PRESENTS

The Mystery Women of the Bible

Discussion Questions

Chapter 1—Ruth and Naomi: An Eternal Kind of Love

1. What character qualities would you look for in a mentor?
2. Did or do you have a spiritual mentor? Tell us what she/he did to help you grow spiritually?
3. Have you ever been a spiritual mentor to another? Tell us about your experience. Was it rewarding? Disappointing? Difficult?
4. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses, benefits and drawbacks, of intergenerational friendships?
5. Have you ever seen or experienced evidence of the “deeds are seeds” or “you reap what you sow” concept?
6. Read Ruth’s pledge to Naomi:
7. “Don't urge me to turn my back on you,” Ruth said to her mother-in-law. “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people: your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me severely if anything but death separates you and me.”
8. Was kind of person would inspire this type of loyalty?
9. What type of person would pledge this to another?
10. We often hear about parents adopting children, but rarely children adopting parents. Why do you think Ruth was willing to turn her back on her life, family, country, and gods to adopt Naomi’s way of life?
11. As with Ruth and Naomi, sometimes we become a caregiver for a person who has cared for us. What qualities are desirable in a caregiver?
12. If you became dependant upon someone else, what would you want your caregiver to know about you?

Chapter 2—Bathsheba: Temptress or Victim?

1. When you hear the name “Bathsheba,” what type of person do you think of? An adulteress? A victim? A seductress? The Virtuous Woman? A queen?
2. Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, appears to be a loving, honorable man and soldier and devoted to her while David had fame, riches, and several wives. Why do you think women sometimes find wealth, power, fame, and talent more desirable than committed love?
3. Let’s talk about fantasy: If girls dream about handsome Prince Charming, who do you think boys dream about?
4. Can soap operas and romance novels be dangerous to a woman’s satisfaction with her life and mate?
5. Can a woman’s manner of dress encourage men to fantasize about her? Is it wrong for a woman to dress provocatively or is the sin of lust solely the man’s for lacking self-control?
6. When a Christian leader falls, the faith of many can be permanently damaged. Have you ever been disillusioned by a Christian leader? How? What was the result?
7. The author’s opinion is that Bathsheba could have said no to David’s advances but chose not to do so. What is yours? Could Bathsheba have said no?
8. How do you think a godly woman should handle sexual harassment? Can you give examples?
9. You’ve heard the statement: “If he’ll do it with you, he’ll do it to you.” How do you rebuild lost trust? How do you rebuild a damaged reputation?
10. When a marriage or life begins on the wrong foot, how can God help it get back on track?

Chapter 3—Mary of Nazareth: What Did It Cost To Be the “Handmaiden of God?”

1. How do you think you would react if your 13-year-old daughter said, “I’m pregnant. The baby’s father is God. And by the way, I’m still a virgin.”
2. What is your opinion of ancient writings about Mary that are not included in the canonical Bible? Should they be accepted as truth? Or should the Bible be the sole authority on Mary’s life?
3. How do you think you would react if you met an angel face-to-face? What questions would you have for the angel if you were asked to carry God’s own Son?
4. Tell us what clues to Mary’s character you find in The Magnificat? What lines speak to you?
5. Do you think anyone is conceived or born by accident?
6. Different cultures and religions have a variety of customs concerning marriage. How did you choose your marriage partner? If you knew then what you know now, would you have used a different criterion?
7. What moment in Mary’s life speaks to you?

Chapter 4—The Woman at the Well: Why Did Jesus Ask a Thirsty Woman For A Drink?

1. Women semi-seriously joke about “loving chocolate.” Why do you think many women turn to chocolate another type of food for happiness or comfort?
2. What do you observe women doing to alleviate stress, sadness, disappointment, rejection, boredom, etc.?
3. What do you think women are looking for in multiple intimate relationships?
4. Because of her immoral behavior, her community shunned “Umnia,” the woman at the well. How should we treat people whose lifestyle we disapprove of?
5. Do you think Jesus went out of His way to talk to this particular woman? Why?
6. Although the woman at the well had a past, why do you think her past was not an obstacle to Jesus?
7. What do you think Jesus was offering the woman at the well? What does the term “living water” mean to you?
8. What yearnings does God wish to satisfy in you?

Chapter 5—The Widow of Zarephath: How Did She Feed Her Family on Faith?

1. Although Nediva was not a Jewess, God asked her to exercise great faith. How do you think faith begins?
2. How do you think God speaks to people? Can you tell about a time you “heard” God’s voice?
3. Single parents already have a hard time surviving. Why do you thing God choose the widow to take the additional responsibility of the prophet?
4. Baal was a god who demanded infant sacrifice to bring prosperity. What type of cruel false gods do you see others worshipping?
5. God did a miracle for Nediva and fed her during a famine. Has God ever provided for you in a miraculous way?
6. Jesus found Nediva’s faith to be remarkable. What do you find outstanding about her?

Chapter 6—Deborah the Judge: How Did Her Strategy Win a War?

1. Why do you think strong women like Deborah sometimes make others nervous?
2. Deborah was a judge in Israel. What kind of person does it take to arbitrate legal matters and give sage personal advice?
3. Who do you look to for sound advice?
4. Women in the military were very rare—unheard of—in Deborah’s day. Why do you think Barak was afraid to go to battle without Deborah? If you were a modern day Deborah, what great evils in the world would you fight? What would you do? What can you do?
5. What do you admire about Deborah? What qualities of Deborah’s would you like to emulate?

Chapter 7— Anna the Prophetess: What Was Her Vision for Tomorrow?

1. Many people see the future as bleak. How do you see the future? Rosy? Dark? Why?
2. What good things would you like to see the future bring to your children and grandchildren?
3. What good things could you be praying that the future will bring? How could your prayers be turned into actions on your part?
4. Have you ever fasted? Why do you think God calls people to fast? Why is self-discipline important for someone who loves God?
5. When Anna and Simeon saw the Baby Jesus, they believed that although Israel was under Rome, their people had a future. According to their words, what do you think they expected the Messiah to do?
6. If you could ask God for a blessing for the future of your town, state, and country, what would it be?

Chapter 8—Dorcas: She Built a Church With a Needle

1. According to the story of Dorcas, what kind of deeds have long lasting effects upon the world?
2. Were you surprised that Jesus had female disciples? What kind of ministry do you think a modern day Dorcas would be involved with?
3. The sky’s the limit! What would you like to do to help to women and children in need? What can you do?
4. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) How closely does Jesus identify with the poor? Why do you think Jesus wants us to care for those less fortunate? What does He expect us to do about the poor whose misfortunate is their own fault?
5. Many times, as in Dorcas’ church in Jaffa, the poor are the most generous. How do you think God will judge the wealthy who are stingy?
6. What do you admire most about Dorcas? How could you become more like her?

Rebekah Montgomery, author/speaker/teacher, is a gifted, dynamic communicator. She is the author of more than five books and has penned 1,100 articles. She shares tough real-life topics and biblical application in a simple easy to grasp manner.

Go to: http://www.jubilantpress.com/mysterywomen.htm for details.

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