True Woman 101: Divine Design: An Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood (True Woman) [Paperback]

Mary A Kassian (Author), Nancy Leigh Leigh DeMoss (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 21, 2012

What does it mean to be a woman? The current cultural ideal for womanhood encourages women to be strident, sexual, self-centered, independent -- and above all -- powerful and in control. But sadly, this model of womanhood hasn't delivered the happiness and fulfillment it promised. The Bible teaches that it's not up to us to decide what womanhood is all about. God created male and female for a very specific purpose. His design isn't arbitrary or unimportant. It is very intentional and He wants women to discover, embrace, and delight in the beauty of His design. He's looking for True Women!

Bible teachers Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss share the key fundamentals of biblical womanhood in this eight week study. Each week includes five daily individual lessons leading to a group time of sharing and digging deeper into God's Word. And to enhance this time of learning together, on-line videos are available featuring Mary and Nancy as they encourage women to discover and embrace God's design and mission for their lives. Visit TrueWoman101.com to view the videos and download additional study resources.

A True Woman Book

The goal of the True Woman publishing line is to encourage women to:

• Discover, embrace, and delight in God's divine design and mission for their lives
• Reflect the beauty and heart of Jesus Christ to their world
• Intentionally pass the baton of Truth on to the next generation
• Pray earnestly for an outpouring of God's Spirit in their families, churches, nation and world

Editorial Reviews

Review

"True Woman 101: Divine Design lays a beautiful and thorough biblical foundation for the topic of biblical womanhood. I highly recommend it for any woman serious about displaying the glory of God in her distinctive role as a woman." ~ Mary Delk, Minister for Women, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN

"A must-use resource for every congregation in North America. In a culture where diversity is celebrated, the beautiful diversity of biblical manhood and womanhood has been marred and discredited. My dear friends Mary and Nancy reclaim the true picture of God and His love for humanity as seen in His design for our womanhood!" ~ Dannah Gresh, bestselling author and founder, Pure Freedom

"One of the best compliments a woman can receive is 'She feels comfortable in her own skin.' I want to be that woman, don't you? If you do, then True Woman 101 will help you become her! As you learn about and embrace God's design, you'll get a dramatic makeover from the inside out and will transform your womanhood into something you're far more than just 'comfortable' with; something worth celebrating!" ~ Jennifer Rothschild, author, founder of WomensMinistry.net and Fresh Grounded Faith Events

"The Lord has given Mary and Nancy a message for women that clearly defines womanhood, how she should live, and what purpose God has designed her to fulfill. If you are a woman anywhere between 18 and 108 this book has a specific and personal message for you!" ~ Debbie Stuart, Director of Women's Ministry, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

"Identity definition and design - God's design - are increasingly minimized if not ignored. We are building a legacy of gender competition and confusion. But God has called us to embrace and celebrate who He created us to be. That's why this resource is such a timely, wonderful gift. This eight-part study will refresh and encourage your heart. This liberating stuff!" ~ Dr. Crawford and Karen Loritts, authors, speakers; (Crawford) Senior Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Roswell, GA

"Knowing how God has uniquely created women is key to the decisons I make in almost every area of my life. I am so thankful that the Lord has equipped Nancy and Mary to bring to life the timeless truths of Scripture 'for such a time as this.' If you are desperate to know how God's design is meant to play out in your choices, don't pass up this treasure!" ~ Dr. Juli Slattery, author, family psychologist, cohost for Focus on the Family

"True Woman 101 is a discipleship resource that combines biblical principles of womanhood with practical applications. The daily readings make you feel as if you are sitting at your kitchen table having coffee with Mary and Nancy. These Titus 2 women take us to the grace of the gospel. They show us Jesus, the One who transforms us into true women." ~ Susan Hunt, author, speaker, Women's Ministry Consultant for PCA Christian Education Publications

"True Woman 101 gves women what they chiefly need - an extreme makeover of the interior not the exterior! I appreciate the thorough content which drives home the message that true womahood is about emanating the beauty and grace of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. When a coaltion of humble, intentional women begin to radiate from the inside out, the world will sit up and take notice that the gospel isn't phony, it's the real deal." ~ Leslie Bennett, Director of Women's Ministries, Northeast Presbyterian Church, PCA, Columbia, SC

"The True Woman study provides something every modern woman needs: a wake-up call and practical help to live life as a woman of God, rather than (without realizing it) as a woman of the culture." ~ Shaunti Feldhahn, author, speaker, columnist

From the Back Cover

God's design for True Womanhood is nothing less than specatular!

Whether it's designer handbags, fashions, frames, or decor ...women tend to gravitate toward designer brands because they're the highest quality. They're often the most attractive and beautiful. They're authentic. They're true to the designer's exquisite specifications.

Did you know that God has a divine design for True Womanhood? His plan is absolutely spectacular! If you're tired of the world's cheap imitations and knock-offs -- or if you're tired of cliched advice, shallow caricatures, and cookie-cutter solutions -- then this eight-week Bible study by Mary A Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss is for you! It contains foundational teaching and insights straight from God's Word.

Thousands are tossing the world's brand of womanhood and joining a quiet counter-revolution. Find out why. Grab some girlfriends. Dig into the heart of true manhood and womanhood, and dicover the beauty, joy, and fulfillment of being exactly who He created you to be. Best of all, learn how your life can put Christ and the gospel on display!

 

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (February 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802403565
• ISBN-13: 978-0802403568
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.5 x 9.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Kassian is an award winning author, internationally renowned speaker, and a distinguished professor at Southern Baptist Seminary. She has published several books, Bible studies and videos, including: In My Father's House: Finding Your Heart's True Home, Conversation Peace, Vertically Inclined, the Feminist Mistake, and Girls Gone Wise - in a World Gone Wild. You can visit her blog at GirlsGoneWise.com.

Mary graduated from the faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Alberta, Canada and has studied systematic theology at the doctoral level. She has taught courses at seminaries across North America She is a popular conference speaker and has ministered to women's groups internationally. Mary has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and Marriage Uncensored.

Mary was born and raised in Edmonton, Canada. She and her husband, Brent, have three sons: Clark, Matthew, and Jonathan. Mary has mastered the art of cheering after spending countless hours in rinks, arenas, and gyms: her husband is chaplain for a professional football team, her two older sons play ice hockey, and her youngest, volleyball. The Kassians enjoy biking, hiking, snorkeling (when they can find some warm water!), music, board games, mountains, campfires, and their family pets: Miss Kitty and black lab, General Beau.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An education in God's beautiful design April 25, 2012

By T. Newbell

Format:Paperback

When a skilled artist paints a picture of a face each curve and shadow, wrinkle and spot are captured and delicately placed on the canvas. Skilled artists don't take short-cuts or overlook the fine details of the subject they are drawing. When God created the world, he was detailed and thorough. But unlike an artist's drawing, His was perfect. True Woman 101: Divine Design: an Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood, by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss, takes us through the journey of God's design for women. What was once perfect has become tainted with sin; yet God still has a divine design.

True Woman 101: Divine Design is an eight week study on biblical womanhood. Each week begins with a theme which will be the foundation for each lesson for that week. Each day has an interactive lesson with questions. Here is the theme of each week and my take away.

Week One: Gender Matters

God created man and woman to display His glory and to put important truths about the gospel on display.

Week Two: Snips and Snails

Here we explore what it means to be a man, which is summed up by working, cherishes his own wife, leading, providing, and protecting.

Week Three: Sugar and Spice

Now we move to womanhood. DeMoss and Kassian share that women are to be soft. The Hebrew word for woman was ishshah. Scholars have determined that the meaning is soft. Other lessons in the week focus on women being relational, connectors, welcoming and nurturing, and being responsive.

Week Four: Snake in My Garden

This is where the perfection became corrupt. At this point we begin to explore the fall of man which is the reason for the "fractured unity between the sexes...."

Week Five: Battle of the Sexes

We continue to dive into the ramifications of sin. Sin has polluted our relationships with men, but women are not alone. Many women have suffered under the hand of sinful men. This pain is one reason women felt the need for liberation, thus birthing the feminist movement.

Week Six: Hear Me Roar

Feminism has laid a foundation for today's woman, they argue. The cultures ideal and God's plan are at odds with each other. The world is enticing and inviting women to eat the feminist culture but "smart girls" know that freedom, understanding and joy are found in Christ.

Week Seven: Total Makeover

We all get excited about a good makeover show. The most exhilarating part to me is the "reveal", of course. God doesn't have an ugly design for us as women. God's design is beautiful. The prior week's studies were the foundation for the meat and potatoes, which you begin to munch on here in week seven.

God wants us to be devoted, first to him, then to others. God desires that we have beautiful character which God lays out in his Word specifically in Titus 2:2-6, focusing on what older women are instructed to teach younger women.

They continue by looking at what it means to be gentle and quiet and lead-able. Their focus is on heart attitudes and not personality. Good news for all of us out there who are "loud". A quiet disposition is peaceful and an amenable disposition is "lead-able".

In the end the total makeover put true beauty on display. The beauty industry is a billion dollar money making machine. God calls us to invest in our souls and showcase His beauty in us and through us.

Week Eight: Sisterhood is Powerful

Here is where DeMoss and Kassian begin to teach us how to apply all we've learned in practical ways. Practical ways include: motherhood, hospitality, helping men serve where possible, and aiming to leave a legacy to the next generation.

Don't Skip the afterword, "Different by Design"

Women are not all the same and DeMoss and Kassian recognize this. They aren't encouraging cookie cutter Christian women, rather laying out the biblical principles and foundation for biblical womanhood. If you skip the afterword you may misapply the entire book.

In God's design, he didn't stop his creativity with man and woman. Each person is unique. Each woman's application of biblical femininity may also be unique. Kassian and DeMoss call us to delight in the differences, to guard against the temptation to compare, and to be patient and gracious as women learn the beauty of God's design.

In the end, we are reminded to marvel at the meaning and not so much the end. The meaning is the gospel on display. Think about and marvel in Christ's great love for us that he would give up his life on a Cross.

Conclusion

True Woman 101: Divine Design is easy to relate to and filled with gracious undertones. It's formatted to be a devotional and would be perfect for personal devotions or groups. The book assumes its reader is new to the concept of biblical womanhood (thus the 101) and really lays a foundation of basic truths. If you are a seasoned Christian you may find it to be a refresher and confirming.

I highly recommend True Woman 101 and believe it will be most helpful to young women and new Christians as an introduction to biblical womanhood. I also believe it would be a good book for pastors and men to gain an understanding of how God has designed women. This understanding would benefit churches and families. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars True Woman 101 - Must Read September 22, 2012

By Necie L. Edwards

Format:Paperback

True Woman 101 Divine Design by authors Mary Kassian and Nancy Leigh Demoss is an eight week study on biblical womanhood is a must read book for all women. Every woman needs to feel comfortable in her own skin and in the manner in which she was created by the Lord.

We are wonderfully made by the creator and need to embrace our true womanhood instead of relying upon what the secular "wordly media" says about whom we are.

What I love about this book is that it explains God's divine design for womanhood and it's spectacular. A True Woman is one whom is being molded and shaped according to God's design, loves Jesus and is grounded and tethered to, and enabled by Christ..

This is very powerful because it let's you know he has a special design and purpose for each and every one of us. I was not blessed to give birth and have children but nevertheless I am still a woman created by God for a purpose.

It has taken me a long time to come to that realization and many women just like me whom are childless have felt sometimes we were less than a woman. The world's pattern for womanhood suggest that the role of a woman is to produce and give birth.to children.

Well my design is quite different, I have been impregnated to birth new ministries that will benefit woman in many different areas such as heath advocacy, wellness and domestic abuse. I am learning to trust God more and embrace whom I am and continue to walk according to the purpose for which I was created.

If you haven't read the book this is a great resource and the biggest challenge I faced was in wanting to read the entire book from cover to cover all in one sitting. That's just how good a book it is....

With my Christian book club Soul Food we will embark on this as a group study and I encourage other women to do the same!! Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing study! October 17, 2012

By Liz H.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have really enjoyed working through this study! Mary and Nancy are so well written and really translate the scriptures to modern terms. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD COMPLETE THIS STUDY! There are real steps to follow which can make a huge impact on your attitude, your family, and your life as a whole.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars "Devign Design", Demoss and Klassen April 7, 2013

By mominoz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a Grandmother,with a B.A. from a Christian College.(Reformed). I have read widely and enjoyed Susan Hunts books and teaching.We had a Bible study with this book and I found myself saying "really" ? The "hankie waving" turned me off to begin with...and didn't impress me any more after that. I tried to glean something from it, really did. I give it a C+. It is sort of high schoolish...Not very in depth; sort of some interesting facts scattered with personality characteristics they say are feminine. They come to some conclusions, mention tidbits of history, and give implications I believe are their preferences. Fluffy, cheerleader types will enjoy it; women who are aren't may feel like they aren't feminine "enough". I don't believe they support some of their inferences well.At the end they want you to sign a pledge and "spread the book"around to start a movement. It seemed almost more like a political movement rather than finding out how God wants us to live.There was a lot more "meat" they could have used, though I applaud the idea of the truth of devine design, this is not for 'depth' or "mature christian women".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing look at the value of women March 5, 2013

By Sheila R Goodson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you want to know how truly valuable you are in the sight of God and the amazing role womanhood plays in His creation, this is the study for you. You will never look at the roles of men and women the same again. Offers true hope, joy, fulfillment for women. I cannot say enough about this study.