I love this book, it is easy to use, great for study groups and to go deeper into the subject. The author offers a lot of extra resources and day to day tasks.
The book helps you see Jesus in the Old Testament and in your mundane.

This is an excellent Bible study. As someone who has studied and read God's Word often, sometimes it can be hard to find studies that stretch my knowledge and understanding. The approach that the author takes on looking at the Old Testament through the eyes of Jesus is an excellent starting point. I have been taking my time going through it with my Bible close at hand, so that I do not miss anything. She makes connections with different points in God's Word where Jesus can be clearly seen. While she does share personal anecdotes, she also points out different relevant stories that relate directly to Scripture. Every chapter ends with an in-depth study that includes questions to examine regarding the verses as well as personal examination that leads to application. While I have enjoyed reading through this study on my own, I would definitely enjoy completing it at some point with a group. I have not taken the time yet to watch the free videos that correlate with the study that are on her website, but I definitely appreciate her willingness to provide resources for further understanding. I definitely recommend this book! The Subtitle sums it up well: Opening Our Eyes to His Presence in All of Life and Scripture. A big thank you to Net Galley and to Multnomah Books for allowing me to take a look at this study. All opinions are my own.

This study is excellent for individuals or in a group setting. This study helps guide the reader into finding Jesus in the Old Testament, the Psalms, and the Prophets and how his redemptive plan for us weaves throughout the entire Bible. Dee is a humble, engaging, and vulnerable story teller, and her words were very encouraging. The study at the end of each chapter helped me dig deeper into how God is active through the sufferings and struggles in my life. This isn't a "light" study by any means, but it's a vital one for any Christian in any stage in their walk with Christ.

Do you want to be surprised?
Best-selling author of multiple books and Bible teacher Dee Brestin presents "The Jesus Who Surprises. Opening Our Eyes to His Presence in All of Life and Scripture", published by WaterBrook & Multnomah. After the introduction to the book, which includes Bible Study One, Brestin has divided the book into three parts: 1) How the Story Began (The Books of Moses), 2) How to Live in the Story (The Psalms), and 3) How the Story Will End (The Prophets). Every chapter contains an introduction where Brestin shares events and experiences from her own life and from other Christians. Then she recounts and explains the Bible story. This is followed by a four-day Bible study which closes with an idea for the prayer time. Altogether the book contains thirteen of these Bible studies.
Brestin's overall goal with this book is to show where Jesus shows up in the Old Testament, but she also uses passages from the New Testament to present his presence in history. This book is set to be used for individual and group Bible study. I appreciate it that Brestin gives the option to go deeper, using links to the messages from other Bible teachers (e.g., Timothy Keller, R. C. Sproul) and that she offers the accompanying, optional, videos for free on her website. She gives assignments that keep those who study the book engaged and also explains terms, e.g., the use of "nonsense" or "idle talk" in Luke 24:11. Brestin also underlines the importance of homework. The book includes also the references for the quotes and literature used which is another help if one wants to go deeper. The facilitator resources will be a great help for those who are using this book in a group Bible study setting. All in all this is a great book for new and advanced believers.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheJesusWhoSurprises #NetGalley

The Jesus Who Surprises book by Dee Brestin was a God-send. This author is so transparent, refreshing, and full of Truth. I was really drawn to her words. She breaks the end of each chapter into a 5-day Bible Study and optional on-line sermon suggestions. I loved her “Today I spied God when…” journal prompts. So important to pay attention to His movements within and without. And stopping to reflect on them. I loved this from the book, “prayer is not getting God to give you what you want but dialoguing with Him, listening to Him, submitting to Him, and asking Him to give you what He wants, even if it is costly.” I highly recommend this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on Amazon, CBD, B&N

In The Jesus Who Surprises, Dee Brestin has written a book of encouragement that is part Bible study. Brestin says Jesus is with us in our daily lives, although we don't recognize Him. She use the example of two of Jesus' disciples walking on the road to Emmaus after Jesus had been crucified. They were mired in disappointment that the One they had placed their trust in had not been the deliverer they had hoped for.
A man asked what they were talking about, and when they told him, the man began to explain from the scriptures why everything that happened to Jesus had to take place as it was foretold. Still, the two men did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them. Later they recalled their hearts burned within them as Jesus had explained the scriptures to them.
Brestin encourages us to look for Jesus in unexpected places and times in our lives. This Bible study will help us do that.

Join Dee as she helps you find Jesus not only in startling places in the Old Testament and New Testament but also in your everyday life. Let your heart be opened to the love of Jesus and let him rescue you in your life today.

Jesus doesn’t show up only in the Gospels. This wonderful Bible study helps us track signs of his presence in all places of the Old and New Testaments, plus our own lives.

It has a built-in Bible study for individual or group use. I also love the personal stories Dee Brestin includes. She writes with warmth and wisdom, just like what I want from a Christian mentor.

You’ll enjoy learning more about Jesus through this study and talking about it with friends. I look forward to digging into it again soon for my own spiritual growth.

I received a preview copy of The Jesus Who Surprises from Multnomah and Netgalley.

This is a combination of a non-fiction spiritual growth book AND a Bible study. Each chapter ends with Bible study questions that go with the content of the chapter. The book gives instructions for using the book as part of a study group or small group. I really liked this format.

I thoroughly enjoyed the family stories the author shared throughout the book, and I walked away with several concepts and challenges I want to work through more in the future. I didn't line up 100% with the author on theology and ways of living out our faith, but I was still able to enjoy this resource and take away a lot for my own growth and enrichment.

In her newest release, The Jesus Who Surprises, Dee Brestin provides a marvelous resource for group or individual Bible study. This 13 week study looks at Jesus through Old Testament passages specifically from the Books of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets. By having the focus squarely on Jesus but the passages and teaching coming from the Old Testament, those who use this study will find that they pick up on truths that they may have previously overlooked. Although Brestin focuses the studies on Old Testament passages, she does not limit the studies but draws from passages throughout the Bible.

Each study is set up to be used over 5 days. Day 1 is to read the Brestin's essay which sets up the study. These essays are delightful to read as Brestin shares stories from her experiences and of those she knows. Days 2-5 each have a passages to read and questions to answer along with prayer prompts. Each day's study could be completed in about 15 minutes. Each week's study also has an accompanying video which may be freely accessed via her website (deebrestin.com) or purchased on DVD. The study is designed to be completed in a group setting where it can be discussed but could also be used by individuals. I am very excited about the free videos as it allows the study to be accessible to more people.

If you haven't picked out your curriculum for your fall study or if you are looking ahead to spring, The Jesus Who Surprises would be an excellent choice for your women's study or a small group. While Brestin writes for a largely female audience, the study could also be beneficial for a mixed group as well. This study is excellent for both new believers who may not be as familiar with the Old Testament and for individuals who have been part of the church for a while.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Jesus Who Surprises via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.

“The Jesus Who Surprises” is a very interesting book by Dee Brestin.
The author shows us that Jesus is not about sadness and gloom, even though most people think about Him on the cross. She describes our relationship with Jesus as a love story!

She also tells us amazing things about Heaven, which are described in the books of Isaiah and Revelation.
Jesus is preparing a beautiful place for us! — But not where you think!

The book also contains a section of questions after each chapter, and suggests how to lead a small group study of the book. I skipped the questions and small group stuff. It wasn’t interesting to me, but don’t let that stop you from reading it.

I did really enjoy reading the book ! — It got me excited about my relationship with Jesus becoming more like a celebration! You know, like singing, dancing, playing music, saying Thank You…

Jesus is found in every book in the Bible. Dee shows us where to find Him in unexpected places. When we read the Bible with that in mind, it truly becomes a love story between God and us!

I got a few surprises from this book about Jesus. Why not read it and see if you get surprised by Jesus?

There is nothing more exciting than seeing how Jesus showed up in the Old Testament. I've done two other Dee Brestin studies and she is very thorough. You can't skim through these books. I'm only into the first chapter but looking forward to another great study.
7/22/2019 Finished
Dee has done it again. another inspiring study pointing out how all of scripture points to Jesus. What a surprise that Jesus gave himself up for us before he even created the world. and we don't know the half of it.

In this Bible study, Dee Brestin takes the reader through the ways Christ is shown in the Old Testament. The personal stories she shares are interesting and at times, heart-touching. Her commentary on the Scripture passages is easy to understand. There are also questions on each section to help the reader take a deeper look at Scripture. This Bible study is more of a “devotional” study, rather than a more detailed Bible study. However, there’s much to ponder on as you follow through each chapter, and you’ll find your love deepen for all that Christ has done for us. I loved the section on “How to Live in the Story”: “Learning from the Psalms How to Pray”. She emphasized how these precious scriptures can become “effectual soul talk” during times of suffering or sorrow, helping us to recount God’s mercies in our times of trouble.

This is a Bible study that you could do on your own. I also think this would be a good book for a ladies’ book study class.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

"The Jesus Who Surprises" is a Bible study that explores the Old Testament for references to or foreshadowings of Jesus. The author pondered what things Jesus would've talked about with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. She started this study with Genesis and then moved into the Psalms (and poetic books) and then the prophetic books. Each chapter started with her talking about a place in the Old Testament that points to Jesus. She'd connect it into New Testament references and then into a Christian living application. She used examples from her life to illustrate her points. For example, she looked at the child of promise given to Sarah versus the child that Hagar bore. She tied this into following religious rules versus having a personal relationship with Christ.

She followed this commentary with five days worth of Bible study on that topic, which can be done individually or in a group. She mainly had you look up verses and asked reading comprehension and personal questions. There were also online videos that can be watched as a part of this study. Overall, I'd recommend this Bible study.

#TheJesusWhoSurprises#NetGalley
Review By: ILoveToRead/Librarian

An excellent spiritual guide for the Christian seeking a closer relationship with Christ. After each chapter a helpful questionnaire appears encouraging the reader to look in depth at Bibical truths.
I highly recommend this book.