Maadi Women's Bible Study

John the B's Choice to Live in the Margins

A Portrait in Disappointment Luke 1:1-25

1. What is a situation in your life where you have had to wait? What good have you discovered in that waiting period?
2. As Luke tells us about the personal struggles of Zachariah and Elizabeth he goes to great length to undermine a linkage between their goodness or lack of goodness and their circumstances. How do you see him doing this and why does such a linkage need to be broken?
3. Where are you feeling barren today? How might God use this feeling of emptiness as a gateway to something new?

Love in the Margins-Mary's Magnificant

Before the Lesson read Luke 1:26-56

Individually: Read excerpts from Luci Shaw’s poem The Annunciatory Angel (Thoughts on the painting by Fra Angelico The Annunciation)

How does an angel look? We are not Daniel or Zechariah; we have not been shown.  This rendering suggests not celestial power and radiance but a weight of apprehension; what must be announced will not be entirely easy news.

Wind is part of the picture, gusts whipping the robes and body along a stretch of baroque carpet. Gabriel seems to be advancing up an incline, laboring with the imperative of message, hair flattened against scalp, features tense, hands folded tight to the chest, agitation or awe-it is hard to tell. We can’t see the heart hammering in the unearthly body, but the announcement, the cracking open of a space that encircles earth and heaven, must weigh like a gold boulder in the belly.

How might it feel (if an archangel has feelings) to bear this news? Perhaps as confounded as the girl, there in the corner? We worry that she might faint. Weep. Turn away, perplexed and fearful about opening herself. Refuse to let the wind fill her, to buffet its nine-month seed into her earth. She is so small and intact. Turmoil will wrench her.

She might say no.

1. How does this poem make you consider the incarnation in a fresh way?

After the Lesson

1. Mary’s Song is a beautiful account of humility on Mary’s part and yet she does not resist or refuse the great honor that God is bestowing up on her. How do you balance neither thinking more highly of yourself than you ought and not thinking too low of yourself to be of use to God and his purposes?
2. What practices can you develop to intentionally empty yourself?
3. What are specific reasons God is a source of joy for you? How do you express this joy to God and to others? What is gained by expressing it to others?

14. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 12:9- Fear God)

The Teacher’s words throughout this book have pushed us towards satisfaction in God-not wealth, possessions, status, etc. Why are these words painful to hear sometimes? During this study, has there been an area where you found yourself being poked or prodded in ways you weren’t anticipating?

"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14). What feelings does this evoke in you? It isn’t meant as a threat so how can it be an encouragement to you?

13. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch.12:1-8 The Hevel of Growing Old)

Questions and Discussion

What is the Teacher encouraging us to do when he says, “Remember your Creator”?

This poem (v.1-5) uses highly metaphorical language. What do you think the phrases refer to? Use your imagination as well as all biblical interpretive skills you might have. (Hint: think about the physical aging process)

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 gives a very negative picture of old age. What are some positives about growing older? Why do you think they were not mentioned here?              

Have you ever known a person who was, in Gibson’s words, “shrouded by death”? What were they like? How would they have been different if they could have lived “shaped by death” instead?

12. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch.11)

1. In verse 3 the author brings to our attention two examples of things that we cannot control (when a cloud releases its rain and where a tree will fall). He then rebukes the person who “observes the winds” in verse 4.  What do these verses teach us?
What do you think it means to “observe the winds”, and what does this look like today?

2. How have you seen yourself get caught up in the “may-be’s and might-haves” of life and get distracted from the task at hand?

3. What do verses 7-8 teach us about life? How do we hold in balance the goodness of life and its fleeting nature?

4.How does the coming judgment of God help us to enjoy the gift of our youth more wisely? What advice would you give to your younger self?

11. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 10)

1. Consider v. 10 and look at your own life are there places where you are working extra because you are swinging a dull axe? Busyness and overcommitment are two specific ways that we are getting hammered by the enemy in the church today. In light of verse 10 where do you need to stop and sharpen your axe? Get specific here - answering with “i need to read my Bible more” is a good thought, but let’s put some tangible steps to it. Help each other with application and change.
   
2. v. 12-14 talk about the foolishness of a man’s speech. What is the difference between wise speech and foolish speech? What about the effects of wise and foolish speech? How is the fruit of wise speech different than the fruit of foolish speech?
3. Verses 8-20 consists of proverbs about wisdom and folly. Which ones stick out to you the most and why? Do you see any themes repeated in the sayings?

10. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 9)

9. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch. 8 Really, Who is Wise?)

1. What does Ecclesiastes 8 teach us about the limitations of human wisdom?
2. Reflect on the paradox of the righteous receiving what the wicked deserve and vice versa. How does this challenge or reinforce your understanding of divine justice?
3.  How does Ecclesiastes 8 suggest we deal with the uncertainties and paradoxes of life?

8. Ecclesiastes Life Under the Son (ch.7 Reconcile Your End)

Individual: Read ch. 7

1. The Teacher makes some bold claims which ones do you agree with? Why? Are there some that you don’t agree with? Why?

2. v.4 suggests that there is a wisdom to be learned at a funeral that cannot be learned at a birthday party. What wisdom can you learn from a funeral?

3. What are some questions that arise in this text that you want to find some resolution to?

4. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:1 with Proverbs 22:1. What piece of wisdom is being  communicated here? How might you respond to this piece of wisdom?

5. Verse 2 of this chapter begins to drive home one of the main ideas of the book of Ecclesiastes—to live your life in light of your last days. How should having a good understanding of our mortality impact the way we live today?

6. Verses 15-18 describe a reality(Abelesque) that is often highlighted in the Scriptures (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:3, 73:30, 94:3; Job 12:6, 21:13) the righteous often suffer while the wicked prosper. How does it make you feel that the Bible validates this reality?