The Bible is populated with authentic, passionate, and often desperate characters. Meet eight nameless women from the New Testament who were driven by their circumstances to seek out Jesus. As you learn of these women and their culture, you'll discover fresh insights into how God can transform your despair into hope. Includes study questions. Paperback.

If the Bible can be thought of as the grand story of God, many of its main characters are passionate and even desperate men and women. Jo Kadlecek introduces us to eight biblical women driven by their passion and desperation to seek out Jesus. She explores their stories in their cultural context, then draws out the lessons they hold for contemporary readers who are willing to let an encounter with Jesus change their lives.

In studying these eight characters, readers will find new insights into the central character of God's great story--Jesus--and how he can transform their desperation and their passions and bring their lives new hope.

LIST OF WOMEN AND BIBLICAL REFERENCES:
Samaritan Woman, John 4: 1-42
Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath, Luke 13:10-17
The Widow (Who Makes an Offering), Mark 12:35-44
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman, Mark 5:21-43
A Widow (Who's Son is Raised by Jesus), Luke 7:11-17
A Sinful Woman (Who Jesus Annoints), Luke 7:36-50
A Syrophoenician Woman, Mark 7:24-30
A Canaanite Woman, Matthew 15:21-29

Jo Kadlecek is a journalist, author, retreat and conference teacher, and creative and editorial consultant based in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. She is the author of eight books, including Feast of Life and her first novel, The Sound of My Voice.

Tired, poor, unloved, distressed. These were the women who realized their lives needed something more: a Savior. Desperate Women of the Bible: Lessons on Passion from the Gospels by Jo Kadlecek integrates seven unnamed women’s heart-churning stories into practical parallels for today’s modern-day Christian woman. Years may have passed since the Samaritan woman questioned Jesus about “living water” or the widow offered her last two coins or the dead girl was raised to new life, yet, the truths in the Bible remains the same.

The Jesus Christ who noticed, healed, and loved these women is the same God who today sees heartache, can heal women, and desires a caring relationship with them. Kadlecek uses conversational tones mixed with narrative, personal anecdotes, biblical illustrations, Scripture, and even light humor while emphasizing Jesus Christ’s unconditional love. Divided into seven manageable chapters, each section opens with the Scripture passage, followed by a preparation prayer and introductory inspirational quote. The Bible passage’s content and counsel give background insights into the story’s outcome. Each chapter concludes with digging deeper questions for further reflection and prayer. Kadleckek’s work as a journalist, novelist, and retreat and conference teacher

Kadleckek describes the heartache and inadequacy many women feel when she writes, “Every person lives with some regret or is familiar with shame. We make bad choices that later in our lives force us to wonder what we were thinking. Yet, the hope of the gospel and the theme of the Bible is that God stands waiting for us to return to him for forgiveness. He wants us to repent of our sins, to cry over our mistakes, but also to accept the grace and forgiveness he provided through the death of Jesus Christ.” Nothing a woman does can earn the Savior’s love or bring peace and healing; however, He does desire to work with any woman who has a willing heart.

This book is a devotional that combines actual biblical text with insights reflecting today’s issues. Kadlecek bases her words on known biblical truths rather than far-fetched religious theory. She provides encouragement for women in their early 20s or older who feel distant from God or who are struggling with past mistakes and hurts. The book is perfect for individual or small group study or even a week-long or weekend time of reading. – Kate E. Schmelzer, Christian Book Previews.com

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