Maadi Women's Bible Study

SoS 3:6

Individually read the passage and list any Old Testament imagery that you see or suspect is OT hints.

Each of us has a different salvation story, some came to new life gradually and others in a very distinct moment. Share a bit about how you came “out of the wilderness.”

We often discuss how we will respond when we first see Jesus face to face, what are your thoughts about how Jesus will see you? Do you ever imagine him getting choked up by your beauty…feeling overwhelmed by your presence with him? What thoughts or feeling arise with this thought?

One Crazy Dream ch. 3:1-5

1. Have you ever experienced a season of searching like the woman in the passage? What did it teach you?

2. In what way do you resonate with the theme of longing and separation? Why do you think it is emphasized in SoS?

3. How does the woman’s active pursuit challenge typical expectations of gender roles? How do you feel about this portrayal?

4. What is the difference between healthy longing that deepens love and unhealthy obsession that distorts it and how might this passage help us tell the difference?

SoS 2:8-17 Listen Look Arise

Before the Lesson read SoS 2:8-17

1. What imagery (sight, sound, taste, touch, hearing) is being poetically employed in the passage?
2. As you read the text notice the many metaphors in the text (gazelle, winter, foxes, lilies) which resonates with you in some way?

   After the Lesson

   As a group answer these questions:

   1. There is a theme of pursuit and inaccessibility in this passage. How can you relate as the pursuer? How do you relate as the inaccessible one? Think in terms of marriage, friendship and relationship with God.

   2. How does the gospel reflected in this passage remind us there’s grace for us even when we have missed the mark in areas of sexual sin. How does this text express hope?

   3. What are some “little foxes” that you need to be aware of in your marriage, friendships, walk with God? What is a practical step you can take to protect those relationships?

 

The Smell of Love SoS 1:12-2:7

1) Read through this mornings text and look for words or phrases that are using sensory imagery (Taste, sight, sound, touch) ask yourself what does the imagery conjure up in your mind. Be honest you don’t have to share out loud.

2. How do you respond when someone compliments you for your appearance?

3. Do you compliment others for theirs?

After Lesson

1. Do you ever express admiration for the beauty of God? What effect would such an expression have on your affection for him?

2. V.3 speaks about her lover as an apple tree, providing shade and protection, nourishment and refreshment. How do you find satisfaction when you have no lover to protect and nourish, or your lover doesn’t consistently meet your desire for safety, and rest and nourishment? How does Jesus speak into this situation?

3. Which tree’s shade have you been “delighting” in? Romans 12:2 tell us to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” What do you need to do to step further away from the patterns of this world and into the shade of the Tree of Life?

Dark Am I Yet Lovely SoS 1:5-11

Before the Study Answer

Individually: Read SoS 1:5-11

1. What stands out to you about the woman’s view of her body?
2. How has society’s norms about beauty and shape affected your self perception over the years? If you are married has marriage eased or changed your self perception.

After the study Answer

In what ways do you feel you have neglected your own vineyard? Think more than just physically, but look inward. Do you feel the neglect is forced upon you by circumstances or of your own doing? (Think Mary and Martha)

2. Do you struggle to feel God’s particular love for you?

3. God describes himself as passionate and jealous in his love for you. What thoughts and feelings does this descriptive even sexual sounding love churn up in you? Comfortable or uncomfortable? Why?

4. How do you think all this wording and intensity of passionate love is received by men?

Desire Detonated 1:2-4

1. The song starts immediately with a woman’s bold desire. What thoughts does this stir in you?

    2. From her point of view, what do these metaphors in vs. 2-3     suggest with regard to threlationship between character and reputation and her physical desire for her beloved?

    3.  The "friends" appear to love him (vs.4). How does finding that others recognize the character and goodness of your partner enhance your own love for them? 

Song of Solomon Overview

Questions

1. It has been said that the Church talks about sex too much and too little. In what ways does it talk too much and in what ways too little?

2. SoS is clearly a celebration of human sexuality yet women especially often hear or absorb negative messages about their body. Where have you picked up negative ideas?

3. What do you wish would have been explained, taught, or modeled for you that would have helped you in your own understanding of a healthy sexual mindset?

Song of Solomon through the lens of Hebrew Poetry

Questions

Read chapter 2 and highlight all words that appeal to your five senses (imagery)

Metaphor:

Practice On your own reading metaphor in ch. 2:8-17. Read it through 1x don’t analyze just experience it. What feelings do you have? What feeling does the writer intend to arouse? Pick a few verses and write down what do you think the writer means? 

Listen to the Song “You Pursue Me.” Then attempt to write a few lines of your own poetry using imagery, metaphor or another technique to express how it feels to be pursued by God. 

Looking at Song of Songs Through Wisdom Literature Lens

Luke 18 Parable of Pharisee and Tax Collector

Read Luke Luke 18:9-17

As a group answer these questions:

1. In your own prayers, do you ever find yourself slipping into comparisons with others? Why do you think that happens?

2. How do you guard against self righteousness while still pursuing holiness?

3. Do you think you pray completely honest prayers right now?

4. What area of life do you need to remember that your worth is based on God’s mercy not your performance?