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WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

(Illustrating Titus 2:3-5)

Lesson Five

Rebekah: Genesis 24:11-67; 25:21-34; 26:34; 27:1-46; 28:1-9
Jochebed: Exodus 1:15-22; 2:1-10; 6:20; and Numbers 26:59

        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. Discuss whether loving your children is "natural" or "learned."


REBEKAH

Genesis 24:11-27

  1. How do we know that Rebekah was God's choice in the "mother line" of God's chosen people and of the Messiah?


Genesis 25:21-24

  1. Why should Rebekah have known there would be strong "sibling rivalry"?


Genesis 25:24-34

  1. Every child in a family is a unique person. Contrast the differences in Esau and Jacob.


  2. How does Esau's selling of his birthright seem to be a partial fulfillment of the Lord's prophecy from 25:23?


  3. Rebekah's problems of motherhood have been common throughout time. Discuss the following four problems and how they contributed to Rebekah's heartache:
    1. Favoritism (25:28)


    2. Manipulation (27:6-10)


    3. Deception (27:11-17)


    4. Justification (27:41-46)


JOCHEBED

Read Exodus 1:15-22

  1. Compare the challenges of bringing children into today's world with bringing children into the world of Jochebed's time.


  2. Read Exodus 2:1-10. Discuss how each of the following attributes were evident in Jochebed's motherhood:
    1. Protection -


    2. Courage -


    3. Trust -


    4. Influence -


  3. List Jochebed's children (Numbers 26:59). Tell one significant thing about each as adults.


REFLECTIONS: Choose at least one of the following to discuss in relation to your desire to love your children.

  1. Discuss healthy and unhealthy ways to love your children.


  2. How are we blessed by both the "good" and the "bad" examples of motherhood in the Bible?


  3. There are different stages of "giving up" our children. How has God helped you through these times?


  4. Address the importance of both parents communicating with each other to present a united front for the good of the child.



Women IN God's Service

Women in the Bible - lesson 5
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 25 April 2000
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Copyright © 1999, 2002, West-Ark Church of Christ

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