Tag: Christian Women

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study, Reformation Day

Imperishable Beauty: RefHERmation Day Bonus Lesson

Michelle Lesley

Previous Lessons: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Happy Reformation Day!

For those of us working through this study in real time*, today is Reformation Day. I recently commended (again) to my readers Rebecca VanDoodewaard’s excellent book, Reformation Women, and I thought, “What better way to celebrate Reformation Day and biblical womanhood than to combine the two?”. So, today, we’re going to take a look at some women in Reformation history and in biblical history who exemplified biblical womanhood by influencing others toward godliness.

(*If you’re behind in your lessons, it’s OK to use this week as a catch up week and save today’s lesson for another day.

*If you’re working through this study or teaching it to a class at a later date you may want to skip this lesson, use it as supplementary or bonus material, or leave it for the end of the study.)

Choose any of the women below and read their stories (click on their names). Then consider the following questions:

1. In what ways did this woman exemplify biblical womanhood in her culture, context, circumstances, family situation, or church?

2. Which godly character traits or Fruit of the Spirit were especially obvious in her life, words, and actions?

3. Which Scripture passages come to mind as you read this woman’s story? In what ways did she live these Scriptures out (or fail to live them out)?

4. Are there any instances of sin in this woman’s story? If so, how can you learn from what she did wrong and avoid this sin in your own life?

5. How does this woman set a godly example that you can apply to your own life?

6. In what ways did this woman point someone to Jesus, serve the Kingdom, or help God’s people?

Women of the Bible

Esther

Ruth

Abigail

Deborah and Jael

Miriam

Mary

Priscilla

Lydia

Dorcas

Women of the Reformation

Catherine d’Bourbon

Jeanne D’Albret

Marguerite de Navarre

Katharina Schutz Zell

Anna Adlischweiler

Anna Reinhard

Katharina von Bora Luther

Homework

Think of some ways you can bloom where God has planted you to serve your family, your church, and the Kingdom as a woman of the modern day Reformation.

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 6- The Beauty of Membership Identity

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

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 5- A Beautiful Identity

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

Share Your Testimony

Testimony Tuesday: Stories from Several Sisters 3

Michelle Lesley

On today’s Testimony Tuesday,
several sisters in Christ share their stories.

Robin’s Story

I just wanted to say a couple of “Thank You’s” for your blog and encourage you to continue on your courageous path that God has assigned to you….actually to all of us.

First thank you is for the ”how to find a good church.” I went on to look because my husband and myself needed to get into a good and Biblically sound church after four years at a church which we served faithfully and left for scriptural reasons that were discussed with our Pastor and the church board. Anyways, I went on your site and actually found a Pastor that was an actual alumni from The Master’s Seminary. Mind you we live in a small town in the middle of [a rural area] so this was a true blessing and we are so pleased to be going there now.

The second “thank you” is for the article that you wrote about Beth Moore and why she is not to be trusted for teaching anymore. I went online and did some more research on her and found more than enough evidence to convince me that she is not worthy of studying anymore.

Come to find out the new church that I just told you about……the one I told you I was so happy to be at?…..come to find out that the women from the church were going to a Beth Moore simulcast at another church.

So…..this is where my courage kicked in and when at church the next Sunday I quietly asked our Pastor if he had vetted Beth Moore lately because I could not go to her seminar. He asked why and I told him to just look into it and we could talk more if he wanted to then.

Not only did the women’s ministry cancel going to the Beth Moore seminar but the Pastor got up and from the pulpit and announced that he could no longer support Beth Moore ministries and she would not be taught at our church anymore!!!! One of the elders came and thanked my husband and myself for bringing this to their attention.
Thank you for your faithfulness on your blog. I appreciate you and wanted to let you know that what you are doing is important and has great benefit. Blessings on you and your family.

Karlyn’s Story

I have two children with a genetic syndrome. They had major issues when they were younger and undiagnosed. I was in a charismatic church at the time. I was called out from the congregation one time from a visiting “prophet”.

He told me to get my son. He said he lost oxygen at birth and was now being restored. Interestingly enough my son changed and it appeared he was healed. But his issues arrived back at the same time God was dealing with me on this teaching. He used it to show me that things can appear to be something they are not. I also had people tell me that my faith had not held fast and that is why my son had these problems and why his healing did not stick.

Turned out he and my daughter had a rare genetic syndrome in which you lack cholesterol. We started them on two egg yolks a day and they were like different kids!

How dangerous it would have been had I stayed believing these teachings. My kids would have suffered greatly without treatment and I would continue to be locked in the condemnation that came from members of this church. I had also been directed to give a monetary offering in order to have my children healed. God used me at the time to expose a person who was preaching at the church every Sunday night and also in a homosexual relationship. It was an awful time for me and almost ruined my marriage.

This story is why I am sensitive to false teaching and how I found my way to this website. I am thankful for other women who want to be solidly Biblical.

Jenn’s Story

THANK YOU for your wonderful website! I discovered it this summer when the large non-denominational church my husband and I were attending at the time was doing a women’s study based upon Lysa Terkheurst’s Uninvited. I was looking for someone who felt the same way I did with the book…frustrated. I felt the teaching was weak, and the videos were basically an excuse to write off a vacation to the Holy Land. Your site not only helped me clarify exactly what was wrong with the teachings from a Biblical perspective but also made me feel less alone. All the other women in the class seemed to greatly enjoy the book, and I felt so frustrated with the complete lack of Bible teaching. Your website helped me become more discerning and throw away all my (large) collection of women’s books by the authors you talk about. I had one from almost each one of them.

Cheryl’s Story

I wrote you in 2017 out of ignorance and foolishness. I have been “enlightened” last night and with EVERYTHING in my life going on, you have continuously been on my mind today and I don’t think that is by accident. First off, I don’t know you, you don’t know me, however when I wrote you earlier, I thought I was in “my right mind”; now I know that I was being fooled.

Just a quick update. Last night when I went to bed I was getting on my computer to turn on Netflix as I have a certain show I just fall asleep to each night. However, my spirit man was very very unsettled and I wasn’t content on watching this show again for the umpteenth time.

I decided to pull up a Beth Moore sermon instead from YouTube. I began to watch but only about 30 seconds into it I was dissatisfied so I clicked onto the next thing. It was [another Christian teacher] and Justin Peters on the False Teachers. I watched an hour worth and then all day today I watched Justin Peters. I have been so in spiritual chaos for years and he hit the nail on the head.

I am writing you to ask your forgiveness for the mail I had sent you in 2017. I wish we could talk so I could explain but at the same time I am shrinking back because of my ignorance. I really had no idea that I have been being fed false teachings for the past 18 yrs or more and now I am starting all over again. I say again because from 11 yrs old to 21, I was a Seventh Day Adventist and then spent 11 yrs in the wilderness before attending a “Faith Filled Spirit Filled” church. I went from one extreme to the other.

Anyway, I am sure that I am to ask your forgiveness, why else would you be on my mind today when I have NEVER met you or know who you are? God Bless you and I truly do hope we can talk or meet some day.

Note from Michelle: I wrote back to Cheryl extending my forgiveness, although in my heart there was nothing to forgive. I receive lots of attacking e-mails and didn’t remember Cheryl’s in particular. I don’t take these things personally or hold grudges because of what God’s Word says about the spiritual condition of those who are hostile to the things of God. I’m so thankful for the work the Holy Spirit did in Cheryl’s heart!

Ladies, God is still at work in the hearts and lives of His people, including yours! Would you like to share a testimony of how God saved you, how He has blessed you, convicted you, taught you something from His Word, brought you out from under false doctrine, placed you in a good church or done something otherwise awesome in your life? Private/direct message me on social media, e-mail me (MichelleLesley1@yahoo.com), or comment below. Your testimony can be as brief as a few sentences or as long as 1500 words. Let’s encourage one another with God’s work in our lives!

Biblical Womanhood Bible Study

Imperishable Beauty: Lesson 4- Beautiful Beginnings

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