St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2008
Women of the Bible
Sarah, Hagar and Rebekah - April 6
Genesis 16 - 18, 21, 23-28
Sarah and Hagar
 | What is the relationship between Sarah and Hagar like? How does it change? Why? |
| Why does Hagar run away the first time? How does God treat her? |
| Why does Sarah send Hagar away the second time? What does God promise Hagar and provide for her? |
| Where is Abraham in all of this? |
| In general, how would you describe the relationship between Sarah and Abraham? |
| In the end, what is your overall view of Sarah? of Hagar? |
Rebekah
| Why and how is Rebekah chosen as a wife for Isaac? Does she have a choice in the matter? |
| What does the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah seem like in the beginning? |
| When does that relationship seem to change? Why? |
| Rebekah favors Jacob and helps arrange it so that he receives the blessing of his father (and so the covenant is passed down through his line). What do you think of her actions? How strong a person is she? |
Jealousy shows up a lot in these chapters--between Sarah and Hagar, between Jacob and Esau. Why is it such a strong emotion? What are its results?
Of the women we encounter in these chapters, who do you like best? Who troubles you most? Do we ever display some of the qualities we see in the characters in these stories?
FOR NEXT WEEK: JUDGES 4-5, 14-16
This week we encounter two extremely different characters--Deborah and Delilah. Think about their different social status and their ways of accomplishing their goals.