VALPARAISO – A group of women prayer warriors of St. Paul Catholic Church came together Wednesday night, Jan. 10, for a soul-searching, spiritual discussion of Scripture. The evening’s Bible study began an 11-week series, delving into the lives of biblical women as presented in Lisa Brenninkmeyer’s book, “Discovering Our Dignity.”
“I get so much out of it from the beautiful women that are part of this,” said Donna Gray, who coordinates the study group. “We are a diverse group, and the life experiences of those who show up add to our understanding of the material.”
Gray mentioned that many times, she and the other ladies who participate are struck by these “aha moments” when a connection is made to the text that deepens their understanding of these stories surrounding the sacred women, who are also wives, daughters, and faithful women.
“The book was picked because of its stories,” Gray said, indicating how moving they can be, covering topics such as comparison, competition, despair, deferred hopes and more.
With such intimate subject matter, the study group follows an honor code and commitment to live out the values of respect, authenticity, positivity, confidentiality, and a spirit of welcome.
“It’s a space where you feel secure in sharing. It can be so moving at times,” Gray explained.
The session opened with an ice-breaker to invite conversation, followed by 10 minutes of stillness. Members were asked to take in the “breath of joy,” or three slow inhales and exhales – signifying the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – to begin this time of meditation. After another opening prayer, the group broke into small-table discussions of the current chapter in “Discovering Our Dignity,” which was Bathsheba.
“Through their stories recorded in Scripture, women of the Bible reach out to touch our ‘present’ in a tender, honest and loving way – woman to woman – with ancient wisdom, sage advice and insights from sorrowful failures and emotional wounds,” according to the book’s summary.
It’s a “good read,” as one group member Lori Stewart, a parishioner at St. Paul’s for 21 years, attested.
“You’re given discussion questions that make you think,” Stewart said. “It’s fascinating to me how much the Old Testament kind of previews what’s going to happen in the New Testament. I never put all that together before. So, it is good.”
One example of this foreshadowing mentioned in the book pertained to the idea of a “Queen Mother” that, while King David’s house had many queens, his son Solomon had only one mother, Bathsheba. This lent a certain power and dignity to her because Solomon respected her and could approach her on matters to bring to King David. This alludes to the role Mary, Jesus’ mother, serves for us as an intercessor.
Rita Lamba, who is new to the group but has participated in other Bible studies for 25 years, expressed her joy in prayerfully reading and discussing Scripture in such an in-depth way. “I just love it!” Lamba said. “Anything with the Bible because that’s the Truth, that’s our start. All the other stuff can fall away and disappear like ashes, but the Bible won’t.”
The Discovering our Dignity study group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays in Social Hall C at St. Paul and welcomes any women seeking to grow more deeply and connect with Scripture to join. Additional information about the textbook along with other Bible study resources geared specifically for women can be found online as well at walkingwithpurpose.com.
Caption: Women prayer warriors at St. Paul in Valparaiso participate in an 11-week Bible study, "Discovering Our Dignity." The faith-filled group always welcomes any women interested to join them. (Angela Hughes photo)