Title: Women of the Word: Volume 1
Author: Melissa Joy Parcels
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1663239785
Genre: Religion
Pages: 194
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review
Melissa Joy Parcel’s Women of the Word: Volume 1 presents a passionate and scholarly guide which delves into the lives and lessons of twenty-five women of the Bible included from both the old and new testaments.
Instantly a work which is both inspirational and immediately engaging, this astute workbook speaks to the souls of modern women, from the souls of historical women whose life lessons have served to set the example of stalwart faith, spiritual connection, and independence throughout their lives as they encountered the many challenges faced by females throughout Biblical history.
Additionally, while this book is designed to be a study guide which examines the pivotal women of the Bible while exploring the lessons their lives presented, it comes across as so much more. It reads as a narrative brimming with important Biblical history involving women, as well as offering tools for divine inspiration, such as prayers and devotionals. Altogether, this is a spiritually devoted work, which will be found useful as a study guide for either a group or an individual person, which ultimately makes this an invaluable multi-level teaching tool.
Moreover, this guide is not a harried, confusing work brimming with difficult or condemning Biblical rhetoric. Instead, this is an easily relatable divine studies template divided into 8 chapters/weeks of relaxed but intensely informative Christ-guided, soul- filled study. Each chapter features at least three women of the word, along with their related Biblical passages and stories. Although from different time periods there can be found a resonance within each woman’s history. Also, this book includes a well- organized weekly formula on how to approach each lesson with prayers, internal reflection, important questions to ponder and answers (as this is also an integrated workbook) as well as reviewing the included scriptures.
Comprehensively, the book overall is an ideal study guide for those interested in the history of the women of the word, in particular this is a wonderful heartfelt guide for women as a group to explore the word of God and living a spiritually connected, Christ filled life.
Ultimately, Women of the Word, by author Melissa Joy Parcels, turned out to be a well- written, thoroughly researched and well organized work, which I truly enjoyed engaging with. Not only did the book feature the interesting “herstories” of these women and their complicated lives, but it also afforded a great deal of spiritual insight, fortitude, and sincere inspiration which right now is needed for women of all spiritual walks of life. I do heartily recommend this study guide; it is definitely worth exploring.
