Lesson 1

WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

(Illustrating Titus 2:3-5)

Lesson One

Hannah: I Samuel 1:1 - 2:21
Dorcas (Tabitha): Acts 9:36-43

        Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. (Titus 2:3-5, NAS/NIV)

Pre-study question:

1. What is your impression of Hannah of the Old Testament? What is your impression of Dorcas of the New Testament?

HANNAH

Read I Samuel 1:1 - 2:21

2. What was Hannah's marital situation?
   
   

3. What gave Hannah's "wife-in-law" reason to gloat?
   
   

4. Why did Hannah cry? Did her husband understand?
   
   

5. As she prayed, what showed both Hannah's sincerity and humility?
   
   

6. When Eli the priest saw Hannah praying, he came to the wrong conclusion.
   1. What was his accusation?
      
      

   2. How did Hannah respond?

   
   

7. In I Samuel 1:18, how does Hannah react to the promise of verse 17?
   
   

8. From 1:20, in what way is Samuel's name a sign of reverence?
   
   

9. How do verses 26-28 show how Hannah reverently honored her promise to God (v. 11)?
   
   

10. Through what means did Hannah continue to interact with Samuel through the years?

DORCAS (TABITHA)

Read Acts 9:36-43

11.  
    1. What was Dorcas always doing?
       
       

    2. How did this behavior show her relationship to Christ?

    
    

12. Did Dorcas' relationship to God keep her immune from human frailties and physical death?
    
    

13.  
    1. What effect did her death have on others?
       
       

    2. What effect did her resurrection have on others?

REFLECTIONS: Choose at least one of the following to discuss in your pursuit of growing reverence for God.

1. Describe Hannah's family's worship life.
   
   

2. Read Hannah's prayer and meditate on it.
   
   

3. Think of a modern-day Dorcas. How does her life reflect reverence for God?
   
   

4. Dorcas left a legacy. What are some legacies of reverence being left by your group members?

Women IN God's Service

Women in the Bible - lesson 1
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 28 March 2000
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas