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Significant - A Study of Women in Jesus' Genealogy: Six Ordinary Women, One Extraordinary God
There’s a big difference between living a life trusting in the fake stability of the world and living a life of significance with an unshakeable God.
We’ve all gotten the wind knocked out of our sails, but it's time to keep going forward.
In this study, learn from scripture how
Come along with pastor’s wife and author Rachel Risner for this timely six-week journey.
Walk alongside real women of the Bible through their struggles and successes, and discover how to become a woman of significance.
We’ve all gotten the wind knocked out of our sails, but it's time to keep going forward.
In this study, learn from scripture how
Come along with pastor’s wife and author Rachel Risner for this timely six-week journey.
Walk alongside real women of the Bible through their struggles and successes, and discover how to become a woman of significance.
- GenresFaith
255 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
19 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Risner
7 books4 followersRachel is an author and the wife of John Risner, lead pastor at MCA, The Church on the Hill, right in the heart of Ohio’s beautiful Amish country. Her days as a mom of seven are filled with math lessons, potty training, soccer practice, ministering, and—when she can—sneaking away to clack at the computer or poke her nose into a good book (or better, the Good Book). She writes online at rachelrisner.com. Significant is her first in-depth Bible Study.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 15, 2021
Over the course of leading small groups since I was 22, I have never had a study impact me the way this one did for both me personally and for my women's group. Rachel was both personable in her writing but also deep. I loved how each week focused on a different woman. She used her knowledge of the history, background, and location for each woman to help us see the whole picture. She included shorter scripture in the margins for reference so you didn't have to flip through multiple book chapters in the Bible. The questions had depth and really pulled each of us to a new level. But it also didn't take me a large amount of time to complete it (important when you have busy kids and work). I looked forward to doing this study each day and never felt like I wanted it to be "over," as I often do near the end of the study.
I have never felt so willing to recommend a book study as I have this one! This is a must for any woman and I highly encourage you to do it with a group to talk through your findings.
I have never felt so willing to recommend a book study as I have this one! This is a must for any woman and I highly encourage you to do it with a group to talk through your findings.
December 8, 2020
In Significant - A Study of Women in Jesus’ Genealogy: Six Ordinary Women, One Extraordinary God (Bonfire Books, 2020), author Rachel Risner focuses on six Biblical women in Jesus’ lineage who are often overlooked: Sarah, Leah, Tamar (Judah’s wife, not King David’s daughter), Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba. Each woman is the subject of one chapter, and the six chapters themselves are broken into five days of reading and activities.
Relevant historical, cultural, and biographical background is provided in each chapter. This information is presented in a way that is concise and clear but at the same time interesting and engaging. This information makes more clear the women’s circumstances, options, and decisions. Risner goes into detail about each woman’s story, highlighting their weaknesses, strengths, and struggles. She shares how their stories are relevant to today’s culture and how they are mirrored in her own life, and she invites readers, through thought-provoking questions, to examine how their stories are mirrored in their lives as well. She continually brings the focus back to God and to His Word, providing narrative and questions that lead readers to consider what God is both telling them and calling them to do.
It is important to note that throughout the study of these six women’s lives, Risner shines a spotlight on evidence that, no matter what the circumstances, God was in clear and total control of these six women’s stories. At the same time, she leads readers to see how He continues to be in complete control of their own circumstances today.
While other Bible studies attempt to do the same thing — provide information about Biblical characters, show the parallels to life today, and ask the reader to make connections to their own life — Risner brings a fresh, and sometimes challenging, voice to the narrative. For example, she is candid (but respectful) about the life of Rahab, a liar and a prostitute. She asks the very important question, “Who are the Rahabs today?” and she brings into the discussion the very people — meth addicts, for example — that are (like the six subjects of the book) often ignored.
Risner also provides other valuable resources through links to four add-ons: six (one per chapter) free video lessons with lesson notes; a free ebook on the effective use of social media by local women’s ministries; the authors blog, with encouraging posts, book giveaways, etc.; and promotional tools for use in sharing about a local Significant study group.
Significant is an outstanding Bible study for both individual and group use. While it focuses on six women, men would also find this an impactful study, and it would be a thoughtful gift for anyone on a gift list. Never preachy, always engaging and relevant, this is a study that will bless the lives of those who participate in it.
I received a free copy of this book and was not asked for anything — not even a review — in return. I have chosen to share this review only because I have found this study to be an excellent resource.
Relevant historical, cultural, and biographical background is provided in each chapter. This information is presented in a way that is concise and clear but at the same time interesting and engaging. This information makes more clear the women’s circumstances, options, and decisions. Risner goes into detail about each woman’s story, highlighting their weaknesses, strengths, and struggles. She shares how their stories are relevant to today’s culture and how they are mirrored in her own life, and she invites readers, through thought-provoking questions, to examine how their stories are mirrored in their lives as well. She continually brings the focus back to God and to His Word, providing narrative and questions that lead readers to consider what God is both telling them and calling them to do.
It is important to note that throughout the study of these six women’s lives, Risner shines a spotlight on evidence that, no matter what the circumstances, God was in clear and total control of these six women’s stories. At the same time, she leads readers to see how He continues to be in complete control of their own circumstances today.
While other Bible studies attempt to do the same thing — provide information about Biblical characters, show the parallels to life today, and ask the reader to make connections to their own life — Risner brings a fresh, and sometimes challenging, voice to the narrative. For example, she is candid (but respectful) about the life of Rahab, a liar and a prostitute. She asks the very important question, “Who are the Rahabs today?” and she brings into the discussion the very people — meth addicts, for example — that are (like the six subjects of the book) often ignored.
Risner also provides other valuable resources through links to four add-ons: six (one per chapter) free video lessons with lesson notes; a free ebook on the effective use of social media by local women’s ministries; the authors blog, with encouraging posts, book giveaways, etc.; and promotional tools for use in sharing about a local Significant study group.
Significant is an outstanding Bible study for both individual and group use. While it focuses on six women, men would also find this an impactful study, and it would be a thoughtful gift for anyone on a gift list. Never preachy, always engaging and relevant, this is a study that will bless the lives of those who participate in it.
I received a free copy of this book and was not asked for anything — not even a review — in return. I have chosen to share this review only because I have found this study to be an excellent resource.
October 31, 2020
This study follows 6 of the women in the lineage of Christ. They are often forgotten, pushed aside by seemingly more significant players in biblical history. Rachel artfully weaves their story into a Bible study that shows just how their struggles and successes mirror our own life journey. A six week study that is for both groups or individuals, Significant will remind you daily that God is always in control. I found myself craving the daily walk into the lives of these amazing women and the words of hope Rachel includes each day. Definitely a great study for any women’s group as well as for those like me who live too far away for group study and need books like this that allow for personal Bible study.
December 13, 2022
Writing this book changed my life! And I'm so excited to share it with women everywhere. Pair this study with scripture and see for yourself how the ordinary women in Jesus's genealogy were used by God to accomplish extraordinary things--like bringing His Son into the world to save the world through Jesus. Amazing!
March 27, 2025
Each of the six women in this Bible study (Hagar, Leah, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba) were considered very insignificant by worldly standards. However; God changed each woman’s story and used them for very significant purposes in the linage of Jesus.
He can use us, too.
I really enjoyed this bible study and learning about each of these women on a very personal level. By seeing their suffering, this study made them less of a Bible character and more like me and people I know. He can turn our insignificance into significance in his kingdom.
He can use us, too.
I really enjoyed this bible study and learning about each of these women on a very personal level. By seeing their suffering, this study made them less of a Bible character and more like me and people I know. He can turn our insignificance into significance in his kingdom.
September 25, 2021
Such an amazing and encouraging study. It is a great reminder of the love and power of our God. This study is a beautiful reminder of how God uses the ordinary for the extraordinary! I highly recommend this study. It speaks volumes whether it is an individual study or in a group setting.
August 11, 2023
The study leads to thought provoking insights into the lives, faith , and plans of God for the 6 women. It is a faith builder to know that the 6 women, despite hardship, mistakes, and wrong turns made such a miraculous impact for future generations.
May 4, 2021
A really good Bible study, I like how she broke down the history so it was historic and relatable at the same time.
March 21, 2023
Excellent study of women from the Bible!
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July 28, 2025Book club read for 6 weeks.
November 15, 2025
powerful book in building intimacy with our Savior. a perfect blend of theological learning and modern day life application.
November 23, 2025
Loved how the author broke down each woman of the book each week.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews