Devotions for Young Women

Homeschool Review Crew

Recently my daughters and I received a gorgeous book in the mail courtesy of Zondervan as part of a Homeschool Review Crew review run.  Beloved:  365 Devotions for Young Women is not only gorgeous but a wonderful resource to add to our home as well.  This devotional is geared towards ages 13-18.  My two 13 year old daughters have been enjoying it with me.  It could work for younger girls as well.  In our house, I think it’s going to be reserved as something special for the year each girl turns 13.  

About the Book

As I’ve already mentioned it is written for ages 13-18 young women.  While I do feel it can be used for younger girls as well you might have to use discretion on certain devotionals or perhaps revisit them once your daughter is older and they’re more pertinent.  It’s a devotions for young women book though so I wouldn’t expect your five year old to understand and comprehend a lot.

Or truthfully guys, I feel that all ages of women can get something from this book.  I personally am learning so much from it.  If you are a woman or if you have daughters a copy of this book should be in your home.  

Written by Lindsay A. Franklin this book has a unique view on the Bible and what it means to be a woman and daughter of God.  She takes around 60 women from the Bible as well as a verse or two a day and uses them in a way that pertains to life today.  It’s genius how she can speak to and engage with the girls of today while bringing the Bible to life.

Taking a Look

This is a gorgeous hardback book as I’ve mentioned.  It contains 365 devotionals and is just a shade longer than that with some informational pages at the beginning and end.  There is space at the bottom of the page that can be used for a journal if only one person is using this book.

This is truly a pleasure to look at.  It has a gorgeous cover plus gives off the feel of an old classic.  I’m a sucker for old books!  It’s very feminine with flowers on the cover and a pretty ribbon to mark your spot.

Our Thoughts

Get your Bible and this devotional and find a comfy spot with some coffee.  That’s how I’ve used it.  I have to admit that though this was received to be used with my two 13 year old daughters I’m getting so much from it as well.  It’s a wonderfully written devotional that comes to life in modern day.  The verses pertain to women in the Bible but through the author’s insight they also pertain to us today.

This devotional is going to change how you and your daughters perceive not only yourselves but other women in our society today.  I wish I had the means to get a copy for every girl when she hits 13.  Really it would be a wonderful investment in not only that one child but our society as a whole for our future.  

Topics are covered in this devotional that can be so deep that most would just skim over them.  We learn about trust, truthfulness, forgiveness, subservience, but also holding others accountable.  A great example is that of Abigail the wife of Nabal.  She knew things and didn’t immediately tell her husband but did those of her household.  This passage is used to teach our young girls that sometimes it’s okay to not tell someone something.  At first I was like hmmm is that a good thing to teach?  Because we do want our daughters to tell us important things and trust us.  But they go on to say how it’s okay.  It’s okay because we don’t have to tell everything we know when it might hurt someone but if it’s important, if someone might get hurt we should always tell.  Discernment is taught here.

Check below for a layout of what the devotions look like.  Hospitality is something I struggle with.  I always feel “not good enough” because our house is super small and our family is super large.  Day 41 struck me so I thought it a good one to share for a layout.

And a Bit More Thoughts

Pieces of the Bible now have my attention that I’d skimmed over before but never really and truly brought into my conscious and thought about, mulled them over.  Now they’re staring at me in black and white and I’m not only thinking on them but talking about them with two of my girls.  

I recommend having a journal or notebook for each of you going through this devotional for young women.  This was you can jot down your thoughts and questions.  Copy down verses that speak to you and study them more in depth as well.  All of the Bible verses are from the NIV.  We use mostly KJV or NKJV in our house so it’s always nice to look them up in our own Bible as well.  Looking them up also helps familiarize oneself with your Bible and makes it easier to find the books of the Bible quickly.

Learn More

Please check out the main blog post for this review of devotions for young women over on the Homeschool Review Crew blog where all of our reviewers linked up their reviews.  You’re sure to find lots of varying opinions and will get a better picture for whether this devotional is right for your family or not.  Also don’t forget to visit Zondervan on facebook, twitter, youtube, pinterest, and instagram.