Restless Bible Study Guide: Because You Were Made for More

by Jennie Allen

Do you feel like you're just waiting to find your purpose? Do you want to live like you were made for more? Many of us feel restless, and that might not be a bad thing. . . When our restlessness awakens our longing to be woven into God's story, it can launch us into living the life of purpose God designed for us. In this video-based small group Bible study (DVD/video streaming sold separately), Bible study teacher and author of Get Out of Your Head Jennie Allen helps you discover a practical plan to identify the loose threads of your life and how to weave them together for God's glory and purposes. Jennie uses the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis to explain how his suffering, gifts, story, and relationships fit into the greater tapestry of God’s narrative—and how our story can do the same. In this study you The Restless Study Guide engages the mind and heart through stories, Bible study from the life of Joseph, and Threads —a tool to help you see your own personal story and to uncover and understand the raw materials God has given you to use for his glory and purpose. What would happen if you spent the rest of your life running without reservation after His purposes for you? Designed for use with the Restless Video Study (9780879922374), sold separately

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

Jennie Allen, Bible teacher, author, and the visionary behind IF:Gathering and Gather25, a 25-hour global prayer gathering. Driven by a deep love for God and an unyielding belief in the potential of this generation, Jennie's mission is to disciple a generation of Jesus followers to live what they believe.

Through her writing and teaching, Jennie seeks to convey a simple yet profound truth: God sees you, loves you, and invites you to play your part in His unfolding story. She has witnessed firsthand the miraculous work of Jesus when people fully surrender to Him.

Jennie is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze a generation to live what they believe. Jennie is the New York Times' best-selling author of Untangle Your Emotions, Find Your People and Get Out of Your Head. Jennie has a masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Zac, and their four children.

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I’d recommend this book to anyone (maybe just women?) seeking after what God has for them. This would be perfect for someone in or about to be in a transitional life stage - post college or post ministry training.

[Susan Purnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennie Allen is a gifted writer and speaker. This workbook is a supplement to the DVD/ group class. In the workbook you will uncover your threads that help you determine where God would have you serve. Thank you Jennie for your ministry!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this study! It helped me so much on my journey!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the power of this study guide comes from the womens group participation. A good, active, trusting group can help one another immensely in this journey.

[Amy Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of being restless is familiar to most women. Allen attempts to use the life of Joseph in Genesis to demonstrate how we can use our sphere of influence, suffering, spiritual gifts, passions and people we encounter to discover ways to quench our restlessness in Christ. In a few chapters, the connection between the subject and Joseph's story was fairly flimsy, but overall she did a nice job in the explanation. The weekly homework sections were creative and often thought-provoking. I would have liked a more intense look at some parallel scripture passages and deeper explication of the text, but this would be a good introductory study for someone unfamiliar with bible studies.

For anyone considering doing this through a women's group: the videos are not worth the time and really offer nothing to deepen the lesson. I would stick to the study guide, which offers nice lessons to stretch and challenge our thinking. Allen's teaching delivery and the rapid depth of field/focus changes on the camera were more than a little annoying.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Bible study was different from the usual. It wasn't neatly mapped out into 5 lessons per week, with lots of author-lead fill-in-the-blanks to keep you occupied. Rather, it was up to the reader to split up the weekly homework as they saw fit. There was some Bible reading (the story of Joseph in Genesis), accompanied by related questions. But the part that impacted me most was the "projects", of which there were 4 per week. These lead us to do some soul-searching in areas such as our suffering, our places, our people, and our passions. It was very affirming to see God's "threads" stretching across our lives as the study came to a conclusion. This was perfect timing for me, as God's been personally dealing with me about this very thing. The study also made for some great discussions in our small group.

[Gab Inez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because this is my first study ever and my expectations were really high, but I wasn’t really moved by this book like I was hoping to be. Some of it definitely spoke to me as I dealt with new Mom struggles, but I expected more. A lot of it may have to do with what little group discussion we had, as we are a new group still getting a feel for each other and not especially ready to be vulnerable. Also, as the weeks went on I became less immersed and more distracted each time I picked it up.

There are so many good reviews, and quite a few of the ladies from my group thought highly of it, so maybe I need to revisit this later on and try again.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: 8 sessions, with an assignment, 20 minute video, and conversation cards
Homework: one short bible study and four projects each week.
This was my first Jennie Allen, and it was a refreshing change from the Beth Moore studies. Actual scripture study was not a lot and not in depth. She makes a couple of small points, but the majority of work is done by piecing together your own life. This took more time than I thought it would. I loved it, and it was very helpful to see all my threads together, and it would be neat to do again in five years.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church's women's group did this study and we had some good discussions that came out of it. Some of the women felt like the accompanying DVD sessions were emotional. I liked the card games with questions that the author had us play, because then everyone could answer a question that they wanted to answer - not necessarily just what was in the book.

[Sara Simbro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really appreciated this study and how it was laid out. You could do the weekly study and projects throughout the week or all in one sitting. The video was beautifully done. The study makes you dig deep and see the threads of your life and then ties them all together and tethers them to God. Great study. loved it!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was new to Jennie Allen when our moms group decided to do this study. After going through the verses and weekly projects, I feel more confident in how God's plan can work in my life. I absolutely loved this study and look forward to reading more from Jennie Allen.

[Ny'ilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this. Though I enjoyed it, I felt like I needed to read her other stuff for my own understanding.

I am offically an Jennie Allen FAN for LIFE!!!!!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging Bible study that should be completed over several sittings. I wish the headings on each page reminded the reader of which section it was.