Proverbs 31 Ministries

A Book Review

#31DaysThroughProverbs #NetGalley

So, What Is It?

The concept couldn’t be much simpler: thirty-one chapters of Proverbs, thirty-one days.

But this isn’t simply a reading plan. Each day includes Scripture, reflection questions, cross-references, charts and practical exercises intended to connect biblical wisdom with ordinary life. Relationships, words, conflict, patience, humility and decision-making are all part of the territory.

So although it is described as suitable for personal use, I could easily imagine working through this with a small group and discovering quite a lot to talk about.

More Bible Study Than Devotional

This is an important distinction.

Unlike a devotional that gives you a couple of verses followed by somebody else’s reflection, this book appears designed to keep sending you back into Proverbs itself.

For me, that’s a real strength.

There is always a danger with devotional books that we spend considerably more time reading what somebody says about the Bible than reading the Bible. Here, the structure deliberately takes readers through the entire biblical book.

I particularly like the inclusion of cross-references too. Proverbs does not exist in isolation, and making connections with the wider biblical story can help prevent individual sayings being treated as little inspirational quotations.

Wisdom for Real Life

Proverbs is wonderfully practical. It has an irritating habit of getting into areas of life we might prefer God didn’t mention!

How do I speak about other people?
Who influences me?
How do I respond when someone annoys me?
Am I teachable?
How do I make good decisions?

Those are not abstract theological questions. They’re Monday-morning questions.

That makes Proverbs particularly well suited to this kind of workbook approach. The challenge, of course, is moving beyond discovering what the wise response would be to actually living wisely when the situation arises.

I Like the Work

And I mean that positively.

The charts, questions and decision-making exercises mean that this isn’t necessarily a book to skim over with a cup of coffee while still half asleep. The reader is expected to participate.

For somebody wanting to begin studying Scripture more intentionally but intimidated by a traditional Bible-study commentary, that feels like a useful halfway point.

There also seems to be enough structure here to help someone who doesn’t quite know what questions to ask of a biblical passage.

But I Do Have a Question…

As with Stand Stronger for Boys, I find myself wondering about the intended audience.

This is specifically presented as a resource for women, and its introduction speaks about the demands women face as they make choices for families and relationships.

But Proverbs offers wisdom for the whole people of God.

So I would want to keep asking as I worked through the book: is this genuinely exploring Proverbs through women’s experiences, or is this essentially a good Proverbs study packaged specifically for women?

There is a difference.

And perhaps there is an even bigger question underneath that. When Christian resources are aimed specifically at women, what picture of women’s lives do they assume? There is enormous diversity among women in terms of family, work, relationships, responsibilities and season of life. A good resource needs enough breadth for women to find their own lives within it.

Would I Actually Use It?

Yes. And probably with a pen in my hand.

I could see myself using this personally, but I think I would be particularly interested in trying it with a small group. Proverbs has an extraordinary ability to provoke conversation because its wisdom so quickly bumps into lived experience.

Thirty-one days also feels achievable. It provides enough time to establish a rhythm without asking for an enormous commitment.

My Verdict

31 Days Through Proverbs has a simple idea at its heart: open Proverbs every day for a month and allow biblical wisdom to interrogate ordinary life.

What appeals to me most is that the workbook doesn’t appear to want to become the destination. Its purpose is to get the reader reading, thinking about and responding to Scripture.

I still have questions about the specifically female packaging and whether the content itself really requires it. But as an accessible bridge between a daily devotional and more substantial Bible study, this has considerable potential.

And perhaps its greatest success would be if, after day thirty-one, the reader closes the workbook but doesn’t stop opening the Bible.