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Nehemiah Member Book: A Heart That Can Break
Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break - Bible Study Book by Kelly Minter is a 7-session Bible study for women. Nehemiah's heart was so broken for those in need that he left the comfort of his Persian palace to help them. Like Kelly’s other studies in the Living Room Series, you'll find authentic Bible teaching, recipes, and a relational approach. Nehemiah also includes 7 video sessions and real-life ways to put feet to your faith. Are you ready to let God break your heart for a hurting, lost world and move you in compassion to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Features: Author:
Kelly Minter is an author, speaker, songwriter, and singer. She is passionate about women discovering Jesus Christ through the pages of Scripture. So whether it’s through a song, study, or spoken word, Kelly’s desire is to authentically express Christ to the women of this generation. In a culture where so many are hurting and broken, she loves to share about the healing and strength of Christ through the Bible’s truth. Kelly writes extensively and speaks and leads worship at women’s conferences, retreats, and events.
Kelly Minter is an author, speaker, songwriter, and singer. She is passionate about women discovering Jesus Christ through the pages of Scripture. So whether it’s through a song, study, or spoken word, Kelly’s desire is to authentically express Christ to the women of this generation. In a culture where so many are hurting and broken, she loves to share about the healing and strength of Christ through the Bible’s truth. Kelly writes extensively and speaks and leads worship at women’s conferences, retreats, and events.
173 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
25 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Minter
56 books429 followersKelly lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and serves the Lord passionately both across the U.S. and internationally in a variety of creative roles. An acclaimed author, musician, Bible study creator and teacher, she is passionate to see women impacted by Jesus and His Word.
Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Kelly was raised in a Christian home, the oldest of four children and daughter of a pastor. Her childhood was seasoned with competitive sports, learning the guitar, singing, and a litany of church activities in the congregation her father founded and still pastors. Like many young women, Kelly dealt with inner struggles – anxiety and depression were a part of her growing-up years. “Those struggles are what drove me to Scripture,” Kelly says, “and the catalyst for me to learn for myself who God is.” Throughout her high school career, Kelly played basketball competitively, expecting that to be her path into college. But after a scholarship fell through, she began playing music. And God began a new thing.
Kelly moved to Nashville in the summer of 2000 and released her first record with WORD, followed by a subsequent release on a different label, leading to her first #1 Single on the Inspirational Charts, This Is My Offering. Shortly after this success and several cross-country tours her record company folded leaving Kelly to rethink her vocation and ministry. In the middle of an ever-changing music industry and on a tour through Colorado, Kelly met a book publisher who would two years later sign her to her first book deal.
Kelly’s first book eventually led to LifeWay approaching her about writing a bible study. Authoring curriculum was a new challenge, but one she quickly fell in love with. Kelly’s first three studies include, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols, followed by Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy and Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break. Respected Bible Study teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, chose each of Kelly’s resources for three of her widely-reaching online summer studies. Thousands of women participated and were challenged by Kelly’s writing and her unique perspective on Scripture.
Kelly now writes, teaches, and sings across the United States and also in other countries. Speaking at multiple conferences and events, as well as four Women of Faith events in 2012, Kelly has become a steady and respected teaching voice to women, particularly when it comes to the Scriptures. She also partners closely with Justice and Mercy International (JMI), a ministry that serves in the Amazon jungle; she especially loves working with the jungle pastors who encourage her through their remarkable faith.
When home, Kelly’s days are spent writing, cooking, gardening, enjoying her neighborhood, loving her community, investing in her local church, and walking forward in the things God has for her. She is relevant, palatable, and uncompromising in her teachings from the Bible, and women relate to this.
Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Kelly was raised in a Christian home, the oldest of four children and daughter of a pastor. Her childhood was seasoned with competitive sports, learning the guitar, singing, and a litany of church activities in the congregation her father founded and still pastors. Like many young women, Kelly dealt with inner struggles – anxiety and depression were a part of her growing-up years. “Those struggles are what drove me to Scripture,” Kelly says, “and the catalyst for me to learn for myself who God is.” Throughout her high school career, Kelly played basketball competitively, expecting that to be her path into college. But after a scholarship fell through, she began playing music. And God began a new thing.
Kelly moved to Nashville in the summer of 2000 and released her first record with WORD, followed by a subsequent release on a different label, leading to her first #1 Single on the Inspirational Charts, This Is My Offering. Shortly after this success and several cross-country tours her record company folded leaving Kelly to rethink her vocation and ministry. In the middle of an ever-changing music industry and on a tour through Colorado, Kelly met a book publisher who would two years later sign her to her first book deal.
Kelly’s first book eventually led to LifeWay approaching her about writing a bible study. Authoring curriculum was a new challenge, but one she quickly fell in love with. Kelly’s first three studies include, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern Day Idols, followed by Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy and Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break. Respected Bible Study teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, chose each of Kelly’s resources for three of her widely-reaching online summer studies. Thousands of women participated and were challenged by Kelly’s writing and her unique perspective on Scripture.
Kelly now writes, teaches, and sings across the United States and also in other countries. Speaking at multiple conferences and events, as well as four Women of Faith events in 2012, Kelly has become a steady and respected teaching voice to women, particularly when it comes to the Scriptures. She also partners closely with Justice and Mercy International (JMI), a ministry that serves in the Amazon jungle; she especially loves working with the jungle pastors who encourage her through their remarkable faith.
When home, Kelly’s days are spent writing, cooking, gardening, enjoying her neighborhood, loving her community, investing in her local church, and walking forward in the things God has for her. She is relevant, palatable, and uncompromising in her teachings from the Bible, and women relate to this.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 5, 2021
I had never heard of Kelly Minter, so this was the fist study of her's that I've done. I was apprehensive, not only for doing a study by an author I've never heard of, but whether I'd find ways to relate with her. I was quite taken by surprise. Quite honestly, it wasn't about relating so much on a personal level, as it was on a spiritual one. Kelly encourages us to diligently seek God's will with a heart of compassion. She takes us on a journey with her main question always at the forefront: "What has God put in your heart to do?" With the idea of where can we be "placed to be of potential influence" and what are some of our stumbling blocks that distract or hinder us from being obedient with God's calling for our lives. Kelly draws from the book of Nehemiah as a foundation for this call to obedience with a heart of compassion. The videos provide a practicality that encourages us to move beyond our fears and step out in obedience to His will.
September 30, 2021
I know this was one of her first studies but it’s the last one of hers that I’ve now done. Loved it like all her others - forced me to get into an Old Testament story I would have never delved into on my own.
September 4, 2012
This book is more than just a fascinating story of the Jews returning to Jerusalem after their Babylonian captivity and rebuilding the walls of the city as well as their lives. It is also more than just a portrait of one of the greatest leaders in the history of Israel. This is a life transforming journey into our own hearts; of rebuilding our own lives as well as the lives of others while removing the rubble that clutters our hearts and keeps us in a state of disgrace. I discovered a renewed sense of clarity and courage to do the things God has purposed for my life. In my heart, I found greater compassion and empathy for others. Intimacy with God is not an unattainable fantasy, but the lessons learned in this book create a wonderful mode of transportation toward that end.
March 9, 2021
I actually really enjoyed this one. I was pleasantly surprised since Nehemiah has always just been "another book in the Bible" to me. It was neat to dig into it and learn more and dwell in it! And Minter does a great job bringing the book to life in an easy to understand way.
First, the aesthetic and design of the book was nice. The colors were pretty XD But I also appreciated having plenty of space to answer the questions--including margins specifically designed to have room to write in. The recipes, though some were a little out there, were a homey touch. And the video reflection pages actually had enough room to take notes from the videos! So, I liked the formatting and set up of the book.
Each of the personal studies were easy to manage in a reasonable amount of time, but yielded truly meaningful reflections. They guided me through the text and gave me a deeper understanding of the book. And the videos were relatively short, a split of teaching and an interview with someone in Minter's life to further enhance her teaching. I enjoyed the teaching and the interviews and they weren't usually a recap of the week so much as a wrap up of the week and an actual teaching to go alongside the week's study.
I'd recommend this one, and am really glad my women's Bible study picked this study. I'd be curious to try more by Minter in the future.
First, the aesthetic and design of the book was nice. The colors were pretty XD But I also appreciated having plenty of space to answer the questions--including margins specifically designed to have room to write in. The recipes, though some were a little out there, were a homey touch. And the video reflection pages actually had enough room to take notes from the videos! So, I liked the formatting and set up of the book.
Each of the personal studies were easy to manage in a reasonable amount of time, but yielded truly meaningful reflections. They guided me through the text and gave me a deeper understanding of the book. And the videos were relatively short, a split of teaching and an interview with someone in Minter's life to further enhance her teaching. I enjoyed the teaching and the interviews and they weren't usually a recap of the week so much as a wrap up of the week and an actual teaching to go alongside the week's study.
I'd recommend this one, and am really glad my women's Bible study picked this study. I'd be curious to try more by Minter in the future.
January 6, 2018
I was skeptical, or maybe the better word would be hesitant, when my women's bible study group chose this for our fall study. The first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the book of Nehemiah were all the names and how, while I hate to say it, I didn't always think of Nehemiah as the easiest or most exciting books of the bible to read let alone study. I can think of so many other books of the bible I would rather study. Well, Kelly Minter did a wonderful job making the book of Nehemiah relatable. I appreciated how she interwove scripture from other books of the bible throughout the study of Nehemiah. This made studying Nehemiah more easily digestible and the study so incredibly personal. As I read through each day and week of the study book answering the questions and reflecting on my life I found myself developing an appreciation for and understanding Nehemiah. As the title of the book so accurately states "A Heart That Can Break", I found myself examining deeper the situations that break my heart and how I may unfortunately contribute to those situations, and on a more positive note, how I can help with in those situations. I would highly recommend this book as either a personal study or a group study.
February 28, 2019
This would be a great Bible study to do in a small group. There wasn't enough homework to make me feel like I really dug into the Bible deeply, but Kelly has a great voice and takes you through the book of Nehemiah with funny stories and thought-provoking questions. What has the Lord put on your heart that you need to pursue? Others who don't like as much homework would probably find this just right - there are only 5 days a week to read and fill out.
I purchased the audio files from lifeway.com as well, but if I did a small group study I might take up a collection and purchase the video files. Kelly interviews people in her life to enrich the videos each week, and one week she was interviewing a Brazilian woman. There was no translation. I'm assuming the video had subtitles. :)
I would purchase another book study by Kelly Minter, as I really enjoyed her personality and writing.
I purchased the audio files from lifeway.com as well, but if I did a small group study I might take up a collection and purchase the video files. Kelly interviews people in her life to enrich the videos each week, and one week she was interviewing a Brazilian woman. There was no translation. I'm assuming the video had subtitles. :)
I would purchase another book study by Kelly Minter, as I really enjoyed her personality and writing.
September 12, 2020
So many amazing nuggets found in this study. This is one that will stick for a long time. I discovered a far deeper meaning of the importance of the city of Jerusalem. Such a key book to tie together the connections from the old stories from The Laws of Moses into literally building the streets that Jesus will eventually walk. So many ideas on the difficulty to lead while facing adversity and listening to what God has placed in one’s heart, and to persevere with His plan. Minter does an excellent job covering the seemingly difficult “exclusivity” portions of Scripture that one may struggle with on their own - she is able to provide a frame of reference and related laws to describe what the author is addressing and likely intending without tying race into the confusion. Highly recommend.
November 8, 2018
It's been a long time since I've done an intense Bible study like this. It was good, but a change that caught me off guard, so I wasn't mentally prepared for the hard work on my end. I had no idea you could spend seven weeks intensely studying the book of Nehemiah, which, I have to be honest, I probably couldn't have given you a coherent summary of before starting this study. Minter manages to bring home time after time in so many different ways how this little story ties in with key themes throughout the Bible and is one clear example of God's presence in our lives.
June 14, 2017
And EXCELENT Bible study! This was the first time I had studied anything by Kelly Minter and I'm definitely going to get more of her studies! She took a "boring" Old Testament book and brought it alive! I learned so much about Nehemiah! And the applications she drew for our lives today were beautiful. Kelly's style is simple, straightforward, and down-to-earth-relatable. She may just have topped Beth Moore for my favorite Bible study author!
July 29, 2020
This is my third of Kelly Minter’s studies to complete and I look forward to reading her words every day. This summer, she did new videos with them, to benefit a charity that she works closely with, Justice and Mercy International. The original videos feature several charities.
This look at Nehemiah really shows how this book is a call to love out our faith as we do daily work set out before us, and how Nehemiah was called not just to rebuild the wall, but to restore people.
This look at Nehemiah really shows how this book is a call to love out our faith as we do daily work set out before us, and how Nehemiah was called not just to rebuild the wall, but to restore people.
November 14, 2017
First Kelly Minter study that I have done. I really liked it. It is an enjoyable study. I learned quite a bit especially since Nehemiah is not a book I have studied very often. It gives you a lot to think about and apply to your own walk with God.
July 6, 2019
I love the way Kelly writes and the things she brings out. This is the first in-depth study I have completed on Nehemiah. It is a great study and one I recommend, especially with a small group of ladies.
May 5, 2020
I started this study before the pandemic and we stopped halfway through. I didn’t get to finish the videos but did the weekly homework. It blessed me so much and I think kelly is more talented as a writer than a speaker. (Sorry kelly!) I will definitely check into more of her studies!
May 9, 2017
Great study of this book of the Bible and loved the videos that came with it. Enjoyed her writing style, questions, discussion, recipes, and in depth guide.
December 2, 2017
S1V1L1
August 4, 2019
Not Kelly's finest study. I found the weekly study portions to be great but the video teachings for this study were somewhat lacking.
July 7, 2020
Wonderful study that is applicable to my life today. I highly recommend.
August 5, 2020
Great Bible study with Kelly!
September 13, 2020
Another great study from Kelly. She has a way of bringing the Bible to life and helps with understanding. I never knew that Nehemiah had such an important role in God’s plan for us.
November 7, 2020
Didn't have as big of a bang as I was hoping. Whatever you choose to do, do it well and pray often.
April 9, 2021
Of all the Kelly Mentor Bible studies that I have done, this one is her best so far.
February 27, 2022
This Bible study book was AMAZING! Very deep and very thought provoking. I would do it again!
July 28, 2022
Didn't quite finish this one as my Bible study group stopped meeting, but enjoyed and learned from every chapter I finished.
January 11, 2023
Great Bible Study, love Kelly’s passion.
November 5, 2023
One of the best study books! I love her candor, depth and ability to make a book of the Old Testament so very applicable to my life today.
August 27, 2024
My new favorite Bible study teacher!
May 3, 2022
Loved this study. Very educational and such an example of faith and leadership. This was my first study by Kelly Minter. Her perspective is so relatable that really adds to the study.
January 23, 2016
Kelly Minter has picked challenging, encouraging people to interview. I especially liked that her sister said she felt God saying to her "I love you anyway," despite the things that she did wrong. That is truly part of the good news of the gospel, that Jesus loves us anyway. Like we spoke about in the discussion, there are other parts of the good news that are harder to talk about - that we need Him to begin with, for example, not just for life and breath and being, but because we've all messed up at some time or another and need a Savior. There is faith-stretching homework in the Nehemiah study - about being awestruck by God, about Nehemiah's heart and prayers, and about how to serve. I thought that the end of the study was absolutely wonderful, looking forward to the heavenly Jerusalem that is to come. Ending the study of Nehemiah in the Biblical book of Hebrews was much more joyous and uplifting, than the dismal ending to the Biblical book of Nehemiah, where the peoples' hearts had already turned away once again from revering God. I liked the included verses "For he was looking forward to the city with foundation, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10) and "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14) It's good to have an eternal perspective on setbacks.
I realize that Kelly Minter's book on Nehemiah is not a study on becoming a Christian, but some women have had problems with the repentance/sharing your faith part of the week one homework. I didn't think it was explained very well in either the video or the book. I know I shouldn't have been caught off-guard, but I was, thinking that the women knew more about this than they did. I keep having to remind myself from study to study that I need to be very clear in talking about becoming a Christian. Becoming a Christian doesn't always have to involve tears, and I think Katie on the video was actually already a Christian when she was repenting of her "selfishness," as she called it. I would hate for someone to either be needlessly worried about their Christianity, or else think they're a Christian when they're not.
Also, the early weeks of this member guide had "group discussion" questions in the margin, but as the weeks went on, these group discussion questions became fewer and fewer until there was only one in week 4, and none in week 5. I found this confusing and wished it had been more consistent. However, there are always "session" questions in the back, which I used to supplement the homework questions I thought would most likely lead to good discussion.
I realize that Kelly Minter's book on Nehemiah is not a study on becoming a Christian, but some women have had problems with the repentance/sharing your faith part of the week one homework. I didn't think it was explained very well in either the video or the book. I know I shouldn't have been caught off-guard, but I was, thinking that the women knew more about this than they did. I keep having to remind myself from study to study that I need to be very clear in talking about becoming a Christian. Becoming a Christian doesn't always have to involve tears, and I think Katie on the video was actually already a Christian when she was repenting of her "selfishness," as she called it. I would hate for someone to either be needlessly worried about their Christianity, or else think they're a Christian when they're not.
Also, the early weeks of this member guide had "group discussion" questions in the margin, but as the weeks went on, these group discussion questions became fewer and fewer until there was only one in week 4, and none in week 5. I found this confusing and wished it had been more consistent. However, there are always "session" questions in the back, which I used to supplement the homework questions I thought would most likely lead to good discussion.
October 2, 2018
Love Kelly's style of teaching and bringing hidden treasures of the Bible to life.
August 15, 2015
God taught me so many things through this study... some of my favorite quotes from within it:
"Sometimes I shield myself from finding out what's really going on with people for fear I'll be held responsible. Because with information often comes responsibility; if we know, we might be required to do something." (pg 13)
"All day long we choose what goes in and out of our hearts and minds." (pg 43)
"Even well-meaning people can unintentionally draw us away from God's will in our lives." (pg 58)
"When you clarify who God created you to be and what He wants you to do, you can more easily determine what opportunities fit into that vision and which ones don't." (pg 75)
"Many people...do not show growth in their walks with Jesus because they do not want to change the way they are living. At times they might even be moved to tears by their failures. But they do not surge ahead because basically they want to do exactly as they have been doing." (pg 133)
"Being decision and active is an important piece to the puzzle of my heart breaking." (pg 142)
"Sometimes I shield myself from finding out what's really going on with people for fear I'll be held responsible. Because with information often comes responsibility; if we know, we might be required to do something." (pg 13)
"All day long we choose what goes in and out of our hearts and minds." (pg 43)
"Even well-meaning people can unintentionally draw us away from God's will in our lives." (pg 58)
"When you clarify who God created you to be and what He wants you to do, you can more easily determine what opportunities fit into that vision and which ones don't." (pg 75)
"Many people...do not show growth in their walks with Jesus because they do not want to change the way they are living. At times they might even be moved to tears by their failures. But they do not surge ahead because basically they want to do exactly as they have been doing." (pg 133)
"Being decision and active is an important piece to the puzzle of my heart breaking." (pg 142)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews