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CURRENTLY IN CURRICULUM
South African women develop Bible studies for others


Jean Isaac and her husband Gary are workers with the Commission on Overseas Mission (General Conference Mennonite Church) through Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, based in Umtata, South Africa. Jean has been involved with the Utatma Women’s Theology Group for the last decade.

This group of mostly professional women, both white and black South Africans, began writing their own Bible study materials in the late 1980s because they felt like they were “biblically illiterate”, even though they had gone to church all their lives, says Jean. “So they decided to start a Bible study group. They wondered if the Bible had a particular message for women, and began looking at the Bible that way.”

The Umtata Women’s group has developed 10 titles and is working on its 11th. All have been written as a result of the group meeting regularly to brainstorm. Topics are assigned to teams, usually consisting of two group members. Biblical texts are chosen and questions are developed. Then the materials are tested on the group as a whole.

Jean serves as editor, and physically puts the booklets together. They are printed from computers and then photocopied. Promotion is largely by word of mouth.

The vision of the Umtata Women’s group for the Bible studies is to make them as widely accessible as possible. A number of booklets have been translated into Xhosa, and several into Afrikaans. The booklet on AIDS has been translated into Zulu as well.

Jean feels that these Bible studies would make good study materials for North American women. “Using these books provides exposure to the life situations other people face in their cultural settings,” she says. “There is the opportunity to compare and contrast the issues people face in their lives and Christian walks [in different parts of the world.]”

To order any of the booklets or the set, contact COM, 722 Main St., Box 347, Newton, KS 67114-0347; phone (316) 283-5100 or e-mail com@gcmc.org. The booklets cost $2 US each or $18 for the set.

Titles in the Umtata Women’s Theology Bible Study Series:

“Women, the Bible and the Contemporary Church: An Introduction to Women’s Theology” No. 1 (1988, revised 1994). Eight sections discuss relevant biblical passages and the situations women face in the church today. “Matriarch, Judge, Foreigner and Liberator: Four Women of the Old Testament” No. 2 (1990, revised 1996). Sarah, Deborah, Ruth and Esther are paired with a modern woman. Themes explored include childlessness, marital unfaithfulness, oppression, in-law relationships, unemployment, the status of women, and women using their influence, acting decisively and resisting exploitation. “The Other Disciples of Jesus: Women in the New Testament” No. 3 (1990, revised 1996). Four studies on Jesus’ women disciples, the Samaritan woman, women in the New Testament churches, and women and spiritual gifts. Problems addressed include male-centred language of the Bible, the cultural assumption that women could not lead men and the assumption that the Samaritan woman was immoral. “Towards a Theology of Sexuality: Sexuality and Pregnancy, Abortion and Contraception, Rape and Battering” No. 4 (1992, revised 1994). Alternately entitled “The Other Image of God”, the studies assume that sexuality involves the total person as unique, that humans are created as sexual beings, and that the likeness of God can be abused and misused. “God, Our Loving Parent: Bible Studies on AIDS” No. 5 (1992, revised 1994). With background information, biblical passages, contemporary vignettes and discussion discussions, the hard questions of AIDS are asked. “When Two Become One: Bible Studies on Marriage” No. 6 (1995). Biblical and contemporary situations that modern married couples face are explored: money, children, sex and different values and lifestyles. “When Two Become More: Bible Studies on Parenting” No. 7 (1996). Old and New Testament passages look at modern parenting, biblical perspectives on children, the challenges of parenting, and biblical models for parenting. “When One is Alone: Bible Studies on Singleness” No. 8 (1997). Contains stories about modern single people and biblical characters like Hagar, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Topics include: singleness as a social status and lifestyle; remaining single by call; remaining single by choice; remaining single after divorce or death; and parenting as a single person. “When Two Part Ways: Bible Studies on Separation and Divorce” No. 9 (1998). Study topics include the reality of divorce today, the biblical recognition of divorce, the church’s response to divorce, the reasons for separation and divorce, the results of separation and divorce, reconciliation and recovery, and remarriage. “When One Grows Old: Bible Studies on Aging” No. 10 (1999). Bible passages with a variety of references to aging and the experiences of older people, and vignettes of people’s experiences today. Topics: the reality of aging; biblical perspectives on aging; the challenges of aging; accepting the reality of aging; and the Christian hope. “When Life’s Journey Ends: Bible Studies on Bereavement” No. 11 (2000). The studies ask how the church can help people who are dying or grieving, and urge the readers to anticipate their own and others’ death realistically. Bible and modern stories of people dying are considered.

 – Melanie Zuercher, General Conference Mennonite Church

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Last modified May 4, 2000.

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