No Other Gods - Confronting Our Modern Day Idols | Member Book

by Kelly Minter

Our lives revolve around our deepest needs and greatest treasures. Relationships. Family. Financial security. Private hopes and dreams.

Most of our desires are healthy. Yet these longings can become passions we not only pursue, but worship. And while idol worship may seem like ancient history, we still face the modern-day equivalent version], as natural needs slowly consume our hearts and minds, competing with God's rightful place in our lives.

"No Other Gods" offers a revealing look at the heart of a woman. Author Kelly Minter explores what happens when good desires become false gods, robbing us of an intimate relationship with our heavenly father.

So discover the freedom in surrender. The healing in worship. And the joy found in exchanging everyday gods for the one true God.

Listen to two samples from Kelly Minter's worship CD
"Finer Day."

Finer Day:
First In My Heart:
Buy "Finer Day" here

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2007

About the author

Kelly 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.

Reviews

[Jen Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went through this 8 week Bible Study with my community group and liked it very much. It was hugely applicable to my life as I was going through the study. The study focuses on our idols and our false gods and forfeiting them in exchange for the true God. Kelly tells great stories that are very engaging throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to apply what I learned for a lifetime.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as Bible studies go, this has been one of my favorites. Down to earth and not trendy, this was a refreshing change from previous studies I've done.

[Amy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished another Bible Study with some women from my local church. We read and studied No Other Gods - Confronting Our Modern Day Idols by Kelly Minter. What a great study! The writing was so easy and engaging. Kelly added commentary of situations in her own life that allowed you to get to know her and made the book more personal than a typical Bible Study. She also included recipes at the end of each week, so if you were able to study this book with some friends in your home, you could make those recipes and break bread with others.

I learned a lot about myself during this time and what I consider as my modern day idols. The daily lessons were very easy to get through but not light or fluffy at all. Like any Bible study you get out what you put in. There were some very deep days where I learned a lot about myself and what God might just have planned for my life. If you take the time to focus on each lesson you come away with so much. I enjoyed the Biblical references and the versus that Kelly chose to include in the study. They were relevant and the way she talked about them brought new meaning to me.

If you are looking for a change in your life, figure out how to focus on God, but not sure where to start, I recommend you try No Other Gods. It is a great study that you can do over and over at different times in your life and come away with more clarity and trust in God.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Kelly writes in a friendly, transparent way that helps me connect with what she is explaining. There are reflection questions to consider while reading as well. The basic premise is the challenging question of do we have a God we worship, but other functional gods that take our time, energy , resources etc. In a culture where we are so busy and stretched.. perhaps the answer is yes... and if so, what changes need to be made? I would highly recommend this book for a group of kindred hearts, who desire to grow in their walk w/ God, to do together. It's a keeper!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great eye-opening, fresh study revealing things in our lives (that usually tend to start out being good things) that we give more importance than our obedience and relationship with God.

[Starr Cliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I would have learned some of this much, much earlier in life. I wish I could purchase a copy for every college girl I know!

[Wendy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid Bible study, but it overall didn't do much for me. Nothing super insightful from anything else I have read or been involved in over the years. Her writing didn't appeal to me. I loved meeting with my girlfriends and being involved with them and God's word. We had just come off an amazing study and so that probably didn't help this one's impression in my mind. I did enjoy one of the recipes in it and liked that she put recipes in it.

[Elisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this as a group study. I really appreciated Kelly's writing style; it's like having a conversation with a good friend. This was a great study about putting God first and realizing how we often place other things in His place.

[Sheila McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study--highly recommend!!

[Kayla Barriger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful way to help you take inventory of your life and identify the idols that have been set up in your heart.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's an updated version that ties in with the videos online for an even richer experience, but overall I highly recommend this study. Very challenging and insightful!

[Dana Matte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am almost finished working through this book. I have to say that it is one of the best inspirational books I have read. So good, in fact, that I have a notebook next to it with all of the tidbits I want to remember jotted down in it. Kelly writes like I imagine she would talk - very conversational writing. Like I am listening to a friend. Some of the things she led me to think about were not very comfortable for me; which is in essence why I liked it. She really made me "go there." And because of that I feel like I have grown.

I would definitely recommend this book if you have "things" in your life cluttering up your heart and mind. Kelly uses scripture to show the reader that even good things can be idols if they take up too much time and thought.

[Lori McClure · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had not been doing this study with a group, I don't think I would have finished. The writing is difficult to trudge through. I found myself editing sentences for brevity and clarity. Unnecessary elaboration is everywhere. Many times, I had to re-read because I had zoned out. Having said all of that, there's always something to learn even when you have to dig a little deeper to find it. You can uncover some gems if you're willing to search for them. And I'm certain there are plenty of others who loved this one. It just wasn't a favorite for me style-wise.

[Sarah Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my nashville Bible study with a few girls i know from around town. We are having fun with it. The author, Kelly, is from Nashville and talks about being in different places around town. That's really neat. She also includes recipes that she and her friends make for this study and has music recommendations and candle scents! That makes it a bit more fun. We typically sit in the Living Room and do the study, but lately we have met at our kitchen table. The kitchen is a nice change!

[Julia Harrelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good. I cannot describe it. Kelly did such an amazing job of explaining such a hard & misjudged topic. I learned so much from this book & it changed my life forever. If you are debating on whether you read it the answer is yes. Read it now. I wish I read this earlier in life. This is such a great book & I recommend this for every girl.

[Gail Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book a few years back to do as a summer study on my own with maybe my girls doing it as well but I never did much with it then! My morning bible study group did it this semester on a weekly basis and we all enjoyed it. It made me think about things that take up space in my life that are substitutes for God, letting go and making room for God in our lives.

[Linda Van Wert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book. Kelly Minter has made me aware of all the false gods that I need to shred in my life and focus on those things that are meant to be the most important such as prayer, a deeper faith and trust in Jesus and God, and of course my family. A short book but ever so powerful! Please read

[faith ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did the small group study with my group at church. It was VERY good. A little disorganized but really worthwhile. Perfect for a small group study's. Not too much homework each week but deeply convicting & practical.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Minter's awesome. She's less intense when it comes to how long the lessons take compared to a study by Beth Moore but that doesn't mean she's any less good. She's definitely got a more laid back vibe. This study was great by myself, but I would recommend it for a group study too.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the format and length of each session; however, the content seemed somewhat disjointed at times. I caught myself having to backtrack a few times to see how each day related to the previous days.

[Barbi Huhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book for a Bible study. It was very thought provoking and I can not wait to try some of the recipes especially the Butterfinger cake.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Bible study. Eye opening and thought provoking. I liked that this had recipes and discussion questions too. Did it with a good friend and it was really good to go through.

[Rachel]

I just love how Kelly takes us all over the Bible to show how idols are not just an Old Testament problem and the hope and promises God has for us in being the One and Only.