On this episode of the Car Chat Podcast, we are pulling up a seat at the table for the Proverbs 31 woman.

Um. So. What do you know about the Proverbs 31 Woman? She may have been the theme of a women's event, a book from your mentor, or a cross-stitched name on a throw pillow at your aunt's house.

But who is she?

It's easy to get overwhelmed with the list of amazing things that she does. But every action comes from a belief, a character trait, a virtue that drives her behavior. Her external actions are only the results of an internal life of dependence on and followship of Jesus. She is the picture of what wisdom looks like lived out. She is a poem and not a real person. She is the potential of WHO YOU can become.

We will see that the Proverbs 31 woman has many virtues, but we will highlight 4 in this episode:

1. dignity

2. patience

3. courage/strength

4. devotion

Our hope is that you will walk away encouraged and excited about who you can be as you hold to the truth, see life from God's perspective, and live accordingly. We can live wise lives as we attach ourselves to Jesus.

Much love,
Amy and Jamy


SHOW NOTES:

• Click HERE: The Hebrew song Eshet Chayil [Woman of Valor: Proverbs 31] with translation.“There is a widespread custom of singing Eshet Chayil [woman of valor: Prov 31] on Friday nights at home before kiddush, as a song of praise to the woman of the house.” - The Jewish Chronicle
  
  
• Click HERE: Bible Gateway ( in New English Translation) with amazing footnotes with the poem acrostic in Hebrew!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Episode 12 ~ Proverbs 31 Woman

*See episode description in the show notes. Review Proverbs 31:10-31 for her story.

1. What did you learn for the first time about the Proverbs 31 Woman? What surprised you about this lesson?
2. How did the discussion on properly interpreting proverbs change your view of the Proverbs 31 Woman?
3. Amy described wisdom as “the ability to discern what is true, what is right, and what is lasting; seeing life from God’s perspective and acting accordingly.” What does this look like in real life?
4. How do you see the Proverbs 31 Woman as an example of wisdom? Brainstorm specific ways that you can be a wise woman in your specific lives right now.
5. Review the specific actions of the Virtuous Woman and discuss what they represent. Share one that comes most easily to you and one that you struggle with most.
6. Review the four descriptions of the Proverbs 31 Woman from the podcast and discuss which one resonates the most with you.
   • Has dignity
   • Is patient
   • Is courageous and strong
   • Is devoted
7. “She is us. Who God is to her, He is to me.” This is the primary question we seek to answer with each character study podcast. It hits a bit different with the Proverbs 31 Woman. Who is God in this passage? What does that mean to you in your life today?

Welcome to Episode 11 - PART 3 Bathsheba!
We are talking about the WIVES OF DAVID!

BACKGROUND
What is the Davidic Covenant? ( found in 2 Samuel 7)

Who were David's wives? (1 Chronicles 3, 2 Samuel; 3:2-5, 5:13-15)

In this 3-part series, we will be talking about:

Part 1: Michal

Part 2: Abigail

Part 3: Bathsheba - this episode!

-------------------------------------
>>> BATHSHEBA <<<

Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Kings 1:11-27, 2:13-22

We will discover that Bathsheba:
1. was caught in a sinful story with painful consequences
2. was redeemed (and her story)
3. had significant influence
She is one of us. Who God is to her, he is to you and me.

Her story prompts conversations about having your choice taken from you, doing the right thing but being brought into someone's wrong thing, mourning loss of loved ones in your life, continue living in what you never envisioned your life to be, standing for the truth and faithfulness when it is difficult.

I had a lot of assumptions about Bathsheba based on what I knew of her in David's story. But when seeing her for who she was as a women in those times, I am so sad for the loss that she experienced because of someone else's desire. But she kept on walking, kept on living, and God brought the Messiah through her. It blows me away how he redeems the stories that totally derail. His plans will not be uprooted!

We hope it encourages you!
Much love,
Amy and Jamy


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Episode 11 (Part 1, 2, 3) ~ Wives of David, all 3!
*See episode description in the show notes and biblical texts for these stories.

1. What did you learn for the first time about these women? What surprised you about their stories with God?

2. Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20. What instructions does God give to kings? Discuss how David not following this affects his wives and children.

3. In Michal’s story we talked about how her bitterness blocked God’s blessing. How do you see that in her story? How have you learned to battle bitterness?

4. Abigail’s story has such amazing leadership lessons. What did you learn about being a humble, calm leader from her?

5. What does it mean to you to cast vision? Share a time that someone has done that for you and how it encouraged you.

6. Bathsheba’s story is so rich and messy (just like our lives). What does it mean to you that God chose her to be the wife who is the mother in the line of the Messiah? What does that tell you about God?

7. In Bathsheba’s episode, Amy mentions that each wife AND David have a “fork in the road” to either follow God or not. Where do you see that choice in their stories? What about your own life today?

8. Here are the three descriptions of David’s wives from the podcast; discuss which one resonates the most with you:

Michal: (1 Samuel 18:20-29, 19:11-17, 25:44, 2 Samuel 3:13-16, 6:16-23)

· Loved
· Was a pawn
· Despised

Abigail: (1 Samuel 25)

· Aware and acted quickly
· Wise in conflict
· Stayed Calm

Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Kings 1:11-27, 2:13-22)

· Caught in a painful story with painful consequences
· Was redeemed
· Had significant influence

9. “David’s wives are us. Who God is to her, He is to me.” Who was God to Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba? What does that mean to you in your life today?

Welcome to Episode 11 - PART 2 Abigail!
We are talking about the WIVES OF DAVID!

EPISODE 11 in 3 PARTS!
We did something a little DIFFERENT this month...because we wanted to keep the Wives of David AS A GROUP yet still take time to get to know the three wives we selected, we are releasing a 3-part series of shorter episodes to honor each woman's story. They are like mini-chapters of a bigger story - rooted in the importance of the Davidic Covenant and what it meant to be one of his wives within the tapestry of God's promise.

BACKGROUND
What is the Davidic Covenant? ( found in 2 Samuel 7)

• the unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever
• God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment
• the surety of the promise made rests solely on God’s faithfulness and does not depend at all on David or Israel’s obedience

Who were David's wives? (1 Chronicles 3, 2 Samuel; 3:2-5, 5:13-15)

• *Michal- daughter of King Saul, sister of Jonathan
• Ahinoam- mother of Amnon
• *Abigail – mother of Chileab (Daniel)
• Maacah – daughter of King of Geshur, mother of Absalom and Tamar
• Haggith – mother of Adonijah
• Abital – mother of Shephatiah
• Eglah – mother of Ithream
• *Bathesheba – mother of Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon

In this 3-part series, we will be talking about:

Part 1: Michal

Part 2: Abigail- this episode!

Part 3: Bathsheba

-------------------------------
>>> ABIGAIL <<<

Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 25

We will discover that Abigail:

1. situationally aware and acted quickly.
2. wise in conflict
3. stayed calm (didn't let her emotions overtake her)

She is one of us. Who God is to her, he is to you and me.

Her story prompts conversations about living with a fool, how to handle conflicts with calmness and grace, the value of humility, the power of reminding others who they are in God, when to act quickly and when to not, how important it is to build a foundation on faith so that when situations arise you can stand on what you already have in your heart.

Abigail has just one chapter in Biblical history but she saved David from making a terrible mistake. Her calm strength and humility is what I long to have when I face crises in my life. She also was married to a cruel and foolish man who I'm sure she thought was for the rest of her life. The way she was able to rise about his foolishness and be strong in her faith is such a challenging example to the impact of choosing God.

We hope it encourages you!

Much love,
Amy and Jamy


***DISCUSSION QUESTIONS for ALL 3 Wives of David on Episode 11.3, Bathsheba.