Modern culture encourages independence and self-empowerment in the pursuit of success. But what happens when individuals are weak and weary? What happens when people face confusion or challenges? What happens when someone’s best isn’t good enough? In her latest women’s Bible study, Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God’s Strength, Deb Burma points to the strength only Jesus can provide. She encourages readers to surrender control to the One who made the sea and the mountains.

“We have a continuous need—in joy and in suffering—to rely on Him, to receive His help and hope,” writes Burma. “We weren’t meant to go it alone, let alone lean on ourselves. . . . As we lean ON and lean IN to the only One worthy of our full weight, we will see that Jesus alone provides true empowerment. We will recognize our complete dependence on Him, for He alone is our source of salvation and strength.”

With this Bible study, readers will engage in eight weeks of surrendering control to God’s strength and recognizing how our Savior takes His people’s sufferings on His own shoulders. The study explores three different stages of leaning on, leaning in, and leaning together and guides readers to Scripture passages that inspire daily life with Christ. Through her words, Burma also emphasizes how to lean on God’s strength and expresses how believers are set free through His true empowerment. 

“Throughout this study, Deb emphasizes our dependence on our Savior in the most delightful way,” says Debbie Larson, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League president (2019–2023). “She assures her readers that we are invited by our Lord to lean on Him and that we will find strength in and through our Savior. What a joy to lean on His promises in the pages of this book and throughout our lives. Deb Burma brings her readers another great resource with practical applications.”­

Visit books.cph.org/leaning-on-jesus for more information. Contact Erica Sontag to schedule an interview with the author.

Praise for Leaning on Jesus

We often try to stand up straight all by ourselves. But we actually need to lean on someone else. Deb Burma beautifully describes how we are made to lean on Jesus. She has us lean in to study the wonderful promises of God’s care. She then leans us back to apply this strength in our daily lives. As with all her writing, Deb shares the adventures and challenges of her life and her need to lean on God and others. Stop trying to stand alone. Lean on Jesus for all His strength.

—Daniel Paavola, professor of theology at Concordia University Wisconsin

Success often comes when we simplify, streamline, and break things down. That’s what Deb Burma offers through one word—leaning. In her latest study, Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God’s Strength, Deb takes Proverbs 3:5—“Do not lean on your own understanding”—and creates an outstanding Bible study for individuals and groups. Sprinkled with endearing personal stories and saturated with Scripture, this book encourages the posture of “leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms” of Jesus, whose strength is always enough. I highly recommend this study!

—Reed Lessing, professor of Old Testament and director of the Center for Biblical Studies, Concordia University, St. Paul

Anyone who has met Deb knows her love of people. As she travels throughout the country, inspiring women, she takes time to listen, lean in, and let each conversation linger in her heart. Her new study, Leaning on Jesus, combines her passion for people and love of Jesus. You may find yourself listening to, lingering with, and leaning on Jesus more—and leaning in to love and learn from the people God places in your path too. With each of Deb’s books, I sink into her words as an irresistible armchair to sit and rest and remember what matters.

—Lindsay Hausch, author and blogger

Deb does a wonderful job of giving practical situations and tools that direct us to Christ. As I read through this book, I was moved to examine my own life and reminded to lean back and reflect and to lean in and learn from Jesus. This is a great study for anyone in any part of her life.

—Rehema Kavugha, director of Synod relations, Lutheran Church Extension Fund

I leaned in immediately. Through personal stories told with humor and heart, the words in these pages will invite you to explore God’s Word. Throughout this study, Deb emphasizes our dependence on our Savior in the most delightful way. She assures her readers that we are invited by our Lord to lean on Him and that we will find strength in and through our Savior. What a joy to lean on His promises in the pages of this book and throughout our lives. Deb Burma brings her readers another great resource with practical applications.

—Debbie Larson, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League president, 2019–2023

This is an incredible study focusing on our need to rely on God in all circumstances. Deb does an incredible job of drawing the reader in, making it very personal. She encourages the reader to remember that God is always by our side, walking with us—something we all need daily reminding of. The study was very personal for me—something I really needed.

—Anne Hartman, mother and LWML volunteer, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Each chapter of this book meets me where I am in my daily struggles and triumphs. It gives daily reminders of who God is: my hiding place, deliverer, Savior, and Lord. Leaning on Jesus reminds me that I don’t go through life alone, but Christ is always with me. Each day’s study shows biblical truths of how God works through my posture of leaning on Him.

—Cami Hamer, director of Christian education, Peace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska

Surrounded by the world’s message that “we are enough just as we are,” Deb Burma’s Leaning on Jesus reminds us that “apart from [Him we] can do nothing” (John 15:5). This study manages to densely pack scriptural encouragement and helpful insights into bite-size readings perfect for anyone who wants to lean into God’s Word but finds herself in a busy season of life. This Bible study will point the reader back to Jesus over and over again, reminding us that our God can handle it all—our sin, weakness, and discouragement—meeting us where we are and bringing us the comfort and peace won for us on the cross.

—Christa Petzold, author of Gathered by Christ: The Overlooked Gift of Church

 

About the Author

Deb Burma is a sought-after speaker for women’s conferences, retreats, and ministry events. Her assortment of books and devotionals include best-selling Bible studies, Joy: A Study of Philippians and Living a Chocolate Life, along with Beautiful Feet, Stepping Out, and more. Deb is a follower of Jesus, a pastor’s wife, and a mom. She’s a blogger, a women’s ministry leader, and a self-proclaimed coffee/chocolate connoisseur. Above all, she is a grace-filled child of God.