The Women Before Us Pt. 1

Written By Betty Predmore

Welcome to our new bible study “The Women Before Us”.  Through this study we will visit for prominent women in the bible...Esther, Hannah, Hagar, and Elizabeth.  

As we go through the next four weeks, we encourage you to read about these women and really get to know them, and to follow along with the study points and questions.

We will post the study guide on Mondays, and come back for some conversation on the following days.

Please feel free to invite your friends to join you in this study. (They will have to be added to our group.)  

The Jewish “Star”

Queen Esther

Within the pages of the Book of Esther, we get a glimpse at one woman’s strength and courage in the face of fear and doubt.  We see a simple girl from a simple village rise to be a bold queen who possessed determination and fortitude.

We follow her process  of being refined, we walk with her through self-doubt, and feel her humility.  We can almost feel her bravery as she stands bold and courageous to save her people.

There is much to be learned from this Jewish girl who became Queen.  Take some time today to read her story and see how her life resembles your own.

The study below is to be used in conjunction with your reading.

4 KEY POINTS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ESTHER?

~ Need for Guidance:  Esther sought guidance in times of difficulties (4:15-17)

~Selflessness:  Esther was selfless – ready to sacrifice for the good of others

~Appreciation:  Co-operation and help from fellow believers should be valued

~Acceptance:  Be willing to take wisdom and counsel from those who are more mature (4:12-16)

 

WHAT PREPARATION DID ESTHER GO THROUGH TO BECOME QUEEN?  LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM HER STORY…

1. Esther was obedient to her time of preparation, even though it was a lengthy process.  

Do you have the patience to wait as God prepares you?  

If God is going to use us, He sometimes needs to refine us.  Sometimes we have to undergo that “bitter rubbing”, that hard time we go through as He rubs away at our pride, stubbornness, disobedience, or unwillingness. 

Does anyone feel like they are in the “refining process” right now?

 2.  We all need God’s favor.  Both Esther and Mordecai found favor with the king.  When we live a life that pleases and glorifies God, we receive His favor.  When we are obedient to Him, we reap the reward of His favor.  He also blesses us by giving us the favor of those around us. 

Have you seen evidence of God’s favor in your life?

3. God’s timing is uniquely His.  (4:13-14)  Esther, through patience and obedience, acted in the right timing.  Sometimes we get anxious or excited about something and jump right in, without waiting for God’s assurance that the timing is right.  It’s not that He doesn’t want you to have something, maybe He just wants it for you at a different time in your life.  If we are in tune with the Holy Spirit and faithful to His calling, He will reveal His timing for the things in our lives. 

Is there a time that you feel God’s timing was perfect, that He put you here for “such a time as this?

4. Your past doesn’t define your future.  Esther was an orphan.  Who would’ve imagined she would ever become queen?  

God used her, despite her circumstances, just like he used fishermen and tax collectors.  God can use any of us, despite our past, if we have faith in Him and a desire in our hearts to serve Him.  That is when all those things you have overcome in your past can be an awesome testimony. 

Is there a time when your past has been an effective testimony?  A time when your past allowed you to make a difference in someone’s future?

Esther was royalty.  She was brave and obedient.  But SO ARE WE!  We are daughters of the Almighty King and because of that assurance, we can be BRAVE and BOLD for our God!

 Father God, hear our prayer.  Help us to be brave and bold for you.  Help us to realize that our past does not define our future, and that our testimony is an opportunity, not a hindrance.  Give us the patience, obedience, and humility of this gentle queen, and help us to always remember Whose we are and what You can do through us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders.  She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances.  Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.  

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center.  She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty holds a certification as a Christ-Based Counselor through the National Association of Certified Christ-Based Counselors. She is also a State of California Certified Facilitator for Anger Management/Batterer’s Treatment Program. In addition, she is a certified Facilitator for Living Free, a faith-based curriculum for parenting, addiction recovery, and anger management.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women.  She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor.  Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way.  She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website.

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement.  Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns.  Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.

http://bettypredmore.com/
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