh set of eyes and a whole new light. It has helped me to so much to actually understand the importance and significance of the women featured and their stories and it really helps you to see the beauty in the pain. This author has a fantastic way of making these women really come alive to you instead of just being words on a page and she clearly holds so much joy and love for the stories that it easily spills over onto you as the reader. I found myself getting excited with her and feeling joy for these women as if I knew them myself. I think this is a great book for anyone but it really has been a wonderful find for me as I grow and learn.
For those who only read the first line of these reviews the main point is GO READ THIS BOOK BE YOU MAN OR WOMAN!
When I first saw the title I was certain it was going to be inspirational to women. As I read the first chapter I thought I would lose interest because I never really questioned what God thought about women. I never thought He favored men over women, or that He was "okay" with the way we are treated a lot of times. Nevertheless I was going to keep reading simply because I like to read ... and I am glad that I did!
Imagin Bible stories involving women, stories you have probably heard hundreds of times but this time the story is focused on the women, is positive, and shows how they were used to teach the people. So many times we hear these stories and the "her" pronoun is ignored. Not in this book! In these collection of twelve recounted stories of the Bible, the "her" is very important to the story and the lesson and the importance of the work and propose of Jesus.
Each chapter starts out as a story of the spotlighted woman, and though it is all based on scripture, it reads like a short story and then expounded upon with examples of life and struggles today. My favorite has to be the woman with the issue of blood and the Samaritan woman Jesus talked to at the well. Though these two where my favorite I saw myself (both good and bad, what I am now and what I am striving to be) in all 12 takes.
I cried, I laughed, and I could relate. I highly recommend this book even if you, like I, never questioned God's love for women. You will still enjoy this book.
This is such an encouraging book. I've learned a lot from it. I believe that women are called to teach and preach, but until now, I wasn't really reassured. God definitely uses women, like men, for His purposes. This is revealed to how Jesus treated women.
These are the women featured in this book.
Mary, Mother of Jesus: She was not only the mother of Jesus, she was also His first disciple.
Mary Magdalene: Though she was trapped in spiritual darkness, she was the first witness to the resurrection.
The Bleeding Woman: She was not only healed, but also testified of her healing.
The Adulterous Woman: Though she was condemned by the Pharisees, Jesus showed her compassion.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well: She was the source of her town's gossip, but she was the first one to whom Jesus revealed His identity.
The Sinful Woman: She lived a sinful life and she knew it. But Jesus revealed that her faith had saved her.
Mary of Bethany: She was a woman of few words, but had a big heart for God.
Martha: She never sat still, but she faithfully followed Jesus.
The Woman with a Bent Back: She was kept in bondage for eighteen years, but Jesus freed her.
The Syrophoenician Woman: Though a Gentile, she was praised for her great faith.
The Widow with the Two Coins: She had little to give, but it meant much to Jesus.
Insightful--Sharon Jaynes discusses the serpent tempting Eve with the apple, who in turn, tempts Adam. This event foreshadowed the coming of Jesus, who would then crush the serpent with his heel. "Satan clearly understood that his demise would come from a woman's womb. And from the very beginning, Satan had been decked out in full battle array to destroy her."
But this is ultimately a love story between Jesus and every woman. Jaynes reminds us of our worth and our legacy to further God's Kingdom. Great book.
This book was eye opening. Mrs. Janes discusses different women in the Bible, highlighting their encounters with Jesus. Come to find out, Jesus often went out of His way to loose many women from their infirmaties and bring them center stage to teach others how to live. Mrs. Janes makes these women very relateable and by doing so she has helped transform my thinking.
So far, so good. This book debunks the myth that Christianity is a religion that oppresses women. Jesus broke down social barriers by reaching out to women, treating them with respect, and empowering them through physical and spiritual healing.