A Way in the Wilderness - (IVP Bible Study Experience) by Kristel Acevedo (Paperback)

About the Book

"We all experience wilderness seasons-times in our lives when we feel lost, confused, and alone. In this 6-week study, Kristel Acevedo helps us reflect on our metaphorical wilderness seasons by pointing us to biblical figures who experienced a physical wilderness: John the Baptist, Hagar, the Israelites, Elijah, Adam and Eve, and Jesus. By drawing connections to the wilderness experiences of these individuals, Kristel helps us see that it's often in these seasons of darkness and loss that God meets us, God makes himself known to us, and that God uses it to transform us and renew our minds. Without dismissing the ache of these wilderness seasons-because we would never choose these painful experiences-Kristel reminded us that it's in these valleys of life that we learn to rely on God and his strength"--

Book Synopsis

Finding Direction in Times of Uncertainty

In the tumultuous journeys of life, there are moments that leave you feeling disconnected, lost, hurt, confused, and wondering where God is. A Way in the Wilderness by Kristel Acevedo offers a six-week Bible study designed for individuals or groups of any size, encouraging you that in those seasons of wilderness, God is with you.

Each week, Kristel leads readers through reflections on a biblical figure who faced their own wilderness--from the solitude of John the Baptist to the trials of the Israelites. Through these familiar stories, she draws parallels to life now, helping you see that amidst the struggles is often where God meets you most profoundly.

• Learn from the story of John the Baptist how strength in the wilderness comes from God, not yourself
• Experience alongside Hagar how God still sees and cares even though the world is broken
• See through the story of Adam and Eve how God covers your sins in Christ's righteousness and offers hope for restoration in the midst of the wilderness
• Reflect on the journey of the Israelites and the importance of keeping your focus on God
• Delve into the life of Elijah to understand how God meets you even in the depths of despair
• Through studying Jesus's experience, learn how the scriptures provide guidance to help you through the wilderness

Six weekly online teaching videos enhance your study, offering deeper insights. Whether you've felt the sting of isolation, the ache of lost direction, or the shadows of despair, A Way in the Wilderness will remind you that while you might not choose these experiences, they are opportunities for growth and reliance on a strength greater than your own.

Available in both English and Spanish, A Way in the Wilderness offers an invitation to meet God in the wilderness and to allow him to grow and transform you through it.

Review Quotes

"A Way in the Wilderness is more than a study--it's an invitation to draw closer to God than ever before. My friend Kristel Acevedo beautifully guides us in how to acknowledge our hurts, disappointments, and uncertainties and also how to be fully aware of the comfort, love, and presence of a mighty God. Through brilliantly unpacking biblical stories and practical ways to encounter God in the midst of hard seasons, Kristel offers readers a fresh breath and hopeful way forward."

--Hosanna Wong, author of You Are More Than You've Been Told

"As Kristel's pastor and friend, it is an honor to endorse her book. She invites us to embrace our wilderness moments, not as a place of defeat but as a space for God's transformation. Through the lives of biblical figures, she shows us that even in our darkest seasons, God meets us, refines us, and leads us toward Christlikeness. This book is a timely, hope-filled guide for anyone navigating life's valleys."

--Derwin L. Gray, cofounder and lead pastor of Transformation Church and author of Lit Up with Love

"I love a good Bible study, and Kristel has written an important one. The wilderness is for wrestling, and Kristel has designed this study for that exact purpose. If you are in a desert season, thirsty for God's Word, this is the study for you!"

--Sharon Hodde Miller, author of The Cost of Control

"Kristel Acevedo's reflections on the wilderness resonate deeply with anyone who has walked through seasons of confusion, isolation, or loss. With compassion and biblical insight, she invites us to see the wilderness not as wasted years but as a place of preparation, growth, and God's unyielding presence."

--Sandra Maria Van Opstal, author, pastor, and executive director of Chasing Justice

"One of my favorite things about Kristel Acevedo is her combined passion for both the Bible and people. In A Way in the Wilderness, Kristel invites us to love God's Word and study it more deeply, while accompanying us not as a judgmental or stale lecturer but as a competent guide and compassionate friend--even in the wilderness, where we will certainly face adversity and perhaps utter despair. Kristel has done deep work here; individuals and groups will be both challenged and cared for by this study!"

--Brad M. Griffin, author and senior director of content and research at the Fuller Youth Institute

"Scientists are searching for a remedy for social isolation and loneliness, which have been declared major health threats worldwide and an epidemic in the United States. In A Way in the Wilderness, Kristel presents us with the best cure for this epidemic--Jesus. At the end of this six-week study, you will not only feel God's presence more keenly in your own life but also find yourself equipped with the tools to help others find love, hope, joy, and peace in Christ. We belong to a God who loves us and who provides a way through the wilderness."

--Angel Jordan, Hispanic ministries director for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse

"Scroll through Amazon and you can find a number of travel guides to a given destination, from bucket list guides to best hiking guides to dog lovers' guides. But what about those times when you find yourself on a journey not to a vacation spot but in the wilderness? We may not all travel to Paris, but at some point, we all find ourselves in wilderness seasons. With A Way in the Wilderness, Kristel Acevedo gives you the essential guide through Scripture not only to survive the wilderness but to see and know God more deeply through the journey. Whether you face the wilderness of sin, despair, oppression, or more, you will find biblical wisdom with a personal touch. This helpful guide, with accompanying video training for small groups or individual study, may be just what you need to thrive even in the desert."

--Ed Stetzer, dean of Talbot School of Theology

"The wilderness is familiar territory for all of us. Mountaintop moments rarely last, and the long descent down into dark valleys almost always awaits. Thankfully, the Bible is teeming with stories of hope in the valley and unexpected ways carved through the wilderness. Kristel Acevedo is a wonderful guide as she navigates us pastorally and personally, with courage and conviction, through some of these stories, helping us arrive on the other side of the wilderness, where life and life to the full awaits."

--Jay Y. Kim, pastor and author of Analog Christian

"Wilderness seasons aren't a matter of if but when. Almost all of us have or will experience them, and we need this Bible study to help us meet God and stay connected to others when life feels darker and harder than normal. By creatively exploring the real experiences of Adam and Eve, Elijah, Hagar, John the Baptist, and Jesus himself, you'll be perfectly positioned to let God shape you and others you care about through the wilderness--now or in the future."

--Kara Powell, chief of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary and coauthor of Future-Focused Church

About the Author

Kristel Acevedo (MA, Southeastern Seminary) is the discipleship director at Transformation Church, a vibrant multiethnic and multigenerational community near Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally from Miami and the daughter of immigrants, she has a passion for discipleship, biblical literacy, multiethnic ministry, and helping others develop a biblical view on immigration. Kristel is a coauthor of 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future.