Looking for Lovely - Bible Study Book: Collecting the Moments that Matter

by Annie F. Downs

As Christians, we are not promised lives of ease. Often it takes just a small moment of beauty to regain hope and continue on when life is chaotic and unpredictable. Only when we learn to spot the lovely in the midst of hardship can we experience the transcendent peace of God that keeps us persevering when we want to give up.

In this 7-session Bible study, Annie F. Downs examines the ordinary people of the Bible fishermen, gardeners, women, soldiers to reveal the moments they found beauty in the darkest circumstances and hope in God s timing. Because they trusted in this: He makes everything beautiful in His time."

Genres: Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2016

About the author

Annie F. Downs is an author, blogger, and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.

An author of three books-  Let's All Be Brave ,  Perfectly Unique , and  Speak Love , Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students, and adults.

Read more at anniefdowns.com  and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for an excellent summer 7 week Bible Study? Look no further! Annie F. Downs has an amazing study that will have you looking at life in a new way, collecting the moments that matter, giving you a new perspective on the word, your life and the summer. In this study, you won't be writing like a typical study, but you will have tons of boxes, pictures, diagrams, Bible verses to fill in and your own thoughts. I love the format of this study because it is very unqiue and engages the individual studying. She breaks each of the seven weeks into 5 days, rather than seven days, which also is a breath of fresh air. If you miss a day, don't worry, you have two days to catch up and the homework is completely bearable. It is fantastic! I love the group guide and think this Bible Study is done very well, especially for those of us who have wandering brains! If you haven't read "Looking for Lovely," I highly recommend reading the book and then doing the study, or do them together. I can't wait to do this with a small group.
Thank you to the publishers for providing me a complimentary copy for reviews. I give this Bible Study 5/5 stars.

[Lea Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid workbook style Bible study enthusiast and women’s ministry leader, I got this so that I could review it for inclusion on our approved study list for our church small groups. I’m giving it four stars because I found it refreshing. This is not a deep biblical dive, so if you’re looking for that, move on to Beth and Priscilla. But I was thrilled to find a study for our girls who aren’t ready for that depth of theology and personal introspection. This study is ideal for two groups: The newer believer who needs some straight-forward, relatable language and personal application that is easy to understand, intentionally repetitive in places (to push concepts deep into the soil) and inspiring. The other person who’ll love it is any older and/or more seasoned believer who occasionally needs the reminder that a study doesn’t have to be complex to be used by God. When I entered this study, I was at the end of a season of depletion. I am walking out of it refreshed and looking for lovely in my world. Since this was, I believe, entirely the author’s intention....kudos, Annie Downs. You nailed it. And thank you. Keep writing studies just like this one. We need them.

[Kittie Govreau]

The class is awsome.. I am just not able to get into the book/workbook. So I gave up the ghost 😨

[piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

ive been reading this book this past school year with my mentor and we loved it! definitely would recommend:)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this Bible Study, Annie Downs encourages us to look for the lovely in our lives. She does this through a variety of different examples from scripture: farmers, musicians, fisherman, women of influence, and even Jesus himself. Downs teaches us that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance character and character produces a hope that does not disappoint because it’s placed in Christ from Romans 5:3-5. She encourages us that the seeds that the Lord has planted in our lives will grow into fruition, if we’re patient and we water them with the Word, just as farmers take care of their seeds. She encourages us to sing during the midnights of our lives, just as Paul and Silas did when they were imprisoned. She teaches us how to be women of influence like Mary, Esther, and Lydia. She shows us how our Lord exhibited perseverance, and character, and hope. She just about makes us weep when she talks about the decision that was made at Gethsemane to sacrifice himself for us. She encourages us to trust the path, and to store up the beautiful and lovely moments in our lives and be thankful for them, so that we can use them to get through the hard times. She told us to trust that the Lord has us in each and every season for a reason and not to wish our seasons away. In short, I loved this book. It was so encouraging to me, in the season I’m in. I enjoyed the study so much that I’m looking forward to reading the companion book. Annie is funny and insightful, and she explains scripture well. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good Bible Study.

[Kimberly Kardas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this study with a group of women at my church and it was so refreshing! Not only did I gain new community, but I also gained new perspectives and insights into the scripture, specifically Romans 5:3-4 (might have that ingrained in my head now lol). For the most part, I thought that Annie did a good job placing the scripture into modern day perspective; looking for lovely and capturing moments that matter to help us keep going. I specifically enjoyed the last chapter on Jesus. The fishing chapter was a little far fetched for me but otherwise I thought her writing was well done.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this study and helped me to slow down and be more intentional in my life. It helped me realize that looking for lovelies was not forcing me to miss out on whatever place/goal I was rushing to, but rather absorbing the beauty and blessings around me - even while persevering through suffering/challenges/tribulations.

[Connie Tarter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet read and then I did the Bible Study with my sister and a friend during the shut-down. We looked for lovely in the different living and occurrences of 2020. This was a blessed way to experience the pandemic and year.

[Emily Schoenhals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this study with our women’s group and I was excellent. I love how real Annie is and this led to great discussions and good reminders of how to persevere through trials and look for lovely moments.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author makes it simple to relate to her and her experiences. She understands how to find lovely in crap situations. Easy study for a new small group.

[Brook Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book completely changed my life.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved!!

[Cassie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not need to be a bible study - after the first week, we get what she was saying. She just kept reiterating the same thing.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bible study for small group. It was ok, 4 days per week, which made it hard to fall into a good rhythm. The layout of the chapters is really weird, though.

[Melissa Wiederspan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Rachel Gasseling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concepts of “looking for lovely” in everyday situations. I started every morning off with this devotional and I think it was really great!

[Vanessa James-brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOOKING FOR LOVELY BIBLE STUDY has opened my eyes this past 7 weeks I have been able to see GOD, HEAR GOD, and all in all I feel more connected than I have ever felt . My favorite week was on FISHING... what kind of fisherman are you, If you would have asked me 20 years ago I would say I was a Rod and Real single line fisherman, but today I can tell you I am not that I am a Large Net Fishermen, needing my friends, family, church to get me through the tough times and the good times. NEVER forget to praise god in the GOOD and the BAD, the BAD more than the good because GOD loves you and wants to be there for you in the good and especially the bad. Open your eyes, find at least ONE lovely a day, mine today so far would be I woke up breathing and alive , and My children are healthy, my husband is at work making money to feed us, and pay for the house we live in. This bible study will help you see what is right in front of you! Annie Downs THANK YOU , thank you for being a servant of GOD, thank your AMAZING staff for helping you make this all possible please. Please people remember GOD IS IN YOU.... even if you are not a christian, PLEASE grab a bible read it, I would suggest NIV Study Bible by Zondervan LARGE PRINT ( I like to see what I am reading lol ) AND DO NOT FORGET TO HIGHLIGHT or write notes in your bible and DATE your doodles notes and such.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this study - perhaps more than reading the book. I loved the deep dive into Romans 5:3-5, the look at different groups of people in the Bible (often in ways I've never looked before) and another perspective on hope.

I also appreciated that I could do this study on my own and without the videos without feeling like I was missing too much.

[Stefanie Foard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best studies I've ever done. This one will sit with me for a while, and I hope to find the lovely daily for the rest of my life. :) Thanks again, Annie!