Virtuous Woman - IntegrityНамуна

Loyalty

Character Goal: Loyalty is a strong feeling of support or allegiance and faithfulness to people and ultimately toward God and His ways.

Biblical Characters: Lot’s Wife & Mary Magdalene

Scripture Readings: Genesis 19:1-17, 24-26; Luke 8:1-3; & John 19:17-18, 25; 20:11-14, 16-18

Discussion Questions:

Genesis Passages

• What were the angels sent to do to Sodom and Gomorrah? Why? What does this teach us about God?
• Who invited the angels into his house?
• Who all came to Lot’s house that night and why? What does this tell us about the morality of the city?
• How did Lot respond as the angels urged him to leave? Why do you think he hesitated?
• Is there a time in your life when you knew you needed to get away from negative influences but hesitated? Why was it difficult?
• What did the angels do for Lot and his family? Why? What does this teach us about God?
• What do the angels tell Lot and his family not to do?
• What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah as soon as they got outside of the city?
• What happened to Lot’s wife? Why? What was she loyal to?
• When God in his mercy removes us from a situation that is detrimental for us and we “look back” (i.e. return to that sin, circumstance, etc.) what often happens? How can we avoid falling back into these sinful patterns?

Luke & John Passages

• Who was with Jesus as He went about preaching? What does this tell us about him and His feelings towards women? Does Jesus want you to be “with Him”?
• What do we know about Mary Magdalene? How does looking to Jesus impact her life?
• Around the time of Jesus’s death it was not acceptable to be a follower of His, but who was near the cross when He was crucified? What does this tell us about these women?
• Who was the first person to the tomb after Jesus’ death? Who was she looking for? Was she successful in finding Him? What does this tell us about Jesus?
• Mary came to Jesus’ tomb in grief and turmoil. How did she leave?
• Read John 10:10. Based on the stories of Mary Magdalene and Lot’s wife, who do you think experienced destruction? Why? Who do you think experienced abundant life? Why?
• What do these two stories teach us about God? Women? Being loyal to your team or coach?

Training for Godliness:

Coaches give rules to their players for behavior, teamwork, and strategy. Sometimes players on a team have a divided allegiance between their own agenda and the good of the team. Are you "all in" with the teams' goals or do you try to do your own thing? Think about the things you are loyal to. Are they bringing you abundant life or destruction? Explain.

• What is one thing I learned from this story that I can apply to my life before the next lesson?

Core Truths:

• The ways of the world are easy and popular but will lead to our destruction.
• God rewards those who are loyal to Him with abundant life.
• A transformed life is marked by patterns of behavior that honor God and His word.

Memory Verse:

Proverbs 31:12 - "She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life."