Encounter the men and women of Scripture. Studies from www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk. http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/ http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/eli As Spiderman famously said 'With great power comes great responsibility'. Eli could have done with that advice! If you've ever struggled to do the right thing, or to stand your ground and have integrity in your faith - here's a man to learn from; High Priest of Israel - but a man whose heart and actions didn't always match. Take a look, but be warned - it's not a pretty story! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/jonathan Jonathan is one of my favourite men of the Old Testament. If they made a film of his story I’m sure someone muscular and dashing would get the part! He’s a proper ‘boy’s own’ action hero, but he’s also a man who is often overshadowed by his great friend King David. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/obadiah Has God ever asked you to take a risk for him? Did you do it, or was it too daunting a prospect? Do you face risking people’s disapproval if they knew about your faith? Do you feel like you’ve already done your share, made enough sacrifices? Obadiah would sympathise with those sentiments – but God had one more challenge for him. How he dealt with it might help us deal with our anxieties about following God too. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/anna Do you feel positive about your life – or have you been disappointed by the shape it’s taken? If you feel that you’ve taken a battering and wonder where God is in that, or how to hold on to him, Anna is a great example of someone who worked that out.  If you want someone to inspire you to keep going, through thick and thin then this woman might be just what you need. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/boaz The Romantic hero of the Bible?  An Old Testament Mr Darcy? Boaz is one of the good guys but he’s not someone we might immediately identify as ‘heroic’. He wasn’t a soldier, a king or a prophet – he was just an honourable guy, who feared God and kept the law. Not dramatic, but a mighty man of God none the less. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/jehosheba How do you feel about children? Whether we love them & long for our own, or don’t quite know what to do with them; God has strong feelings about kids. Jehosheba; a royal princess in a time of political instability is a great example of courage, generosity and risk taking for the sake of a child that wasn’t hers. Whether you are a mother, wish you were, or don’t know the first thing about changing nappies, this study will help you ponder the question of how God would have his daughters (and sons) view children! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/junia Have you ever felt overlooked? Taken for granted? Are there times when it seems like no one notices or cares what you do? Do you sometimes feel like the odd one out – a woman in a man’s world maybe? Meet Junia, and her husband Andronicas – the forgotten apostle, a woman worth reflecting on. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/leah-and-rachel Most of us dream of a happy family. TV adverts show loving parents, laughing children, doting grandparents and bounding pets, the reality is not quite like that for most of us though! Still, that’s not a new thing, ever since Cain killed Abel, brothers and sisters have been fighting. There really is nothing new under the sun... read on: Eastenders meets the Patriarchs! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/the-shunammite-woman How do people grow in faith? What about when things don’t work out the way we hoped? A woman from the distant past, from a place called Shunem might give us some pointers. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/phoebe Although she’s only mentioned once in the Bible – for 2 verses Phoebe is a significant woman, and a great example of how doing some detective work in scripture can pay off and teach us things we’d have normally skipped over. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/rhoda When things are tough what is your response? Do you really think prayer makes any difference? Is your faith something that gives you hope, joy even? In a terrible situation - literally life and death - Rhoda finds a joy that's infectious. Perhaps you could do with considering her? Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/joanna In a time of Credit crunch, where money is a touchy subject, and yet where so much of the world has always had so little; how can we - as God's children - respond? Joanna was a lady transformed by meeting Jesus, who provides us with a great example of just that - how to partner with Jesus & use our money wisely. Take a look. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/priscilla 'Marriage doubles or halves your ministry'. Here's one half of a great couple. Priscilla married one of the good guys - and look what they achieved together. But what if you're not half of anything? What if you're single? What if you don't want to be? This team give us a great example of marriage in action - but also help us reflect on our obsession with romance. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/rizpah How do you respond to injustice in the world? What about when it's against you? What if there seems to be nothing you can do about it? Rizpah knows all about slander and injustice - but even in a situation where she had no power, she still showed courage that shamed the powerful. I bet you've never heard of her - but she was a brave lady! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/pilates-wife Sometimes it can feel as if we are banging our head against a brick wall, nothing we try seems to make any difference. If that’s the case then Pontius Pilate’s unnamed wife can be an encouragement to us. When we do the right thing – regardless of the outcome – God takes notice and the cry, ‘Well done, good & faithful servant’ rings across time & history. Take a look at a woman who tried to do the right thing. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/joseph Life is a roller coaster!’ So said Westlife, Joseph would probably agree. If yours feels like that sometimes too, it might be worth considering his story ( It’s not just about technicolour dreamcoats you know!) Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/huldah What do you think your reputation is? What would you like it to be? Who do you go to for advice when you’re in a dilemma? What sort of help do you seek out? Huldah is a relatively unknown prophetess from times of great trouble in Judah. She offered wise, godly, honest council to those who needed help. She offers us an example of how to ‘speak the truth in love’, rather than speak the truth unkindly, or avoid the truth rather than cause offense. Take a look, see how she might inspire you! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/john-mark John Mark blew it, let his team down, bottled out. This study looks at second chances, how we react to mistakes (both our own & others) what the bible teaches about forgiveness, and the potential God sees even in those who are less than perfect! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/eunice For a woman who only gets two brief mentions in the Bible, Eunice is a woman of great influence. Addressing questions of family, parenting and the faith of our children this study considers the effect of a mother’s faith on her children and the implications of that. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/andrew If you’ve ever felt overlooked, or in someone else’s shadow Andrew might be a helpful person for you to think about. Brother to Peter, friends with James & John, Andrew had unique qualities that weren’t high profile but made him indispensible. Encourageing for those who serve ‘behind the scenes’ and a chance to think about where we get our security from! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/elijah A mighty man of God, hero of the Old Testament – who reaches the end of himself. An encouragement for those of us who run out of energy, hope and courage – this is the very human story of a man who just couldn’t cope anymore and how God met him in that place. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/jonah Here’s a man who didn’t like the job God gave him – but thorough a long and humbling journey discovered who God really was. Many of us can empathise with Jonah – but it would be great to learn from his mistakes rather than have to make them ourselves! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/solomon Ever felt out of your depth? Done your best but not quite got it right? Solomon would empathise with that. Taken from the start of his reign (before it all went wrong!) this study looks at how God equips people to do what he’s asked of them. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/ruth In the middle of a dark time in Israel’s history one story shines out, little people who obey God and are honoured by him. It may be the ‘chick lit’ of the Bible, but the book of Ruth has lessons for us all ( Both men & women!) about what courage and integrity mean. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/esther ‘If I die, I die!’ The words of a young woman trapped in the court of a Babylonian dictator. Esther is inspiring for anyone who finds themselves trying to follow God in situations beyond their control. If you feel in need some courage – Esther’s your girl! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/saul The first anointed King of Israel, a man chosen by God to lead yet someone who was far more worried about courting popularity than obeying God, always asking ‘what will everyone think of me?’ If that’s a challenge you face take a look at Saul’s story – see if there’s anything you could learn! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/gideon Do you ever doubt God? Or yourself? Do you wonder what on earth is going on with your life? Gideon lived in a time when his whole nation was asking the question - ‘What is God playing at?’ God’s answer was to take Gideon on a journey, to discover both God and his own role in being part of the solution. This study, looking at the beginning of Gideon’s journey with God might give you some food for thought on those questions you have. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/miriam Have you ever felt frustrated with your leaders? Ever been involved in gossip about them? Or maybe you are a leader who finds the criticisms of others painful? The book of exodus and very human actions of Miriam give us food for thought on how to deal with those frustrations. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/ehud If you’ve ever felt odd, not quite fitting with everyone else, a bit of a misfit, then Ehud is your man. An unusual choice as a leader, God picked a man no one else would have looked at to rescue his people. Definitely encouraging for those who don’t quite tick all the normal boxes! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/barak Has God ever asked you to do something you were afraid of? Do you find it easier to rely on other people than on God? This man’s story might give you some things to think about. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/jael Ever struggled to get your head around all that violence in the Bible? Ever been camping? Put those two things together and you get Jael; a woman with tent pegs who you wouldn’t mess with! She raises some questions for us about gender, war and courage... read on! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/aschah Jesus told his disciples, ‘You don’t have because you don’t ask’. But when should we ask & when should we keep quiet? Whether you open your mouth too much, or not enough, Aschah is a good example of someone who asked for the right thing, in the right way at the right time. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/naamans-slave-girl How can we hold on to God when everything is going wrong? How can we genuinely sing, ‘When the darkness closes in, still I will say ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’’? Here’s a little girl who might inspire us in what it means to follow God when we are in a dark place personally! Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/sheerah-shallums-daughters What do we do with painful experiences from our past? Times we’ve suffered? These women used their history to build a future for themselves and their families. Remarkable for their time they are an example of how God can use his people in practical ways to demonstrate his love for those in trouble. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/tabitha Jesus said ‘the poor will always be with you’ (Matt 26.11). It’s true, but as Christians how do we start to help those in trouble? Tabitha was a compassionate, generous, inspiring woman – she might just give you some ideas of how to start showing God’s love to those in need. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/tamar Low self esteem? The victim of bad relationships? Many of us struggle with experiences we’ve had that have crushed our confidence, made us feel useless or worthless. Tamar is a young woman who’d recognise those experiences. She might also inspire us to re-think how we see ourselves, and view our futures. Ruth Perrin http://www.cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/abigail How do you handle conflict? Are you good in a crisis or do you panic? Ever wondered why God made you look the way you do? Abigail is a remarkable woman, caught between two huge ego’s she shows initiative, wisdom and courage – Jesus said ‘blessed are the peacemakers’, Abigail is definitely one of those! Ruth Perrin