Comparison Girl Blog Tour

About the Book:

Women compare constantly – on social media, in their neighborhood, at church, even in the school drop-off lane. They glance sideways and ask themselves, “How do I measure up?” All this assessment feels like a natural way of finding a place in the world. But it pulls them into feelings of inferiority or superiority, guiding them into a trap of antagonism by the enemy.

Satan would like women to strive to measure up, constantly adding to a tally sheet that can't ever be balanced. The way of Jesus is completely upside down from that philosophy. Instead, he says the last shall be first--and the greatest are those who empty themselves, lay down their lives, and serve each other.

Through conversations Jesus had and parables he shared, Shannon Popkin has created a seven-week Bible study to address this tendency to compare and judge ourselves and others. Each chapter is divided into lessons, allowing women on a time budget to read a Bible passage, engage in a complete train of thought related to the topic, and then make the content personal--all in one sitting. And the informal teaching tone will make women feel like they're meeting with a trusted friend.

Suited for both individual and group study, Comparison Girl will guide women to leave their measure-up ways behind, connect with those around them, and break free from the shackles of comparison!

You can read an excerpt here.

My Review:

I am impressed with this study. I found it well written and very challenging. I liked the format. There are six chapters but a total of 25 lessons. One could do a chapter a week for a six week study or do a lesson a week for a longer study. Each lesson contains a Bible reading, a story illustration, a teaching from Jesus, a meditation on lesson truths, and questions for application. I would suggest having a journal near by to write down thoughts and answers to the questions.

My favorite section was the lessons involving church. One explored the gifts we are given to use in ministry. Popkin reminds us that the gifts are differences meant to unify us. Another whole chapter was devoted to women's ministries. She uses the parable of the workers coming at different times yet all getting paid the same. She notes that equality is one of the wrong assumptions we have about the Kingdom. Wow. Those were hard hitting lessons.

This is a good study encouraging us to live by kingdom standards, not the measure of the world. Popkin encourages us to get the focus off ourselves and rather focus on helping others. This is a good study and I highly recommend it.

Food for thought: “Instead of measuring ourselves against each other, let's exalt God and serve one another.” (23)

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Shannon Popkin is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher who loves pointing others to the truth of God’s Word. She combines her gifts for humor and storytelling with her passion for Jesus. She regularly speaks at Christian women’s events and retreats, encouraging women of all ages to put their hope in God.

Popkin is also a regular contributor for the Revive Our Hearts True Woman and Leader Connection blogs. Her articles have been published by Family Fun, Focus on the Family Magazine, MOMsense and others. She is the author of several books, including Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible, Influence: Building a Platform That Elevates Jesus (Not Me), and Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World.

Popkin and her husband, Ken, have been married for more than twenty years and live in West Michigan. They have three children—one in high school and two in college.

Connect with Shannon Popkin by visiting www.shannonpopkin.com, following her on Facebook (shanpopkin), Instagram (shannonpopkin), or Twitter (@ShannonPopkin).

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Read With Audra. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Read With Audra.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)