Maadi Women's Bible Study

Set me as a Seal Upon Your Heart SoS ch 8

1. How does God factor into the definition of love given in the Song of Songs? How must God factor into our definitions of love? Why is this so necessary?
2. In v. 6 love is described as “strong as death” “jealousy as fierce as the grave.” What positive and negative aspects of love and jealousy do you see here?
3. What kinds of “waters” threaten to drown or flood many modern marriages?

The Duet of Reconciliation ch. 5-6

After the Lesson

As a group answer these questions:

1. From this passage what do you learn about forgiveness verses reconciliation? Why is reconciliation so important for Christian relationship?

2. What in the text indicates that the man and women have achieved reconciliation and not merely one sided forgiveness?

3. Take some time to self examen  are you guilty of not pursuing true reconciliation and allowing issues to be swept under the rug? Why does this seem preferable to you at times? What are you avoiding?

Missed Connection SoS 5:2-16

Questions

1. The woman speaks of a paradox of being asleep on the one hand but her heart is awake on the other. Are their times when you would say that you are spiritually responsive but physically or emotionally asleep or lagging?  Share a time you heard God call but you didn’t respond.
2. Her lover knocked and she wasn’t available and offered excuses. What are common excuses you make to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in your faith pursuit or relational?
3. The chorus asks the woman to recount “What makes her man more beloved than another?” What makes Jesus a more satisfying lover to you than any of the other places you look for love and identity?

One Spicy Bible Lesson SoS 4

Before the Study

Read to yourself 4:1-5

The writer of the song has drawn a picture with words intended to EVOKE (to bring feelings, memory, imagery from the back of your mind to the forefront) ideas and feelings not a physical image.

What ideas and feelings is the writer trying to evoke from the description of the woman?

After the Study

As a group answer these questions.

1. On a scale of 1-10 (uncomfortable-comfortable) how does this text make you?
2. How does 4:16 reflect the bride’s active willing involvement in the relationship? How does this challenge shallow or passive views of desire in Christian teaching?
3. In what ways can this text be misused (either to spiritualize away sexuality or to reduce it to pure physicality)? How can we hold both the physical and spiritual dimensions of this passage with integrity?
4. How does the bride’s invitation and the beloved’s joyful response mirror the way we (singles as well) might invite Christ into the “garden” of our deep sacred soul space?

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?