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Becoming a Woman of Simplicity: "I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity ... of devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3

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The Bible verse on the front of Becoming a Woman of Simplicity is 2 Corinthians 11:3. It says, "I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." As I read, I realized that was what was happening in my life. None of the things my family and I were doing were sinful things, but we were trying to do so many things that we were too busy to remain devoted Christians and to spend the time with God and with our own family that I think God would have us spend.

The first chapter of the book is called "Profound Simplicity." It explains that, while it is ok to simplify our lives in order to be less busy and more organized, the main reason to simplify our lives should be to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing God. We don't have to work to be loved by God. We don't have to earn His acceptance of us. In order to build a relationship with Him, though, we do have to spend time with Him! If our schedules are so busy that we can't do that, then our schedules are just plain too busy.

Later in the book the beauty of simplicity is discussed. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewlery, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." When our goal becomes that of focusing on living simply and in devotion to Christ, we can begin to be the quiet, peaceful, gentle person that God wants us to be. Another advantage to living our lives devoted to God and what He wants us to do each day is that, when things go "wrong," we can begin to see that it was actually a part of God's plan for us that day.

If you find yourself in need of a little "simplifying," this is a great book to read! It is encouraging and practical and interesting to read. It is actually written as a Bible study, but it can be read as a "regular" book like I did. I do, however, plan to go back through it as a Bible study to help me remember and implement what I learned as I read it through the first time.

Best selling author Cynthia Heald's newest book "Becoming a Woman of Simplicity" seeks to answer questions that often plague the human mind. "Can life in this multitasking, instantaneous, technologically driven age be tamed? Is it possible to live unpretentiously in a world that clamours for constant conversation? In other words is it possible to live simply?"

To all of these questions Heald resoundingly answers "yes." With the grace of a seasoned learner she goes on to "unpack", over the course of 11 chapters/lessons, how to become more simplistic. She explains that true simplicity comes from within.

We cannot change the pace of this world but we can change the way in which we respond to it. Instead of continuing to multi-task Heald explains the importance of becoming single-minded. When we become wholly focused on Christ and develop a God-paced life we often find essentials that are missing from our driven world. Things like: gentleness, quietness, rest, contentment, and peace.

Using quotes from powerful voices of the past and present, personal experience, and practical application each chapter of this book brings the reader further toward their quest for peace and rest. The insights shared in the form of "thoughts from an older woman" drip with wisdom from the heart of someone who has already made the journey.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is perfect for individual or small group study. Those who choose to follow it closely may very well find it to be one of the most transformational books of their lives.

If you walk into any book store you will find shelf after shelf of modern day cures for the overwhelmed and frazzled superwoman, the so called Christian Book Store is no exception. These cures are just a band aid, they only temporarily cover up the superficial wounds of running around with too much to do and no purpose for doing it. Becoming a Woman of Simplicity isn't a superficial band aid. The author really gets to the core of the issue, the lack of being simply and purely devoted to Christ. While other books will encourage you to take more "me time" or hire a professional life coach or trainer, you won't find those lies here.
Cynthia Heald cuts out all of the "psychology this" and "feelings that" and leads you through an in-depth and thorough bible study filled with the truth, the scriptures and her own thoughts written in an encouraging "Titus 2" format.

This book fits right along with cutting out the crud and getting down to what really matters, what actually counts in life, and that is right up my alley.

If you have ever felt like the pressures of life are suffocating you, this book will get you going in the right direction and reveal the simple truths needed to get you back to breathing.

I really enjoyed this book and I hope to complete it as a study with other women.

As I went into the year 2011, I decided that I needed a theme to follow for my life for the year. After a lot of prayer and thought, I decided on the word, Discipline. This word embraces many parts of my life but one area I wanted more discipline was in my spiritual life. Specifically, I wanted 2011 to be the year that my relationship with God is the deepest it has ever been. I have decided to not only study, embrace and implement the Spiritual Disciplines (prayer, fasting, etc) in my life, but I want to live a more simple life.

When I had the opportunity to review Heald's Bible Study, Becoming A Woman Of Simplicity, I jumped at the chance. I have only worked through the first chapter, entitled Profound Simplicity, but already I have been encouraged and challenged. This Bible Study is set up in a way that you have some reading then questions to answer, Thoughts from an Older Woman (the author) and a reflection section, which contains truly inspirational quotes from well known modern and classic figures.

One of my favorite points in the first chapter is this:

"The purpose of this sutdy is not to show you how to downsize, declutter, or say no to everything. The purpose is to encourage you to live life the way God has planned for you. I think His way is one of inner peace and rest in the midst of a complex and busy world. My definition of a woman of simplicity is one who lives a God-paced life. She waits for God's leading, and she has time to be still and know her Lord. She has a deep abiding rest in her spirit. She is a woman of profound simplicity because she has only one focus: being simply and purely devoted to Christ." (p.15)

That quote is my goal for this study....and for the year. If you feel like life is overwhelming you and you need to get back to the basics of simple living as God wants you to, I highly recommend this book! A perfect book for group study, Sunday School or individual study. I will be finishing through the book over the next while and will continue to let you know how it impacts me in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via the NavPress Blogging Program, and all opinions are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner.

Becoming a Woman of Simplicity by Cynthia Heald is a comprehensive Bible study that can lead you to your heart's desire of simplicity. The author of numerous Bible studies, Cynthia Heald is the author of the series Becoming a Woman of... with titles such as Becoming a Woman of Prayer and Becoming a Woman of Faith. In this age of doing and having more, a life of simplicity seems like an impossible dream. It really is not impossible, though.

As Heald states on Page 15, "The purpose of this study is not to show you how to downsize, declutter, or say no to everything. The purpose is to encourage you to live the life that God has planned for you." With chapters titles such as "Profound Simplicity" and "The Freedom of Abandonment" this book is an in-depth Bible study that should appeal to all women.

Becoming a Woman of Simplicity isn't about doing nothing, but simply doing all things with God's timing and living in God's peace. For example, on page 30 Heald confesses that she once left her own children at a babysitter in order to go read to other children at a Head Start Center. Heald admits she had only wanted to do "good" things, but on that day God convicted her that the priorities of her time and her family were wrong. Doing the same things but waiting for God's timing might seem like a subtle distinction, but as Heald teaches, waiting for God can make all the difference towards a life of simplicity.

This book would make a wonderful personal devotional but could also work well as a study book for a Women's Bible group. Each chapter is Bible-study intensive with dozens of Bible verses to research as well as personal thought-provoking questions to answer.

If you feel your life is spinning wildly because you are focused on doing things that seem like the right thing to do, Becoming a Woman of Simplicity can help you stop. Allow yourself the grace and time enough to listen for God's direction for your life in order to live a life of peace and simplicity.

I received this book complimentary from NavPress in exchange for an honest review, but the opinions are all mine.

This book is a treasure chest of verses and ideas and thoughts that can guide a person to become more focused on things that are important to God.


We live in a world where doing several things at one time is common and it's good to get back to what is really life sustaining. As I worked though this Bible study it became very clear to me that certain attitudes are more important to God than all the projects and programs that might fill a person's time - even if they are the best projects in the world.


Some thoughts that Cynthia Heald expressed were:

The pursuit of Holiness is more important than busyness.
We should feel comfortable doing one thing at a time and doing it well.
Sometimes busyness is just a way to avoid being alone with God and listening to His voice and letting Him examine our hearts.

The portions of scripture that were selected for this study are convicting and useful of examination of a reader's heart.


I'm wishing that I could give a higher score than 5 stars. I have been blessed by working through this Bible study.






*I received this book free from NavPress as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

I just finished this study this morning. I am thankful for its encouragement and all of the lessons God has taught me through it. Like the other studies in this series, Ms. Heald encourages the reader to dig into God's Word and sit with them. In this book, she expounds a bit more than she does in other books, but I enjoyed all the stories she shared. From the beginning, this study encouraged me because it didn't call me to shun the world or become something I don't think is even possible. In a search for simplicity, many people shun the world and think that that will bring a sense of peace and rest. I suppose for some it might. But, I realize now that a sense of peace and rest comes more from trusting the Lord with our days rather than from simply "doing less". Ms. Heald explains that the busyness of our world is never going to go away--so how can we live and rest in the Lord each day? That is the question this study is about. If you find yourself struggling to find peace with the Lord, I'd definitely recommend this study. I've loved it.

Please note that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from NavPress for review.

I have been going through this Bible study over the last few weeks. Every time I opened the pages, it was as rest immediately entered my spirit. Each pages engages you in Scripture. It isn't a lot of commentary. Cynthia has carefully brought together God's word to answer questions and point to God's desires for us on specific subjects.

Cynthia's simple study guide to returning to simplicity is masterful. I felt myself release and surrender things to the Lord with each page. I have realized more and more the trappings of being busy in church and "for the Lord." God doesn't need us to stress ourselves out to do His will. It is meant to be fluid and natural. This book has aided me in the direction I should be going. I highly recommend it.

My small group is really enjoying the study- and the quotes included withing the study are great! We do the study on our own and get together on our lunch hours once a week to do it as a group and share.

This is my second "Becoming a woman of..." book and I have come to really enjoy the study style and straightforwardness of the author. The chapters are simply laid out with multiple scriptures and a little bit of reading from the author but on the most part it is 85% scripture, which is my favorite part! She does quote the Message version a few times which is a nice change from the NLT, ESV or NRSV that I prefer to use. It takes me about an hour to complete a chapter. I think these books would be great for a women's bible study. If you did the study at the beginning of the week and then pondered on the memorization verse, and began to apply the principles to your life I feel there would be plenty to discuss.

Overall, I enjoyed this bible study. It wasn't terribly challenging but for me getting into the routine was the hardest part. I love the variety of scripture from the Old and New Testament. Along with quotes from inspirational theologians and speakers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."