Review: Julie Naturally

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. 

Making the time for studying God's word has always been a struggle for me. When my children were younger I struggled to be awake before them and get that time in before the day started.  As I got older I realized I didn't have to do that reading first thing in the morning that I could do it anytime. Granted starting the day off with God's word is amazing, but maybe not always practical with little kids. I've also found that I truly love doing studies with other women, but I tend to sit back more and listen to what they have to say. I think I constantly worry that I'll answer incorrectly or that I might not answer as in depth as others. Those are my personal issues and ones that I find sometimes easier to deal with because of all the online options we have available now. Julie Naturally has given us two amazing studies to work through recently.  I started working through the  Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Romans bundle and then finished up with Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians.  One thing that has really drawn me to these studies is the author and her life. She's dealt with struggles that many of us have dealt with and can relate too. Someone that lays it on the line for me and is real is one that I can relate to and trust.  I'm thankful that Julie had taken on this mission to encourage women and be a blessing to us all.  

When I first looked around the website at the studies I realized there was one big difference. The Roman's study had videos that went with it and the Philippians study did not. I'm not saying that makes one or the other better or worse, but I chose to dive in with the videos. There is so much turmoil in the world today and people turning against each other that I just wanted to feel like I was spending a little time with a friend. This study is a nice value for the price. 

Most of us moms are living on one income and we want to do studies and read books, but we are always trying to find the financial balance.  In this study we were working through 2 chapters of Romans each week for 8 weeks.  We started out with a short video and then the chapters were divided up into a six day study each week with a few questions at the end. I found for me that it was just the right amount and if I felt I wanted more I could move on and do an additional day of study. I have done studies before where the amount of reading and questions just stressed me because it seemed to require so much of my time each day. The set up of this study with the 6 day plan was wonderful for me.  There were also some goodies in the bundle such as weekly coloring sheets and Bible verses.  The verses were easy to print out, keep in your purse, put up on your fridge, etc. Anywhere to help keep God's word in the forefront of your mind.  

Julie used a 1984 NIV Bible, Moody Bible Commentary and Bible Study Fellowship notes on Romans when she was creating this study. After I printed out the study and put it in a notebook I logged in and watched the first video. I did most of my Bible reading online because I found it was easy to have the website open, my study printed before me and read online. As I was reading in week 1 about Paul saying he was not ashamed of the gospel it made me think of our current times. It seems like a time when brothers are turning on brothers and some don't want to admit their love for God. It's sad times and even more important to hang tight with the word of God.  In week 3 I was reminded yet again about our bodies being a temple. Do I treat mine that way? Probably not, but there is a new and renewed sense that I want to try harder to do that. I can do all things with through Christ!  

As I was working through this chapter this set of questions might have been one of the hardest for me.  I think it's easy to think of all the things that I shouldn't be doing, but I forget that I can't only focus on those. For me it's like once I've realized what I'm doing wrong I need to put all my energy into fixing that. That ultra focus isn't always correct either!

This chapter had lots for me to think about in regards to how I compare myself, what I think I should be doing or what I'm not doing correct, etc. There was lots of reflection and I think Julie for helping bring that to the light. 

I also got to enjoy some coloring done while watching the videos as well.  This was a well rounded study that I truly enjoyed and learned so much from. I couldn't wait to jump onto the second study!

I next moved into the Faith Journeys Bible Study Series: Philippians. This study is a little less expensive and it's mainly due to not having the video content like the previous study. This study is a little shorter as well, just 4 weeks this time.  We traveled through one chapter of Philippians each week with a short reading section each day for 6 days, 3-5 questions a day, the coloring pages and verse cards.  

This study touched me as well as the previous because there were many things we read about that we are struggling with currently. In week 3 we talked and studied about false teachings. False teachings have always been around and have needed to have been watched out for, but I feel like it's so much more with our current situations. People aren't sure who to believe and therefore mass chaos is happening to some. This comes into play with those believing they don't need Jesus because they are good. Some even believing they never sin and we are seeing that right before our eyes today. Our leaders are lying to us and we are struggling to know who to believe and who to trust. We need to remember to go back to basics and that's our Bibles! 

All in all I greatly enjoyed these studies and learned so much. I'm ready for another! :) If I had one thing that I wish were different is that I'd love to see Julie's answers to the questions. When I do studies with other ladies we talk about our answers together and it often helps to see other perspectives. I'd love to have Julie post her answers to the questions, so that we could go back after and read her answers. Maybe help us see something we missed or just another point of view. That being said I would highly recommend Julie Naturally and her studies.  To find out more information or what additional studies might come in the future check out her Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube. We had 40 reviewers this study, so head over and see how they used the studies over these last few weeks.