A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Edward T Welch

Book description:

Fear and anxiety are chronic struggles for many people that are only intensifying and increasing. Best-selling author Edward T. Welch shares the comfort and peace of Jesus in fifty brief readings for those who wrestle with fear.

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart is a small but powerful devotional to remind men and women of the encouraging, beautiful words in Scripture to anxious people.

While many books on fear and anxiety exist—promising to help men and women manage their struggles with methods and formulas—this devotional reaches deeper into Scripture, making the Word of God more accessible. Don’t put a Band-Aid on your fear and anxiety; rather, learn to bring your fear to Jesus, relying on his Word.

Welch has been counseling for over thirty-eight years and is the author of more than a dozen books, including A Small Book about a Big Problem, Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, Shame Interrupted, When People Are Big and God Is Small, and many others.

Jesus cares for us, and in these readings, Welch invites readers to trust him for today, knowing he goes before us always.

My review:

 This book is well named. It IS a small book, about the size of a mass market paperback, and coming in at 186 pages.

 It has 50 chapters, mean to be read over a period of 50 days. Fear and anxiety are discussed a lot, and there are a lot of things discussed that we are anxious about. Each chapter ends with two questions to answer and think about.

 Anxiety and depression are issues I deal with, and I found some of the things in the book that do cause me anxiety and worry.

 The book is well written and contains a lot of helpful ideas and advice that is also Biblical. It is definitely best read over a 50 day period as suggested. My only issue with the book is that it is overpriced for the size.....though my review copy was free. It is helpful for the intended audience, I can attest to that.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

About the author:

Edward T. Welch, MDiv, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He earned a PhD in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His biblical counseling books include Shame Interrupted; When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest; When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety; Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love; and A Small Book about a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace.

Jonah: Grace for Sinners and Saints by Iain Duguid

Book description:

This small group guide includes ten in-depth lessons for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. Explore this resource and find a God who relents, a God who is sovereign, and a God who is present among the mercies and trials of life.

Jonah: Grace for Sinners and Saints offers Scripture-based, theologically rich content with an easy-to-follow structure to engage readers. Duguid explores how we are more like Jonah than we might think, bringing the text to life by examining our own motives and affections. 

Duguid doesn’t leave readers in the judgment and spiritual arrogance of Jonah. He shows us the good news that the Lord is in charge, even over those who try to run from him. 

With rich discussion questions, exercises, and articles to encourage thoughtful responses to the text, this study guide helps readers see Jesus more clearly in the themes found in the book of Jonah. 

My review:

  Jonah is a Bible character who has always interested me. I have studied it before and read other books on and about the book, but couldn't pass up reviewing this one.

 Each lesson contains these parts:
Big idea: a summary of the main point
Bible conversation: read and discuss the passage of Scripture
Article: the main teaching of the lesson, written by the author
Discussion: discussion of the article
Exercise: a written part to do on one's own time
Wrap-up and prayer

  The author of this study is new to me, but I was impressed with the thoughts he came up with for the book, and the way he brought everything together to make a great Bible study. The exercise questions are very thought provoking, and I did end up seeing Jonah in a new light. The theme of the book is grace, and that comes through loud and clear.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

About the author:

Iain M. Duguid received his PhD at the University of Cambridge in 1992, his MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary in 1989, and his BSc at the University of Edinburgh in 1981. He's the author of Ezekiel and the Leaders of Israel, Esther & Ruth, Daniel, and Song of Songs in the Reformed Expository Commentary, as well as Jonah: Grace for Sinners and Saints, among many other titles. Duguid is a professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for over thirty years and have six adult children.

Ruth: Redemption for the Broken by Jared C Wilson

Book description:

In this ten-week accessible study, Jared Wilson provides a clearer picture of Jesus through the story of Ruth, which he presents as a historic living parable of Christ’s love for his church.

Ruth: Redemption for the Broken can be adapted for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large group settings. The comprehensive leader’s guide is included in the text, making it an easy-to-follow structure to engage men and women.

By studying the book of Ruth, readers can enjoy the romance and drama of this compelling story while understanding how it applies to their own lives—finding Christ’s undying love for them through this unforgettable biblical narrative.

Jesus is the “truer and better” of every character in the book of Ruth, and everything in the Bible points to him. Wilson anchors his message in Scripture, guiding readers to better understand the themes in the book of Ruth.

When everything falls apart, cling to Jesus, the one who clings to you. Find in the story of Ruth the start of a real love story—but probably not the one you think. Ruth reveals the truth that there are no sinners, no failures, and no victims so far gone that the sovereign hand of the Lord cannot reach, rescue, and even revise the story of their lives.

My review:

  Ruth is one of the books of the Bible I never really thought of for a Bible study. It is more of a story we have read over and over. After reading through this book, I can see that it does make a great study.

 Each lesson contains these parts:
Big idea: a summary of the main point
Bible conversation: read and discuss the passage of Scripture
Article: the main teaching of the lesson, written by the author
Discussion: discussion of the article
Exercise: a written part to do on one's own time
Wrap-up and prayer

  The Bible study is well done, interesting, and brings out some great thoughts I at least never considered about the book of Ruth. I like the set up, and I can see it working for individual study also, and not just as a group.

  The article section was very interesting, and the author had some great insights worth considering that were well written and thought provoking.

 I haven't read a lot of Bible studies, but this seems to be one worth doing and accomplishes the purpose of a Bible study.


I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Jared C. Wilson is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Spurgeon College, author in residence at Midwestern Seminary, general editor of For The Church, and director of the Pastoral Training Center at Liberty Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO. He is the author of numerous books, including The Gospel-Driven Church, The Imperfect Disciple, and Supernatural Power for Everyday People. In ministry for twenty-five years, Wilson has also written numerous church resources and Bible studies, including Ruth: Redemption for the Broken, as well as contributed the study notes for 1 and 2 Peter and Jude in the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.