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REBEKAH

Please read Genesis 24:12-28, 50-67

Note: Abraham has sent his trusted servant to find a wife for Isaac from among his relatives.

1. a) Where do you see the servant’s faith at work as he goes about fulfilling his duty?

b) What specific “test” does he ask the Lord to use as a sign of confirmation for the right one?

2. What is Rebekah’s response to the servant’s request, and what does that reveal about her?

3. From the brief account of her arrival and marriage in verses 61-67, what is interesting to you?

Please read Genesis 25:19-28

4. a) Rebekah was dealing with infertility for nearly 20 years (compare 25:20, 26). What did Isaac do about this situation?

b) What do you think Rebekah might have been feeling during this long wait?

c) Have you ever experienced a deep disappointment that threatened your hope in God? How did you deal with it?

5.

a) What does Rebekah do when she has difficulty during her pregnancy?

b) What amazing prophecy is she given by God?

6.

a) Describe the differing personalities of Jacob and Esau.

b) What unwise reality does 25:28 reveal?

Please read Genesis 27:1-29; 27:41-28:2

7.

a) Why do you think Rebekah decided on this plan to deceive Isaac?

b) What are your thoughts about her words to Jacob in 27:13?

8. What does Rebekah learn about Esau’s intentions toward Jacob, and how does she work to interrupt that plan?

9. Considering the whole of Rebekah’s life, what encouragement do you take, and what warning?

LEAH & RACHEL

Please read Genesis 29:1-20

1. Where did Jacob’s journey take him and whose arrival at the well confirmed the success of his trip?

2. What comparison is made of Leah and Rachel in verse 17?

3.

a) Whom does Jacob love, and what bargain does he make to obtain her as his wife?

4.

b) What does 29:20 reveal about his heart and the depth of his love?

Please read Genesis 29:21-35

a) How does Laban deceive Jacob?

b) Do you think the daughters were consulted about this, and what do you imagine this was like for Leah? For Rachel?

5.

a) What blessing did God grant to Leah?

6.

b) How do the names she chooses for her sons reveal the state of her heart?

Please read Genesis 30:1-24

a) What did Leah have that Rachel did not have, and was that enough to make her happy?

b) What did Rachel have that Leah did not have, and was that enough to make her happy?

7.

a) Is there some situation in your life where you are focused on what you don’t have, rather than what you do have?

b) What lesson might you learn from these two women?

8. How does God show mercy to Rachel?

TAMAR & RAHAB

Please read Genesis 38:1-30

1.

a) What is the first mention of Tamar in Genesis 38? What is the sad reality of her two marriages?

b) Whom does Judah blame for the death of his sons, and who is actually responsible?

2. Why do you think Tamar chose the course of action that she did?

3. a) What news came to Judah concerning Tamar?

b) What does his first response to the news reveal about him?

4. a) How does Tamar react to the threat on her life?

b) What does this reveal about her?

5. How would you describe Judah’s statement in verse 26?

Please read Joshua 2:1-21; 6:22-25

6. a) Write down some details about Rahab; what risk did she take by hiding the spies?

b) Rahab’s belief is based only on what she has heard; how does her confidence compare with the earlier spies of Israel who actually witnessed God’s miracles? (Numbers 13:31-32)

c) What contributes to the growth of your faith?

7. What does she ask the spies to do in return for her kindness?

8. What unusual mention is made of these two women in Matthew 1:1-5, and why do you think they were included there?

9.

a) What is especially meaningful to you about Tamar?

b) What is especially meaningful to you about Rahab?

JOCHEBED & MIRIAM

Note: Moses’ mother was named Jochebed (see Numbers 26:59).

Please read Exodus 1:8-2:10

1. a) Describe the dire situation that the people of Israel were now experiencing in Egypt.

b) What terrible order was given to midwives and then to all Hebrews?

2.

a) Try to put yourself in Jochebed’s situation; what do you suppose it would have been like when she gave birth to a son?

b) What idea came to her after three months, and from where do you suppose it came?

c) Have you ever had to give up something precious to you? What did you learn from that?

3.

a) How does the story unfold, and how do you see God’s hand in these events?

b) In what way does Moses’ sister Miriam show courage?

c) What amazing blessing was given back to Jochebed?

Please read Exodus 15:19-21

4.

a) After the great event of crossing the Red Sea, what part does Miriam take in the celebration?

b) What spiritual position has she already been given with the people, and what does that tell you about her?

c) Is exuberant praise to the Lord a common occurrence in your life, and what is your favorite activity of praise?

Please read Numbers 12:1-15; 20:1

5. a) What foolish choice did Aaron and Miriam make, and what do you think was going on in their hearts and minds to make such a choice?

b) God’s discipline of His people is always intended to transform and restore; how do you think Miriam might have been changed by this experience?

6.

a) In Micah 6, when God is reminding the Israelites of His many blessings for them through their history, what specific goodness does He list in verse 4?

b) How does this confirm Miriam’s importance to her people, despite her imperfections?

c) In what ways have you thought that you had to be perfect to be useful in the kingdom?

7. Share at least one thing you have learned from these two women.

ABIGAIL

Please read 1 Samuel 25:1-17

1. How does Scripture describe Nabal, and how does it describe Abigail?

2. a) What is David’s immediate response to Nabal’s treatment of his emissary?

b) What action is taken by Nabal’s shepherds, and what does that reveal about the way the household works?

Please read 1 Samuel 25:18-31

3. a) Describe Abigail’s actions after hearing the shepherds’ report.

b) Do you imagine she has ever had to do this before?

4.

a) As David rides along with his men, what is his emotional state?

b) When Abigail encounters David, what does she do first, and on whom does she want the blame placed for the problem at hand?

5.

a) How does Abigail express her confidence that David will do the right thing?

b) Which of her words reveal her own faith in God’s plan for David?

c) How does Abigail gently challenge David to change his vengeful intentions?

6.

a) Abigail’s words in this speech to David are eloquent and poetic; which ones are especially meaningful to you?

b) Are there any lessons you would take for your own life?

Please read I Samuel 25:32-42

7. a) What radical change comes over David?

b) How difficult do you think it is to be receptive to other ideas when one is upset about mistreatment?

8. Whom does David see at work in this event, and how does he clearly acknowledge Abigail’s excellence?

1.

OF ZERAPHATHS & NAAMAN’S SERVANT GIRL

Please read 1 Kings 17:1-16

a) What prophecy did Elijah speak to Ahab, and what instruction did God give to Elijah?

b) Spend some time meditating on the phrase in verse 4, “I have commanded the ravens,” and write down your thoughts.

2.

a) When God’s first provision ended, what was his next direction to Elijah?

b) What repeated phrase occurs in verse 9, and what does that say about God and about the widow, who was not an Israelite?

3.

a) What does Elijah ask of the widow, and what dire circumstances does she reveal in reply?

b) What amazing promise is given in verse 14, and how do you think that would have impacted her emotional state?

c) Have you ever experienced God’s provision in a way that seemed impossible?

Please read 1 Kings 17:17-24

4. a) What calamity happens to the widow, and how does she characterize the cause?

b) Is that a familiar interpretation of trouble to you?

5. How does God bless her, and how does that change her heart?

6.

Please read 2 Kings 5:1-14

a) How did this Israelite girl happen to be in this Syrian household?

b) List all the facts about her that would seem to make her unimportant and not a heroine.

7. What does she tell her mistress, and what does that reveal about her character?

8.

a) What does God do for Naaman besides curing his disease?

b) How valuable was the girl’s testimony to this household?

9. a) What is meaningful to you about the widow? About the servant girl?

b) Is there a way you are inspired to be like them?

WORTHY WOMAN

Please read Proverbs 31:10-31

1. a) Which verses give information that relates to her husband?

b) How would you characterize her behavior toward him, and his behavior toward her?

2. a) Which verses make mention of those in her household?

b) What do you appreciate in the way she cares for them, and is there a lesson you would take for yourself regarding your own family relationships?

3. a) What are her business activities?

b) Considering the width and variety of her interests, what is your appraisal of that part of her life?

4. a) Where do you find evidence of her compassion?

b) How is compassion part of your life?

c) In what ways does she also take care of herself?

5. Verse 25 says, “She smiles at the future;” what does that mean to you, and might that be said of you?

6. The last two verses in the chapter give a kind of lesson summary; please put that in your own words, and share any comments about it.

7.

a) How do you envision yourself in this chapter?

b) What part is most meaningful to you?