DEBORAH
Please read Judges 2:10-19; 4:1-22
1. a) In Judges 2:10-19, what sad pattern was being repeated in Israel after the death of Joshua?
b) How does the word “again” in 4:1 signal the state of things at the time of our study?
2. a) Whom does God raise up to lead His people this time?
b) Notice what Scripture says in this passage, and write down everything you learn about this judge.
3. a) What message does God give Deborah concerning Israel’s situation?
b) Compare the responses of Deborah and Barak to this word from God; what do you think was the reason for responding as they did?
c) What is your usual response to God’s word?
4. a) How does Deborah encourage Barak in 4:14-16 and what happens when the armies meet?
b) Please share an experience when God was merciful to you in a difficult circumstance.
5. What ultimate and unlikely defeat comes to Sisera at the hands of Jael?
Please read Judges 5
Note: This celebration song reveals the great joy and thanksgiving of Deborah and Barak for the victory God gave to His people; it also enriches our understanding of what was going on.
6. a) From verses 1-5, what part did the people play and what part did the Lord play?
b) How was nature used in this event?
7. The battle and defeat of Canaan’s army is referenced in verses 19-21; remembering that the “heavens dripped,” how might those enemy chariots have been made useless?
8. a) Considering these two chapters, what does this narrative tell you about God’s use of women in leadership?
b) What can we learn from it about men and women working together to accomplish God’s purposes?
c) What work has God given you to do for His people?
BATHSHEBA
Please read II Samuel 11:1-27
1. a) When David makes inquiries about the beautiful woman he sees, what is he told?
b) To what special group did Uriah belong, according to II Samuel 23:8 & 39?
2. a) What do you think should have been David’s response to this information, and what does he actually do?
b) Would you characterize this as an invitation or something more forceful?
3. Have you ever been in any situation where you felt powerless? What was that like?
4. a) What is David’s first reaction to news of Bathsheba’s pregnancy?
b) How does that work, and what does he ultimately do?
5. a) From 11:26, how does Bathsheba respond to her loss?
b) What is God’s evaluation of this matter, and who is named as the guilty party?
Please read II Samuel 12:1-25
6. a) How does the prophet Nathan confront David’s sin?
b) How does David respond in 12:13?
7. What further loss does Bathsheba endure, and what new blessing does God give her?
Please read I Kings 1:11-31
8. a) What danger to Bathsheba and Solomon has arisen in David’s old age?
b) According to I Chronicles 22:6-10, whom had God chosen to succeed David?
c) How does Nathan respond to this situation, and what does it say to you that he speaks first to Bathsheba?
9. In Matthew 1:6 who is listed as part of the genealogy of Jesus, and what does it mean to you that she is included in this amazing document?
10. When you consider the life of Bathsheba, what lesson will you take with you?
MARY
MOTHER OF JESUS
Please read Luke 1:26-38
1. How did Mary respond to Gabriel’s initial greeting, and what do you think might have been going through her mind?
2. a) What was the astonishing message that the angel delivered?
b) How have you experienced the reality of verse 37 in your own life?
3. a) Put Mary’s answer to Gabriel in Verse 38 in your own words.
b) Is there a lesson in her response that you can apply in your own circumstances?
Please read Luke 1:39-56; Matthew 1:18-25
Note: Our next lesson will focus more fully on Elizabeth.
4. Considering Elizabeth’s words to Mary, what effect do you think they had on her heart?
5. Spend some time thinking about the words of Mary’s song (46-55). How would you describe it, and which line especially blesses you?
6. How has Joseph reacted to Mary’s pregnancy according to the Matthew passage, and what kindness does God show him?
Please read Luke 2:1-20, 40-52
7. a) List the hard things Mary was experiencing, leading up to the time for her to give birth.
b) Imagine yourself being present at that amazing moment; what do you think you would say or do?
8. a) In Luke 2:40-52 we have the only record of Jesus’ childhood experiences. What was the circumstance and what was the effect on Mary?
b) What do you think it would have been like to parent Jesus as He grew to manhood?
Please read John 19:25-27; Acts 1:12-14
9. a) From the John passage, who was standing by the cross of Jesus?
b) Even at the cross, how is Mary cared for by Jesus?
10. a) How is it significant to you that Mary was part of the group waiting and praying in the upper room in Jerusalem?
b) Looking back on her life, what is especially meaningful to you?
ELIZABETH & ANNA
Please read Luke 1:5-25
1. a) From verses 5-7, list all the things you learn about Elizabeth.
b) When you consider verse 6, what is your response to such a description?
c) What amazing message does the angel give to Zechariah?
2. a) What do Elizabeth’s words in verse 25 reveal about what her life has been like?
b) If you have ever been in a circumstance when you knew others were judging you, how did you respond and what did you learn?
Please read Luke 1:39-45; 57-66
3. When Mary comes to Elizabeth, what immediately happens to Elizabeth and to her baby?
4. a) Considering that Elizabeth has big news herself, what does it say to you that she is utterly focused on Mary?
b) Is there a lesson in this that you can apply in your own life?
5. a) What characteristics of Elizabeth are especially on display in verses 42-44?
b) How are you cultivating those traits in your life?
6. Spend some time thinking about Elizabeth’s words in verse 45. a) How do you think those particular words affected Mary?
b) Is there someone you need to be encouraging in this way?
Please read Luke 2:36-38
Joseph and Mary have just presented the baby Jesus to the Lord at the temple.
7. a) Describe the unusual life that Anna has lived.
b) What do you imagine it was like to live that life?
8. a) What special reward does God give her on this day?
b) How does she respond to that reward?
c) Since these three verses are all we’re given about Anna, why do you think that what she did was recorded in Scripture?
9. Looking back on the lives of these two women, what is one thing you want to learn and use?
MARY MAGDALENE
Please read Luke 8:1-3
1. What change did Jesus begin in His ministry at this point?
b) Who accompanied Him and how do you imagine this arrangement was regarded by others?
2. a) Write down what you learn about Mary Magdalene in this passage.
b) Do you have any unanswered questions about her?
Please read Matthew 26:31-35, 27:54-61; John 19:25
3. a) What had Jesus prophesied to the apostles about their reactions to what was coming?
b) Who is named as being present at the cross, and do you have any thoughts about that?
4. Who went with Joseph of Arimathea when he placed the body of Jesus in the tomb?
5. Try to put yourself in the shoes of all these disciples, and share some feelings you think you might have had.
Please read John 20:1-19
6. a) What does Mary Magdalene find when she goes to the tomb?
b) Whom does she tell and what do they do?
7. a) What brought Mary to recognize that it was not the gardener, but Jesus, standing near her?
b) Have you had an experience of suddenly being aware of the presence of Jesus? Share.
c) What task does Jesus give her to do?
8. a) Mark 16:9-11 is another account of this; what added information does it provide?
b) How does Jesus show mercy in John 20:19?
c) If you ever struggle with disbelief, how can you find comfort in this passage?
9. What is one thing about the life of Mary Magdalene that you will take with you?
SAMARITAN WOMAN
AT THE WELL
Please read John 4:1-9; II Kings 17:6, 24-29
1. a) What do you learn about the history of Samaria in the II Kings passage?
b) How does this help you understand the attitude of Jews toward Samaritans?
2. Why has Jesus stopped at the well, and how does this enrich your image of Him?
3. How radical do you think it was that Jesus asked the woman for a drink?
Please read John 4:10-30
4. In their conversation about water, how is Jesus moving the woman to think about a different kind of water?
b) What two aspects of that water are described in verse 14?
5. a) How does John 7:37-39 help you understand what that water is?
b) What has been your experience with that water?
6. a) How does the woman realize that Jesus actually knows her?
b) Why do you think that moved her to talk about spiritual matters?
7. What do you think it meant to the woman that Jesus inferred that God was seeking her worship? What does it mean to you that He wants yours?
8. a) Are you surprised that she knows the prophecy of the Messiah?
b) Why do you think Jesus reveals to her that He is the Messiah?
c) What does she do after learning this?
Please read John 4:31-42
9. What does verse 34 mean to you, and have you ever experienced this kind of “food”?
10. a) How has the woman been demonstrating what is important to her, and what results from her activity?
b) How does she encourage you to tell your story to others?
PRISCILLA, PHOEBE, & JUNIA
Please read Acts 18:1-3, 18-19, 24-28; Romans 16:3-5
1. During Paul’s second missionary journey, what new acquaintances does he make in Corinth, and from Acts 18:1-3, what details can you learn about their lives thus far?
2. a) In Ephesus, what beneficial gift do Priscilla and Aquila give to Apollos?
b) What does that reveal to you about Priscilla and Aquila?
3. a) Who is the person in your life who especially taught you important truths?
b) How are you telling others about Jesus?
4. a) According to the Romans passage, where are Priscilla and her husband at this time?
b) What had they done for Paul, and how does he regard them?
c) What do you learn about the width of their ministry?
5. If you have a believing spouse, in what way can you minister together in the kingdom?
Please read Romans 16:1-7
6. a) What title or position does Phoebe hold?
b) Since she is the first person mentioned in this long list of greetings, what significance do you think that has?
7. a) Considering that Phoebe is traveling to Rome, how does Paul want her to be received?
b) What very positive portrait of her does he offer?
8. It seems that Phoebe is unmarried; if you are single, how does she encourage you in your spiritual walk?
9. a) In verse 7, how does Paul describe Junia?
b) What difficult and suffering circumstances had she endured?
10. If your life is hard right now, how can the life of Junia encourage you?
11. Looking back over all the women in this study, who are those you find most memorable or instructive?
