By Overseer Regina Ravenell-Carr

This Summer quarter we will focus on “Women of Faith,” executing the Ministry of the gospel.  Although many still believe that women should be silent and not heard, God used and is using women from the beginning of time (His time, not ours), to demonstrate His message to us. This month we witness the heroic escapades women who are confronted with life challenges and are used to help further the message of the Messiah, and demonstrate “God’s Work through Women.”

Lesson 1 introduces us Hannah who is barren and provoked. She prayers to God, in the face of her opposition, for the miracle to bare a child! God answers the prayer and, “Hannah Commits Her Son to God, 1 Sam. 1:20, 26-28, 2:1-10.” We witness the move of God in Hannah’s life, although others thought she was drunk when she prayed. She rejoiced and exalted in the Lord.  She offered her son back to God because her promise to Him.

Question: What were Hannah’s thoughts concerning those who had spoken cruelly toward her? What did it cost her to dedicate her son?

Lesson 2 will find the Jews held in captivity under the reign of King Ahasuerus. Mordecai, resist the command of the Commander, because his plan to destroy the Jewish nation. Mordecai appeals to his niece, Esther, the newly appointed, to go before the King. Mordecai’s request requires, “Esther’s Bold Faith, Esther 3:2-3, 5-6a, 4:7-16.” Esther’s plan to go before the King without his request is a possible death sentence. She is encouraged to go in order to save her people. She was in the right place, at the right time to receive favor from the king and her God.

Question: What did in Mordecai suggest was the purpose of Esther’s royal position?

Lesson 3 continues with “The Deliverance of the Jews, Ester 8:3-8; 9:18-23,” God used Esther to transform the life of His people. We are taught that it takes courage to step beyond our normal boundaries to do what is right. Esther had showed favor to the king and Haman in her chambers. She invited them to dinner and the favored her and asked what did she want in return. These kind gestures unlock the favor the king and she was able save her uncle and deliver the Jews. Their deliverance became a day of memorial with gladness and feasting.

Question: How does the faithfulness of God toward the Jews encourage you?

Lesson 4 we see, “A Sinner Serves Christ, Luke 7:36-50.” This might be one of the most controversial biblical stories in the New Testament. Jesus is invited to the home of Simon, a Pharisee.  The bible introduces her as a woman in the city, which was a sinner! She arrives at Simon’s home with her alabaster box of ointment. When she saw Jesus, she was weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, wipe them with her hair, and anointed them with the ointment. Simon was alarmed. But Jesus said to her, “Thy faith has saved thee!”

Question: How did Jesus contrast Simon, and his lack of response to Jesus, versus the woman’s response?

At the closing of this month’s lesson, we learn that the will of God is greater than what we can see or understand.  His will is not like ours; therefore, we need to learn to heed His instruction for total victory. Moreover, the works that He performs exceeds the limitation of ourselves.  He is not only trying to bless you; He is providing blessings for the nation.  God used woman to bless us, our children, and our children’s children. These women had to face great tribulations, and God met their faith in the midst of the storm!