Return to the Garden

Discovering God's Original Design for Women

By: Rebecca Mann Kelly

Narrated by: Rebecca Mann Kelly

God formed women in his own image, giving them joint dominion over the earth. Only when sin and the curse entered did they fall into the disastrous path of inequality that has repeated itself in every generation since the garden. Through the telling of her own story, Rebecca Mann Kelly untangles the deceptions that have kept women in places of bondage and captivity, offering a powerful invitation for every woman to Return to the Garden through the power of Jesus.

The listener will discover:

• God’s original Biblical design for women, to have joint dominion and authority over the earth
• How to identify places the curse has manifested in personal life, in society, and in the church
• Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth—to free the captives and to free women living in captivity to the curse
• How to “open the sails” of the heart, give God hidden heart pain, and learn to feel again
• How to identify patterns of people-pleasing, emotional abuse, and narcissism, and how to get free and remove the yoke
• How to remove the hooks of the manipulation and control of others
• An understanding of how the enemy uses strategies of pride and religion to keep men and women from operating in their original design
• The role of the Holy Spirit in living a victorious life aligned to God’s plan
• How to avoid the trap of the victim and the trap of self-justification, and the role of forgiveness in finding freedom
• The overcoming power of the cross to “return to the garden”

“Get ready for a fascinating story to grip your heart! Rebecca Mann Kelly has written a powerful book about how God will deliver you from abuse, shame, rejection, and self-condemnation. Read it and be set free!” (Dr. Brian Simmons, Passion & Fire Ministries, lead translator of The Passion Translation)

“These life-giving Words will greatly empower and awaken women from all races and status to find their design and true identity in God.” (Paul Yadao, senior pastor, Destiny Ministries International, Philippines)

©2023 Rebecca Mann Kelly (P)2023 Rebecca Mann Kelly

Jaw-droppingly freeing!

You don’t need to have been married to a narcissist to be blessed immensely by this book! It is enough to be female and in love with Jesus to have experienced from others and from the enemy being encouraged to be “small, silent, and compliant”. Based on and interwoven with Scripture flowing from God’ heart of love as revealed as his original design for man and woman, these truths will free you and fill you with joy. Not just for women, men after God’s heart can be more aligned with Him in this matter too. Be blessed!

Beautifully written and uplifting!

I loved that Rebecca herself was the narrator. It felt much more heartfelt and relatable. I loved the prayers after each chapter too! I have traveled down this same road and although I don't live in captivity any longer, I still live with guilt and sadness. I loved the feeling I had after finishing the book- a sense of strength and filled with hope. Thank you Rebecca for sharing your story.

Amazing story that reminds you, he walks with you.

I found this book in a time of my life where I'm struggling with similar concerns as the author. This book made me realize how much I need to just surrender my complete self to God and stop trying to manage an outcome where my story has a different ending, a different chapter...This book truly called for me to trust in his word, to know my worth and to prepare for a better outcome with a new and wonderful journey ahead for me and my kids. Rebecca was real, humble and inspirational in her journey and how she combined the scriptures in her life's situation which made everything more relevant to anyone understanding life's hard and difficult challenges especially in a marriage. This book was truly amazing!!

Compelling Vital Read!

I read the book first but wanted to hear Rebecca’s story in her own voice so bought it on Audiobooks which did not disappoint. Some authors’ narration do fall short but this one did not! Her pace is strong and steady and she speaks with the authority of one who has lived to tell, but also maintains a humility gleaned from coming to terms with the part she played in what took place. Even though I knew where the story was going, I was still compelled to listen to the end and I actually heard more this time as a listener. This is definitely a book to share with anyone who is in a controlling, abusive relationship and needs to know how to get free, and then to live free, not as a victim but as a victor.

A redemptive story of victory and trust in the Lord

God made both man & woman for relationship with Him and entrusted us to co-labor with Him to facilitate His kingdom on earth. Rebecca did an amazing job of illustrating through her own story, how the deception of the enemy can misconstrue His original plan for women and ultimately, male and female. While reading, I couldn't help asking myself "wait, do I think that too?" or "have I fallen into that trap?" The best part is her redemptive victory that only could have been directed through the Lord's grace and ended with an all-encompassing relationship with the Holy Spirit. As a man, nothing rang truer in the context of her journey than Matthew 20:25-28 and that we are called to serve each other in love and in every circumstance. "But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”