Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible: Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God

Bad Girls of the Bible #3

by Liz Curtis Higgs

Good Women Behaving Badly

A spiteful boss, a defiant employee, a manipulative mother, a desperate housewife, an envious sister…honey, we know these women. We’ve lived with them, worked with them, or caught a glimpse of them in our mirrors.

Now let’s take a look at their ancient counterparts in Sarah mistreated her maidservant, Hagar despised her mistress, Rebekah manipulated her son, Leah claimed her sister’s husband, and Rachel envied her fertile sister.

They were far from evil, but hardly perfect. Mostly good, yet slightly bad. In other words, these matriarchal mamas look a lot like us.

“A Slightly Bad Girl is simply a woman unwilling to fully submit to God. We love him, serve him, and worship him, yet we find it difficult to trust him completely, to accept his plan for our lives, to rest in his sovereignty.” —from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Inspirational, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2007

About the author

Former Bad Girl, grateful for the grace God offers. Happy wife of Bill, one of the Good Guys. Proud mom of two grown-up kids with tender hearts. Lame housekeeper. Marginal cook. Pitiful gardener. Stuff I love? Encouraging my sisters in Christ—across the page, from the platform, online, in person. Unpacking Scripture. Traveling wherever God leads. Listening to His heart. Leaning into His embrace.

Reviews

[Jennifer DuBose · Rating 2 out of 5]

My opinion probably makes me a “slightly bad girl” but I think most of these women were victims of a brutal patriarchal society and idk... I can’t blame them for having bad attitudes because of it. Like, the author outright calls Leah, of the Rachel and Leah story, a “bad girl” because she slept with the dude who wanted to marry Rachel. Ummm.... how about she was forced??? Like she literally did not have a say because her creep a$@ father snuck her into his tent to satisfy this man’s appetite. Then the same creep a$@ father, in pursuit of more free labor, forces her to SHARE this man with her sister who he is clearly more attracted to and prefers.

There are some good tidbits in here about dealing with the hand you’re dealt, patience, and trust. I feel like I’d be able to learn lessons about these admirable qualities from the women without calling them “bad girls”, though. As if I haven’t made myself clear already, I don’t think it’s fair to call them “bad girls”.

I also learned that men back then were utter trash except for Isaac - who I learned was basically the only monogamous dude of the Old Testament because he actually loved Rebecca and evidence seems to point to him being a decent man.

The actual writing is a bit cheesy but I know the intended audience eats it up. (The author calls you “sister” a lot).

I will be continuing this series, though. I’m wondering if the “bad girls” and “really bad” girls of the next books are also just women forced into terrible situations or if they actually were sinful.

[K.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED Ms. Higgs' fictional series, and thought it was time to read her "Bad Girls" books. I'm glad I did!! I'm ready for another!!! She has such a fascinating way of capturing the "character's" hearts/motives/desires/flaws in a real-life way that the reader can relate to. She has a gift, and I'd definitely recommend ANY of Liz Curtis Higgs' books!!

[Aisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reason I gave this book a 2 is because I have a hard time enjoying the book when the author has a humorous attitude towards serious discussions of surrogacy, and tension between the Egyptians and Israelites, especially the story of Hagar. These women are not “bad girls” often times they are rebels, victims, or just trying to have autonomy. The authors experience as a “bad girl” is an honest introduction but has nothing to do with these stories and almost feels backhanded considering women have more choices now than they did in biblical times. Women should not be made to feel “bad” about taking control of their life. I am not an atheist but I just think serious topics need to be discussed in a serious manner, and I would not use this book for bible study nor give it to daughters.

[Mary]

Covers Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah,Leah and Rachel.
No big surprises here for characters however the author presents these women as fully human, with all the feelings and motivations we find in ourselves.
Well written and researched with loads of study notes and excellent references for further examination. Writing style is easy to read and absorb.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Together with Liz we study the lives of Sarah, Hagar, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel. We usually think of them as women of faith but they were human just like us. They often struggled with their sinful natures but God never gave up on them. He continued to love and forgive them despite their flaws. This is an encouraging and inspiring book of the life lessons those women can give us for today.

[Shelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

good study - sometimes I think she could be more clear on which parts are opinion vs actually written in the bible - a flaw that I didn't find in her other book - very easy to read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good, but I like her other “bar girl” books better.

[Valerie Yoh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one among a series of books about women in the Bible ("Unveiling Mary Magdalene", "Bad Girls of the Bible", and "Really Bad Girls of the Bible"). It primarily addresses five women from Genesis (Sarai/Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel). The emphasis of this book is keyed by the subtitle: "Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God".

The overall concept was good and I was glad to become more closely acquainted with the stories of these women. I also liked the "modern day" analogies she presented to show how these women weren't necessarily so different from us today. However, there were many times when I thought the author stretched too far into the assumptions she made about these women and their circumstances. I appreciated this book far more for the discussion it inspired during my group study sessions than the book itself. The book would have been much stronger if the author would have stuck to just historical background and the content presented from the Bible.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have been using this book in a women's small group for a few months. Interesting discussion material about women if the Bible and their human difficulties, emotions and how God used them, love them and forgive them.

[Kristin]

Maybe these girls aren't bad enough? I've had this one for awhile and I haven't finished it. But, it's not the book....just too much else to read!

[Laurie Fieldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all the “bad girls” books because I get the humor and the context. But mostly because it keeps me humble in my walk with God.

Reading this during Lent and at the start of Passover 2026 was especially helpful for my faith journey. As the Hebrew perspective is vital to understanding Christianity, it was a helpful review in learning more about Sarai/Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. I found it somewhat shocking that I thought I would’ve done better… and then pause, “Really??!”
Yeah, no.

Yet, I’m beyond grateful modern life has gotten past the more than one wife thing and certainly past the ‘…wellllll, if I can’t get pregnant now, take my handmaiden and I’ll have a child through her.” I guess that’s like modern day surrogacy, which would still be challenging. For me. So. Again, just. No.

I appreciate the back and forth stories of modern scenarios to ancient biblical stories for context and how to apply it to my own life. And, yes, there is a modern surrogacy story.

Highly recommended as a review of the Bible stories from Sunday school, as this goes deeper with thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter: good girl thoughts and bad girl thoughts.

Enjoy~

[Robin Densmore Fuson]

God’s word is truth. You see evidence in the fact that we see the good, and the bad, in the lives of His people. Liz Curtis Higgs does a wonderful job putting these women under the microscope and pulling up the tares so we can learn from their mistakes and outright sin. Also, she points out what they did right for another takeaway from the book.

Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible is designed for individual use, book clubs, or small and large Bible Study groups. Two sets of excellent discussion questions are in the back, targeted for personal, short discussions, or lengthy studies. You can use them as homework for each chapter.

These slightly naughty girls are wives and servants of the patriarchs in the Bible. Liz put in a twist by creating a contemporary element in a snapshot of a fictional woman with a parallel problem. Those are also well done. You need to read this book!

I did this study on my own. I highly recommend this study and if the opportunity presents itself, I’d do it again in a large group. I give Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible 5* and if there was a higher score, this one would get it. So, get yourself a copy of Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌹Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible: Flawed Women Loved by a Flawless God by Liz Curtis Higgs

Find out about God’s faithfulness from the Bible’s Slightly Bad Girls.
Five strong-willed women from Genesis strut across the pages of Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible, showing us how abundantly God loves His daughters, flaws and all. These women were far from evil but hardly perfect. Mostly good, yet slightly bad. In other words, they look a lot like us.
Sarah mistreated her maidservant. Hagar despised her mistress. Rebekah manipulated her son. Leah claimed her sister’s husband. And Rachel envied her fertile sister. Even so, they were chosen to bear the seed of Abraham and demonstrate God’s faithfulness from generation to generation.
Prepare for a memorable encounter with these matriarchal mamas - and the flawless God who guides our steps just as faithfully as He did theirs.
I highly recommend this book for Bible Study or Book Club as it includes Discussion Questions and a Study Guide.
5 stars

[Hilary]

There's a lot to learn from the Biblical matriarchs, and while it's easy to see some of their lessons, it's harder to recognize them as whole, flawed people who sometimes do well and sometimes do not. They are all people who make some poor decisions, who are affected by those around them and their families, who must choose God and His way over making their own path.

I always like Liz Curtis Higgs' books. She has a very casual style, often translates issues into modern language or situations, isn't afraid to give examples from her own life, and usually gives study guides which you can use for personal reflection or to discuss in a small group. This is no exception. Well worth a read if you want to understand Sarah, Hagar, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel. (Added bonus: plenty of footnotes if you want to follow up on other sources and commentaries.)

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Liz Curtis Higgs’ books, and have for decades. I’ve read the first two books in this series more than once, but this is my first time reading this one. Her unique perspective on the Biblical stories with a touch of humor makes them especially good to read. I generally prefer the nonfiction portions to the fiction ones, but I read this one partially on audiobook with the author narrating, and I think I enjoyed the fiction portions more. I appreciate the fact that she does not mince words when it comes to her having been a bit of a “bad girl” in her past too. I think that gives more credence to the authenticity of the book. I plan to read some more of her books that I haven’t yet read. Not all of them are on audiobook which is a disappointment (because she is a great narrator), but her writing style is so easy to read and learn from that it’s all good.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has some insights into some of the women of the bible, but I find parts of the author's theology troublesome. She advocates a strangely passive life. She advocates that these women should have waited on the Lord and not tried to solve their problems on their own. I want to throw up my hands and ask how they should have known. She also at times is very inconsistent. Leah is excused for sending her servant to sleep with Jacob but Rachel is wrong for doing the same thing. It seems to me that in that culture they both did what was expected of them. Finally she seems to teach occasionally from what is not in the bible. Just because something isn't there doesn't mean it didn't happen even if it not happening fits the author's point.

[Delie Dell Chua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the study guide and the video. (In fact it is because that I liked the study guide and video that I decided to buy the book).

The book was so-so for me. I liked some of the insights, however there are some parts of the book which I feel should not be included anymore. Like the modern retelling, sorry but I feel, it made the book dragging, there were many presumptions made as well, I was expecting more scholarly, archeological and historical evidences on these women, but I feel it became a fictionalized narrative.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are occasional good points, or ways that see these characters in new light, but all in all this author was trying to shoehorn these women into her "bad girl" premise (some of which were so off base it seemed not only misguided, but in poor taste, I'm looking at Leah specifically). I read this with a Bible study and I felt like I was crazy every week thinking to myself "is this how everyone sees this story?!" Even the fiction sections didn't fit the stories as well as her other books.

No thanks. Won't recommend. Won't read again.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Higgs delivers another top-notch look into the lives of five women of the Bible: Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. An interesting look into the lives of Abraham and his descendants as seen through the wives and daughters. Each woman is flawed, much as we are, but have redeeming qualities that shine through as they navigate their lives and influence the lives of their husbands and sons. Enjoyable and thought-provoking.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very absorbing for me. I enjoyed visiting the early old testament characters in these women. I like how the author did a little fictional story in the beginning that was contemporary as a parallel to the story in the Bible that she discussed later in the chapter. I really learned a lot about each of these women! Even though they were “slightly bad girls” of the Bible, God still used them! That’s the message I got from this book.

[Mirranda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has humorous and heart rending examples of woman in the Bible, good/bad/ugly of slightly bad girls. Reminds me we as humans are not perfect but can be blessed and used by a perfect God, perfectly. That we don't have to come from perfection or be perfect to be useful to a sovereign God. I looked over the study guides and will probably study them later. They seem useful for in depth study.

[Wai-kit Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliantly written book. The story telling is amazing. Although the stories - of Sarah, Hagar, Rebecca, Rachel & Leah - were all familiar, but it was retold with a fresh pair of eyes. And the insights are amazing. Wonderfully written. Though, I must note, this is part of the author's girlfriend theology and written for women in mind.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book cover to cover! This was an encouraging, in-depth, well-researched look into the complicated lives of some of the key women in the book of Genesis. The sections on each woman open with a modern-day retelling of their lives and situations so we can more easily relate to the bizarre circumstances these women found themselves in. Totally worth 5 stars.

[Emily Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Liz Curtis Higgs!!! She is the ultimate woman to go to for encouragment, love, humor, ect. This is my first book I have conpleted by her and it was wonderful. She relates these biblical women to us in a way that is not condemning to who we are, but in a way that we can relate to. Definitely recommend!!

[Erica Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for writing this. I should be thanking the woman's group at my mother's church for suggesting for all of us to read this book. It was just what I needed to help understand the bible more. It also help me see things from the woman's point of view and the things that they went through. I learned a lot.

[Tanya Shearin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Curtis Higgs has a humorous, yet insightful perspective on women in the Bible (men, too!) and shares her research and wisdom through anecdote and verse-by-verse commentary throughout Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible. Great for personal reflection and for group study, Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible is for women who wish to grow spiritual through fresh insights on the Biblical narrative.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Liz Curtis Higgs’ real-take on these classic “Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible”! Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel all have stories that included sin and forgiveness through God’s grace. Higgs makes each woman’s story relatable to every-day women, showing no matter how bad or much we sin, that God is always there with his forgiving grace and love.

[Barbara Abdoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved Bad Girls of the Bible but this one didn’t measure up. The historical part about the biblical women was very interesting but the comparison to a current experience was unrelatable. I think it was all too much of a stretch.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the modernized pre-story before the actual bible story and the all of the little tidbits and insights during actual bible versus. I then go back and read the actual books of the bible and it makes so much more sense to me. Liz Curtis Higgs make all of these women very relatable.

[Emmalyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting how in this book the ladies were connected to one another! While I get the point that these women weren't the best they could be, I would argue that in most cases their male counterparts were also bad and contributed to the downfall of the women in their lives.