The biggest impact is in a better understanding of the cultural norms of Jesus’ time. I find through this study how much sermons appear of overlay todays cultural norms into Jesus’ time. The meaning changes considerably in doing so. We loose the message of faith equality and favor in this process.

Jesus comes upon a Samaritan woman at the well and is wearied himself, so he asks her for water. This is where Jesus has a conversation with her and two things happen. He asks her a question and she, instead of lying to him she told him the truth. He acknowledged that and Jesus then told her truths about her life. During the discourse…

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I always heard this story as she was a sinful woman. I felt her going back to tell what had happened was not received with the credibility as from a person society accepted with regard. This is truly an important lesson for all of Western Christianity to understand. As these practices and assumptions are prevalent in todays society as well.

By focusing on a falsehood believed of a person without credible facts distorts the critical message Jesus is trying to convey to all current readers and followers of Jesus. Unfortunately this is a common sermon point preached still today.

My encounters with this story where as so many others, she was an outcast, unclean and avoided. Dr. Cohicks explanation once again brings such clarity! it also provides a consistent view of Jesus Christs love being equal to men and women. Power given freely as Christ decides and how. So reaffirming!

It is a critical view in which women can find their place and vision in God’s plan without hesitation. This helps provide mentorship and inspiration.

she was always presented as a prostitute and sinful. I felt the background help provide a clearer picture or I might even say a much fuller view of a woman who was interesting and misunderstood through the teaching of current representations. Also have come to understand over the years the narrow narrative provided by many male pastors who…

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I find their commitment to the culture they themselves were subject to with limitations, shows me the importance of God’s faithfulness when not obviously apparent. The second is the encouragement of their strength in such circumstances and wisdom to act boldly in trust and action towards God.

I don’t think surprised or challenged, I feel this was a clarifying study of these women which helps fill in many gaps of questions over the years.

Prophet and Disciple is generally left out. Why, patriarchal hierarchy. Very sad, however, I feel there is a shift for truth.

I feel so many of us come with a history of untold facts and understanding of, not only Mary’s story, but the story of so many women in the bible. So as I continue to study where many of these women truly are in God’s plan, past and present, I continue to see the power of God’s presence is not limited. This study was a deeper dive into the…

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What stood out to me was how contrast her proclamation of God in her song, was to the journey from conception through the crucifixion of Christ . The clarity in her expressive words and prophetic nature seem to me the incredible moving of the Holy Spirit. I imagine her feeling after those words, she must have felt extremely blessed…

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