Discovering Hope in the Psalms: A Creative Devotional Study Experience (Discovering the Bible)

This book just arrived today and these are my first impressions:

The collaboration of the three authors, each with their own special gifts and talents, has created a truly unique Bible study (part of the book's title accurately states "A Creative Bible Study Experience"). This is not just your standard "read the book, study the Scriptures, and answer a few questions" type of Bible study.

Author, Jean E. Jones, provides the lesson material. Each chapter begins with Day 1's lesson which starts by introducing the psalm to be studied (Chapter 1, Day 1's lesson introduces the Book of Psalms). There are 5 days of lessons in each chapter. The lesson material is not overwhelming and is stated in the introduction to take about 25 minutes. There is some Scripture to lookup from other books in the Bible but the references are all relevant. Each day's lesson will actually be leading you, using clear directions and prompts to look inward and to write your very own personal psalm which is located at the end of each chapter. I believe this is a very beautiful and unique way to learn and be guided to write psalms which are your very own - psalms you can write out, memorize and cling to when you need hope and encouragement.

Author Pam Ferrel, shares her own personal experiences and inspiration in the Hope Alive section in each chapter. As she writes, "I share honest, personal examples of how studying these psalms has kept hope alive in my own life and how this study will encourage and equip you to hold on to hope.”

Author and Illustrator, Karla Dornacher, brings her beautiful and hope-filled inspirational artwork throughout this book and provides "techniques for expressing Scripture with art in Karla's Creative Connection at the end of each chapter." Karla has also included a full-page beautifully illustrated passage from the psalm studied in each chapter which you can color using your own creativity - a beautiful way to end each week. And there are other ideas listed in each chapter for creatively experiencing each psalm studied.

This would be a terrific study either for a small group, a couple of friends, a mentor and mentee or even just to do on your own. The book includes suggestions and plans for how to use the book for small groups as well as for individuals.

The paper used in this book is a really nice heavier-weight type paper which will help prevent bleed-through when using markers for the illustrations (it is recommended to place a blank sheet of paper behind the artwork you are coloring with markers). I had no bleed-through with my Tombow markers but there was some shadowing when I tested with watercolor pencils (Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer) so you might want to test your markers, watercolors or other media first in the end pages of the book in the blank space around the two pages of Karla's beautiful bookmarks which you can use for your own Bible or journaling artwork to see if you need to prep the page with some clear gesso (I use Prima Marketing Art Basics Clear Gesso which is excellent and available on Amazon).

There is a lot of great information about the Psalms - the different types, their history, authors, time periods, their poetic structure and more.

This book is very well organized and it is consistently organized using the same structure throughout every chapter from beginning to end.

There are helpful instructions for reading Scripture included in the book which is important information for new believers (especially if they are doing this study on their own) and good reminders for more mature believers as well.

Just looking through this book to get an overview has given me high hopes and expectations for this study of the Psalms.
 

This book just arrived today and these are my first impressions:

The collaboration of the three authors, each with their own special gifts and talents, has created a truly unique Bible study (part of the book's title accurately states "A Creative Bible Study Experience"). This is not just your standard "read the book, study the Scriptures, and answer a few questions" type of Bible study.

Author, Jean E. Jones, provides the lesson material. Each chapter begins with Day 1's lesson which starts by introducing the psalm to be studied (Chapter 1, Day 1's lesson introduces the Book of Psalms). There are 5 days of lessons in each chapter. The lesson material is not overwhelming and is stated in the introduction to take about 25 minutes. There is some Scripture to lookup from other books in the Bible but the references are all relevant. Each day's lesson will actually be leading you, using clear directions and prompts to look inward and to write your very own personal psalm which is located at the end of each chapter. I believe this is a very beautiful and unique way to learn and be guided to write psalms which are your very own - psalms you can write out, memorize and cling to when you need hope and encouragement.

Author Pam Ferrel, shares her own personal experiences and inspiration in the Hope Alive section in each chapter. As she writes, "I share honest, personal examples of how studying these psalms has kept hope alive in my own life and how this study will encourage and equip you to hold on to hope.”

Author and Illustrator, Karla Dornacher, brings her beautiful and hope-filled inspirational artwork throughout this book and provides "techniques for expressing Scripture with art in Karla's Creative Connection at the end of each chapter." Karla has also included a full-page beautifully illustrated passage from the psalm studied in each chapter which you can color using your own creativity - a beautiful way to end each week. And there are other ideas listed in each chapter for creatively experiencing each psalm studied.

This would be a terrific study either for a small group, a couple of friends, a mentor and mentee or even just to do on your own. The book includes suggestions and plans for how to use the book for small groups as well as for individuals.

The paper used in this book is a really nice heavier-weight type paper which will help prevent bleed-through when using markers for the illustrations (it is recommended to place a blank sheet of paper behind the artwork you are coloring with markers). I had no bleed-through with my Tombow markers but there was some shadowing when I tested with watercolor pencils (Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer) so you might want to test your markers, watercolors or other media first in the end pages of the book in the blank space around the two pages of Karla's beautiful bookmarks which you can use for your own Bible or journaling artwork to see if you need to prep the page with some clear gesso (I use Prima Marketing Art Basics Clear Gesso which is excellent and available on Amazon).

There is a lot of great information about the Psalms - the different types, their history, authors, time periods, their poetic structure and more.

This book is very well organized and it is consistently organized using the same structure throughout every chapter from beginning to end.

There are helpful instructions for reading Scripture included in the book which is important information for new believers (especially if they are doing this study on their own) and good reminders for more mature believers as well.

Just looking through this book to get an overview has given me high hopes and expectations for this study of the Psalms.
 

Discovering Hope In The Psalms is a wonderful Bible Study that will fill you with great hope. Each chapter is a deep dive into the hope of God's Word. There is a full coloring page that accompanies each chapter for you to color and meditate on God's promises. I just completed an eight week online Bible study using Discovering Hope In The Psalms and my faith is renewed and my hope is strong. This is definitely a five star study that you'll be glad you purchased!

This is a deeply moving and HOPEFUL Bible study! The authors have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and an easy to understand teaching style that engaged my brain, my spirit and my emotions. Besides that it's just FUN with all of the art work and beautiful pictures. It was so relaxing to color some of the pages. Looking forward to the next work by these authors!

This book is the work of three women, each with different strengths. It comes together in an inspiring and cohesive way. Pam is a smart lady who seeks to teach and inspire, rather than to create some new approach to understanding God. I appreciate it; the result is a book that focuses on giving glory to God rather than on personal novelty. As a result, I think that people from most Christian backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from it.

The book suggests a time line, which I ignore. Going inconsistent stretches between use has not been detrimental.

I think my favorite thing about Discovering Hope in the Psalms is that it's guided creativity. For those who want to do Bible journaling or some other creative expression, but who don't feel creative or know where to start, this is a fantastic book.

If you love the Psalms, you gotta get this. Lovin it!

This is an excellent Bible study for someone who needs encouragement. The book of Psalm is soothing to the soul, and this study does just that. There are beautiful illustrations by Karla Dornacher, which can be colored and so much more. Coloring an illustration that goes along with the Bible lesson, helps to reinforce it. I purchased a number of these to give to women who need encouragement. It's a perfect study for mentoring 1/1, studying as a group, or just done individually. Either way, one will be blessed.

Wonderful Bible study book with the opportunity to be creative as you study!

This Bible study is one of my all time favorites! It's creative and inspiring! I love the coloring options while at the same time I enjoy digging deep into the Psalms! What a creative approach!! It's a wonderful fresh approach to Bible study. I highly recommend it!~

I really got a lot out of this Bible Study. It was so encouraging. I loved the artwork included with each chapter and plan on going back through it again and picking more activities to do of those suggested for each chapter.