Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 6- The Beauty of Membership Identity

October 24, 2018August 28, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Read These Selected Scriptures

In lesson 5, we learned about finding our identity in Christ. To find our identity in anyone or anything else is idolatry. Today, we’re exploring membership in the Body as part of our identity in Christ.

Questions to Consider

1. In previous lessons (see links above) we learned that we were created by God, in the image of God. We also learned that, as Believers, our personal identity – who we are at the deepest inner level of our own being, and how we see ourselves – is found in Christ. But there’s no such thing as an isolated Christian individual. (1 Corinthians 12:14) Read 1 Corinthians 12:27 and Romans 12:5 from today’s passages. What is another aspect of our identity in Christ?

2. According to the Colossians passages, what is another name for the “body”? Look up the word “church” in a concordance. What is the first verse in the Bible to mention the word “church”? Who spoke this verse? In what ways does this verse demonstrate that Jesus is the founder, builder, owner, and sustainer of the church?

3. There are two different ways the term “church” is most frequently used in the Bible and by Christians today: a) the church catholic (small “c”, not Roman Catholic) or universal, and b) the local church. What is the difference between these terms? Describe your membership as a Believer in both the church catholic and the local church.

4. How do you become a member of the church catholic? (1 Corinthians 12:13) Is this baptism at the moment of salvation visible or invisible? Spiritual or tangible? How does visible water baptism into membership in the visible local church outwardly symbolize your invisible baptism in the Holy Spirit into the invisible church catholic? Have you been baptized as your first step into local church membership? Why were you baptized, or why haven’t you been baptized?

5. Consider the metaphor of individual Christians as “body parts” (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) in terms of actual parts of a human body. Explain the metaphor in detail – how are the parts connected to the body? How/where do the parts get their nourishment? How do the parts know what to do and when to do it? How can the parts help or hinder other parts and the body as a whole? Who/what is the “command center” of the body?

6. What does 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 teach us about how we should view ourselves as a member of the body? What is God’s purpose in teaching us this view of ourselves – to build up our egos? Explain verse 18 as it applies to you and to other church members. What does 1 Corinthians 12:20-27 teach the church about how we should view individual members? What does it mean to be a church member who is “weaker” (22), “less honorable…unpresentable” (23)? What provisions does God – and do we – make for those members? (23-24) How does this contribute to unity in the church? (25-26)

7. Consider the 1 Corinthians passage and the Romans passage together with regard to how individual members contribute to the workings of the Body. Describe the heart attitude God wants us to have, and the approach He wants us to take as we serve the church. How do the concepts of unity, cooperation, and humility flesh themselves out as we work with fellow church members to serve the Body?

8. Sometimes we encounter a sister in Christ who is so passionate about her particular gifting or area of ministry that she pressures other church members to be as passionately involved in that ministry as she is, or she seems to look down on Christians who don’t have the same gifting she has. How would you use today’s passages to disciple her?

Homework

Is membership in the church catholic or the local church optional for Christians? If you answered yes to either, cite the Scriptures supporting your answer.

Give my article Basic Training: 7 Reasons Church is Not Optional and Non-Negotiable for Christians (and the articles in the “Additional Resources” section) a read. Explain in your own words why God wants Christians to be members of a doctrinally sound local church. Need to find a doctrinally sound church? Want to know what to look for in a healthy church? Explore the resources at the Searching for a new church? tab at the top of this page. (You can also recommend any doctrinally sound churches you have a personal connection with.)

Suggested Memory Verse

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 5- A Beautiful Identity

October 17, 2018December 6, 2020 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4

Read The Selected Scriptures Below

In lesson 4, we learned that we were created by God, for His glory and His purposes. Today, we’re taking a look at our identity in Christ.

Questions to Consider

1. What does the phrase “our identity in Christ” mean? If the statement, “My identity is in Christ,” is the answer, what is the question?

2. These passages identify someone who is in Christ in what way? God chose the metaphor of Father and children to describe and define His relationship with us. Describe the relationship between an ideal earthly father and his child. What are some of the character traits of the father? Describe the dynamics of authority, obedience, protection, provision, and love in their relationship. In what ways does God perfectly embody those character traits (attributes)? In what ways do the dynamics of authority, obedience, protection, provision, and love play out in our relationship with God as Father and us as His children?

3. Part of our identity in Christ is that being God’s children also makes us what, according to these passages? What does it mean to be an heir of God and a fellow heir with Christ? What is our inheritance, and when will we receive it? Is there any part of our inheritance that we are receiving now, in this life?

4. How do these passages characterize someone who is in Christ? Read this brief description of first century slavery to help you understand the cultural context in which these passages were written. People who are only familiar with American slavery of the 18th-19th century might think the phrase “slaves of Christ” sounds scary, or that Christ is harsh toward those who serve Him. How would you explain to those people what it means to be a slave of Christ? How is Christ the ideal Master? What are our obligations to Christ as His slaves, and the benefits of being His slave?

5. The Bible describes us, positionally and functionally, as children of God, co-heirs with Christ, and slaves of Christ. What are some other ways the Bible describes who we are in Christ? Cite the Scriptures you draw your answers from.

6. What are some things women, even Christian women, find their identity in besides Christ? How is it idolatry to find your identity in something besides Christ? How do you identify yourself?

7. How does our identity in Christ inform how we feel, think, speak, and act? Is this statement true or false: “To feel, think, speak, and act contrary to who we are in Christ is sin.”? Why? Back up your answer with Scripture.

Homework

Earthly fathers make out a will describing the inheritance their heirs will receive. Sometimes fathers use the will, and the threat of cutting children out of the will, as a tool for manipulating their children or keeping them in line. Is this how God relates to His children with regard to our inheritance? If you have truly been born into God’s family, will He ever cut you out of His “will”? Explain how your behavior is connected to your inheritance and to your position as an heir of God. Use Scripture to support your answer.

Suggested Memory Verse

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 4- Beautiful Beginnings

October 3, 2018August 28, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3

Read These Selected Scriptures

In lessons 2-3, we looked at the “icon” of biblical womanhood, the Proverbs 31 woman. But even if she is the ideal to attain to, how do we get there from here? Let’s start at the very beginning…a very good place to start!

Questions to Consider

1. What is the overall theme of this selection of Scriptures?

2. Who created women? (Genesis 1:26, Psalm 139:13) What does it mean for a woman to be made in the imago dei or “image of God”? What are some of the attributes and characteristics of God that we reflect? What are some attitudes of our hearts and things we do that do not reflect the image of God well?

3. What is the significance of the words “us” and “our” in Genesis 1:26 with relationship to a) God’s nature and b) to the creation of mankind? Consider the nature and attributes of each member of the Trinity. How would people be different if we were created only in God the Father’s image? Only in the Son’s or Spirit’s image?

4. How does God characterize His creation of humans? (Genesis 1:31) How did the Holy Spirit inspire David to characterize the creation of humans? (Psalm 139:14-15) How do the Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 passages describe God’s intentionality and precision in creating people? Has God ever made a mistake in the way He created a person? How would you counsel a friend struggling with a congenital disability, anorexia or body dysmorphia, homosexuality (“I was born this way.”) or transgenderism (“I was born with the wrong genitalia.”) with the Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 passages?

5. Examine Psalm 100:3 and Romans 9:20-21, and explain God’s sovereign right to ownership of and rule over His Creation (people). How is our sin a rebellion against God’s right to rule over us?

6. Put Psalm 103:14 and 78:39 into your own words. What is the main idea of these verses? Does God’s understanding of, and compassion for, our human frailty excuse our sin? Why or why not? Explain how God’s awareness of our feebleness is woven into both the law and the gospel. (ex: Did God create laws that were too lofty or difficult for frail humans to obey? Can people save themselves by their own strength?)

7. Compare and contrast the “new creation” of being born again in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, 2:10) to the bodily creation of humans (Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 139:13-16). How does the bodily creation point ahead to the spiritual creation? What purpose does God give us in each creation? What are some similarities and differences between the two creations?

8. Why is it an important component of the spiritual life of Christian women to understand that:

• God made us.

• Because God made us, He has a right to own and rule us.

• God made us with intentionality and for specific purposes.

• God made us to reflect His image.

• Our imperfections and issues with the way we were created are not God’s fault, but the result of sin.

How do these concepts help us understand that we were created at God’s good pleasure for His glory?

We were made by God, for God’s glory and His purposes. Therefore, He has the right to rule over us. Because God created us, He understands our weaknesses, but He still purposes that we should put off the flesh, flee temptation, and pursue holiness. In lesson 5, we’ll take a look at our identity in Christ.

Homework

God is a Trinity: one God in three persons – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Since God is triune, and we are made in His image, does that mean we are also trichotomous beings (body, soul, and spirit)? Or are we dichotomous beings (body and soul/spirit)? Which Scriptures support your position? Is this a question we can definitively and unequivocally know the answer to while we’re on earth? Does it matter? If not, why would Christians study this question?

Suggested Memory Verse

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 3- The Most Beautiful Girl in the World…er…Bible (Part 2)

September 26, 2018August 28, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2

Read Proverbs 31:1-31

Questions to Consider

1. Briefly review lesson 2 (link above) to refresh your memory on the context and background of this passage.

2. Considering the context of chapter 31, the person who spoke these words, and the person to whom they were spoken, were verses 10-31 originally meant as instructions to godly women? If not, how would you characterize the purpose and intent of this section?

3. Verse 10 introduces the passage as being a description of what kind of woman (her station in life)? Look carefully at the attributes of the ideal wife described in 10-31. Are these attributes that only characterize married women? Why or why not? What is the foundation of being an “excellent wife”? How does this foundation apply to all Christian women?

4. List the actions which typify a godly wife/woman (13-22, 24,26). In what ways are you performing similar actions in your own life?

5. Describe the attitudes and attributes displayed by a godly wife/woman (12-18, 20-21, 25-27). In what ways has God grown you in these attitudes and attributes? Which of these attitudes and attributes do you feel God needs to grow you in the most? Why?

6. How do a godly wife’s/woman’s actions, attitudes, and attributes affect others? Those dearest to her (11-12, 21,23,26-29)? Those she is responsible for (15,21,26-27)? Her community (2,23)? How does affecting others correlate with the concept (from lesson 2) of stewarding our influence over others in a godly way?

7. What is God’s assessment of a godly wife/woman? (10,29-31). (Notice where these verses giving God’s assessment are situated in this passage. How does this strategic placement of these verses help emphasize the godly value of the woman’s actions, attitudes/attributes, and affecting others contained in the verses in between?) Step back and take a “flyover” view of God’s Kingdom: why does God consider a woman’s godly actions, attitudes/attributes, and affecting others to be so vital, precious and praiseworthy? Some think God (and the Bible) treat women as “second class citizens” or less valuable than men. What does this passage have to say about that?

8. How does this passage – these actions, attitudes/attributes, affecting others, and God’s assessment – point us to Christ?

9. In lesson 2, we learned that many scholars believe Lemuel was actually Solomon himself. Compare 1 Kings 11:1-10 with Proverbs 31:10-31. What were the actions and attitudes/attributes of Solomon’s wives, and how did they affect him? What was God’s assessment of Solomon for letting them affect him this way? How does the 1 Kings passage support and prove the Proverbs passage?

The “Proverbs 31 Woman” is often considered the icon of biblical womanhood, and in many ways she is. But how do we get there from here? Next week, we’ll start at the very beginning…a very good place to start!

Homework

Most of the attributes in 10-31 are not exclusive to married women. Imagine you’re teaching this passage to a women’s Bible study class in which all of the women are single, divorced, or widowed. How would you apply each of these verses to their lives? For example, in verse 28, the women in your class may not have children or a husband to “call her blessed”/”praise” her, but who would?

Suggested Memory Verse

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 2- The Most Beautiful Girl in the World…er…Bible (Part 1)

September 19, 2018August 28, 2019 Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1

Read Proverbs 31:1-31

Questions to Consider

1. Choose one of the resources from my article Bible Book Backgrounds and familiarize yourself briefly with the book of Proverbs. What type of biblical literature is this book? Who is the author? At what time in history was this book written? What is the theme or purpose of this book? How does this book point us to Christ?

2. Carefully examine verses 1-2. Who is King Lemuel? Must we know his identity in order for the content of chapter 31 to make sense? Who originally gave the instructions and counsel in chapter 31? To whom did she give them? What area of Lemuel’s life did his mother advise him about in verses 1-9? In verses 10-31?

3. Notice that this is a woman admonishing a man. A man who was also the ______ as well as her ______. And this was at a time in history when women were not always highly regarded. Think about what that means in terms of having an official position of authority versus the power of influence. Do you have to occupy a high position in a job, your church, or your family in order to influence people?

4. What can you surmise about the character of Lemuel’s mother from reading Proverbs 31? How did her character impact her son/the king, and how did she steward her influence over him? If Lemuel heeded all of her advice in Proverbs 31, who else was she influencing through him? What might the results of heeding her advice have looked like if Lemuel’s mother had been a woman of ungodly character?

5. Think about your own character and those you influence. What are some specific ways your godly character has influenced others in the last month? Can you think of any specific times during the last month when you’ve exhibited ungodly character? How might that have influenced others? Take some time to thank God for any growth in Christlike character you’ve seen in your life. Repent of any sin that comes to mind – both to God and to anyone you’ve influenced in an ungodly way.

6. Look carefully at each of Lemuel’s mother’s admonitions in verses 3-9. What is the broad, generally applicable to all people, biblical principle behind each of her instructions?

4-5-

6-7-

8-9-

What are some ways you can carry out these biblical principles in your family, church, job, or community?

The “Proverbs 31 Woman” is often considered the icon of biblical womanhood, and in many ways she is. Next week, we’ll look at part 2 of Proverbs 31.

Homework

Although Lemuel’s mother didn’t hold an official position of authority, she still had a powerful influence on the king (and her son, even if he hadn’t been king). Make a list of the five people you have the potential to influence the most. In what ways can your words and behavior influence them for the gospel and toward godliness? For the next week, commit to pray for these five people each day, asking God to help you to be a godly influence on them.