A Life-changing Encounter With God’s Word from the Book of Psalms, published by NavPress, is the latest in the LifeChange Series of Bible studies on the Books of the Bible. This work provides a good introduction to the Psalms if your intent is a “reflective” type of study. If you are looking for an “in-depth” study of the Psalms, you my need to look elsewhere, or at least be ready to supplement with additional resources. The authors list as one of the objectives of the LifeChange Series: “To give you all the historical background, word definitions, and explanatory notes you need so that your only other reference is the Bible.” If we evaluate this statement in the context of a reflective study, then they may well have reached their goal, but not so if the context is otherwise. That being said, I would not hesitate to use this as the primary resource in a small-group study with the goal being a personal encounter with the Psalms. There is enough explanatory material given to answer cursory questions that may arise and the reflective questions do an excellent job of focusing attention on the intent of the Psalms and eliciting from the participant a careful introspective survey of their own life in response. This could be a good way to engage the Psalms for the purpose of spiritual growth, especially in the area of prayer. The Book of Psalms is after all referred to as the “prayer-book of the Bible.” So, if you are interested in a study that allows the Psalms to shape the participants prayer life, this resource may be just what you are looking for.
I received this book from the publisher as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a favorable review and the opinions expressed are my own.