BIBLE STUDY

THEME: TO BECOME THE WOMAN GOD WOULD HAVE ME BE

Materials Needed:

Flipchart, or large sheets of paper, or two sheets of Bristol board on wall; Bible for each girl if possible; four copies of the questions numbers 1 to 7; markers, Bible references on slips of paper.

10 Minutes: Brainstorm:

What does God want us to be like?  Ask for suggestion” Ask for suggestions, write list on chart.  Distribute the slips of paper with the following Bible references (you don’t have to use them all. Each girl could do more than one verse if the group is small.):

1 Kings 2:3                                                    Matthew 7:12

Matthew 5:23,24                                           Romans 12:9

Matthew 5:38, 39                                          Romans 12:10

Matthew 5:44                                                Romans 12:12

Matthew 6:1                                                  Romans 12:18

When the girls have had time to look up their references, add this suggestion to the list on the chart.

Say: “The CGIT purpose serves as a guide that helps us live up to the things required of us if we are to become the women God would have us be.”

Post a large sheet of paper, divide it into four columns, and write these headings on the top.  CHERISH HEALTH, SEEK TRUTH, KNOW GOD, SERVES OTHERS.

10 TO 15 Minutes:

Divide into 3 to 4 groups, depending on the numbers present.  Give each group a copy of the questions numbered 1 to 7 (see next page), and one of the following women to discuss, using these questions.  This is an oral discussion; no notes need to be taken.  Provide each group with a separate work area.

Topic 1: Esther

Background to be read before the Bible passages are read:

The Jews had been conquered by the Babylonians and taken as slaves to Babylon (now Iraq).  Esther, who was very beautiful, was married to the king of Persia.  The fact Esther was Jewish was a secret, even to him.  Esther’s cousin and guardian, Mordecai, angered the king’s chancellor, Haman, by refusing to bow down to him.  (Mordecai would bow only to God.)  Haman ordered that all Jews be killed.  Mordecai pleaded with Esther to use her influence with the king and intercede for the Jews; in so doing she would be at great risk, because she would have to reveal the fact she was Jewish.

Reference: Esther 4:16, Esther 4: 1-6, Esther 8: 1-7

Topic 2:   Lydia

Reference: Acts 16: 11-15, 40 (And perhaps Lydia is included in Paul’s letter to the Christian at Philippi in this verse: Philippians 4:3

Topic 3: Ruth

Background to be read before the Bible passages:  Naomi, a Hebrew woman was in a foreign land, Moab.  Her two sons married local girls.  Then both sons and her husband died.  Naomi decided to return to Judah.  What would her two daughters-in-law do?

Reference: Ruth 1: 1-17, Ruth 2: 1-13

Topic 3: Dorcas

Reference:  Acts 9, 36-42

Following the discussion, you might mention that there are still a Dorcas Societies in many parts of the world today, which prepare clothes for the poor.

The Questions:

1. What do we learn of the character and personality of this Bible woman from the passages read?

2. Did she have any special talent or gift?

3. What task, problem, or challenge did she face?

4. What hindered, or might have hindered, her from carrying out her goal?

5. Did she risk or sacrifice anything in carrying out her goal?

6. What were her sources of help and strength in carrying out her task?

7.  Did she “Cherish health”? “Seek truth”? “Know God”? “Serve others”?  If so, be prepared to write her name under the appropriate headings on the chart when you return to the main groups.

10 Minutes:

Call the separate groups together.  Have someone from each group write the name of their biblical woman on the chart, in the appropriate column or columns, and explain very briefly how that woman “ knew God”, or “cherished health” etc.

Ask the girls to suggest one or two women who are still well known today, then

one or two women in the congregation or community whom they admire.  For each of these suggested women, ask the same questions as were asked about the Bible women.    Write down their names on the chart under the appropriate heading or headings.

Ask the girls in what ways they, in their own here and now situations can “cherish health”, “seek truth”, “know God”, and  “serve others”.  Write down the suggested answers under the corresponding headings. 

Finally, acknowledge that we need God’s help as we try to live up to the goals of our purpose.

                                                                               Alberta Middy Media, September 2005

(This would be an excellent Bible Study to do in the New Year as a follow-up to the 2005 Vesper Service.)