Well, friends, here we are. We’ve made it to the end of another reading plan – four plans, to be precise. Did God meet you in the pages of His word this summer as we studied the Women in the Bible together? Did you see yourself in their stories?
Were you standing by the well when Christ asked for a drink?
Did you rejoice with Elizabeth when the impossible came to be?
Were you caught up in the Doing like Martha or struggling to believe truth over lies like Eve?
Did you hear the voice of Jesus say to you, “Little girl, arise!”
Did you watch as your accusers walked away in silence while the Son of God granted you boundless grace?
Were you in the garden with Mary Magdalene when the risen Savior said her name? Did you hear him say yours too?
Oh, how we pray you’ve found fresh grace, renewed passion and joyful purpose these past eight weeks. Studying the stories of these women with you has truly been our privilege.
Now. Are you ready to hear what’s next?
After a quick breather in the form of a few days of Rhythms of the Word (more on that in a moment), we’ll dive into the Old Testament book of Daniel!
Sisters, we cannot wait for you to sink your teeth into this book. Daniel is one of those under-the-radar books, solid spiritual truths disguised as familiar Sunday School stories. We love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as much as the next guy, but there is so much more to this book than meets the eye.
Are you excited?! Us too! (And if you’re not, don’t worry. We’ll give you a few days to get there. :)
A reminder about Rhythms of the Word…
Rhythms of the Word days are used from time to time to provide a buffer between reading plans. Rather than unpacking scripture in commentary form, these days are designed to provide guidance as we read and reflect on various passages.
We hope that these days give you time to reflect on what God’s teaching you as well as venture off the beaten path, so to speak, and spend some extra time just sitting in the Word. (It’s also a great time to catch up if you feel behind in the last plan!)
That’s it for today, Sisters! But before you go…
We’d love it if you’d share in the comments below a bit of your experience with Women in the Bible. Which woman did you relate to most? Which story grabbed your heart and wouldn’t let go? Which days gave you hope, conviction, focus, grace? Let’s encourage one another in truth today.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16, ESV
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40 thoughts on "women in the bible wrap-up + what’s next"
This study has been a real blessing to me. The Woman Caught in Adultery was my favourite study. God's grace and redemption is greater than all of our sin! This lesson was also a good reminder that we are not to judge, but to act in grace.
Thank you for the time and sacrifice given to have these studies available for everyone!
The woman caught in adultery shook me to my core. It reminded me of how God first revealed himself to me in my utter darkness. That while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. I could imagine her looking into the eyes of Jesus as he told her “neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”. I could feel all the emotions that must have invaded her being as her shame met the beauty of his unmerited grace and love. Tears flooded my eyes as I became her standing there. This is our Jesus. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Darkness is but light to our God. You cannot underestimate or over-exaggerate his goodness and grace. Praise you Jesus!
God spoke to me loud and clearly through Mary's story. Her unwavering faith and trust just shook me. The contrast to Sarah and Elizabeth being told they would have children and brushing it off with laughter/doubt to Mary wholeheartedly EMBRACING her future stirred something inside me. Pair these feelings with what I felt reading about the Lord's redemption and His grace in Rahab's story and I KNOW that He CAN use me and actually WANTS to, regardless of my past.
I actually had an interview last week and walking down the flights of stairs to the conference room where it was being held, I repeated to myself "I can do ALL things through Christ" and "I am the Lord's SERVANT…"
I entered that conference room so full of peace and handled what usually for me stirs up all kinds of anxiety so well that I just KNEW I had turned a page in my story. I'm EMBRACING God's plan for me, I'm not letting my past define me anymore.
Thank you SRT for helping me search within myself to get this far :)
I loved this study SO much. Mainly because it clarifies things I might not see reading the Bible on my own. I enjoyed everyone, but I particularly enjoyed the stories on Martha (hellloooo Me!). I also loved how it was ended with the story of us. It's actually incredible. I fell behind on the study because I was without internet for a week or so. I just finished today and needed that particular selection of verses TODAY of all days. One of those days where I needed to be reminded, ya know? Thank you to the writers! I share this blog with all of the women I know :)
Amanda
When I started this reading plan I as beginning to realize that my overwhelming sense of anxiety about life was largel rooted in not trusting God like I should. I was not in the word daily I was jet begging God to help me stop fearing. Then I stumbled across your site and began hearing fresh takes on Sunday school stories I’ve heard all my life. Suddenly I was also reintroduced to God, and behold I saw him answering desperate pleas, making and keeping promises and offering extraordinary grace. I’m so thankful for this site. With you guys and the grace of God it’s been a very powerful and renewing summer for me. What’s more I finally feel excited about cracking my Bible each day, something I’ve never experienced. So tank you! I can’t wait for the Daniel study!
I enjoyed this summer series and it gave me something to look forward to. This summer, I treated this as my summer reading. I just think about where I was when we started and how I am now that we're finished and I have definitely grown from looking more closely at the women in Scripture. The summer is now over and I'm so ready for Fall and anticipating the book of Daniel. You all have encouraged me more than some of my girl friends in real life. I appreciate your comments and prayers and know that SRT from writers, contributors, readers, and comments are always in my thoughts and prayers.
I just discovered She Reads Truth a few weeks ago and jumped into the Women in the Bible series because it went perfectly with the study I was doing in my small group. I particularly loved the story of Mary, choosing the better. It totally spoke to me and renewed my desire to have a daily quiet time with the Lord.
hellokristinmarie.blogspot.com
I started she reads truth while in a relationship. Long story short, that relationship (engaged) was ended without notice or reason and I’ve been left heartbroken, confused, mad and questioning who I am. This study brought me back to see who I am as a woman in Jesus and has lifted me quickly out of a dark and hard place.
I was touched most by the stories of Martha (I so recognize myself in her) and the thought that Martha worried and anxious about “many things” but that Mary had chosen the “better thing.” I think God gave me a Martha personality and it’s a good personality that I like so I’m not complaining :) but I need to be aware of the choices that I make and whether I am choosing the “better things” or just replying to the “tyranny of the urgent.”
I was also touched by the line Mark wrote in the story of the bleeding woman: “then the woman…fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.” And the way Jesus replies? “Daughter…go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Letting ourselves tell the whole truth to the Lord is so essential in our own healing from the things that bind us, and I love that Jesus will always have the same loving and compassionate reaction: calling us daughter and freeing us from our suffering so that we can live in peace.
I loved this study so, so much. Thank you to all the writers who give their time, energy, and passion to this ministry.
Oh, and I also wanted to say how much I enjoyed that you included women who don't have names in this plan. Too often when I think of "women of the Bible" I only think of Esther, Ruth, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Sarah…women who have NAMES. This plan expanded my view and I realized there are more women than I realize in the Bible!
I am fairly new to SRT. In fact, I started reading the blog/devos at the beginning of part 4 of women the word. When reading “Little girl, arise!”, I felt like God was speaking directly to me! It was powerful! Telling me to get up and start doing what I was created to do! Stop sitting around. Stop making excuses. After reading that days devotion, I texted so many woman in my life, hoping they, too, would hear God speaking to them! So, thank you so much SRT women for allowing yourself to be used by God! I don’t believe it was by mere coincidence that I came upon this blog. God already knew what I needed to hear! Looking forward to the next series! : )
I think the story I relate to most is the story of Mary and Martha. I actually have a younger sister who is more of a Mary, but I'm always a Martha. I can just imagine this story with my sister and I as the main characters. My sister would be so excited about Jesus coming that she would forget all else, and while I would be ecstatic that the Christ would want to come to my house, I would suddenly realize how filthy my house was and how much still needed to be done. Then I would get angry at my sister for not helping me. I've always lived my life as a people pleaser – hating confrontation and wanting to do whatever I could to make everyone happy. The story of Martha reminds me that sometimes I need to just stop what I'm doing and focus on the Savior rather than get wrapped up in tasks that are ultimately unimportant.
The story of Naomi & Ruth really moved me. Ruth’s speech to Naomi (Ruth 1:16), even though I have read it a thousand times before just clicked something inside of me. Ruth displayed to me how to love – whole heartedly and with loving intention. It reminded me of something I learnt in a ministry course I took through our diocese, the teacher (who was a catholic nun) said that God sometimes shows us how He loves us using His hands on earth – which is US! And so we must allow God to use us to show His love to others. The hands that help us, is God using human hands to help us. It was powerful back then and I had forgotten it but this story of Naomi & Ruth brought it back.
I have really loved this series. Thank you SRT.
I absolutely loved these particular reading plans. Us women are very special, and I definintley saw myself in each and every woman, good and bad. Before each devo, I would pray that God would decrease me so He could increase and show me myself in this woman…in Mary Magdalene, in Elizabeth, in Esther (my favorite story by the way). God spoke to me, and it was refreshing to know that no matter what I do or what I've done, I'm His, and he call ME by MY name. Sometimes I can do nothing but marvel at his awesomeness. I hate to see these reading plans go, but I'm excited to dive into Daniel!
I’ll have to go all the way back…Part 1, Day 10… Rachel (Love Redeems) probably stands out as having the most impact but they were all great. Excited about Daniel!
What an awesome study this summer ladies! Thanks for pulling it all together SRT friends.
The story of Mary and Martha–reminding me to mind my own business and focus on what the Lord requires of ME, and not be so concerned about others that I serve alongside.
All the stories of adulterous women tend to pang at my heart. Reading about Gomer, the "adulterous woman" who almost gets stoned to death and the Samaritan woman at the well–they all remind me that Jesus came to redeem even the most vilest of sinners. That He had covered even the worst of my sin and still speaks to me. That I am but a mere glance away from being swept away from another. Any form of adultery. Anything that takes me away from my first love, Jesus. If my eyes are not fixed on Him, I can so easily stray to other things. Yet…He's made room for me…even after I fail. Love that!
I am super excited to study Daniel with all of you! So many more opportunities to see God's divine redemptive story unfolding even before Christ's birth and to see glimpses of what is yet to come. Ooooh! Such good food.
Blessings all!
I keep going back to the story of Hagar. In my mind she'd always been the kind of 'baddie' in the saga of Abram and Sarai…! But I've been looking at the lives of these three people in several settings recently (including in our current sermon series at our church) and the more I look at it, the more I see the amazing grace of God in the midst of their complex web of human decisions. I keep thinking about the wide-eyed amazement of Hagar as she realises that God sees her in the desert in the midst of her suffering. God can weave the worst human errors into his divine plan.
I see myself in Sarai too – desperately wanting a child, impatient, wanting to take things into my own hands, finding it hard to trust God's timing. God has been teaching me a great deal about his sovereignty, his timing and his plans. Valuable lessons for a woman like me who has just a teeny bit of a control-freak tendency…
2 stand out to me.
Martha – Like Martha, I’m always freaking out that there’s too much to do and I get resentful when I feel like my husband isn't doing enough to help me get things done. I'm now reminded to “choose the better” like Martha’s sister Mary. To sit at the feet of Jesus and take Him in. Listen to what he’s teaching me. Find peace in His presence. Making sure the house is spotless, the meal is perfect, and the to-do list is complete aren't so important.
Esther – I wasn’t familiar with this story before, but it hit home for me. I’m often enveloped in fear and worry. The “what ifs” constantly run through my head. But Mordecai’s encouragement of Esther by asking her, “What if this is your time? What if this is what God has planned for you?” I now think about this a lot as I face decisions. I’m more inclined (though – let’s be honest – still hesitant) to jump in, telling myself that this could be part of God’s plan for me and I need to grasp the opportunity to fulfill what He has in store for me. This has really helped me strengthen my trust in God. Completely life changing!
This series is God sent to me. I’ve never been so excited waiting for the next day to read what God wants to say through those woman in the Bible. It’s been a blessing to read about faithful women in the Bible with my mom and a friend who are both suffering from cancer. I’ve been personally challenged of Mary to be blessed believing that the Lord will fulfill His promises to her. Something hard to hold on to when things happen not the way you picture it. I was also inspired to know more about the woman I was named after.
I loved learning about Martha. As a college senior, I can relate with Martha so easily. I think for years I identified myself with her, ending my hope at the sigh of Jesus saying “Martha, Martha…”.
But when we continued on in Martha’s journey, we see she learned to just SERVE. That truth was so impactful on my life. Martha found her hope in Christ, and we can see she learned to serve, without the fast paced to do list in mind. What a beautiful reminder and sweet hope!
If I had to narrow it, I'd have to come down to Rahab, Gomer, and the woman standing before her accusers, but truly, the last in the series is what spoke to me the most. ME? God is pursuing me, using me, just like these women? Loved this series.
This is my first SRT study! Thank you so much for all the hardwork, effort & prayers which go into this. God has been speaking gently through these 10 days & i have not made notes in my Bible for a long long while – thank you for bringing that back for me, even thot now it is in digital form ;)
What stands out for me is that God knows who we are, what we need, when we need it. Regardless of how we view ourselves or how others view us, God sees us as precious and He is reaching out to us and He will help us to stand for ourselves and most of all for our faith in our Lord & Saviour!
i'm looking forward to the study of Daniel – i absolutely LOVE the OT!
Have a blessed weekend!
ARISE! It still gets me just thinking about that story. It was simple yet profound and literally brought me to tears when I read it (several times)!
And yesterday's was such a good way to finish out the summer. It reminded me that the stories of the women in the Bible are more than just stories. They are lives changed…and God is still in the business of changing lives, mine included. He stays the same and NEVER CHANGES which means that the freedom, grace, new life that these women experienced can and should be experienced by us today.
Thank you for this in depth study! I am so looking forward to diving into Daniel this fall. As always, you ladies are such a blessing. I tell everyone I know (who will listen, and who are women) to get on SRT and dig into the Word like never before.
This is actually the first SRT study that I committed myself into. (I just used to browse before and jump from one topic to another), and I really enjoyed it! It made my quiet time with the Lord and devotion more meaningful… Out of the so many things that strucked me in these study, these are the ones that spoke to my heart the most:
– Knowing my identity as a woman in the Lord's sight. (Eve)
– Clinging in the Truth when Satan attacks me with his lies. (Eve)
– Sarai/Sarah is one of my favorites, because I can relate so much to her in her waiting process in conceiving.
– Don't look back, don't cling to the past. (Lot's wife)
– Other women include Mary the mother of Jesus, Martha, Mary, Gomer, The Bleeding Woman, and Dorcas – They helped me know more the character of God and helped me understand more The Solid Rock to Whom I am standing on! God's Power, Grace, and Mercy!
Thank you SRT! I'm excited for the next study! God bless sisters!
I think the story of Elizabeth and Sarai definitely spoke to me most. I read Sarai at a time where I had really limit what I believed God could do in my life, and hearing of her story inspired me. Asking the question one day, "What have you told God he can't do?" or something of that sort really, really convicted me of not trusting him with conflict and reconciliation matters in my life. After giving it over to him, it's been easier for me to forgive- and to really just move on. This was a BEAUTIFUL study and I am excited for the next one!!!
PS- you should ask more questions to readers, as you did in what I mentioned above. I love pondering and asking God questions, and I feel like they are how I really absorb and use a text. I love them.
Oh there were several that really touched my heart.Leah, from unloved to beloved, Gomer’s scandalous grace, Rahb’s reverant and redeemed, the women of valor, the adulterous women boundless grace, the poor widow all in, He sees you. I think that theses are the ones (including the very last one You:his) that really have stayed along side me–ready to be read again. Thank yet SRT team!
I enjoyed this series and how it highlighted various women that God worked with and worked through. The women that resonated with me are Martha and Abigail. I can easily get caught up in the Doing like Martha, even in ministry, and forget the big picture and the One who called me to Do. And I get resentful if I feel like I'm doing all the work while others are idle. But Jesus reminds us to choose what is better: Him. As for Abigail, her story reminded me that the Lord can use me to help others fulfill their purpose in Christ.
I also felt the story of lot’s wife ministered to me the most this summer. “What he’s saved me for is so much greater than what he’s saved me from” what an awesome reminder on the dangers of looking back at hopeless situations. This was particularly eye opening to me as I’ve grown up in church and studying the word but never saw much attention devoted to this part of lot’s story. I’m very grateful that this was included in our study!
As I read the scripture aloud of Mary in the garden, I heard Jesus say my name. He knows me, inside and out. He knows the good, bad and the ugly. And He still loves me.
I really enjoyed this series and can't believe that it (and the summer) is over!
The story of Martha resonated with me most. As a stagy-at-home-mom, and woman in general, it is so easy for met to get caught up in the daily to-do's and miss out on what God is trying to teach me. I need to go back and re-read that day's devo every so often.
I have asked you praying ladies for prayers for my 8-year old nephew Sam before. He is undergoing treatments for a medularblastoma tumor on his brain. Today he begins his 2nd round of chemotherapy and it is the longest and hardest day of his chemo treatments. Please be in prayer for him today as he and his family gets through this.
You might want to read a bit of his story at http://www.facebook.com/prayersforsamholt.
"Rahab: Reverent and Redeemed" that's The. One. for me. I struggle daily with feeling inadequate, unworthy, TOO much of a sinful past to be used in the Lord's service. Although I know he has really been working on me for several months now, I continue to struggle even to be more active in my home church out of fear of judgment by the people of the church. Rahab's story is a beautiful reminder of grace and redemption. It is a calling to me to say "Yes, He can and he Will, and He WANTS to use, EVEN me!"
Amber, I can relate to what you're feeling. Stay in God's word, because the recurring theme in so many stories is that God is love and you are enough! Think about how many of these women we've been studying had colorful pasts but because Jesus met their deepest need, forgave them and made them whole…. They were then, able to love Him completely and in turn, minister to others by sharing God's love . God takes our past and makes it something beautiful and uses it for His purposes. Read Luke 7:47 ….take away the truth that the people who God has forgiven much are able to love much. We love God because he first loved us. Jesus gave is life for us while we were still sinners. Praise Jesus! My Redeemer!
There is another common theme throughout the New Testament, Jesus had problems with two groups of people…the religious and the wealthy. They did not recognize their need for Him because they were self sufficient and self righteous. It was a difficult lesson for them to swallow to love their neighbor as themselves. I love how that is displayed in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Whenever I find myself in the judgemental role of the first or second passerby…I have to remember that if it weren't for the grace of God and Jesus' sacrifice for me…I would be the one lying by the roadside half dead. Again, the message even in that parable is "forgiven much=Love much".
I'm rambling……hope I made sense!
So hard to narrow down, but I'm going to try! God had very personal messages for me through the studies of Lot's Wife, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Abigail, the Samaritan woman at the well and the woman with the disabling spirit. But…the woman I can most relate to is Hagar. She was mistreated and fled. When I read her story God immediately brought to mind something He'd spoken to me YEARS ago: "You know that hard place you want to run away from? THAT is exactly where you'll find me…where you'll most experience relationship with me." And it's true. The hard places in my life, I want to run from. But if/when I do, I've learned I miss a huge blessing: experiencing His faithfulness and power in what seemed like an impossible situation :)
Thank you for sharing this Amy! I can completely relate. Running seems like the easiest and best solution but I'm finding what you said to be true as well. If I'd run from ______ there is so much of God's grace and faithfulness I would have missed! Such a good reminder to thank Jesus for the areas in life that make us want to run!
Love this Amy. I am trying to learn to soak in the moments that are uncomfortable so I can let God teach me and bless me through those moments. It's not always easy, but so worth it when I do.
My pleasure!
Krysta, I just looked at your blog and wanted to tell you I think it is lovely. I adore everything about it! Was trying to see if you are on Instagram.
I do have instagram (mostly pics of my son) @knmatt :) Happy Friday!
The story of Lot's wife… Something so simple as reminding us to not look back, to leave our sin behind us… It touched me so deeply I asked Hayley if I could repost it on my blog!! I find myself using its words as a sort of mantra from time to time "take to the hills. Don't look back. Do no hesitate." It was an amazing game changer for me.
I want to remind you that we are lifting praises to God every Monday! I would love for you to link up! We had some great testimonies and stories of God moving last Monday… I hope to see you there! http://www.walkhumblywithgod.wordpress.com
That was also an important story for me. I was so struck by the words in Genesis 19:16 ESV that said "But he lingered" when the angels were telling them to get up and go! It really made me think about the things God has asked me to run from where I, too, lingered.
Definitely the woman with the issue of blood was my favorite. Coming from the same chapter as Jairus's daughter who was 12 years old, and the woman with the issue of blood had suffered for 12 years, God took the repeating of the number 12 to show me some things about my own life in the last 12 years that He wanted to heal. Very meaningful to me.