Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All, Study Guide

by Karen Ehman

From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words: what to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. Or what to do when you ve said something you wish you could now take back.

Beyond just a How not to gossip study, Karen will teach what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family and strangers will be covered along with the many places we use our words such as in private, in public, online and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. Unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please and dealing with our verbal anger are sub-topics that will also be addressed.

Each session will feature a different character from the Bible, using them either as an example of someone to emulate or whose verbal actions we should avoid replicating."

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Karen Ehman is a speaker, a New York Times bestselling author, a contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today online devotions and a teacher in the First 5 Bible study app. She has written 21 books and Bible studies including Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All and the 2020 ECPA devotional book of the year Settle My Soul. She is a graduate of Spring Arbor University and serves as President-Elect of their Alumni Board of Directors. She has been featured on TODAY Parenting, Redbook.com, Foxnews.com, Crosswalk.com, YouVersion.com, and is a monthly columnist for HomeLife Magazine. Her passion is to help women live their priorities as they reflect the gospel to a watching world. Karen is married to her college sweetheart, Todd, and is the mother of six children: three biological and three in-laws by marriage—although she forgets which ones are which. She enjoys collecting vintage Pyrex kitchenware, cheering for the Detroit Tigers, and spending her days feeding the many people who gather around her mid-century dining table to process life and enjoy her county fair blue-ribbon winning cooking.

Reviews

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read, the author is intriguing, funny and gets to the root of our problems...our mouths, when to talk and mostly when not too. If you struggle with talking to much, saying the wrong thing, gossiping and hurting others with just a few words in the fit of anger then you need to read this book. I’ve started it before but I put it down and picked up something else because I wasn’t seeing this as a problem in me, truth is it is a problem in most of us. I normally read books quickly, but I soaked in the words in this one so I took a week, I seriously encourage you, any of you, read this book, you will think twice before you open your mouth again if you read this book with the intensity that our mouths can steal someone’s joy, or kill their spirit with just a few words said the wrong way!

[Paige Weaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biblical message about how to balance when to speak and when to not. I had a church friend ask me if this book was about how women should keep quiet in church and in their homes and NO that’s not what this book is about 😆. It’s for any gender, general wisdom about why talking too much is unwise, how we’re held to account at judgement day for every word that comes out of our mouths. It’s about how not to gossip or slander, and how to build one another up. There’s even a chapter about digital wisdom in keeping quiet which is super relevant in today’s world of being loud on social media and Reddit.

Definitely a top read of 2025 in terms of wisdom I’ll carry with me over the years!

I did remove a star because I really didn’t love the tone of the book or the audiobook reader. At some points, the messaging felt like my sassy grandma was lecturing me (things like “nuh-uh, not on my watch!” instead of an open/curious approach (this is simply preference for me). Also due to: ironically sometimes the author would include a lot of unnecessary details in her stories, making the book longer than it needed to be (e.g. the long precursor context to the video game story with the “I’m dead” punchline: explaining how the school drop off line worked, and also all the details of cheerleading tryouts story; could’ve been half the length).

[Kallen Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christian reminder on “words matter”. I randomly found this book at a thrift store and I’m glad I picked it up because I needed the reminders this book highlights. Sometimes we don’t think before we speak and although not intentional but can lead to making others not feel good. I also needed the chapter on people pleasing. In the end it’s really only hurting me. I needed this!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a bible study with this book, study and DVD with a group of friends . It was wonderful and we have learned how to be accountable to each other for what we say. Holding your tongue is a very difficult thing to do and I’m hoping to make some changes with the help of God and some good friends.

[Megan Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same criticism as the book - so much of this is good godly wisdom for anyone, not just women so the marketing is what turns me off. However, I did like the thought provoking questions in here and I did like the content of the book itself as well.

[Mary Betley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should read!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and motivating.

[Charlene Philmon Pinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely what I needed to hear to go along with my "Taming the Toungue" Bible Scripture Writing.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

She didn’t lie when she states she is a yapper!!There are tidbits that are helpful

[Kealani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

['Chal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has some good content but I don't care for the writing style. It reads more like blog posts.

[Kowanda Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of duplicate material with the actual book. I enjoyed the study as it really made me think about the words I use.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought and an honest message!

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

📝📖 "Keep It Shut Bible Study Guide" teaches the power of mindful speech. 🗣️🙏 Learn when to speak and when to listen for healthier relationships. 👂❤️ Embrace wisdom and grace in every single convó. 🌿✨

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book would recommend everyone to read..

[Darla Nichelson]

Good bible references. Good reminders.