Faith Formation Of Women’s

Ms. Shahla Munir Diocesan Coordinator

Catholic Women ‘s Organization

What is Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things

which do appear” Hebrews 11:1-3,

Old Testament Women’s in Bible

• Some special women in the Old Testament on their walk from fear to deeper faith in our amazing God. They were EVERYDAY WOMEN like we are who experienced fear like we do. From their life stories, we can see an EVER FAITHFUL GOD in action. Be challenged and encouraged as you discover and apply wonderful, timeless truths of God’s character to our modern, hectic lives.

“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily

made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.”

Acts 16:13,

Sarah: A Woman like Us

• ”For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. “

• 1 Peter 3:5-6

Rahab: A Past and a Future

• “By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace.” HEBREWS 11:31

Deborah: Resourceful Women

Deborah was a Spirit-filled, multitalented woman. Her name means "Honey Bee." She was wise and shared with her friends. Her influence and authority was used by God to bring victory to her people Israel. God had given her talent and leadership ability. She was a song writer and sang as well. She was a true woman of God who judged or led Israel for 40 years.

• The reason Deborah was so effective in her ministry is because of her spiritual commitment and walk with God. She was also called a Prophetess.

"Prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth who was judging Israel" (Judges 4:4).

“For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” EPHESIANS

Ruth–A Faithful Woman

Ruth was a faithful woman and will be and was justified by her faith. God loved Ruth and Nomi. He knew what was going on in their lives. Ruth’s relationship with God started the same way most relationships with Him do. These women were not only God’s provision to each other but also a way for Him to make Himself known through their lives. You may face grief and seemingly overwhelming challenges in your own life. But just like Naomi and Ruth, you can count on these truths…

• God loves me.• God knows what is going on in my life.• God can do something about it.• I can trust His goodness in whatever He chooses to

do!

Hannah: Mothering Challenges

• Hannah of the Bible was truly a virtuous woman in the Bible. In this devotion for ladies, we see she is a woman of powerful prayer and faithfulness in keeping her promises to God. She teaches us the proper way to approach and view our troubles and our adversaries.

“She said, ‘Just as surely as you are alive, my lord, I am the woman who previously stood here with you in

order to pray to the Lord. I prayed for this boy, and the Lord has given me the request that I asked of

him. Now I dedicate him to the Lord. From this time on he is dedicated to the Lord.’ Then they worshiped

the Lord there.” 1 SAMUEL 1:26-28

Abigail: Wisdom and Generosity

• Abigail from the Bible Abigail’s husband, Nabal, was a very wicked man, who thought only of himself. By Abigail’s quick wisdom and generosity she not only saved her entire family from death, but was miraculously delivered from an evil husband, and given a godly husband in his place. Abigail was one of the truly virtuous women in the Bible.

ESTHER – STRENGTH TO DO THE NECESSARY

• Esther was so named for being as beautiful as the Morning Star. She, an orphan Jewess in Persia was brought up by her cousin Mordecai, but did not disclose that she was a Jewess. Esther won the beauty contest to replace Queen Vashti who was deposed by her husband.

• Esther was not only beautiful, but obedient as well. Even when she became queen, she still obeyed Mordecai who brought her up. As an adult, Esther still remained obedient. Esther was beautiful in appearance, and her heart was right in the sight of God for she had love for others and that showed when she risked her life for others. Esther had shown her courage when she opted to save the Jews from death rather than continue to live the life of a queen in the palace. She did not hesitate for a moment, and was resolute in her decision. By calling for a fast, Esther was asking the Jews to pray for God’s help with her dangerous mission. Faith is an important component of fasting and prayer. If there is no faith in what you pray for, you might as well not pray at all. Faith can move mountains. Esther was not one who prided herself on herself importance. She welcomed the support of others in time of distress. Any little help she could get she welcomed.

New Testament Women’s in Bible:

Mary Magdalene• Mary Magdalene and

the other women as the first witnesses of the Resurrection, they were saying something important about the nature of women: that they were capable of being as fully Christian as men.

Samaritan woman

• The story of the Samaritan woman made a strong statement about the role of women in the early Christian communities.

• The woman was not silent, nor was she limited to the private world of women. She had a voice, and she moved out into the public arena, into male space

• She entered into debate with Jesus about issues and questions that interested her

• She did not wait for permission to speak, but took the initiative herself

Menstruating Women

• Mark makes a sharp comment about physicians and the money they charge. Would the woman have been better served by attending to her spiritual health?

• The story of the woman with prolonged menstruation sits beside the story of the daughter of Jairus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Both women were, in a way, dead. The daughter of Jairus was physically dead. Jesus returned both of them to life.

• Rules (like the Purity Laws) should protect people, not imprison them. Faith in God can accomplish things that defy logic, things that are miraculous.

Prisca Christain Women

• Prisca and her husband Aquila were close friends and supporters of Paul, and as such were founding members of the Christian Church. Paul's letters record their long friendship, from first meeting to the bitter farewell not long before his execution.

• Prisca seems to have been the dominant partner in the marriage. She was strong-minded, fervent in her love for God and Jesus Christ, loyal to her husband - and something of a mover and shaker.

• She was trusted by Paul to manage the infant church he left behind, and she taught the gospel as Paul had done. Neither of them had met Jesus of Nazareth, but their faith was strong. Without them to teach and organize, the church might not have blossomed as soon as it did.

Dorcas

• Women in the Christian community, like Dorcas, were models of the virtues advocated by Roman leaders: traditional family values like good sense, courage, and fortitude. Dorcas

• attends to her spinning, producing garments for the poor

• is a model to the community whose members revere her

• dedicates her time to good works.

Conclusion

• Strength To Face the Challenges • Motivation for Internal Life

• Hope

• Peace/ Satisfaction

• Happiness / Contentment

• Humbleness

•

THANKYOU