The northshorestakewomensinstitute’s Podcast

Lesson 14: Mary and Martha

What is “that good part” that Jesus told Martha to choose? Why did Jesus let Lazarus die? How did Jesus raise the status of women? Why did Mary anoint Jesus' feet in a room full of men? Join us as we explore these settings of Mary and Martha and the beautiful gospel truths that we learn from them.

Lesson 13: The Woman at the Well

Just as the Samaritan Woman at the well, the Savior sees us, knows us, meets us where we are, and helps us to change.  If we follow her example of listening and believing, we can too declare our witness of Christ.

Lesson 12: Anna and Elisabeth

In this lesson, we learn about Anna the prophetess, one of the early witnesses of Jesus Christ as our Savior. We also learn about Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, who bravely spoke her truth despite a life of heartache. We explore what it means to be a witness of Jesus Christ at all times and in all places. What does witnessing look like? What are the unique gifts women have to witness to and sustain each other? Learn about why witnesses are needed, now more than ever. This is not a time to sit still. We can learn from these strong, spiritual women. 

Lesson 11: Mary the Mother of Jesus

Mary, the mother of Jesus fulfilled her foreordained calling to be the mother of the Son of God. Join us as we talk about the challenges and blessings of her divine calling.

Lesson 10: Esther

In today’s institute class, we explored the story of Esther through the lens of courageous faith. We focused on the idea that “her faith became their faith,” highlighting how Esther’s personal trust in a God who could deliver her people became a shared legacy that is still honored today.

 

Join us as we discuss how Esther’s faith enabled her to move beyond fear, uncertainty, and discouragement, and her confidence in God gave her the courage to act boldly on behalf of her people.

Lesson 9: The Widow of Zarephath

In this Institute lesson, we explore the story of the Widow of Zarephath, who lived during a time of turmoil in the 9th century BC. She faced some of the same dilemmas we do today when we feel like we are down to our last meager resources. 

 

The Widow was an outsider, alone, poor, and desperate to feed her son. When the prophet Elijah visits her, instead of giving her food, he asks her to give him her last meal. Why would she do such a counterintuitive thing? She was a Gentile and didn’t share his religion. She needed to prioritize her son’s health. And yet…

 

The Widow does sacrifice her food to Elijah and God provides a food supply for both of them during a three year famine. 

 

Have you ever been asked to do something that goes against short-term logic but ends up helping you in the long-term?

When can the unexpected be a blessing?

 

The Widow is such a compelling figure that even Jesus Christ speaks of her personally during his earthly ministry. Luke 4. Jesus Christ reminds us that God will visit all people in their time of crisis, even if we are destitute and hurting.

Lesson 8: Abigail

Learn from Abigail as she tries to clean up a dangerous situation created by the foolish actions of her husband. She exemplifies how our righteous choices and influence can bless not only us but also those around us. 

Lesson 7: Hannah

Hannah: Faith in the Waiting

Women in the Scriptures — Institute Lesson, October 2025

 

In this Institute lesson, we explore the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1–2—a woman whose faithful prayers and covenant devotion reveal what it means to trust God through waiting, sorrow, and surrender.

 

Through thoughtful insights and modern application, this lesson examines how Hannah’s example teaches us to:

 • Exercise patience in the Lord’s timing

 • Pray with persistence and find peace through covenants

 • Build faith on relationship rather than reward

 • Act in faith and surrender with trust in God’s higher plan

 

Drawing on scriptural parallels such as Martha’s experience with the Savior, and supported by teachings from modern prophets and apostles, this discussion highlights the spiritual growth that can come through life’s waiting seasons.

 

Hannah’s story begins in sorrow but ends in song—a reminder that the same God who remembered Hannah remembers each of us.