Lesson 8

WOMEN IN THE BIBLE

(Illustrating Titus 2:3-5)

Lesson Eight

Jezebel: I Kings 16:29-33; 18:1-13; 19:1-10; 21:1-34; II Kings 9:1-37
Mary (the mother of Jesus): [Chronologically] Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-40; Matthew 2:11-23; Luke 2:41-52; John 2:1-12; Matthew 12:46-50 {parallel with Mark 13:31-35 & Luke 8:19-21}; John 19:25-27; Acts 1:12-14

        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. Can you think of someone you know or someone in modern history who is/was totally an enemy of God?

JEZEBEL

I Kings 16:29-33

2. What kind of influence did Jezebel bring to King Ahab and the kingdom of Israel?
   
   

I Kings 18:1-13

3. In Jezebel's time, the Word of the Lord was revealed through His prophets. How did Jezebel's treatment of the prophets show dishonor of God's Word?
   
   

I Kings 19:1-10

4. In chapter 18, Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of the idol Baal. God showed His supreme power in a miraculous, public display against those evil prophets. What effect did Jezebel have, single-handedly, on the same man of God (Elijah) in chapter 19?
   
   

I Kings 21:1-6

5.  
   1. When Naboth refused King Ahab's offer to buy his vineyard, how did King Ahab react?
      
      

   2. What did Jezebel tell Ahab she would do to take care of the problem?

6. How did Jezebel show:
   
   1. disrespect for her husband and king? (v. 7)
      
      

   2. deceit? (v. 8)
      
      

   3. disregard for human life? (vv. 14-15)
      
      

   4. How do all of the above dishonor God's Word?

   
   

7. Summarize what you find about Jezebel's death:

   Prophesied: I Kings 21:23-34

   Fulfilled: II Kings 9:1-37

   
   
   
   

8. Almost 3,000 years after her life and death, we do not hear of baby girls being named "Jezebel." What comes to your mind when you hear the name?

MARY

Luke 1:26-38

9. Before becoming the mother of Jesus, what was God's opinion of Mary? (See vv. 28 and 30)
   
   

10.  
    1. From each of the following, write how God told Mary what her role would be:
       v. 31 - Gabriel's prophecy:
       
       

       v. 34 - Mary's question:

       
       

       vv. 35-37 - Gabriel's explanation:

       
       

       v. 38 - Mary's conclusion:

       
       

    2. How does this introduction of Mary show her honor of God and His Word?
       
       

Matthew 1:18-25

11.  
    1. Describe the character of Joseph before the birth of Christ. (v. 19)
       
       

    2. When Mary's fiance' Joseph found out about her pregnancy, what did he plan to do? (vv. 18-19)
       
       

    3. What prophecy did the angel of Joseph's dream make? (vv. 20-23)
       
       

    4. After the dream, what did Joseph decide to do? (vv. 24-25)
       
       

12. For each of the following explain or tell what was unique about Mary's life as the mother of Jesus.
    
    1. Place of her firstborn's birth: Luke 2:1-7
       
       

    2. Visitors: Luke 2:8-20
       
       

    3. Recognition at the temple: Luke 21-35
       
       

    4. Second recognition at the temple: Luke 36-40
       
       

    5. Later visitors: Matthew 2:1-12
       
       

    6. Escape to safety: Matthew 2:13-18
       
       

    7. Understanding Jesus as a child: Luke 2:41-52
       
       

    8. Understanding Jesus as an adult: John 2:1-12
       
       

    9. Understanding His ministry: Matthew 12:46-50 {Mark 13:31-35 and Luke 8:19-21}
       
       

    10. Giving Him up: John 19:25-27
        
        

    11. Giving Him up in glory: Acts 1:12-14
        
        

13. Mary's having been chosen as the mother of the world's Savior would, in itself, have brought honor to God. What difficult challenges were also a part of her life because Mary chose to accept this God-given role?
    
    

14.  
    1. Who would be expected to have greater impact on the world, a queen or a young virgin?
       
       

    2. What steps will you take to bring honor to God and His Word in your own life?
       
       

    3. How will you help those in your world to bring honor to God?

REFLECTIONS: Choose at least one of the following to discuss in bringing honor to God and His Word.

1. Read I Kings 21:25 from at least three different versions. Discuss what is said of the way Jezebel "helped" King Ahab dishonor God.
   
   

2. Discuss how humility plays a part in honoring God.
   
   

3. Read Mary's praise from Luke 1:46-55. At this stage of your life and knowing more of God than did the very young (probably 12-14 years old) Mary, write your own song of praise.
   
   

4. Traveling is difficult for pregnant women and mothers of young children, even today. Discuss the traveling that was required by God of Mary. (Refer to #12 above for the various places and circumstances of Mary's travels.)

Dear ladies,
      It has been a joy to be able to meet with you weekly and to study and challenge one another together. We look forward to even more growing together in the Lord next fall. We urge each of us to keep growing in faith, prayer and closer to Jesus, as we "fix our eyes on Him."
      Be sure to make your plans to return and be an active part of this WINGS program. Encourage your friends and neighbors to also come with you.
In love and in His service,
WINGS leadership

Women IN God's Service

Women in the Bible - lesson 8
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 16 May 2000
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas