Max Lucado - Ten Women of the Bible Study Guide: One by One They Changed the World

The book is authored by Max Lucado, New York Times best selling author, with Jenna Lucado Bishop. Text at the top of the cover reads, Study Guide for groups or individuals, Ten Lessons. The photo of the cover shows a woman standing in open air, looking at the bright sunlight in the sky, with a pot in her hands.

Ten Women of the Bible

Copyright 2016 by Max Lucado

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New International Version, NIV.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the English Standard Version. The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2011. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson. 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version. Copyright 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Cover design and photography by John Hamilton Design

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ISBN: 978-0-310-08091-6

ISBN: 978-0-310-08092-3 (eBook)

First Printing March 2016

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

The ten women of the Bible were going to focus on in this study came from a range of different backgrounds. Some we know only by clues as to their nationality left in the Scripture. Some we know only by the place they are believed to have lived. Some were queens and women of power and influence in their world. Others were relegated to the fringes of society.

Some of their stories are inspiring. In a society in which the contributions of women were often overlooked, their actions stood out for one reason or another to the writers of Scripture. Others, marked by scandal and intrigue, provide a cautionary tale for us. Yes, all of their stories are different. And yet all of them provide lessons for us today

Sarah, the woman whom God promised would give birth to a nation, but who would also at times try to rush Gods plans.

Rahab, a prostitute in the Canaanite city of Jericho, who would save herself and her family through her faith in the one true God of the Israelites.

Abigail, a woman whose wisdom and well-placed words quieted the wrath of King David and prevented the deaths of many people.

Esther, a young queen whom God placed in the Persian court for such a time as this to prevent the genocide of the Jewish people.

Mary, the young virgin pledged to Joseph, whom God would choose to give birth to Jesus, the promised Messiah who would save the world.

The Samaritan Woman, who would meet this Messiah at a well one day. His words would forever after change her life.

The Canaanite Woman, who made God smile with her wit and faith, and who received from Jesus an answer to her prayer.

Mary of Bethany, a friend of Jesus who witnessed the resurrection of her brother, Lazarus, and then anointed Christ in anticipation of his death and resurrection.

Mary Magdalene, who traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was given a unique front-row seat to his victory over death.

Sapphira, a woman in the early church who, along with her husband, made the unfortunate (and deadly) decision to lie to the Holy Spirit.

The lives of these women are very different from our own. And yet, in many ways, we often find ourselves facing the same issues they faced. The promises of God that dont seem to come to pass. The barbaric behavior of others in our world that forces us to play peacemaker. The overwhelming nature of the tasks the Lord has set before us. The injustice of a world that judges us for our past, finds us guilty, and says we will always be considered a failure.

Even more, these stories show us there is a God who sees us where we are and loves us for who we are. He is the one who hovers over all the pages of the Bible, shaping lives, rescuing hearts, healing sicknesses, raising what was dead to life, and passing out high callings to those who choose to follow him and have faith in him.

So, if you ever feel like a second-class citizen in this world and wonder how God could possibly use you to change lives, just look at the stories of these women in the Bible. As you do, you will come to the conclusionas the disciple Peter didthat God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right (Acts 10:3435). And as you study their lives, you will uncover important truths God wants you to grasp.

Lets get started!

This study guide is designed to help you delve into Gods Word and learn more about these ten fascinating women in the Bible. Each session contains the following elements:

OPENING INSIGHTS: To help you get to know more about these ten women, each session opens with an insight and a retelling of the characters story as drawn from Maxs books. Two reflection questions will then get you thinking about how each persons story relates to your own.