Ladies Bible Study May 19th
We opened with song and prayer. We had challenge to consider wisdom, understanding and knowledge, to look at the deep things of God.
This week we begin where we left of last week: Bible Connections-question #5 Why was it Adam’s failure that was so decisive for humanity, rather than Eve’s eating of the forbidden fruit?
Romans 5:12; I Tim. 2:14; Romans 5:18-19
Adam is ultimately responsible for his sin. He is the leader of the home, put in place by God. Was he there the whole time when Eve took of the fruit? We know he was there at least a portion of the time, according to God’s word. But, the burden of responsibility is with him. It was his decision to sin.
Shera told us of a history study on Beetle Smith. He was Eisenhower’s aide during the time when we were at war. What does an aide do? He was constantly on the phone, filtering information, and awakening the commander to keep him aware of what was happening. Like Beetle Smith, Eve was Adams aide. She was supposed to be his support.
There was a comment about how one lady gets up early, prepares herself by having a Bible study, prayer and getting ready for the day serving. She then has to learn to step back, to realize her position as a helpmeet. Abigail was an example of how she assisted her husband by protecting her household, by stepping up to speak with David.
One little piece of missing advice caused one man to lose his position within the ranks of leadership. Paralleling it with the relationship in the home, communication is essential. It must be a two way conversation, we are not doormats. We have an important role within the family. Sometimes it is difficult, women that are strong and domineering struggle with letting the man be the leader. This causes struggles within the family. Like military wives, who take charge while husbands are gone, when the men return they don’t want to step back in leadership. Jackie gave the illustration of now that she is widowed, not being able to share her decisions with another.
We should also be a helpmeet to others, stepping in to assist when there is a need. Like Isaiah and others, they took responsibility for the people and the nation. Do not neglect your voice in praise to God and in exhortation to others in love. We need to keep God in supreme leadership as head of our own selves. Otherwise we try to take over leadership and our communication with God is disrupted.
What happens when the headship fails (or we fight against the leadership)? Blame begins. Remember when we point the finger at others, three are pointing back at us! Like ballroom dancing, the man is the leader and the woman must follow. If you have two leaders you will never be in step. You both may know the steps, but you must learn to follow the leadership. Women assist in the relationship of the dance, they give insight as to what the man does not see. It is a balance, but one must lead and one must follow. Just as we balance our live with God. If God isn’t the leader of our lives we will be out of balance as well. Jesus should be the head of the household, even when our husbands are gone, or making poor decisions, we look toward the Lord.
Proverbs 31 woman - A woman who fears the Lord, her price is far above rubies, even if she is very active. She is attainable. We can be like this woman in our lives. We may not sell wares in the market, but some have jobs. Her lamp doesn’t go out at night, she supplies the needs of her family, she is proud of her husband and honors him. She smiles at the future. She looks well to her household. Give her the products of her hands and she will be praised in the gates.
Question #6 Genesis 3:8-13 What are the three main responses Adam and Eve both had toward their sin?
First we try to hide our sin. We try to bury it deep. But, we can’t keep it hidden, so once it is discovered we begin to blame others. But, ultimately we are responsible for our sin. We cannot blame God or anyone else. Repent, turn from your sins!
Question #7 James 1:13-14 and I Timothy 2:14 Why must we take full responsibility for our own sins?
If you don’t take full responsibility you can’t repent. You are the only Bible some people will read. We must also take responsibility for how we relate to those around us. We need to have a voice to proclaim God to others. We need to pray for our nation, for one another. Satan is at war against us, trying to get us to fall apart, so we ruin our testimony before God. We need to see each other through their failures lifting them back up into service to God. We need to find our strength in God. Through helping others we will learn to get through our failures as well. We need to see both our strengths and weaknesses. God will bring beauty from the ashes.
When God turns away from a country, immorality will increase, homosexuality will increase and depravity will increase. Has God turned away from America? What are we going to do to stand up for God, to make a difference in America. Every voice is important. We like Adam and Eve make choices to follow or turn from God daily.
Next time we will finish question #8 and then we will bring in what spoke to us in the last portions of the lessons. Personal thoughts from the remaining pages will be brought out.
