Godly Women and Their Struggles

a. Eve: Genesis 2:7-8, 15-25; 3:1-21; 1 Timothy 2:14-15

h. Deborah: Judges 4

b. Sarah: Genesis 12:10-20; 16; 21:1-20; 1 Peter 2:21-3:6

i. Ruth: Ruth 1-4

c. Rebecca: Genesis 25:19-23; 27

j. Hannah: 1 Samuel 1

d. Rachel & Leah: Genesis 29:14 - 30:24

k. Abigail: 1 Samuel 25

e. Tamar: Genesis 38

l. Esther: Esther 4:1 - 5:8

f. Zelophehad daughters: Numbers 27:1-12; 36

m. Samaritan woman: John 4

g. Rahab: Joshua 2; 6:24-25

Biblical Reflection

Take paper and write down the names of the women as you read each passage, and answer the following questions about each one, if applicable.

a.  What is the woman remembered for in Scripture?

b.  What struggle or life issue did the woman face?

c.  What need or interest was she concerned about?

d.  How did she respond to her circumstances?

e.  Did the Lord help her in any special way?  Explain.

f.   Was the woman assertive or vocal?  Submissive or silent?  How was this demonstrated?

g.  What example does she provide for your life?

Self-Evaluation

a.  How would I react if I were in similar circumstances?

b.  What needs and interests do I have?

     Which of these do I expect someone else to fulfill?

     Which of these am I looking to God to fulfill?

     Which of these am I going to handle myself?

c.  How have I tended to respond to life's disappointments?

     Have these responses helped or hurt my situation or well-being?

d.  What criteria should I consider in determining when to be vocal and when to be silent?

e.  How do I view myself:       passive        accommodating        compromising        assertive

     ___ aggressive   ___ other.

     Would my spouse or others agree with that perception?

f.   Is God satisfied with the way I am?  What changes do I need to make?

CAUTION.  Many women in unequally-yoked marriages experience stress from trying to be active in the church and please their husbands who may not support their participation.  Some wives may even bear resentment against their husbands.  The purpose of this study is not to give wives in difficult marriages a place to vent anger and frustration against their husbands.  This is a class and not therapy, although learning about godly women in the Bible can be therapeutic. A godly woman is always responsible to God for her conduct regardless of her circumstances.

Copyright © 2007 Blaine Robison. All rights reserved.