Small Group Resources
Small Group Discussion Questions
October 25 - 31
Sermon Series: The Home Team
Week 5: The Biblical Woman
Ice Breaker if Needed
Who is your favorite fictional female film or book character and why?
Discussion Questions
- As we conclude “The Home Team” series, take a moment to share what God highlighted to you to change, prioritize, and repent. Share wins and breakthroughs, too!
- Read Genesis 1:27. What does “made in the image of God” mean? On this most basic, fundamental level, what are the differences between male and female? How might remembering that males and females reflect the glory of God help us to have a true Biblical picture of the value of womanhood?
- People often cite Proverbs 31 as a comprehensive checklist to assess a woman’s actions, abilities, and attitudes. Women: Share how Proverbs 31 has shaped your perception of how you ought to be. Do you find those expectations to be burdensome or liberating? Why? Men: How has this chapter formed your idea of Biblical womanhood?
- How are women’s strengths manipulated or twisted? For example, many women and men find emotional expression of any sort to be a weakness. Why? Read Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; and John 12:1-8. All four Gospels have an account of this highly emotional and prophetic outpouring of love toward Jesus. How did the Disciples react? Why did they twist it into something foolish? How do both men and women twist Biblical womanhood into something less-than or shameful? How did Jesus react?
- Contrast the passages in question 4 with 1 Kings 19:1-2. Share what you know about Jezebel. How did her emotions rule her? What is the difference between what these women worship? What do the virtues of women have the power to do? Cite examples in the Bible of women who tear down their homes vs. build something great.
- Several Biblical women were noted for their beauty, which conferred a unique power. Esther used her position as queen to save her people from destruction (Esther 8:5-7). Delilah used her beauty to tear down Samson (Judges 16:5), an Israelite judge. God’s creation overflows with beauty and we know beauty is good! How is beauty abused and manipulated by our culture? Women: Share how you contend with beauty standards in our culture. Are the standards Biblical? Men: How should you honor God-given beauty in women?
- A Biblical woman knows how to nurture and protect. Read Psalm 36:7 and Proverbs 14:1. One is a picture of God as a sheltering bird, safe and nurturing. We are reminded of how a hen cares for her young. What is the power of a nurturer? Conversely, what power does a woman wield when tearing down her own house? What is the root of destruction? How does a Biblical woman deal with disappointment? With grief? With bitterness? Read 1 Samuel 4-18. How did Hannah contend with her circumstances? How did her husband and Eli react? Which man showed a Biblical-man kind of response?
- A Biblical woman is merciful! Read Mark 15:40-41. These same women were the first to see Jesus after His resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10). They nurtured and cared for Him before He was crucified and resurrected. What does that say about the value Jesus places on merciful acts and tender care? How does our culture manipulate and twist mercy? What happens when a woman allows the virtue of mercy to be twisted into enabling and permissiveness?
- A Biblical woman is tenacious! Read Mark 5:25-32. What was Jesus’ reaction to the woman’s faith? How did Jesus match her tenacity? How did Jesus commend her actions to the witnesses? To us today? What is the danger when tenacity is twisted into stubbornness? How do you know if you are being tenacious or being stubborn? Is your resolve leading to Jesus or to your own desires?