Quotes from Women in the Bible Small Group Bible Study

“The lives of women in the Bible exemplify that God’s chosen ones are not exempt from suffering; a blessed person still experiences hardship. Some might say that there is a form of blessing in suffering—that suffering can cultivate a closeness to God, a deep commitment to faith. But it is not easy.”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 17)

“Hagar’s declaration ‘You are the God who sees me’ is a beautiful truth to hold on to. God’s presence is with us in every difficulty and challenge we encounter. We are never alone. And we can recall that the LORD appeared to Hagar when she was most desperate. Perhaps, like Hagar, in our darkest moments God will be revealed most powerfully to us. Perhaps through suffering we become most like Christ and are best positioned to encounter God personally.”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 19)

“If the midwives can defeat the king of Egypt, what can we accomplish for God? Maybe we think of ourselves as unexpected instruments of salvation. Maybe those around us don’t have high expectations of us and lead us to undervalue ourselves. But in God’s kingdom there are no social, economic, or political limitations. With confidence, we can remind ourselves that ‘God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong’ (1 Cor 1:27). Contrary to what the world would have us believe, our weaknesses actually perfectly position us to be used by God in a significant way! As 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 39)

“We all endure times of anguish. Do we let our heartache drive us to God? Do we bring our sorrow to God in prayer? Do we humbly accept that God is in control even when we are suffering? Can we find a way to trust God with the outcome?”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 74)

“The first part of Esther’s response is to empathize and identify with her people. To have empathy requires us to respond to suffering. To come alongside those who are suffering. To offer a ministry of presence. Such a response is sometimes the most difficult. It demands authenticity, an investment of time, and the gift of listening. It beckons us to have an affinity with God such that those around us become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 90)

“God’s ways are beyond our imagination. God takes the most impossible situation and turns it for good. God takes the broken pieces of our lives and puts us back together. God picks us up when we can’t walk any further. When all seems lost, God redeems our life and fills us with joy.”

(Marina Hofman, Women In The Bible Small Group Study Bible [Burlington: Castle Quay Books, 2021], 108)

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