Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Changed my life!, February 23, 2009
Wisdom for Mothers workbook showed me through the study of God's Word why my daily life as a mother of two was constantly overwhelming and frustrating. Step by step my perspective was slowly changed and I realized that being a good mom was not in my future without total dependence on Christ. Many women will find being part of a group study with the videos, mentoring moms, and group time tremendously helpful. However, going through the workbook alone without these things would still be life changing if a group is not available near you. It's God's word that does the transforming, Denise Glenn just lays it out step by step in a day by day format that is manageable for busy moms and enhanced by mothering tips, prayers, and her own personal stories.
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Caveat Emptor", May 19, 2007
"Wisdom for Mothers" is the first Bible study/workbook published by Kardo International Ministries under the MotherWise logo. "Although a woman may use this workbook for individual personal Bible study," notes the Introduction on page 9, "she benefits most from being part of a MotherWise group that participates in the full MotherWise program" in which a group "meets for two hours once a week for 10 weeks." This claim is open to debate for a number of reasons.
Firstly, this "program" often lacks focus, cohesion, and unified thought. Another major flaw is author Denise Glenn's penchant for proof-texting and her frequent violation of the historical-grammatical method of Biblical exegesis. Thirdly, the author's reliance upon sources that many consider suspect or controversial is troubling. (See p. 87 as well as the Bibliography on p. 267 for examples.) An unseemly presentation of the concept of "blood covenant" (p. 116-117) is also problematic.
Additionally, some women find Glenn's breezy, chatty style appealing. Some don't. It has been described as "warm, charming and engaging" as well as "bubble-brained," "air-headeded" or "lightweight." Others deem both the video presentation and the Wisdom workbook "insightful and inspirational" as well as "patronizing", "plodding" and "tedious."
Also problematic is the fact that the typical class format and leadership structure are easily susceptible to cliquishness. Leadership Qualities as listed in the accompanying Leader's Guide fail to connect with--or even mention--leadership SKILLS and can easily place women in leadership or "mentoring" capacities who are "nice," but otherwise clueless. Leader's Guide directives such as meeting "regularly outside of class to discuss the progress of the class" are often vague and ambiguous and seem to do little more than encourage gossip and other counter-productive behaviors.
To be fair, many of the biblical principles and applications offered in this 260+ page resource are sound. However, the material founders dangerously when it strays off Scriptural charts and onto the reefs of personal agendas and ripped-out-of-context "interpretations." Accordingly, some women will benefit from these studies while others may find them geared toward quick, mass consumption on a "burgers and fries" level. Serious students of Scripture may find little to fuel their spiritual appetites here and opt to look elsewhere for more balanced meals.
Like food from a Drive-Thru window, a suitable label for Wisdom might be: "WARNING. Contents hot, marginally nutritious, and incredibly average. Proceed with caution."
* Let the buyer beware.
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