A Note from Abigail
ABOUT HER BOOK CLUB
I can’t wait to read this month’s book with you! Abigail Dodds is a faithful teacher of God’s Word who beautifully highlights His good design. (A)typical Woman is an excellent resource on womanhood and union with Christ, and I know you will close this book with a better understanding of who you are as a woman in Christ.
At the end of each chapter, you will find helpful questions for further reflection. I encourage you to take advantage of these questions! Consider using them as journaling prompts or discuss a question or two with a friend.
To join in on this month’s About Her Book Club discussion forum, click here. Don’t be shy!
Happy Reading!
Abigail O’Neel
Book Summary
In a culture that can belittle womanhood on the one hand―making it irrelevant―and glorify it on the other―making it everything―it’s hard to know what it really means to be a woman. But when we understand womanhood through the lens of Scripture, we see that we need a bigger category for what God has called “woman.”
This book breathes fresh air into our womanhood, reminding us what life in Christ―as a woman―looks like. When we see that we are women in all we do, we can be at peace with how God has created us, recognizing womanhood as an essential part of Christ’s mission and work.*
About the Author
Abigail Dodds is a Wife to Tom and a mom to five wonderful kiddos. She is a regular contributor at Desiring God and the author of (A)Typical Woman and Bread of Life. She writes frequently for her own blog hopeandstay.com and is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Twin Cities where her husband, Tom, serves as an elder. In her free time, Abigail is a baking enthusiast, gardener, and, as she says, a mediocre knitter (but I’m sure she is wonderful at knitting too).
*Summary taken from book blurb.
Weekly Reading Plan
A(TYPICAL) WOMAN
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July 31- August 6
Read chapters 1-4 (p. 19-46)
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August 7-August 13
Read chapters 5-8 (p. 47-78)
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August 14-August 20
Read chapters 9-12 (p. 79-109)
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August 21-August 31
Read chapters 13-17 (p. 113-147)
Book Club Menu
AUGUST
inspiration
How cute are these Pressed Flower Short Bread Cookies from Monika’s blog? They just pair too perfectly with the cover of (A)typical Woman! I tested the recipe earlier this Summer and they were as delicious as they look. The flowers bring a very earthly flavor to the cookie. Lavender would also add a great mild floral flavor to the short bread!
Just be sure to select flowers that are safe to eat before adding them to your cookies. I purchased my edible flowers from a local specialty market and they had a wide variety of edible flowers to choose from. Purchasing from a market or bakery is the safest option when it comes to decorative flowers and I definitely encourage asking a professional or doing your research before consuming flowers of any kind.
Happy baking!
Pressed Flower Short Bread Cookies
by Monika Hibbs
Are you interested in hosting an in-person book club discussion in your home? Here are five helpful tips for hosting meaningful book club discussion.
Hosting a Discussion
HELPFUL TIPS FOR
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Preparation is key, especially before your first meeting. Your guests may not open up if they are unfamiliar with the group, but intentionally prepared questions can help minimize excessive silence. Spend time carefully crafting 8-10 intentional questions before each meeting. Even if you don’t get to every question, having these questions on hand will help direct conversation when lulls in the conversation arise.
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Open ended questions are an invitation to your guests to talk about whatever was most meaningful to them. Closed-ended questions will quickly limit the depth of your conversation. The discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter in (A)typical Woman are a great place to begin meaningful conversation.
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Effective leaders know when to speak and when to listen. I am certain you have much to offer the group as a host, but your guests have much to offer too. Be quick to listen to the insights of those in the group and make it your goal to draw these insights out of your guests.
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As a host, it’s your job to ensure all guests feel welcome and heard. No two group members are the same and it’s essential that you are attentive to the unique needs of every member. Invite a quiet guest into the conversation by asking them a question directly, or utilize a talkative guest’s enthusiasm for discussion by privately inviting them to help you draw out interactions from others.
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As you facilitate discussion, don’t fear silence. Silence enables group members to process and craft their response. Extended pauses may also compel quieter group members to speak up when they otherwise may not.
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It is a humbling thing to pray. Plan time to pray together and for one another as some topics may be sensitive for some women.
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