Sisters in Christ

SISTERS IN CHRIST

CONNECT - for mid-week/Home League groups

Education Session - Special Days

8 March: International Women's Day. Be inspired by women from history and women from our own personal history.

Summary

Explore what it is to be a 'soul sister'
Be inspired by women from the Bible
Sharing the story of Dorcas (Tabitha), who served God in her everyday life

Invite a female speaker to attend the group, who has a local specialised Christian ministry.
Find out more about International Women’s Day
Check out The Salvation Army’s Helping-Hand campaign and plan to fundraise for the Gender Justice appeal
Ask members in advance to be ready to share the story of their favourite woman in the Bible or another woman of faith or a book about women of faith.
Prepare to use a version of the song ‘He leadeth me! O blessèd thought!’
Prepare to do a Women of the Bible wordsearch

Online groups

Email the link to the Women of the Bible wordsearch

International Women's Day is a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

Marked annually on 8 March, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to:

celebrate women’s achievements
raise awareness about women’s equality
fundraise for female-focussed charities

The phrase ‘soul sister’ has been around for more than 70 years. One meaning is when a woman regards another woman, not as a friend but as a kindred spirit; someone to share your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs with.

LISTEN

Listen to your guest speaker as they outline their Christian ministry within the family, neighbourhood and/ or community.

Ask members to share the story of their favourite woman in the Bible or another woman of faith they have read or found out about. Or they could share a book they have enjoyed about women of faith.

WORDSEARCH

Give members a copy of the Women of the Bible wordsearch to complete.

ONLINE GROUPS

Email the link to members.

QUIZ

How well do your members know the women of the Bible? Bonus points if they know the book too!

1. Who laughed when she heard she was going to have a baby in her old age?

Sarah/Sarai – Genesis 18:12

2. Who was married to Boaz?

Ruth – Ruth 4:13

3. Who agreed to petition the king, despite it being punishable by death?

Esther – Esther 4:16

4. Who was brought back to life by Peter because of her work among local families?

Tabitha – Dorcas in Greek – Acts 9:40

5. What was the name of Jacob’s first wife?

Leah – Genesis 29:23-26

6. Who said her name should be changed to Mara (meaning ‘bitter’)?

Naomi – Ruth 1:20

7. Who helped the Israelites by hanging a red cord from her window?

Rahab – Joshua 2:21

8. Who was foretold by an angel that she would have a son, but her husband didn’t believe it and was made mute?

Elizabeth – Luke 1:13-20

9. Who opened her home for newly baptised Christians?

Lydia – Acts 16:14,15

10. Who dedicated her first son back to God because he honoured her prayers?

Hannah – 1 Samuel 1:22

11. Which mother helped a son deceive her husband?

Rebekah – Genesis 27:5-14

12. Who was the only female judge we know of to reign over Israel?

Deborah – Judges 4:4

13. What was the name of Solomon’s mother?

Bathsheba – 1 Kings 1:11

14. Who sang a beautiful song when told God’s plan for her life?

Mary – Luke 1:46-50

15. What was the name of Timothy’s mother?

Eunice – 2 Timothy 1:5

16. Who intercepted David and his men so that her whole household would not be attacked?

Abigail – 1 Samuel 25:23-27

17. Who tempted her husband with fruit?

Eve – Genesis 3:6

18. Who was resentful of her sister listening to Jesus, while she did all the housework?

Martha – Luke 10:38-40

19. Who sang and danced with praise and joy when Pharaoh’s army was swallowed by water?

Miriam – Exodus 15:19-21

20. Who stayed day and night in the Temple, worshipping, fasting and prophesying about the coming of Jesus? (And was there when he was presented.)

Anna – Luke 2:36-38

Acts 9:36-42

With International Women’s Day, in mind, I wonder how many of you have a ‘soul sister’? Someone you can talk with about absolutely anything? Or maybe a prayer partner who you know you can call on at any time? Those kinds of relationships take time to nurture and develop, but they are very precious to us and help keep us from turning away from God in difficult times.

We all have to face disappointments, despair and doubt, and several of us have friends who support us and encourage us in our daily walk with God.

Many of the stories of women in the Bible give us a picture of strength and courage while having to face difficult situations alone. Their strength was often gained by their trust in God. Many had to adjust to difficult situations very quickly and rely on God to help them through. There are many examples of women who served God in their everyday in the Bible, Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) being one of them. Her story takes just a few sentences.

Yet, in those few words we see someone known for her acts of practical love and concern for the poor families in her community — love with its sleeves rolled up. She is described as someone who was loved very much. Dorcas is a fine example of how we are to meet the needs of those around us as we live side by side in our homes.

The legacy of her life, and the miracle of her being raised from the dead by Peter, impacted on the whole community and led many to faith in Jesus Christ.

Those few words in verse 36 speak of Dorcas: ‘She was always doing good and helping the poor.’ That is what she was known for. What words might people use to describe us? Our character and conduct? Is who I am consistent with the gospel in both the public and private spheres of my life? Who are the people currently reading the text of my life and how can I best support them?

REFLECTION AND PRAYER

We can ponder these thoughts as we listen to the song ‘He leadeth me! O blessèd thought!’ and pray that God’s Holy Spirit will guide us to be the best followers of Jesus we can be.