Underdogs and Outsiders [Large Print]: A Bible Study on the Untold Stories of Advent

by Tom Fuerst

There’s something about underdogs that makes us cheer them on. And stories about outsiders always make a good movie script or book. Maybe it’s because we know how it feels to be in last place or left out. We may never win a trophy or become a hero, but as Matthew shows us, God uses people like Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife—and of course Mary—in unexpected ways. This five-session study looks at the lives of these five women and will help you see how even underdogs and outsiders can play a pivotal role in God’s purposes. You’ll uncover new dimensions of familiar stories and be reminded to look for God in unanticipated places during this Advent season.
Designed to be used by individuals and small groups. In addition to the main content, each chapter offers questions for reflection and discussion, a brief prayer, and a focus for the week. The weekly focus emerges from the chapter content and encourages the readers to engage a spiritual practice or do something specific that will help them grow in faith.

"Tom Fuerst is one of the most effective communicators I know. He writes as he preaches, with clarity and compassion. Rarely is one able to communicate solid scholarship with effective 'popular' writing. Tom does that exceptionally well. This book is a valuable asset for pastor and lay person alike, to make Advent rich in understanding and meaning." - Maxie Dunnam, author and chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary; pastor emeritus Christ United Methodist Church - Memphis, TN; vice-chairperson World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council.


"Tom Fuerst is one of the most talented pastors and writers with which I have had the privilege of working. His new book is not only well written but an important windows into the Advent journey."
- Dr. Shane Stanford, Senior Pastor, Christ United Methodist Church - Memphis.

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2016

Reviews

[Kate Davis]

Fuerst does a great job contextualizing the text and showing the scandal and surprise of the way God speaks: demonstrating faithfulness through a prostitute and belonging through an immigrant. I especially appreciate that he doesn't shy away from calling things what they are. Fuerst accurately names David as a rapist and peels away historical euphemism to help current audiences understand what's actually going on in the text.

My church group used this for a Bible study during Advent one year. We'd open with prayer, read the relevant scripture, then read a few selections from the chapter (because there will always be some people who didn't read) and discuss one or two of the questions at the end of the chapter. It had enough depth to engage even the longest-standing members, but enough explanation to help those who are new to reading scripture.

[Gary Lindsay]

This book was part of the Advent study and sermon series of our church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The book explores the little-known stories of the five women named in Matthew's gospel, Tamar, Rehab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary, who were foremothers of Jesus Christ. Each of these women's story is a struggle for survival against a hostile culture. The book's message is two-fold. The first is that Jesus's family tree contains many underdogs and outsiders. Modern Christians should keep this in mind and withhold our judgment of those on the fringes of society. The second message is that the deck has long been stacked in favor of some and against others, something we need to remember in our quest for social justice today.

[Brenda Conry]

Interesting perspectives on the inclusion of women into the genealogy of Christ, and why Matthew might have thought they were important. Girl power!

[Henry Prater]

Great devotional, we plan on using this during Advent in my church this year. Helps open up the radical nature of the genealogy in Matthew and of God’s plan for the world.

[Shannon Greene]

I led my church through a Bible study on this book. We really enjoyed it! Although there isn't a whole lot of explicit connection to Advent.