Thursday Bible Study

  [WOMEN of the Old Testament]   THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN: Taking the initiative_   2 Kings 4:8-37     [Discussion starter] What are the ingredients of hospitality?   What happens when you feel welcomed into someone’s life or home?        In this story a woman welcomes a “man of God” into her home and is rewarded for doing so – or so it seems, until the day her son dies. The initiative she shows in offering hospitality leads her to deeper faith in expecting God to act on her behalf. Her faith and boldness, as well as her generosity, are a model for us...     [Read 2 Kings 4:8-37]     How does the Shunammite woman take initiative here?         Why did the woman use her resources to help Elisha?   What do you think her generosity meant to Elisha and his servant?         Compare your own use of resources.   How can you show hospitality even with lim...

  [WOMEN of the Old Testament]   ABIGAIL: A level-headed Woman_   1 Samuel 25:2-44   How do you act / react in times of crisis? Often, the easiest thing to do is hope that someone else will act! It takes courage to believe that what you do will solve the crisis. It also demands insight into the situation at hand.     [Group discussion starter] How would you define a fool? Can a fool help being a fool?     The heroine in this story is a woman named Abigail, whose rich husband is a fool. (The Bible doesn’t mince words!) Despite the cultural restrictions on women in her day, Abigail acts courageously and with wisdom and insight, that prevents a massacre...     [Read 1 Samuel 25:2-44]     As this story begins, what is the life situation of the major characters in the story?       From the facts we are given in the story, do you think David’s request of Nabal is reasonable? Why or why not?       How ...