Customer Reviews

Espresso with Esther (Coffee Cup Bible Studies)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My small group Bible Study recently finished Espresso with Esther and it left us begging for more!
Ms. Glahn offers scholarly insight into the book's historical timeframe, and a challenging consideration of the character of Esther: was she a shrinking violet? a reluctant-but-resolved heroine? an innocent victim? a dutiful wife and daughter? an upstanding Jew?

My small group especially enjoyed Glahn's incorporation of the fine arts. Her recommendation to create our own tangible reflection of each week's lesson made Espresso with Esther that much more interesting and personal. This study is perfect for both the modern and postmodern Christian!

The Coffee Cup Bible Study Series by Sandra Glahn is presented in a convenient format. Since the Biblical text is included in each easy-to-carry book, it is a series ready for women on the go. There is ample room for recording your thoughts and conclusions. I like to work on mine in a local coffee shop. Both the scholarship that went into the study and the author's insights are thought provoking and inspirational. I have finished two of the studies so far and look forward to continuing the series. Espresso With Esther prompted me to look further into the commentaries available for this book of the Bible. Whether you tackle the book alone or with a group, I think it is worth your investment of time and money.

This 5-week study of the Book of Esther is just right for a summer Bible Study with a small group of ladies. Since it contains the scripture passages covered in each lesson, it is easy to take along during the week for study at breaks during one's day. The women find it interesting and stimulating for discussion and application. Not everyone will agree with all of the author's premises (ie. that Esther may have been a girl with a secular view point, and may have compromised some of her convictions) but even that adds to the liveliness of the discussions.

Last summer we used one of Sandra Glahn's other study guides, Java With the Judges, for a summer study. We enjoyed that study very much as well.

Sandra Glahn's "Espresso With Esther" is a delightful study that is truly portable! She has included all scripture referenced in the study, which makes it easy to carry your book with you and fill it out as you have time during the day. Her style of writing makes you feel as it you are sitting in the room with one of your best friends. Bravo for a great, in-depth, make-you-think study!

Sandra Glahn once again weaves theology and practicality together to give us a Bible study we can learn from and live out.

At the end of each session, I would record a Wow Factor, something that especially blew me away: (I'll share a few here)
God of great reversals. Glahn writes: "Only God can use our sins for good, and the Book of Esther is a book about such a reversal."
Choose the path of courage. Glahn writes: "When we walk in the Spirit...what's inside is so radiant that people see beyond us to Him. And if you feel weak, you're in the ideal situation for God to show His all-surpassing power through you."

Glahn reveals Esther beyond the whitewashed heroine we've come to accept her as. And we take the journey to God's great triumph over evil, as we see Esther's courage grow.

I can't wait to dig into Java with Judges!

Sandra Glahn brings out interesting details and insights in this book. The day divisions and chapters seem very workable for today's busy woman, and having the scripture text included in the book is very convenient. I would love to teach this Bible study!...D.J.Martin, Ladies' Bible Study Teacher.

The first thing I appreciate about this study was that it challenged my childhood understanding of the woman Esther. It encourages all women, regardless of their past regrets, to obey to the Lord in the present.
Surprisingly, in a book where God is not mentioned, the study brings to light invaluable devotional thoughts on what He is doing in life "behind the scenes".
Lastly, I appreciate Sandra's historical research behind the book--it helped me link other books in Scripture to the main characters and also provided a fundamental background to reading the book of Esther. Highly recommend.

This is a great Bible Study for an individual or the women in your group. I still have some questions for Queen Esther when we finally meet. But now I know that is not the point as Glahn gives a brief, concise and beautifully clear lesson on how to study scripture. The light comes on for giving context, history and culture their proper place. Sandra Glan's easy conversational manner teaches us to discuss and examine the Book we love so well but are sometimes intimidated by.

In the first lesson she puts us in Esther's place: "Like Esther, we are imperfect, full of failures and flaws. Yet God still uses us, not because we're good, but because He is." (pg 42)

I'm constantly on the go and since the scripture is printed in the book, and I can take it with me anywhere-perfect for soccer moms.

One of the best things she does is that she draws us in to the history and expands our view as she weaves other scripture, stories, and heroes into the picture. We can see God's same message in other lives and other settings.

I can't wait to see the other books in this "Coffee Cup" Bible studies series

My wife is doing this study with her women's group and she said the whole group agrees that the divisions of this book contain way too much content to cover in a week. The author is a very knowledgeable person, but the average women doesn't have the time read and dig through and research all that is required in the book each week. While the study is good, perhaps dividing each chapter in half or thirds might be better represented by a coffee cup series.

I bought this book for a biblestudy with my friend, and I just didn't feel it challenged me spiritually. We didn't end up finishing the book.