Bible study

 

2008-2009

The Hidden Hand of God:
Wisdom Stories from Ruth, Daniel, and Esther

The wisdom stories of Ruth, Daniel 1-6, and Esther help us think about our call to discipleship in the complexity of today's world. You will see three recurring "H" themes throughout the study.

Hesed is a Hebrew word meaning extravagant loving loyalty that goes beyond the expected. Exploring it in these books will help us to examine how God is calling us to express hesed in our lives.

Heroic actions involve great risks to the one performing them. They are brave actions for the sake of others. Studying the leading characters in these stories will challenge us as we think about the risks God calls us to take as a part of faithful discipleship.

Hidden hand refers to the often unseen-presence of God in all three books. Discovering how God works in these stories allows us to reflect on how God sometimes seems hidden in our lives or in the lives of those we love — and how we are called to live through such times.

As we study these books together, we pray that we grow in confidence of God's never-ending love for us and that we gain courage to take the risks God may be calling us to. The first session is available for download. View the monthly magazine themes and Bible study topics.

New! Online video overviews are available with the Bible study authors, Rev. Gwen Sayler and Rev. Ann Fritschel.  Click here for the introduction and an insight into each session of the study.

To Order

Bible study companion pieces
Leader Guide  $6.95
978-6-0002-2093-8

Companion Bible  $3.95
978-6-0002-2094-5

Bookmark (12 pack)  $3.75
978-6-0002-2092-1

 Lutheran Woman Today subscription
1 year/10 issues     $12
2 years/20 issues    $22
3 years/30 issues    $33 

Applicable sales tax and shipping charges will be included when an order is placed. Call for rates.

Subscribe to Lutheran Woman Today online.

Call 1-800-328-4648 to order.


About the 2008-09 Bible study authors

Gwen Sayler

Ann Fritschel

The Rev. Gwen Sayler is a professor of Hebrew Bible at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She is a deaconess in the Valparaiso Lutheran deaconess community and an ELCA pastor. Sayler served as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Watertown, Wis., before joining Wartburg in 1991. She has doctorates in Jewish and Christian History and Literature from the Bible to the Misnah from the University of Iowa, a master's degree from Concordia Seminary in Exile in Chicago, and a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.

 The Rev. Ann Fritschel is associate professor of Hebrew Bible at Wartburg Seminary. She served churches in Dickinson, Mohall, and Hamerly, N.D. She is also the director of the Center for Global Theologies at the seminary. She has a doctorate in Hebrew Bible/Old testament from Emory University, Atlanta, a master of divinity degree from Wartburg, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.