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This Bible Study Belongs To:

A Year-Long Bible Study for Women

GINNY MOSSMAN

Published by Paige Tate & Co., an imprint of Blue Star Press PO Box 8835, Bend, OR 97708 contact@paigetate.com www.paigetate.com

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Printed in Colombia

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ISBN: 9781969889028

For my children, Grant and Hannah, and my husband, Brian: You remind me every day that God is always at work, weaving purpose, growth, and grace into our story.

Introduction

THE IDEA FOR this book came to me one summer in a season of my life when it felt like all I did was wait. Wait to pick up one child from practice. Wait to drop another off at a friend’s house. Maybe you know that rhythm too, the constant shuffling from one thing to the next. I recognized it as the stage of life I was in, but that didn’t make it any less exhausting.

Gone were the days of playdates where I could connect with a friend while little ones played nearby. My kids were growing and their lives were expanding, and somehow, mine felt like it had narrowed. In the middle of it all, I realized I didn’t feel like me anymore. My identity felt buried beneath responsibilities, and I found myself asking questions I couldn’t ignore: Where is my purpose? Where is my joy? Who am I becoming?

It was in the middle of those questions that my thoughts turned to the women of the Bible. Had they ever felt this way? Did they wrestle with identity, purpose, or waiting? How had they experienced God in the midst of their own stories?

As I reflected on their lives, I began to notice a pattern. Again and again, I saw women whose stories were marked by struggle, uncertainty, and imperfect choices, yet their lives were ultimately defined not by those things, but by God’s presence. I saw shame exchanged for grace, waiting transformed into joy, and brokenness woven into purpose.

Slowly, my perspective began to shift.

Instead of asking, Who am I? I began to ask, Whose am I?

That is the heartbeat of this book.

This is not meant to be an academic study but an invitation to slow down, engage with Scripture, and reflect on how God is at work in your own life. Each week, you will walk through the story of a woman in the Bible using a simple rhythm: reading Scripture, observing and reflecting, journaling, and praying. Whether you move through it day by day or at your own pace, the goal is not completion, it is connection.

My hope is not just that you learn about these women, but that you begin to see yourself differently because of them. Releasing shame and embracing grace. Finding yourself trusting God in seasons of waiting, and ultimately recognizing that your worth is not found in your roles and responsibilities but in a God who loves you, regardless.

Most of all, I hope you remember this: Your identity is not something you have to strive to create, it is something you have already been given.

You are known.

You are seen.

You are His.

And your story matters.

Eve’s Story From Sin Exposed to Covered

by Grace

PART 1 | READ

Genesis 2– 3

IMAGINE EVE, fruit in hand. But instead of sweetness on her tongue and wisdom in her mind, all she felt was a nakedness and shame she had never known before. Maybe she thought, It wasn’t supposed to end like this. It seemed like such a good idea. I didn’t mean anything bad to happen.

A similar feeling can happen to us too. We set out with good intentions, but our choices lead to shame instead of blessing.

I’ve been there. I’ve doubted God’s Word, convincing myself my way was better. But in the end, I was left full of regret, asking, How can I come back from this? Will I ever be the same? Everyone knows me at my worst now.

If we rewind to the moments before Eve ate the fruit, God had just created the world, and then He created Adam and Eve. God had given them a beautiful garden to call home. Genesis 2:9 (English Standard Version) says, “Out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God created them and provided everything they needed to live a full and beautiful life.

Adam and Eve were given one simple instruction: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’ ” (Genesis 2:16–17). God could not have been clearer. Yet Eve chose not to listen to the loving voice of her Creator. Instead, she listened to the deceptive voice of the serpent, and the result was her shame, just like we often feel when we come face to face with the consequences of our choices.

Soon after Eve and Adam ate the fruit, God came looking for them. But they didn’t run to Him; they hid. Still, God already knew what they had done, just as He knows our mistakes. And instead of leaving her in her shame, He clothed her. He covered her and Adam with clothing and with grace.

He does the same for us. God does not want shame to be our identity. He is quick to forgive and eager to cover us with His grace. He has done it for me, and He can do it for you too.

Of course, sin still carries consequences. For Eve, it meant enduring pain in childbirth (I’ve been there—yikes!), losing the perfect garden God created for her and Adam, living in a fallen world, and having a different relationship with God.

We also face consequences for our sin. But here is the hope: Our story is not defined by shame. It is covered by the grace of a God who loves us deeply.

Your challenge today is to let go of the sin and shame that are holding you back. What a beautiful way to begin this study—free.

PART 2 | OBSERVE AND ANALYZE

Historical Context

Though the story of Eve is probably one you are familiar with, it’s important to consider its purpose, author, and original audience as we work to better understand God’s word.

“Genesis” comes from a Greek word that means “origin.” This title is fitting, as the purpose of Genesis is all about origins: the world, the human race, and sin.

Genesis is the first of the first five books of the Bible, collectively known as the Pentateuch. They are attributed to Moses and were originally written in Biblical Hebrew. The Pentateuch comprises the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, and focuses on God’s covenant with Israel through Moses, as well as establishing God’s directives in regard to law, society, and religion.

Through narrative, Genesis explains the character and nature of God and the place we as humans have in His creation. It reveals sin and its consequences as well as our need for a Savior.

Now, with that background information in mind, read Genesis 2–3 again, then answer the questions below.

1 In Genesis 3, how is the serpent described? How are his interactions with Eve contrary to the way God interacts with both Adam and Eve?

2 In Genesis 3:6, what are the three reasons Eve chose to eat the fruit?

3 Look at the three reasons you listed above. What is missing? Did she consider God’s command or consult Adam? How does this compare to your own experience with sin?

4 In Genesis 3:9, why do you think God calls out, “Where are you?” to Adam and Eve though He knows they are hiding? What does this tell us about His character?

5 In Genesis 3:14–21, what is the consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin? How does He show love and care for them, even in the midst of their sinful choice?

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PART 3 | REFLECT

In Part 2, you took a closer look at Genesis 2–3, the choices Adam and Eve made, and the character of God. Today, spend some time reflecting on your own life.

What is a sin or mistake that you’ve been holding onto?

Why do you think it’s been so hard to let go? How does holding onto it impact your life and identity?

Look up Psalm 86:5 and write it below. Then underline the attributes of God.

Read 1 John 1:9. What did God say He is quick to do when we confess our sins?

PART 4 | JOURNAL

As we’ve spent time studying Genesis 2– 3, we’ve looked at the sinful nature of man and the compassionate and just nature of God. Now, spend some time reflecting on any shame you are feeling as a result of sin in your life. What are you struggling with? Do you find yourself hiding as Eve did? Look back at 1 John 1:9 and consider how you can meet God where you are.

PART 5 | PRAY

As we wrap up Eve’s story, consider the love and compassion that God showed her, even though she was hiding due to the guilt of the sin she had committed. Spend some time praying to God; ask Him to replace any shame you are feeling with His love and grace and give you the encouragement you need to live a life that will glorify Him.

Sarah’s Story From Disbelief to Joy

PART 1 | READ

Genesis 15:1– 6, Genesis 17:1–7 and 15– 19, and Genesis 21:1–7

LAUGHTER IS a funny thing. We laugh for many reasons: when someone tells a joke, when you see something funny, or sometimes simply out of disbelief. That last kind of laughter shows up in the story of Sarah and her husband, Abraham.

Sarah and Abraham longed to be parents. Yet year after year, they remained childless. Then God said something audacious! At the age of ninety, Sarah would become a mother. And what did Sarah do? She laughed. It made no sense, even though God Himself had spoken it.

But God was faithful. In time, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac. And this time her laughter was filled with joy because God had done exactly what He promised.

Let’s step back for a moment, though. God had already been at w ork in their story. He had even given them new names because He was doing a new thing in them. Abram became Abraham, and Sarai became Sarah. With the new names came a new identity and a new covenant, or promise. S cripture tells us, “[Abraham] believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6, New International Version).

Still, the waiting was hard. And in the waiting, Sarah struggled. She took matters into her own hands, arranging for a child through her maidservant, Hagar.

Maybe you can relate to the struggle of waiting. You’ve prayed, you’ve believed God is in it, but when nothing seems to happen, you try to do it yourself. Often this only leads to more heartache. Sarah’s choice brought pain for everyone involved and caused Abraham to act contradictory to God’s plan.

Yet even our missteps cannot stop God from accomplishing His will. His promises stand firm, and His timing is perfect.

So what do we take from Sarah’s story? That God is faithful. His ways may feel slow, but they are always sure. When the waiting feels long and the promise seems impossible, remember Sarah. Step back, breathe deep, and trust Him. In His time, your laughter will be the laughter of joy.

Today’s challenge is to not give up on your audacious prayer and reflect on the attributes of God. If it is His will, it will happen. And His timing will be better than anything we could have planned apart from Him!