Women's Ministry: You are royalty! Chosen and Set Apart!

Introduction 

The Bible has many verses encouraging us as women.

Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future."

Explanation: With God the future is yours. Women of God are royal and strong

Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.

Explanation: Women of God you are chosen, purpose-driven and set apart.

Psalm 46:5 "God is within her, she will not fall."

Explanation: The strength of a godly woman is inspirational and motivational. Did you know that?

As women, we know our fight and purpose under God is big. God has called us to be women of royalty- we are hand chosen by him, and so we must live set-apart lives from the world. Today we are in for an exciting Sabbath school program that will explore various women of the Bible. Pull from each character the importance of standing for Christ in adversity, and understand that we are all chosen for a purpose.

Welcome:    

Scripture Reading and Prayer:

Secretary's Report:

Mission Story:

Main Feature:

A multitude of studies in the last forty years indicates the way we see ourselves determines the way we act and react in life. Self-perception, self-worth, self-esteem tends to be governing factors in our lives. If we see ourselves as a piece of junk, we begin to think that we are garbage. If we see ourselves as successful, as royal, as chosen by God, then we tend to walk in the light Christ has set out for us. 

Do you believe we are children of a Most High King? 

And that by accepting Christ, we are Kings and Queens, princes and princesses.

We are encouraged to look at ourselves through the lenses God looks at us.

Today we look at four women in the Bible whose lives were forever changed because they saw themselves as saved by the grace of God, as forgiven, as healed and as delivered.  

My prayer is at the end of this program, we see our worth not based on our past, but on our future as daughters and sons of the most High King.

*Suggestion request various women to depict each character*

Abigail- Wisdom

Abigail – a strong woman of the Bible

Wisdom and beauty both found a home in Abigail, whose story is found in 1 Samuel. Described as, "… an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings" (1 Samuel 25:3), Abigail carried herself with dignity and integrity despite her circumstances.

And when the lives of those around her were placed in jeopardy, Abigail leaped into action in order to save them. As a result of her wisdom and action, she was given as a wife to King David and became a royal woman. 

Women of royalty are wise, blessed with a gift to see things differently. We must use our wisdom to bring unity and mend relationships and to save those around us.

Rahab- Faith

Rahab was a lost pagan woman who lived in the city of Jericho. She became one of the most honored women in the Bible. She is mentioned in Hebrews 11 and in the book of James. In Hebrews 11 she stands as an example of faith; in James, she is exemplified as an illustration of works.

The only biblical account of her is found in Joshua chapter 2. 

She is first introduced as a harlot – not someone you would expect to be praised in the scriptures! But when you have faith in God your life is changed.

After the battle of Jericho, she and her whole family are br,ought into the nation of Israel. Rahab marries Salmon, the son of Nahshon, a prince of the tribe of Judah. And her great, great, grandson is king David.

Rahab, a heathen prostitute: unworthy of anything before God, yet raised to royalty by God's grace, cleansed by her faith in God, 

Women of royalty must exercise the combination of faith and works after meeting God. 

Woman of Samaria- Evangelism John 4:5-26

This woman was surprised that Jesus would even talk to her. To the Jews, Samaritans were lower classed, both culturally and religiously. It was also inappropriate for a man to converse with a woman in public.

Jesus crossed a social taboo to meet with this woman. Jesus didn't harbor that hatred toward the Samaritans.

Jesus exposed her as a sinner. What's interesting is that she didn't run and hide from her sin. There is something comforting about Jesus, exposing her. 

She recognized Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah). 

After meeting with Jesus, she went on to be changed and to tell the people in her town about what Jesus did for her. "Come see a man" The townspeople were initially intrigued by the woman's testimony. They didn't stop there. They went to see Jesus for themselves. They asked Jesus to hang around for a couple of days. "Many…believed…in him because of the woman" (v. 39). "Many more believed because of his word" (v. 41).

Women of royalty are called to be preachers and teachers in their marketplace and villages. Spreading the good news of Christ soon returns.

Woman with the issue of Blood- Faith and Healing

What we know about the woman is she had a bleeding condition for twelve years. That's a very long time. She had spent all her money on treatments from many doctors with no relief (see Mark 5:25–26). 

We also know that Jewish Law declared her to be ceremonially unclean due to her bleeding issue (Leviticus 15:25-27). This meant that she would not have been permitted to enter the temple for Jewish religious ceremonies, go to the marketplace, prepare meals for her family or fetch water from the well.

But, after twelve years of suffering and isolation, she was desperate for a miracle. "When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (Mark 5:27–28). Based on social custom Jesus was not supposed to touch her because she was considered unclean and anything she touched would also be considered unclean.

But her faith was strong and as soon as the woman touches Jesus, she was healed. Jesus asked, "Who touched my clothes?" (Mark 5:30). 

He continued "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering" (Mark 5:34). 

She encountered Jesus and she was immediately changed from an outcast to a woman of royalty. Woman you may be sick, broke, broken and isolated. Be intentional, push past the jeering of the crowd in your life and get connected to Jesus. Woman of royalty, God offers you healing from all ailments and infirmities. Would you reach out and touch him?

Conclusion/Closing Remarks (Superintendent)

You may be married to someone who is mean just as Abigail was and suffered a tremendous loss just as Abigail. You may be sick, without money and broken as the woman with the issue of blood. You may have had a past filled with countless sexual partners and secret sins as the woman of Samaria and Rahab. 

Jesus makes the difference between your past and your future. He calls us to a life free from sin where our inner potential and purpose can be realized. 

Woman, men and children of royalty you are worth far more than precious rubies and gold. You are worth the very high price of the blood of Jesus. 

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 peter 2:9