The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today

by Shannon Bream

Overview

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! 

The women of the Bible lived timeless stories—by examining them, we can understand what it means to be a woman of faith.

People unfamiliar with Scripture often assume that women play a small, secondary role in the Bible. But in fact, they were central figures in numerous Biblical tales. It was Queen Esther’s bravery at a vital point in history which saved her entire people. The Bible contains warriors like Jael, judges like Deborah, and prophets like Miriam. The first person to witness Jesus’ resurrection was Mary Magdalene, who promptly became the first Christian evangelist, eager to share the news which would change the world forever.

In The Women of the Bible Speak, Fox News Channel's Shannon Bream opens up the lives of sixteen of these Biblical women, arranging them into pairs and contrasting their journeys. In pairing their stories, Shannon helps us reflect not only on the meaning of each individual’s life, but on how they relate to each other and to us.

From the shepherdesses of ancient Israel who helped raise the future leaders of the people of God, to the courageous early Christians, the narrative of the Bible offers us many vivid and fascinating female characters. In their lives we can see common struggles to resist bitterness, despair, and pride, and to instead find their true selves in faith, hope, and love. In studying these heroes of the faith, we can find wisdom and warnings for how to better navigate our own faith journeys.

The Women of the Bible Speak outlines the lessons we can take from the valor of Esther, the hope of Hannah, the audacity of Rahab, and the faith of Mary. In broadening each woman’s individual story, Shannon offers us a deeper understanding of each, and wisdom and insights that can transform our own lives today. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063046597
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/30/2021
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	6,700
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

SHANNON BREAM is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Women of the Bible Speak, the anchor of Fox News @ Night, and the chief legal correspondent for Fox News Channel. She has covered landmark cases at the Supreme Court and heated political campaigns and policy battles from the White House to Capitol Hill.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Sarah and Hagar: Women of the Covenants 1

Sarah and Hagar Study Questions 30

Rachel and Leah: Sisters and Rivals 33

Rachel and Leah Study Questions 62

Tamar and Ruth: Outsiders 65

Tamar and Ruth Study Questions 93

Deborah and Jael: Women of Valor 95

Deborah and Jael Study Questions 124

Hannah and Miriam: Speaking God's Truth 127

Hannah and Miriam Study Questions 159

Esther and Rahab: Unexpected Heroes of Faith 161

Esther and Rahab Study Questions 188

Mary and Martha of Bethany: Two Pathways 191

Mary and Martha of Bethany Study Questions 219

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene: Witnesses to the Gospel 221

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene Study Questions 247

Jesus and the Women 249

Acknowledgments 279

Editorial Reviews

In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream offers valuable examples of how to live a faithful life. Through these warm and engaging stories, Shannon reveals how central women were to God’s story in the Bible. They were courageous queens, strong mothers, and wise prophets. They defended Israel and were the first Christian evangelists. There are lessons for all of us in this book

Michael W. Smith

In the pressures of contemporary life, we often fail to make time to learn from those who have gone before us. In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream allows the reader to walk closely with sixteen women and learn from their struggles and successes. I highly recommend it to both female and male readers.

Gary Chapman

Women of the Bible have made significant contributions, and God used them to change the course for everyone. Shannon introduces us to the brave, noble, and sometimes vulnerable or broken women in the Bible. This book is a helpful tool to demonstrate—no matter what you are going through—that other women experienced the same and still came out on top.

Ainsley Earhardt

Shannon Bream reminds us: when women of God speak, we’re wise to listen, take note, and learn. I’ve found it true in my own life, and Shannon’s book is a worthy reminder, revealing rich life lessons found in the lives of biblical women.

Max Lucado

Shannon takes us directly into the lives of women in the Bible and, more specifically, into their hearts through their very own words, emotions, and interactions. She reminds us that throughout history, God has valued women as part of His plan of salvation, even purposing one to bear the Savior of the world. With so much focus today on women trying to obtain worth and value, this book provides a clearer picture of the value God has always placed on each of us. We will never have to fight for what we already have.

Missy Robertson

Creative and colorful, captivating and compelling – here are the biblical accounts of sixteen women whose stories remain ever relevant to today’s cultural moment. Let Shannon enlighten and encourage you with these ancient lives that can bring us the courage and commitment we all need in these tumultuous times.” 

Lee Strobel

Shannon Bream is a strong, inspiring woman with a powerful impact...a world-changer! In ‘Women of the Bible’ she writes about Biblical women who were each world-changers in their own way - women whose powerful stories teach us truths we need today. Thanks Shannon for shining God’s light...through your book and your life!

Rebecca St. James

"Shannon Bream's book, The Women of the Bible Speak, flies in the face of 'cancel culture' with real stories from real women in biblical times who tackled some of the same problems we face today as a society. I recommend The Women of the Bible Speak for anyone to learn more about these pivotal players in history."

Kevin Sorbo

"The Women of the Bible Speak, by Shannon Bream, is a crash course for every woman seeking a closer relationship with the Lord. Through their stories and examples the reader is inspired with a renewed sense of the light the Lord shines through each of us in the midst of life's challenges."

Nona Jones

Shannon Bream’s newest book The Women of the Bible Speak is a fascinating study of sixteen strong women who were instrumental in the history of Israel and the early church. Shannon doesn’t treat these characters as plaster saints but as flawed, but faithful, individuals God used mightily.  Thanks, Shannon, for this fresh reminder of God’s willingness to offer a new beginning for anyone who asks!” 

Dr. Robert Jeffress

Shannon Bream reminds us: when women of God speak, we’re wise to listen, take note, and learn. I’ve found it true in my own life, and Shannon’s book is a worthy reminder, revealing rich life lessons found in the lives of biblical women.” — Max Lucado, pastor and New York Times bestselling author 

“Women of the Bible have made significant contributions, and God used them to change the course for everyone. Shannon introduces us to the brave, noble, and sometimes vulnerable or broken women in the Bible. This book is a helpful tool to demonstrate—no matter what you are going through—that other women experienced the same and still came out on top.” — Ainsley Earhardt, New York Times bestselling author of The Light Within Me

“In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream offers valuable examples of how to live a faithful life. Through these warm and engaging stories, Shannon reveals how central women were to God’s story in the Bible. They were courageous queens, strong mothers, and wise prophets. They defended Israel and were the first Christian evangelists. There are lessons for all of us in this book” — Michael W. Smith, Grammy award winning singer-songwriter

“Shannon takes us directly into the lives of women in the Bible and, more specifically, into their hearts through their very own words, emotions, and interactions. She reminds us that throughout history, God has valued women as part of His plan of salvation, even purposing one to bear the Savior of the world. With so much focus today on women trying to obtain worth and value, this book provides a clearer picture of the value God has always placed on each of us. We will never have to fight for what we already have.” — Missy Robertson, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Women of Duck Commander

“Creative and colorful, captivating and compelling – here are the biblical accounts of sixteen women whose stories remain ever relevant to today’s cultural moment. Let Shannon enlighten and encourage you with these ancient lives that can bring us the courage and commitment we all need in these tumultuous times.”  — Lee Strobel, best-selling author of The Case for Christ and The Case for Miracles

“Shannon Bream is a strong, inspiring woman with a powerful impact...a world-changer! In ‘Women of the Bible’ she writes about Biblical women who were each world-changers in their own way - women whose powerful stories teach us truths we need today. Thanks Shannon for shining God’s light...through your book and your life!” — Rebecca St. James, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter  

"Shannon Bream's book, The Women of the Bible Speak, flies in the face of 'cancel culture' with real stories from real women in biblical times who tackled some of the same problems we face today as a society. I recommend The Women of the Bible Speak for anyone to learn more about these pivotal players in history." — Kevin Sorbo, producer, director

“Shannon Bream’s newest book The Women of the Bible Speak is a fascinating study of sixteen strong women who were instrumental in the history of Israel and the early church. Shannon doesn’t treat these characters as plaster saints but as flawed, but faithful, individuals God used mightily.  Thanks, Shannon, for this fresh reminder of God’s willingness to offer a new beginning for anyone who asks!”  — Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Fox News Contributor

“In the pressures of contemporary life, we often fail to make time to learn from those who have gone before us. In The Women of the Bible Speak, Shannon Bream allows the reader to walk closely with sixteen women and learn from their struggles and successes. I highly recommend it to both female and male readers.” — Gary Chapman, Ph.D., author of The 5 Love Languages

"The Women of the Bible Speak, by Shannon Bream, is a crash course for every woman seeking a closer relationship with the Lord. Through their stories and examples the reader is inspired with a renewed sense of the light the Lord shines through each of us in the midst of life's challenges." — Nona Jones, Nona Jones Ministris

From the Publisher