Pew Sisters

This book was meant to be used for a bible study, I had the idea that it was going to focus on scriptures which talk about the need for the Body of Christ, but  it’s not very straight forward in its approach. Each chapter reads as a devotional, telling of a real life challenge that some one has faced using everyday stories.  Following the story there are a series of discussion questions, words from a hymn to meditate on, and a prayer to pray. Each chapter is given the name of a woman and she the focal point of the devotion.  

I understand what this book is trying to do. It is trying to show us through life situations that we can identify with – from having cancer, to losing loved ones , miscarriages or multiple children – that God is with us, working out the details of our lives  The thing that causes me the most hesitation in this, the author never provided the scriptures she was referring to. There is a passage of scripture given at the head of each chapter but they are rather easily glossed over and not referenced again after their initial mention. The Body of Christ does need to recognize that it is designed to work together, to comfort, encourage and praise one another. In order to learn to do this right and successfully, it’s going to take more than just a “coffee shop conversation” We really need to be digging into Scripture and applying it to our lives.

So, I ask myself if Pew Sisters,is it full of sound doctrine? I think it falls short here, it is not very detailed when it comes to instruction from scripture itself.  It does use Lutheran doctrine, which if I were writing a book, I would make sure that it would nondenominational.  In summary, I don’t think this book is bad necessarily. I just think it’s weak. I probably would not choose it for a devotional with a group of women.  Again, not because I think it’s bad but I’d rather gnaw on steak than eat a thin meat sandwich, so to speak. I think it could be better. And if you can engage with something better, you should.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”