Hagar Bible Study Guide: In the Face of Rejection, God Says I?m Significant

The women in the Bible asked the same three questions we all still ask today: How does everyone else see me? How do I see myself? How does God see me?

The Known By Name Bible study series for women—taught by seasoned Bible teachers Jada Edwards, Kasey Van Norman, and Nicole Johnson—will take you and your group through the lives of biblical women to learn more about God and how to answer these essential questions.

Hagar's story, found in Genesis 16, is a story of cultural victimization. She was betrayed, abandoned, and scorned. Her response? She did what most of us would do when deeply hurt by someone we trust—she ran away. She got defensive. She retreated to a place where she felt safe. She felt justified in her anger and hurt. But deep in her core was a woman who longed to be seen and hoped for redemption.

Follow Hagar in this 4-session Bible study (DVD/video streaming sold separately) as she learns from hurt and heartache that what is unresolved is not unseen by God. The lack of finality in Hagar's story teaches us to trust God with the ending—believing that he sees us and knows.

This study guide features video notes, group discussion questions, and between-session activities like reflecting on the drama and teachings, studying the character story in Scripture, memory verses, and journaling.

Sessions include:

1. Exposing the Lie of Shame
2. Rejected to Accepted
3. Trusting after Betrayal
4. Transformed and Seen

 

Designed for use with Known By Name: Hagar Video Study (9780310096498), sold separately.

Jada Edwards is an experienced Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has committed her life to equipping women of all ages with practical, biblical truth. Alongside her husband, Conway Edwards, the Senior Pastor, she serves as the Women’s Pastor and Director of Creative Services at One Community Church in Plano, Texas. Jada teaches a midweek women’s Bible study and is the author of the book Captive Mind and a contributing teacher In the Known by Name Bible study series. She and her husband have a son, Joah, and a daughter, Chloe.

Kasey Van Norman is a professional counselor, Bible teacher, and the author of the books and study series, Named by God and Raw Faith. Kasey writes and teaches about the love that redeemed her life from the shame of past abuse, addiction, infidelity, and, strengthened her through a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. Kasey is the founder of Northway Farms; a non-profit serving homeless women in her community. She travels and teaches thousands each year as a ministry event speaker. She lives in College Station, Texas with her husband, Justin, and their two children, Emma Grace and Lake.

Nicole Johnson, author of Fresh Brewed Life, has a uniquely creative voice. As an accomplished writer, speaker, and actor, Nicole has performed in thousands of churches and venues over the last twenty-five years, including more than a decade of touring with the national conference Women of Faith. Nicole lives in Santa Monica, CA with her husband and two children. Nicole writes regularly at www.nicolejohnson.org

Karen Lee-Thorp was a senior editor at NavPress for many years and series editor for the LifeChange Bible study series. She is now a freelance writer living in Brea, California, with her husband, Greg Herr, and their daughters, Megan and Marissa.