As a source of study and reflection during Lent, the ‘Sisters’ of the Church of the Martyrs in Leicester are concentrating on stories of the ‘unseen’ women of the Bible.
Female members of the church, alongside a few male leaders, have been taking it in turns to make videos, sharing their thoughts, observations, and shedding light on the lives and characters of women often overlooked in Scripture, but deeply significant in God’s redemptive plan.
The reflections are based around Ros Clarke’s book, ‘Forty Women: Unseen Women of the Bible from Eden to Easter.’ This daily Lent devotional uncovers the women of the Bible who are essential to the Easter weekend, from Eve to the Shummamite, Deborah to Ruth.
Talking about why she picked the book and its significance to women in her church family and women historically, Intercultural Pioneer Minister, Shoba Gosa, said: “Many of my conversations with women in our community have made me reflect deeply on the experiences of women in our time and how various social challenges can impact our faith in Jesus.
“These conversations have also raised questions about why it can sometimes be difficult to understand or relate to different biblical characters, especially women whose stories are rarely mentioned in our main sermons or in our everyday discussions of faith.”
She added: “The book follows the journey of forty women in the Bible during the forty days of Lent, making it a meaningful way to reflect spiritually each day. What struck me most is how it focuses on women who are often overlooked in scripture. Even though some of them are only mentioned briefly, their stories reveal deep experiences of faith, courage, suffering, and hope.”
The book also invites us to think about the cultural realities women faced in biblical times.
Shoba explains: “Issues such as shame, social expectations, and questions of worth were often connected to marriage, childbearing, infertility, divorce, or a woman’s place in society. Many of these pressures still exist in different cultures today. Reflecting on these women helps us see how God valued and worked through them even when society overlooked them, reminding us that their lives and faith mattered.
“The book is significant because it helps readers notice voices in scripture that are sometimes ignored. By reflecting on these women, we see how God worked through many different people, not just the well-known figures.
“Many readers find these reflections moving because they connect biblical stories with real human experiences such as fear, trust, loss, and faith.”
As part of their Lent learning, the church group is using its Sisters WhatsApp to share thoughts and reflections on the women in the book. In this space, members discuss what they learned from each story and how it connects with their own faith and experiences.
The church also runs a monthly gathering on the second Saturday, where sisters are encouraged to reflect on their ongoing Christian journey, share challenges, support one another, and end the meeting by praying together in pairs.
You can follow their daily devotions and watch the videos here on the church’s YouTube channel.