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Faith, Learning lessons, The Church Year

Why my fourth favorite book of the Bible needs to be on your radar

In early January I was asked if I was willing to help with a project that would summarize each book of the Bible in 30 seconds and then share the good news of that book in 30 seconds.

In just over an hour a person could the entire Bible in summary and good news. Isn’t that one of the coolest ideas you have heard of for the Bible?

We were told to sign up for our favorite book (or whatever was left that interested you.). Well, at first I was disappointed to have gotten my fourth favorite book of the Bible (Philemon, Habakuk, and James were already chosen). I put Ezra and Nehemiah together, since they tell one story. When Ezra was taken, I jumped at Nehemiah.

Boy am I ever glad I did. If you want a painfully beautiful activity, summarize a book of the Bible in 80 or less words and then try not to read it like a crazy person. It pushes you in a good way.

Here is my summary of Nehemiah. When I stop talking, you can stop listening, there is nothing but silence for about 60 seconds. Why? Oh, just to mess you with.

30SOL_0884_nehemiah_AY_quote-1

 

 

Here is the good news of Nehemiah. Don’t you love the prayer?

30SOL_0885_nehemiah_AY_quote

 

This is a Lenten project, so books are being added until Easter. You can follow the series here. My friend Tanya not only wrote a book on Ruth, she gives the summary—the secret hero— and the good news—patron saint of the grumpy.  She has a lovely British accent you’ll enjoy wherever you’re from. I have to be careful or I’ll start recommending everyone of them. But truly, if you only check out one more, listen to Tara Owens’ good news of 1 Samuel. I can almost promise you’ll be thinking about it all weekend.

I am excited at the potential for this project and the ways it can be used in Sunday School classes, youth groups, and personal listening.

Which have you listened do? Recommendations?

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4 Comments February 19, 2016

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Mike says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Nehemiah has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible, right up there with Esther.

    I heard a person preach on Nehemiah many years ago, and his opening remark was, “It’s dangerous to talk to relatives from home!” That was in reference to the opening verses of Nehemiah where he heard about the condition of Jerusalem from his visiting brother, which moved Nehemiah to do something about it.

    Reply
  2. Jody Collins says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:05 am

    I’m with your friend Mike~Nehemiah is one of my favorites. We studied it in Home Group a few months back. I’ll have to give your take on it a listen–later! And all the others you recommended. This is an awesome project, friend.

    Reply
  3. Debbie says

    February 20, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    The timeliness of this post can only be called devine. Im openning Nehemiah now. Thank you

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth says

    February 25, 2016 at 10:52 am

    Oh my word, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this project! I am so excited about the potential uses, that it brings tears to my eyes. I love your piece, as well as the other handful that I already listened to. I can’t wait to use these as discussion-launchers at my dinner table with my kids! Well done, you, and all your fellow contributors!

    Reply

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