Hagar

I love a great bible study. The very first thing I noticed is that this has a notes section. When I have a thought or scripture that I want to review later, I love referring to my notes! I also enjoyed that although this is a bible study, it has a devotional feel as well. Each week has a new focus. This was a great study and I would recommend it.

HAGAR by Shadia Hirchi is an in-depth Bible study about the story of HAGAR and her place in the biblical narrative. It is clear from the author's writing that she has a deep love for God and a desire to help others by shedding light on often overlooked Bible stories.

Hirchi uses examples and stories from her own life to help readers to connect with Hagar's story. She also encourages readers to carefully consider the biblical text. She provides exercises and questions that require readers to examine the biblical text very closely in order to find the answers. I worked through this study on my own, but this study would also work well for a small group.

I really enjoy reading Bible Studies and commentaries that are written by people from diverse faith backgrounds. Hirchi's work helped me to see Hagar's story from a unique perspective. She picked up on some very interesting connections that helped me to see Hagar's story through a different lens. Her writing also helped me to draw connections to my own life and to consider how God might be speaking to me through the biblical text.

Note: Thank you to Celebrate Lit and Net Galley for a free copy of this book. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to read this Hagar Bible study. I did not really consider all that would be in here, but the author does a good job with some very tough stuff.

As someone who has experienced abuse and manipulation, I think she does a remarkable job of showing truth without wallowing in the mud.

She gives credit where credit is due and does not shy away from the ugly parts.

I feel like I have a better idea of who Hagar is now, and what she experienced than ever before.

My eyes have been opened a bit to my personal beliefs and where they do not match what I SAY that I believe. Meaning that I am guilty of seeing circumstances and making judgments of God’s level of care.

But God does not change. The same God who promises Hagar a legacy of descendants, is also the one who allowed her to be sent away with nothing but her son and a few supplies in the desert.

One thing that really makes me like this Hagar Bible study is how much it incorporates the whole counsel of scripture. No story in the Bible stands alone, and this one is no different. Considering the woman at the well, and Job, and many other passages give this depth and richness.

While it may seem like each lesson is long, after the first week, you don’t even notice. In fact, my husband took the kids for a couple of hours one Sunday, and I did all of week three in on sitting. I kept trying to get up and go “do something productive” with my time, but I couldn’t set my Hagar Bible study down!

My relationship with God and my awareness of my position within the Great Story has grown through this study!

I did receive a copy of this book from @NetGalley and Celebrate lit, and choose to review it here. All thoughts are my own.

A past pastor encouraged us to choose a name of the Lord each year to claim as our own, to study and learn more about that attribute of God. My name this year was "The God who sees me!" I was thrilled to see this book come up as a tour option and jumped on the chance to review it. I have not finished the entire study, but I am growing as I read it and gaining understanding of who El Roi is and what it means to belong to "The God who sees me." This study gets me in The Word and adds interesting points to ponder and pray.