Lessons in Faith from a Slave Woman…HER World/OUR World: Getting to Know Her

 

LESSON OBJECTIVES:

1) To challenge each woman to examine her Bible-based relationship with Jesus Christ, free of tradition and pretense

2) To challenge each woman to open her mind and heart to see a self-examination that will transform her into a vessel to Christ, not only in HER eyes, but also in the eyes of Christ and others 

Acts 9:15, 16; Psalm 119:57-64; Psalm 81:11  

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Consider This Analogy:

“The most well-known aspect of African-American history is that of slave life. Even today, many aspects of the way we interact with one another are holdovers from the experience of our ancestors.”

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The “house” slave:

most desired position; often related to the master by blood; skin was lighter and hair often straighter; wore nicer clothes; lived inside the big house; ate better food; had some education

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The “field” slave:

position often looked upon with disdain and shame; very dark-skinned and hair “nappy”; worked in the hot sun from dawn to dusk; had no education and likely didn’t know who her father was

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Discussion Points:

1) The house slave insists that the best place for anyone to be is in the big house because field slaves have no positive qualities.

Lesson in Faith: Those who are humble will be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14)

Lesson in Faith: We must not only hear; we must do. (James 1:19-27)

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2) The house slave knows that she is beautiful. Her fair skin and her long straight hair make her more desirable and superior to the “nappy-headed” slave.

Lesson in Faith: We should not judge based on outward appearance. (John 7:24; James 2:1-4)

Lesson in Faith: Be careful of enforcing your own ideals. (Proverbs 14)

Lesson in Faith: The tongue is a powerful weapon. (James 3:1-6)

Lesson in Faith: Those who do the will of God may be subject to suffering. (1 Peter 3:8-17)

Lesson in Faith: Do not judge your brother. (James 4:11-12)

Lesson in Faith: We should choose our words carefully. (Colossians 4:4-6)

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3) The house slave is confident that her views of field slaves are absolutely correct. This is the way it has always been! How dare you tell her she could be wrong!

Lesson in Faith: We should not be ”above” correction. (Proverbs 13:18)

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4) The master has brought a field slave from the field into the house. The house slave smiles in the face of the master and publicly welcomes her but does not believe this newcomer should be entitled so soon to all of the benefits of being in the house because she has never done such important and sophisticated work.

Lesson in Faith: We should not judge based on personal convictions or preferences or on another Christian’s service. (James 2:1-4; John 7:24; Matthew 5:20-22; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

Lesson in Faith: Jesus mentored but did not restrict or hinder his new followers. (Luke 5:4-11; John 1:43, 49-51; John 6;20+; Matthew 5:1-12; 1 Peter 4:7-14; Matthew 28:19-20)

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5) On a few occasions, the field slave has seen the house slave. In an effort to posture herself as superior, the house slave stood upright, tossed talk through her teeth and talked down her nose at the field slave. The field slave knew she was talking but could not hear her because she was distracted and turned off the show.

Lesson in Faith: Speak so that you are understood. (1 Corinthians 14:3-9)

Lesson in Faith: Do not speak in vain. (1 Corinthians 14:12-17)

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6) The house slave says that she has heard about church services that the field slaves have had. She knows that the field slaves aren’t reading the Bible and that they are just listening to what the preacher says, but He doesn’t read the Bible either.

Lesson in Faith: Teaching should be based on God’s word. (Matthew 7:15-20; Acts 4:19, 17:10-11; 1 Corinthians 10:15, 14:29; Titus 1:10-16, 3:10; Hebrews 13:7; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:20-24; 1 Timothy 5:19-20)

Lesson in Faith: Do not be ignorant of what the Scriptures say. (1 Timothy 1:5-17; Deuteronomy 13:1-8; Micah 5:12+; Psalm 82:1-5)

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A Thought from Joslyn: 

“Practice humility before God.”

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Joslyn C. Jackson, JD is a beloved woman of God who uses her strength and her life lessons to teach women of all ages about the LORD. She faithfully serves within the Education and Youth Ministries, as well as on the Women’s Bible Study faculty. Joslyn also conducts consumer money management workshops called How to Make A Dollar Out of Fifteen Cents, which teaches consumers the art of shopping with coupons.

• Posted in: Women's Bible Study
• Tagged: Faith, Joslyn Jackson, slave woman, The Women and The Word