Читать книгу Bold Girls Speak - Mary Stromer Hanson - Страница 4

I was listening to a sermon titled the “Raising of the Daughter of Jairus,” sometime in the mid-1990s, when it occurred to me that I wished I had noticed that passage when I was much younger. Normally, Mark 5:21–43 is taught from the point of view of the father, or Jesus, or the disciples, but I wondered why not give attention to the girl’s experience? This daughter was precious in the sight of both her parents and Jesus. Throughout my childhood Christian education, I had the impression that girls were invisible in the church. The stories were always about the men, kings, disciples, and some sons. Occasionally a woman would show up, but never a girl. I realized how empowering it could be for girls to see themselves in the Bible stories. I quickly thought of a few more girls who are under-represented in the Sunday school lesson books. Since then, I have discovered even more girls tucked into overlooked verses, both in the Old and New Testament.

Throughout years of teaching school and then in seminary training, I never let go of the idea of developing these stories. It must have been a calling; I rewrote them many times as I gained more knowledge and experience as a writer. The ten stories in this book are written as accurately as possible to their historical, cultural, and biblical settings. To enrich the learning possibilities of these stories, I have created additional episodes that bring in more female characters and experiences. These girls are brave and smart. They make the best of difficult situations, often in foreign cultures and under the condition of forced servitude. They solve problems and survive, all the while witnessing to their faith and living true to their God. The stories in this book can be read in chronological order, but doing so is not necessary because each story is self-contained. Although girls are the main characters in these stories, most include boys as well. This book can be used for classes or for individual enjoyment. Depending on the discretion of teachers and parents, more mature students can be guided through a discussion of the suggested questions that follow each story. The stories themselves are appropriate for any audience.

The pastor who I listened to that Sunday morning so long ago was Rev. Jonathan D. Male (1935–1996) of Park Hill Presbyterian Church in Denver, Colorado. He was a kind and generous man who encouraged and helped me heal during a hard time in my life. A few short years later, he met his maker on Christmas Eve, a victim of cancer that took his life too early. His inspiration and encouragement caused me to begin writing these stories, and it is in his memory I dedicate this book.