Syllabus for Women’s Bible Study

This covers the next 6 months of our women’s group on the 3rd Saturday of each month.

Please read the listed Bible passages and review the questions before each study.

Apr 16: A Jewish maid, the girl who talked about God

                  II Kings 5:1-5, 14-15; Acts 1:8

1.     What does the Bible say about this girl? How did she arrive at Naaman’s home?

2.     What does the Bible tell about Naaman and his disease? Why was it so terrible? (Leviticus 13:45-46)

3.     What do you conclude from the words the maid spoke to Naaman’s wife?

4.     What different things happened as a result of those few words?

5.     What do you consider to be the most important result of her boldness?

6.     Compare what the girl did with the commission Jesus gave in Acts 1:8. What lessons did you draw personally from her boldness: How are you going to apply them?

May 21: Esther, a queen who risked her life for her people

                  Esther 4:1,5-16; 7:1-6; 8:15-17

1.     What most impressed you about the character and life attitude of Esther?

2.     Repeat in your own words the content of Esther 4:14.

3.     Consider her call to fasting in light of Ezra 8:23 and Daniel 9:3. What can you learn from this?

4.     What is the proof that Esther purposely risked her life for her people?

5.     Describe what happened to her people as a result of her intervention.

6.     Study Esther’s dedication in light of Ezekiel 22:30. What are your conclusions?

7.     What has this story taught you about God’s leading?

Jun 18: Job’s wife, the woman who said no to God

                  Job 1:1-3, 6-12; 2:1-10; 42:10-13; Romans 8:28

1.     Describe Job’s family before the catastrophies.

2.     Who was the cause of the sorrow that afflicted Job’s family? See also Revelation 12:9-10.

3.     Reflect on the reaction of Job’s wife. Formulate her response in your own words.

4.     Look at her life and her husband’s life in regard to Matthew 7:24-27. What can you conclude?

5.     What encouragement does the Bible offer to Christians who persevere in difficulties?  (James 5:11, Hebrews 12:11, I Corinthians 10:13.

6.     What did you personally learn from the experiences of Job’s wife? What are you doing to apply this to your own life?

Jul 16: Mary, the most privileged among women

                  Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:6-45, 17-19, 33-35; John 19:25-27

1.     What made Mary the most privileged of all women?

2.     Study her Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). What were her thoughts about God? How did she think about herself?

3.     Mary’s privileged position meant making sacrifices. List the sacrifices she had to make.

4.     What do you consider to be the most difficult thing Mary faced as a mother?

5.     What do you consider to be Mary’s most remarkable characteristics? Support your conclusions.

6.     What is the most important thing you have learned from Mary? What practical value does this have for your personal life?

Aug 20: Elizabeth, strong of character and a good life-partner

Luke 1:5-20, 24-25, 39-45

1.     What positive announcement does the Bible make about Elizabeth in Luke 1:6?

2.     What was the “reproach” of Elizabeth’s life? Name other women in the Bible who had the same experience.

3.     Consider Zacharias’ song of praise (Luke 1:67-79) in the context of the story and describe how the couple’s lack was amply compensated. (See also Matthew 11:11a.)

4.     Study Elizabeth’s life in light of Galatians 5:22-23. Which aspects of the fruit of the Spirit do you see in her life? Also read Philippians 2:3-4 and I Corinthians 10:24.

5.     Are there indications that Elizabeth was a good wife? If so, what?

6.     What appeals most to you in her life? In what way do you wish to follow her example? How will you do this?

Sep 17: Anna, a woman who wasn’t destroyed by a broken heart

                  Jeremiah 49:11; Psalm 147:3; Luke 2:22-27a, 36-38

1.     As a young woman Anna experienced a great loss. How did this influence her life? See also Luke 9:62.

2.     How does the Bible describe her relationship with God? What conclusions do you draw from this?

3.     What privilege did Anna experience?

4.     What did Anna do after she had seen Jesus?

5.     Read II Corinthians 1:3-4. What specific opportunities do people who have encountered sorrow have?

6.     What have you learned from Anna about how to have victory in sorrow? Is there someone you can help in this area?